Android Anti-Virus

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Skeamz

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#88413 15-Aug-2011 21:39

Hi, i've recently just got my first android phone (HTC Sensation) and loving it. But i see alot about virus/malware on android market. Do you recommend using a anti-virus app, and if so which one?

Cheers,

farliarli

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#507034 15-Aug-2011 21:53

Try ESET Mobile Security its only in beta at the moment but i have heard some good things about it.

eXDee

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#507065 16-Aug-2011 00:29

Best defence is being diligent in your app downloads. Every app i've installed is a popular one, and I haven't installed unknown or less common apps.
I find an antimalware on android unnecessary, its just going to drain my battery and slow my phone slightly.

Finch

2851 posts

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#507070 16-Aug-2011 01:23

eXDee: Best defence is being diligent in your app downloads. Every app i've installed is a popular one, and I haven't installed unknown or less common apps.

+1 for that. I dont put anything on my phone that isnt already heavily downloaded/very popular.

heavenlywild

5063 posts

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#507096 16-Aug-2011 07:33

Try out Norton's new anti-virus for Android:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.symantec.mobilesecurity&feature=search_result

boby55

1539 posts

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#507098 16-Aug-2011 07:46

/Troll

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.get.an.iPhone&feature=search_result

Best solution to all the Mal-ware / Viruses in the Android Market Place

/Troll

Linuxluver

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#507116 16-Aug-2011 08:42

Skeamz: Hi, i've recently just got my first android phone (HTC Sensation) and loving it. But i see alot about virus/malware on android market. Do you recommend using a anti-virus app, and if so which one?
Cheers,

It's mainly Apple-sourced FUD.

You can ignore it if you stick to mainstream apps....or do whatever you like and at least pay attention to what your phone is doing.

There was a rash of reports about a guy who had some malware in a lab....but they didn't say what it was or where he got it from.

The aim of the story was to frighten people....not inform them of anything useful. Classic FUD.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

oxnsox

1923 posts

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#507132 16-Aug-2011 09:26

Pretty much what they said. But there will come a time.....
'
If you must have something there's apps like 'Lookout' that combine 'AV scanning', Backup-&-restore' options, plus have a GPS 'Find-my-phone' tool as well. May be worth a look, 1 app rather than 3???

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Skeamz

48 posts

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Inactive user

#507494 16-Aug-2011 18:37

Thanks for all the responses, i think for the moment i'll stay without, i know they'll be running in the background taking up ram

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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#507518 16-Aug-2011 19:31

Linuxluver: You can ignore it if you stick to mainstream apps....or do whatever you like and at least pay attention to what your phone is doing.

There was a rash of reports about a guy who had some malware in a lab....but they didn't say what it was or where he got it from.

The aim of the story was to frighten people....not inform them of anything useful. Classic FUD.

"Malware" is a very broad definition. If this is the product of FUD by security industry, why did Google pull apps from the Market?

http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/03/02/1429221/Google-Pulls-21-Malware-Apps-From-Android-Market
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2386304,00.asp

PhoneCareLtd

11 posts

Geek
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#508929 19-Aug-2011 12:06

Just don't use 360 mobile safe

stevenz

2802 posts

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#508976 19-Aug-2011 13:35

There definitely IS Android Malware out there. Lookout does a good job of scanning for things and the paid version offers some handy locating features. It's pretty unobtrusive, it doesn't run constantly, only when a new app is installed and every now & then on a schedule so it makes no noticable difference to performance or battery life (to me at least). I've had it detect one false positive which was an XDA-modified camera app.

McAfee's "WaveSecure" does much the same although it's more oriented around locating a "lost" device.

@KnightNZ

blakamin

4431 posts

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#508991 19-Aug-2011 14:03

I use lookout... mainly for the" find my phone" bit, so the anti-malware bit is a bonus.

freitasm

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#509013 19-Aug-2011 14:23

I have received a one year license of Norton Mobile Security today - for Android 2.0 and tablets. I will create a new discussion to give it away...