Kamau

X-Ray for Android

Just something to consider when you're worried if you are vulnerable or not, or just subscribing to the hype of mobile viruses /malware.

Liamo_210

People who are stupid enough to dowload certain stuff do but for a normal person no

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Digital Controller

Lets be honest here, the only way you can really get a virus is through downloading something that isn't on the Play store...

If you stay on the store you are fine

EDIT: Moving thread into the Android Lounge...

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Kamau

That's why I didn't say yay or nay. Some people's activities are not safe, so I just left it up to the individual to determine, and gave them a piece of info/tool to use. The FAQ's really are good reading in itself.

Kamau

Sorry, I thought I was in the lounge. That's probably why I should use these glasses more.
Thanks.

Digital Controller

Perfectly alright, and also that is why i link the FAQ's in my Signature, there is so much information located in that list and it is so good to read through it for just about anything

Crashdamage

Just to be clear...There's NO active Linux or Android viruses. NONE. There is some malware, yes. Viruses are a type of malware, but not all malware is a virus. That's very important distinction to keep in mind. Viruses are a much more serious problem than other types of malware.

As long as software installation is only from the Play Store malware risk is *extremely* low. No need for so-called antivirus security apps.

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Kamau

But that's in a best case senerio. What if someone is using torrents, downloading from porn sites, and grabbing apk's from anyplace on the web.
Also, my concern is basically not for the phone, but for the pc they may connect it too. That is why even though I'd love to root my phone, I can't. My home was broken into not too long ago and we lost our computers. I would love to use my friends pc to root my phone, but their on-line habits tell me not gonna happen because of what I could be putting into my phone, only to have it transferred to any new pc I get when I connect my phone to it.
Bottom line, some need it and some don't. I know that most of the hype of viruses/malware is just that.... Hype. But I also know that not everyone is careful or diligent. As I said, it is basically up to the individual.

chanchan05

Uh, from what you are saying, its just reinforcing what we are saying. Get apps only from official Appstores, don't torrent movies or music and there won't be any problem. Mostly people torrent and download from alternative sources to pirate stuff. Simply put, if you are referring to pirates, then they should stop, and its the risk they have to put up with for not paying up.

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MeepMeepChu

If I stick to the play store I can't even get this app.

shady =)

Kamau

I'm not talking about the reasons one can be infected, or whether it's right or wrong. All I'm saying is that if one does those things, there is something they can do to lessen the chance to catch something.
Of course if you do the right thing, chances are slim that you'll get a virus or malware. But again, that's up to the individual.

ThaiM

That's right, don't risk getting malware by installing apps not on Play - including OP's original app. :P

hiwatt

I still don't get why people stream movies, legit or not on their phones. Great way to go blind. Headache inducing.

chanchan05

They might be using tablets too you know. Technically any Samsung tablet, including the Note 10.1 is a huge phone. They all can make calls and send SMS.

n4zty

In my personal experience I've never needed any av with any android phone. Av companies will make a big fuss about some adware and make it seem like some worm/virus just to make you purchase their product and like someone said Linux/android is one of the safest os out there now with that being said I'm not saying your 100% fool proof on your phone there are other harmful exploits out there that can leak your info. For example the NFC on the gs3 has been exploited and I'm sure we have read about some Bluetooth app that can be installed on a victim's phone and have someone take control of it. So bottom line is using old fashion logic let's keep our phones to ourselves and let's keep our credit/debit cards info out of our phones lol its better that way. Google wallet is just another security issue waiting to happen.

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aysiu

Sounds as if people's experiences vary. You get a headache. I don't. Many other people don't, probably. I've watched a lot of streaming movies (yes, legit) on my phone, and I get no headaches and haven't yet gone blind.

To each her own. You don't like streaming movies, don't do it. Let others do it without assuming they share your headache experiences.

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Davdi

I use Avast on my WFS for the remote-wipe/lock and location if it goes AWOL. I know viruses per se are not a problem. If you're worried about security, have WiFi and Bluetooth OFF when not in use, and have Bluetooth on non-discoverable mode at other times. (Even then someone with the right software can still see and identify your phone via bluetooth, but not connect to it. IF you use open Wifi hotspots, do so via a VPN (secure, encrypted tunnel through an insecure medium 'the internet')

SamuraiBigEd

I will respond since I am one of the people who have been affected by this. I downloaded an app off the Play Store (then Market) which was infected with malware. This was done after the big bru-ha-ha over malware in the Market and they had supposedly enacted measures to prevent it from happening again.

Early Mon walked me through at the system level to see what and where the damage was and eventually a wipe was called for.

To those who say "nah forget it, doesn't happen" they are ignoring a potential threat, minimal to be sure, but a threat non-the-less and it is a bigger risk for rooted devices. It does happen and if having an anti-malware program could have prevented my situation in retrospect I should have had one installed. Having anti-malware doesn't harm your system and could potentially save you a lot of headache, I run one on all of my devices now just to be safe.

As far as the product in the OP, I can't say one way or the other. While it is not on the Play store this does not necessarily mean it is bad or shady, but I suggest researching non-Play Store apps before loading to be on the safe side.

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poriggity

I have had great luck with avg in the past and just downloaded it for my galaxy s3.. I guess we will see how it performs.

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nickdalzell

Same reason people used to use portable TVs back in the day. it was kinda neat and still is, especially if you have unlimited data, to watch a TV show or Netflix movie during a picnic or when out somewhere.

RE: Anti-virus, it's just a waste of 13+MB of internal storage if you ask me

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Last edited by nickdalzell; November 24th, 2012 at 06:25 PM.

phoenixbluex

Can you get a virus from web browsing that doesn't involve apps? Like for computers, some websites have viruses and stuff, what if you go on a website that is infected? I won't download an app that isn't on google play, but i'm worried about gettings viruses from web browsing on a tablet.

nickdalzell

i haven't gotten a PC virus since Windows 3.1. i don't run anti-virus on any machine really, unless it's got Win7 or 8 and nags me to install one first. personally the only way to get viruses these days is to download from illegal or questionable sources (limewire, torrentz, warez) or going to porn sites or clicking on unsolicited emails. the concern re: PCs today is largely spyware or Malware, adware and bots. i am not sure Android is vulnerable to them in normal use

the last major PC virus i was aware of was the old Klez worm. it used to cause a reboot of Windows XP, by killing the task Remote Procedure Call. i dealt with those often in the PC repair days back then

Last edited by nickdalzell; November 24th, 2012 at 06:48 PM.

SamuraiBigEd

As far as I know Android is not susceptible to "drive-by downloads". Even if it is, malware is very specific so the chances of finding something in the wild for Android is highly unlikely, it is more likely to be in an app you download.

nickdalzell

Best way to avoid them is to uncheck 'allow unknown sources' in settings when you don't sideload apps, and only enable it to do so, don't keep it enabled. seems the best protection is built-in and relies only on common sense

aysiu

More importantly, if such a new kind of malware came out that was able to exploit an Android vulnerability in this way, having "antivirus" installed would not protect you from it.

Your best antimalware isn't software. It's this:
Android permissions explained, security tips, and avoiding malware

SamuraiBigEd

This is not entirely true, if the software uses an advanced heuristics scanner it can detect "wild" viruses and malware. Will it catch every one, no but it can reduce your risk of exposure. I have had Eset NOD32 do just this on more than a few occasions on my PC, and the files submitted turned out to be new threats.

The truth is no anti-virus or anti-malware is fool proof, none of them catch everything even if it is known.

Very good tip, by our own alostpacket! Thanks for linking to that.

In closing, considering the number of good free apps available in the Play Store if it gives someone peace of mind then go right ahead, and if it saves them anguish later even better.

aysiu

The context was referring to just visiting a web page in the browser, not downloading a .apk. There are no known attacks of any kind like that in Android. If suddenly such a vulnerability was exploited, "antivirus" isn't going to magically protect you from it.

Shocky

You may need anti virus if your downloading applications from public torrent sites which is always a bit of a risk.

But otherwise no, if you trust the source of 3rd party applications your downloading then you don't need anti virus software.

It's hard to imagine getting a virus from anywhere else, Android is isnt popular enough, ie most virus/malware you will find online are targeted towards windows

Kamau

And that's hitting the mail on the head.
Android may not be as popular as Windows, but loot at how popular it is on the cell phone market. Then, remember how much more people are using their cell phones to do things they use to only do on a pc. There's a reason cell phones have cut into the computer market. Tablets and smartphones have started the home computer down a spiral staircase, so you can rest assured that malware & viruses will start their major ascent pretty soon.

Last edited by Kamau; November 26th, 2012 at 07:58 AM.

Shocky

I'm sure the amount of virus/malware out there for Android will increase but the question is will it ever be as bad as it is for windows where anti virus is required.

Probably not would be my guess, but only time will tell I guess.

Last edited by Shocky; November 26th, 2012 at 08:25 AM.

Crashdamage

Again, just to be clear...There's NO active Linux or Android viruses. NONE. There is some malware, yes. Viruses are a type of malware, but not all malware is a virus. That's very important distinction to keep in mind. Viruses are a much more serious problem than other types of malware.

Kamau

http://www.androidauthority.com/find-and-call-spamming-app-android-ios-99897/

http://www.androidauthority.com/spamsoldier-sms-spamming-botnet-found-targeting-android-devices-140870/

They may be small now, but they are starting to make their way into the linelight. I am not sying they are worth fretting over, but as I said all along, it won't be long before some kid with too much time on his/her hands will figure something out that will cause nothing but trouble.
They say that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Just something to chew on.

aysiu

That's still an app you have to choose to install yourself. It doesn't just magically appear on your phone.