Antivirus for Android

[Deleted User]

What is the best AV app out currently? Now I know a lot of you guys will say "what is the point"... Think outside of the consumer market box. Dell and other companies are targeting Corporate America. You know full and well that upper management will want to see AV on these devices. You also have to think about what you are attaching your device to as well. Docs to go manipulates Excel documents and so on. Even if the defs target Windows based virus activity that is a good start in protecting your PC and email from virus activity.

* Sorry I left this out: I stumbled on Antivirus Free

 

[WaSTeLaNd]

I use lookout its in the marker they have a trial

 

[tsipa]

I use lookout its in the marker they have a trial

Lookout is 100% free in market. No trial required.

 

[RyanB]

I like using Lookout as it scans stuff right after the download. It won't protect against nativity though, so you still have to be judicious with what you download and allow onto your phone.

 

[A.Nonymous]

It's pointless to put an AV program on a phone. SmartPhones have been around in enterprise environments for a few years now. There's been no demand for AV yet.

 

[HTCRALEIGHFAN]

use lookout! i have been using it for like 3-4 years i think.

and yesterday i was 1 of 1000 users invited to pay $1 for new features. 1st new feature is locking your phone if its lost.

 

[jamesmckeephx]

It's pointless to put an AV program on a phone. SmartPhones have been around in enterprise environments for a few years now. There's been no demand for AV yet.

True!! and they KILL your battery.

 

[aminaked]

Android has no known viruses. REPEAT: ANDROID HAS NO KNOWN VIRUSES.

Note, trojans are not viruses. Always be careful to trust your source when installing any software. When installing from the market, be careful what privileges you allow. If your wallpaper is asking for internet access, don't install it! And you have to completely trust any apps that you enter passwords into.

Antivirus is total BS on Android. On other operating systems, like Windows, it is still kinda BS. They'll always be playing catch up. There's no substitute for keeping all of your software up to date, trusting the software you run, and learning safe computing habits.

 

[WaSTeLaNd]

Android has no known viruses. REPEAT: ANDROID HAS NO KNOWN VIRUSES.

Note, trojans are not viruses. Always be careful to trust your source when installing any software. When installing from the market, be careful what privileges you allow. If your wallpaper is asking for internet access, don't install it! And you have to completely trust any apps that you enter passwords into.

Antivirus is total BS on Android. On other operating systems, like Windows, it is still kinda BS. They'll always be playing catch up. There's no substitute for keeping all of your software up to date, trusting the software you run, and learning safe computing habits.

dude there's always a way for technology to get viruses, even thoe an Android device would probably get malware before a virus.

 

[phillyfan]

lookout over here love it plus it is more than just AV

 

[aminaked]

dude there's always a way for technology to get viruses, even thoe an Android device would probably get malware before a virus.

OK, but that doesn't change the fact that there are currently no known Android viruses. What's the point in running software to scan for nothing? It's a waste of resources.

 

[BMAN0201]

OK, but that doesn't change the fact that there are currently no known Android viruses. What's the point in running software to scan for nothing? It's a waste of resources.

Well, it DOES provide some comfort if you are doing online banking. On that off chance you pick something up, it would be nice to have. But I do agree with what many others have said; the best defense is watch what you are allowing on your phone.

 

[mhrc4]

The comments that Android is 100% secure, no known viruses, etc etc obviously do not work in an enterprise field and are not up to speed with security concerns that come with things like HIPAA and SOX compliance.

Currently, there are a few free AV solutions out there, but you will start to see more offerings for Android here in the near future, as more enterprises look to adopt Android as an approved mobile platform. Add to that fact all the new tablets coming out that will be running flavors of Android, Android will become a lot more of a target for virus/trojan writers, as well as an emerging market for the likes of McAfee, Symantec, etc.

Which leads to an interesting discussion following the Intel purchase of McAfee.

 

[A.Nonymous]

The comments that Android is 100% secure, no known viruses, etc etc obviously do not work in an enterprise field and are not up to speed with security concerns that come with things like HIPAA and SOX compliance.

Currently, there are a few free AV solutions out there, but you will start to see more offerings for Android here in the near future, as more enterprises look to adopt Android as an approved mobile platform. Add to that fact all the new tablets coming out that will be running flavors of Android, Android will become a lot more of a target for virus/trojan writers, as well as an emerging market for the likes of McAfee, Symantec, etc.

Which leads to an interesting discussion following the Intel purchase of McAfee.

Yes they do work in enterprise. Several of our clients at work are doctor's offices. They use WinMo, BB and the occassional iPhone. We don't have anti-virus software running on any of these platforms and yes, we're HIPAA compliant. We lock the platforms down, require secure pins, etc....., but there's no anti-virus on there as there's no need.

 

[pool_shark]

The OP is correct as far as what corporate will want.

They want us to put antivirus software on our AIX servers, we're not going to do it, but it comes up on a regular basis.

We will eventually lose the fight and have to install one.

So if you're installing an AV program in preparation I can understand, but I have no desire to install one on my phone and I'm not going to.

I can only imagine how slow a phone gets if it's running real time AV every time I access the net.

 

[TheEngineer]

As a Sprint tech support rep, I can tell you that AV programs cause all kinds of problems with our customers. No benefit and substantial potential issues.

 

[alostpacket]

Kinda strange, AV and lookout just came up in this thread also:
http://androidforums.com/android-ap...ps-avoid-viruses-guide-those-new-android.html


Short version: The community is your best AV, but all users should take a bit of time to learn some good practices with regards to keeping their data and personal info safe. Lookout are smart guys (If you must install AV).

 

[kimtyson]

Do some simple research folks. There ARE viruses in the wild that affect Android devices, First Android Virus. Yes, you need to be smart with your device. You can avoid all sorts of trouble with thoughtful use of the device... but don't be ignorant of the facts. Google "Android Viruses" and read for yourself, rather than reading opinions from people who may, or may not, know what they are typing in a forum.

 

[alostpacket]

Do some simple research folks. There ARE viruses in the wild that affect Android devices, First Android Virus. Yes, you need to be smart with your device. You can avoid all sorts of trouble with thoughtful use of the device... but don't be ignorant of the facts. Google "Android Viruses" and read for yourself, rather than reading opinions from people who may, or may not, know what they are typing in a forum.

That's not the first trojan, just the first trojan Kapersky could dust up some PR from...

 

[kimtyson]

That's not the first trojan, just the first trojan Kapersky could dust up some PR from...

Looks like you missed my point. You can lead a horse to water...

 

[allambition]

But you can't make them drink...

Android is based on Linux which has a pretty good record on security. I wouldn't worry about viruses too much, depends what you're downloading though. I'd be more worried about the apps you download, be sure to download trusted apps and you should be fine.

 

[alostpacket]

Looks like you missed my point. You can lead a horse to water...

Didn't miss your point, I was just pointing out the irony of your post. "Don't listen to people posting on a forum", while your post regarding the first virus was technically incorrect.

Don't get me wrong, you've definitely got the right idea -- it's just that you might consider dropping the 'tude. You sound like you're trying to scold the horses, rather than lead them. Maybe I'm misinterpreting, though.