I've seen SO many apps on the market that say they are virus scanners, and every time I find a new one, I have to let out a little chuckle. Of course, when I see how many people have actually downloaded these virus scanners, it kinda makes me sick. See Android, while not GNU/Linux, is still Linux, and as such is nearly immune to viruses. ESPECIALLY the Windows Mobile viruses that all these virus scanners actually can detect.
While Android DOES have security holes that can be exploited, almost all of them have required root access to affect your machine. There has never been, and it is very unlikely that there will ever be, a virus written specifically for Android, the market share of each individual phone is too small, and Android is inherently a very secure OS when it comes to malicious files being run on your phone. Note, every program you install on your phone, whether you have rooted your phone or not, requires your permission to install, unless you have somehow disabled the permission macro that is run every time you find a new piece of software.
Even if you decide to go the illegal route and torrent or newzbin some software, the installers will still ask your permission to install the files. Granted, I wouldn't trust those files from non-Market sources nearly as much as Market-sourced software, but you really don't have a lot to worry about. I DO NOT and HAVE NEVER endorsed or supported software piracy, so don't take this as permission to go download your favorite PAY software for free somewhere... I'm just making the point that the virus scanner software for Android is plain and simple, a scam, designed to make the developer hundreds of thousands of dollars... These guys are laughing all the way to the bank as they think about how many people are downloading their software - AND paying subscriptions (OMG, what?) - for their programs with Windows Mobile virus definitions... Heck, I'm still laughing about it.
So some friendly advice, from a guy who knows a LOT about viruses... save your money, because even if someone DOES figure out how to get a virus on your phone, it's a google phone... everything on it is backed up to google, so if there is a problem, just do a factory reset, and as soon as you set up your gmail account again on the phone, you will have everything back again, minus any virus or spyware you might have had.
While Android DOES have security holes that can be exploited, almost all of them have required root access to affect your machine. There has never been, and it is very unlikely that there will ever be, a virus written specifically for Android, the market share of each individual phone is too small, and Android is inherently a very secure OS when it comes to malicious files being run on your phone. Note, every program you install on your phone, whether you have rooted your phone or not, requires your permission to install, unless you have somehow disabled the permission macro that is run every time you find a new piece of software.
Even if you decide to go the illegal route and torrent or newzbin some software, the installers will still ask your permission to install the files. Granted, I wouldn't trust those files from non-Market sources nearly as much as Market-sourced software, but you really don't have a lot to worry about. I DO NOT and HAVE NEVER endorsed or supported software piracy, so don't take this as permission to go download your favorite PAY software for free somewhere... I'm just making the point that the virus scanner software for Android is plain and simple, a scam, designed to make the developer hundreds of thousands of dollars... These guys are laughing all the way to the bank as they think about how many people are downloading their software - AND paying subscriptions (OMG, what?) - for their programs with Windows Mobile virus definitions... Heck, I'm still laughing about it.
So some friendly advice, from a guy who knows a LOT about viruses... save your money, because even if someone DOES figure out how to get a virus on your phone, it's a google phone... everything on it is backed up to google, so if there is a problem, just do a factory reset, and as soon as you set up your gmail account again on the phone, you will have everything back again, minus any virus or spyware you might have had.