Mobile security

[splash104]

Is there an app which can tell an app is malicious BEFORE/AFTER it has been installed? I've got Antivirus Free version at the moment and it does check the cleanliness of an app after installation but I need something more comprehensive like telling me if an app is malicious BEFORE install.

 

[D-U-R-X]

Is there an app which can tell an app is malicious BEFORE/AFTER it has been installed? I've got Antivirus Free version at the moment and it does check the cleanliness of an app after installation but I need something more comprehensive like telling me if an app is malicious BEFORE install.

Lookout mobile's pretty good (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lookout&feature=search_result)... it looks at permissions, etc.

 

[El Presidente]

There's an excellent guide here about what to look out for when installing and what permissions really mean:

http://androidforums.com/android-ap...ps-avoid-viruses-guide-those-new-android.html

 

[splash104]

Actually what happened last night was that I used my phone and then slept when it was about 50% left on battery life. Then when I wokeup in the morning the phone was completely dead (no battery low LED, not turning on and not even charging when I plugged in the charger). At that point I thought the battery must've been drained off for quite sometime so I just took out the battery and reinserted it turned it on. It powered on and showed battery to be at 15% ! I don't know what happened which caused this. The last app I downloaded was Juice Defender Ultimate and it was working fine all day.

Any thoughts?

 

[SB13X]

The one thing I found to destroy my battery life and even drain the battery to the point it wouldn't turn on, not even for it to shut itself down again was leaving Best WiFi Performance checked.

Go to: MENU>SETTINGS>WIRELESS AND NETWORKS>WIFI SETTINGS>MENU BUTTON>ADVANCED

Uncheck it if its checked and also set your wifi sleep policy to: Every 15 Minutes.

As far as security software goes the best thing to do would be to check the link supplied by El P and understand your permissions and to use your common sense before installing things. The permissions page should not be skipped the same way you would an EULA when installing some software. Using apps to do this is just going to drain more resources. Just watch out for Tetris wanting access to SMS/MMS/DIALER things out of the ordinary etc.
Accepting without looking could result in you being in a situation like this:

Oh and bin juice defender...ain't worth the bother.

 

[splash104]

The one thing I found to destroy my battery life and even drain the battery to the point it wouldn't turn on, not even for it to shut itself down again was leaving Best WiFi Performance checked.

Go to: MENU>SETTINGS>WIRELESS AND NETWORKS>WIFI SETTINGS>MENU BUTTON>ADVANCED

Uncheck it if its checked and also set your wifi sleep policy to: Every 15 Minutes.

As far as security software goes the best thing to do would be to check the link supplied by El P and understand your permissions and to use your common sense before installing things. The permissions page should not be skipped the same way you would an EULA when installing some software. Using apps to do this is just going to drain more resources. Just watch out for Tetris wanting access to SMS/MMS/DIALER things out of the ordinary etc.
Accepting without looking could result in you being in a situation like this:

Oh and bin juice defender...ain't worth the bother.

I don't see the Best performance wifi option as I'm on MIUI 1.8.12 and I have checked the 'turn off when screen off' option in the Sleep policy option. So I guess the security apps are not much worth too.

 

[SB13X]

Ahh forgot your on MIUI.

 

[splash104]

Isn't there a list of apps Google has tagged as malicious? I mean they should atleast name the apps which might/are a threat.

 

[SB13X]

Isn't there a list of apps Google has tagged as malicious? I mean they should atleast name the apps which might/are a threat.

Any that Google find to be malicious after the event are removed from the market and removed from your handset.

If you are unsure a list can be found here (however bear in mind that this will not be exhaustive).

The Official Lookout Blog | Update: Security Alert: DroidDream Malware Found in Official Android Market

If this kind of stuff really does worry you then I can highly recommend LookOut as it does everything HTC Sense "should" do and more.

 

[splash104]

I don't see Lookout in the Market

 

[Amerie]

Here's a link: Lookout

 

[iPhart]

iPhone to Android 'newbie' here with a stupid question: Is there really a need to run antivirus app? I ask only because I didn't have to on iPhone and never had a problem.

 

[El Presidente]

iPhone to Android 'newbie' here with a stupid question: Is there really a need to run antivirus app? I ask only because I didn't have to on iPhone and never had a problem.

Just be careful with what you install, looking at permissions etc.

Lookout is good because it does all that stuff for you. It will also provide services like locking your phone via the web, locating it via gps if lost etc. There are arguments that it will take up system resources etc, but I've never noticed it have a negative effect on my handset.

 

[lucids]

im using kaspersky mobile security and so far all is well. It has all the scan options etc and security to locate and wipe phone remotely etc

if your in the uk and are with barclays online u get the full (3 licence) KIS suite and the mobile security suite free.