looking for an antivirus that doesn't run on memory?

[Double44]

I've been looking for an antivirus app that doesn't run in the background all the time. I only want to use the scanning portion of the app, not have it monitor Android the whole time. My phone is small on RAM so I need all that I can get. I'm not a heavy web user and only access internet through apps, but I still need to keep the ads at bay.

Is there such an app, or any options to turn off monitoring? I've already tried Norton and Lookout but they run in the background, and as far as I could tell there was no way to turn them off.

 

[Crashdamage]

No need for antivirus for Android.

Linux user #266351. Android since v1.0

 

[Hadron]

I know that Avast can be set to scan apps on installation but not when executed, if that's what you want.

But there's a difference between malware protection (more accurate description than antivirus) and an ad blocker, so that bit isn't clear to me.

 

[shelliewnj]

is there an android ad blocker? sorry to "step" on the OP's toes so to speak, but since it was mentioned, rather post it here than start a new thread.

 

[jefboyardee]

As long as you get your apps from the Play Store, you won’t get a virus. You might get some obnoxious marketing, especially on free apps, but that doesn’t actually break anything. I’ve had almost a hundred apps for over two years and have had no such problems.

 

[Deleted User]

No need for antivirus for Android.

Linux user #266351. Android since v1.0

Spot on. If the person downloading the app just checks the reviews and makes sure that the permissions aren't unreasonable, you'll be pretty darn safe. I've been using apps from Google Play, Amazon Appstore, and yet other sources, with no problems.

 

[ktchong]

Dr. Web has the smallest footprint on phone resources, but it's pricey at $75. Thank goodness I bought it back when it was cheaper.