Help Antivirus Apps, Necessary?

[007E]

As the title states, are they necessary to have on android phones? Why or why not? I'm leaning towards No but am I right?

 

[dB Zac]

maybe not right now, but someday I am sure it will be

 

[Wolfedude88]

I have never had one and I have had four different Android phones. Never once had a problem.

 

[esn]

To be on the safe side i use one it free so why not. I use lookout works pretty good checks all the apps I download so far so good.

 

[dB Zac]

To be on the safe side i use one it free so why not. I use lookout works pretty good checks all the apps I download so far so good.

Has it ever found any malware or what not?

 

[aleis]

Has it ever found any malware or what not?

pointless. android by design runs apps in a sandbox. cannot mix. unless specifically allowed to. best to check what the app you download is gaining access too (you know, what it tells you its accessing when you first download it) lookout is free and will probably give u the peace of mind but at this point its...pointless.

 

[PeaceMaker]

I am using lookout right now, but i am wondering if this is draining battery life or anything..

 

[007E]

I am using lookout right now, but i am wondering if this is draining battery life or anything..

^That's why I was asking. I just deleted it because I honestly doubt its of much use at this point. Now to see what it does with my battery life now that it is gone.

 

[BCox]

^That's why I was asking. I just deleted it because I honestly doubt its of much use at this point. Now to see what it does with my battery life now that it is gone.

I deleted the antivirus app I had AND the weather widget I had installed (I only add this to let you know that I am not sure which removal has contributed to my outcome)

Previously, at this point in my day I would be at 70%, but today I am at 90% still (I am at work, I use it more heavily after work).

This may be due to the weather app, since it would need to update. But the only things my antivirus has picked up on is 3rd party apps that I have installed...

 

[PeaceMaker]

I deleted the antivirus app I had AND the weather widget I had installed (I only add this to let you know that I am not sure which removal has contributed to my outcome)

Previously, at this point in my day I would be at 70%, but today I am at 90% still (I am at work, I use it more heavily after work).

This may be due to the weather app, since it would need to update. But the only things my antivirus has picked up on is 3rd party apps that I have installed...

Hm... I will do a test myself. Maybe I'll get rid of the AV tonight and see how my battery fares tomorrow under the same type of usage.

 

[BCox]

Hm... I will do a test myself. Maybe I'll get rid of the AV tonight and see how my battery fares tomorrow under the same type of usage.

Yeah, I mean again, not sure which app it was, but I am definitely notice better battery today.

and now that I think about it, I used the phone more today than I normally do, because I was showing it off to a family friend before work today...

YMMV, but I'm happy after uninstalling it

 

[Sauky]

Antivirus software really isn't all that necessary right now. However, don't be surprised to see people trying to attack Android phones and iPhones in the near future. Every OS, whether its Linux, Unix, Windows or any other flavor of OSes out there, are vulnerable to attack. Anything that accesses the internet can be attacked.
With that said, the biggest issue that people should be concerned about is identity theft. Getting a virus on your computer is not that big of a deal, just factory reset your phone, done! However, if you download that cool wallpaper from the market they could gather information from your phone and send it all to a server in China, sound familiar?
I'm in the IT field and deal with security issues just about every day. Its not just about infecting a computer or a device anymore, its about getting as much information off that device and selling that information to other people. You'll still have the script kiddies who just want to cause trouble but the hardcore attackers are out to make money.
Protect your information on your phone and be VERY cautious on what you download. You may think that they only got your name and phone number off your phone, great... but then they find your facebook name and grab more information, then they go to your linkedin page and get even more. The more information you expose on the internet and your devices the easier it is for attacker to collect data.
One last thing, don't be fooled or think your safe because you don't use a windows device (either a smartphone or computer) because if they want your information, they will get it. Its not about getting a virus, its about getting your money. There are so many scams on the internet that they don't even need to infect your computer these days.

 

[PeaceMaker]

I've gotten rid of it. I don't think I've noticed anything drastic... I'm sure it didn't hurt though!

 

[SgtBaxter]

One last thing, don't be fooled or think your safe because you don't use a windows device (either a smartphone or computer) because if they want your information, they will get it.

Yeah, 'cuz it's not like they could ever have just opened a phone book and found out all that info before computers...

Oh snap.

 

[SgtBaxter]

I am using lookout right now, but i am wondering if this is draining battery life or anything..

Lookout is more than simple anti virus, it also actively blocks intrusion attempts on your phone, backs up, locates and wipes the phone if you need. It's a great little piece of software, which I hope they expand it's scope a little more.

I remember one day on my winmo phone I had over 1500 intrusion attempts on the phone, all logged by lookout.

 

[007E]

I deleted the antivirus app I had AND the weather widget I had installed (I only add this to let you know that I am not sure which removal has contributed to my outcome)

Previously, at this point in my day I would be at 70%, but today I am at 90% still (I am at work, I use it more heavily after work).

This may be due to the weather app, since it would need to update. But the only things my antivirus has picked up on is 3rd party apps that I have installed...

I tried what you did, but then i reinstalled the weather widget app. After having reinstalled the weather widget I'm pretty sure it was the Lookout Antivirus app running down my battery faster than it it is draining now.

 

[007E]

Lookout is more than simple anti virus, it also actively blocks intrusion attempts on your phone, backs up, locates and wipes the phone if you need. It's a great little piece of software, which I hope they expand it's scope a little more.

I remember one day on my winmo phone I had over 1500 intrusion attempts on the phone, all logged by lookout.

This makes me wonder if I should reinstall it now.

 

[colchiro]

Antivirus software really isn't all that necessary right now. However, don't be surprised to see people trying to attack Android phones and iPhones in the near future. Every OS, whether its Linux, Unix, Windows or any other flavor of OSes out there, are vulnerable to attack. Anything that accesses the internet can be attacked.

I agree and they always pick the most abundant OS.

OTOH, the best way to slow down a computer is to install AV.... every program that is opened gets scanned and you have one more service that's constantly running and getting updated.

I can't remember the last time I saw an infected file, they're already cleaned from my work and personal emails so my chances of getting infected that route is pretty minimal. If you're doing risky behavior, like visiting crack/hack/porn sites, then you NEED AV. I'm going without.