Lookout

[Rube8514]

Is the Lookout Security app or any other virus software needed on Android phones?? I mean am I just wasting space having the app going at all times??

 

[Beatlesfan]

It's mainly personal preference in my opinion. If you're careful about what you download appwise, check permissions, and download only from the Android Market and Amazon Market and trusted websites, you should be fine.

 

[AngryHatter]

Yes, you are wasting space and resources.
Not a one of the AV suites has ever been the first to uncover anything in any app.

 

[RazzMaTazz]

I did a bunch of research on this when I first got my Android phone. The botom line is that LookOut seems to offer some antivirus protection, and causes virtually no performance degradation. It also has a useful feature for finding a lost or stolen phone (or perhaps just checking up on your kids if they turn off the GPS to avoid being tracked).

CNET did a pretty comprehensive review here.

 

[AngryHatter]

Seekdroid has remote wipe/locate et cetera.
99 cents.
And no AV bloat - which is unnecessary.

 

[Rube8514]

Any new advice on this topic?? I have had Lookout running ever since this thread opened...trying to free up space now...

 

[Crashdamage]

Uninstall Lookout. It's not doing you any good.

 

[captainbob]

AVG for Androids cost 99 cents and does everything Lookout does.

 

[Crashdamage]

AVG for Androids cost 99 cents and does everything Lookout does.

Save your money. Antivirus for Android is pointless. There are NO Android viruses. Don't think of Android in Windows terms. It's not Windows and so does not have the same vulnerabilies as Windows.

Antivirus companies depend on the fear and ignorance of their customers. Companies peddling antivirus for Android (or Linux) should at least be honest that it is only useful for scanning files to be transferred to Windows machines.

Sent from HTC G2

 

[Holydoc]

Save your money. Antivirus for Android is pointless. There are NO Android viruses. Don't think of Android in Windows terms. It's not Windows and so does not have the same vulnerabilies as Windows.

Antivirus companies depend on the fear and ignorance of their customers. Companies peddling antivirus for Android (or Linux) should at least be honest that it is only useful for scanning files to be transferred to Windows machines.

Sent from HTC G2

Hmm... well I guess Google is wasting their time and resources removing virus laden apps from the Android Market.

Google removing virus-infected Android apps from phones, tablets - latimes.com

Bad Google, bad! You should of called Crashdamage!

 

[itsallgood]

3852679[/URL]]Any new advice on this topic?? I have had Lookout running ever since this thread opened...trying to free up space now...

If you don't keep Lookout, then get another AV app that doesn't take up much space or resources. Others have said that we don't have to worry about virus and such, but they are clearly wrong. If you do a Google search, you will see that the threats are real and increasing. The one thing that the experts are saying is that people are under false security in thinking that their phones are secure, with or without AV apps, on our phones. (Hackers will use this to their advantage.)

Those that have said that smart phones are not like windows PC's, as far as the attack goes, is true. But what they fail to realize, is that the attacks are coming in many different ways to mobile phones. Everything from unsecured Wifi, blue-tooth, pirated apps, links in emails and text messages.

Having some protection, outside of common sense, is a must. AV apps are nothing but another layer of security to add to commonsense. There are so many ways a person can hack your smart phone that its scary. Your phone needs to be scanned just like your PC with its Firewall.

 

[itsallgood]

Check out these links:

1) Total Defense Mobile Security - News 12 Long Island's Job Line - President Chris Hickey - YouTube

2) Hackers, IT units focusing on smartphone security

3)Conference TV : NYIT Cyber Security Conference: How Secure Are We? Identify Management and Social Networking Threats

 

[jerofld]

Anyone security/virus conscious should check out: http://androidforums.com/android-ap...explained-security-tips-avoiding-malware.html

Your biggest concern, malware wise, on Android should be downloading warez (paid apps that you get for free on markets/websites that are not endorsed by Google) or any apps that you side load from unrecognized sources, apps from the Chinese Android Market (apparently this is where anti-virus makers get their numbers from), or apps that ask for odd permissions that they seem they shouldn't have. For example, a flashlight apps should not need GPS location, internet, and access to your contact list. Although the internet permission is needed for ads. So the internet permission, when the app has ads, shouldn't be a concern.

 

[captainbob]

Save your money. Antivirus for Android is pointless. There are NO Android viruses. Don't think of Android in Windows terms. It's not Windows and so does not have the same vulnerabilies as Windows.

Antivirus companies depend on the fear and ignorance of their customers. Companies peddling antivirus for Android (or Linux) should at least be honest that it is only useful for scanning files to be transferred to Windows machines.

Sent from HTC G2

Not True.... Android more vulnerable to viruses - DailyHerald.com

 

[Crashdamage]

There are malicious Android apps aka malware. Viruses are a type of malware but not all malware is a virus.

There is no need for antivirus on Android. There are NO Android viruses. If you know of a real, true Android virus provide proof. Be sure you know what constitutes a true virus.

 

[BlandroidB]

First of all, for all of the skeptics out there, be happy, every network connected device running a firmware/software code of some sort can be hacked or damaged through mal-intent code.

Now, heres the question though, what is the probability your device will get a virus/malware/whatever you deem necessary to call it. Here in the US, DL'ed from a legitimate source, and being somewhat smart... The chances are very slim to none.
The largest part of avoiding malware in general is personal awareness in your environment, meaning knowing what is going on around you.......(in this case knowing what and where to download and where not)

So now that i spewed out all those useless words, in short, you don't need AV software on android phones right now. If you want to pay for it that's great, but you're wasting your money, time, and storage space in my personal opinion. But do what you want in order to feel secure and happy. If you're that worried about security get a blackberry, because there isn't a phone os like it that can encrypt and secure as well as it can.

But honestly if you're being smart, there is nothing to worry about. That goes for almost anything in this world...

 

[Crashdamage]

Well said. Thanks for typing out a longer answer than I had time or patience to do.

 

[BlandroidB]

haha yeah i pretty much said what you had said first, but since i had a few minutes between some things at work i decided to type that up. I tell it to people all the time because of my line of work, so i get used to it lol.

 

[claus1953]

According to Wikipedia Malware is
Malware, short for malicious software, is software (or script or code) designed to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. It is a general term used to describe any kind of software or code specifically designed to exploit a computer, or the data it contains, without consent.[1] The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software.[2]
Malware includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, dishonest adware, most rootkits, and other malicious programs. In law, malware is sometimes known as a computer contaminant, for instance in the legal codes of several U.S. states, including California and West Virginia.[3][4]
And there is Malware for Android according to lots of articles in big newspapers and Magazines. Mostly the Malware is bundled in well known applications or games, downloaded from insecure and doubful sites. During installation of this "known" application, the permissions given to it will be granted also to the bundled Malware. Immagine the application asks for root access, then the Malware will have it also and will be capable to do everything on your phone, like reading sensitive data you have on your phone and transmitting it, accessing your bank account etc.
So ok, one can be careful, checking exactly what you are downloading, not downloading warez or other pirate software which could be infected, but have been cases of infected apps on the Android Market, so....

 

[BlandroidB]

Yeah i should have been more clear, i agree that there are times when these things just happen because one slipped through everything. And if your speaking of malware as far as ads or pop ups then i was not speaking on behalf of those things but i guess what i consider of more malicious things like loggers, rootkits, etc.

I think the OP was worried about having an AV program on their phone, to which i say good luck with a current AV for android finding those things. By the time things like that are found, it is generally removed from the market already or almost immediately after.

But i don't want to start a flame war. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[funpig]

I don't mind using a free antivirus app for a (false?) sense of security as along as it does not cause any problems. I do like having a phone locator function which are bundled with most AV apps. I tested Lookout last year and had a bad experience. When I tried to test the phone locator function, it kept pinging my phone with text messages. I was in a panic. Nothing seemed to stop it. I tried to switch off phone, emailed lookout and contacted my service provider. There were about 50 messages before it finally stopped. I currently use Zoner which has antivirus and a phone locator which is simple and works for me (one text from another phone and it will turn on the gps on my phone and return 3 texts giving my phone location without letting the user of my phone know).

 

[fdbryant3]

For what it is worth, for the most part the malware threat on Android is in my opinion still pretty low and not worth having a specific antivirus program (and while it would be more accurate to call them antimalware, the masses know and understand the word antivirus, arguing over it is a waste of energy and time) running real time is not that important. You are better off knowing what behaviors increase your risk and avoid them (funny thing same can be said of PC's).

That said it may be worth it to install Lookout for the number of other features it provides (backup, find my phone, remote wipe, etc) and look upon the antivirus protection as a bonus.

If nothing else it is now available for free over at GetJar.com as one of their sponsored apps .