Do you need Anti Virus / Spyware App??

[Needz_Android]

Being that Android is Linux based, do you actually need an anti-virus app installed on your phone?

I'm wondering if I should be worried about getting viruses and spyware if I want to go to some rather sketchy site?

 

[Crashumbc]

Being that Android is Linux based, do you actually need an anti-virus app installed on your phone?

I'm wondering if I should be worried about getting viruses and spyware if I want to go to some rather sketchy site?

there are no known viruses for Android phones.

 

[Needz_Android]

o rly?

 

[aleis]

no. just read what the app does when u load it (that lil description thingy) and if u are ok with that you are golden!
android apps are in their own sandboxes and dont intermingle unless specifically allowed to. virtually impossible to get a virus.

 

[Crashumbc]

o rly?

rly

 

[woop]

Spyware on phones. Never thought I'd hear that one.

 

[LancerzEvo]

Just recently, I clicked on a link, and it warned me about malware, spyware, and viruses. Told to me scan just in case, so I clicked Okay to scan. Next thing you know, a windows-based OS desktop screen popped up, with a window scanning for viruses. And then I clicked for it to be removed. no joke!

 

[greenrolaids]

virus scanners on phones = a great way to cripple a phone.

No offense to cripples.

Sure, any platform is susceptible to getting infected.

But the odds are not in favor of getting a virus on your phone.

although i usually break out in hives whenever a fanboy flaps his arms and says his phone = god.

There should be a special place in hell for fanboys. Too bad i don't believe in that garbage.

Funny, the spell checker is asking me to check the spelling on "fanboys", and one of the options is "fantasy", thats actually a pretty good suggestion.

 

[Crashumbc]

Just recently, I clicked on a link, and it warned me about malware, spyware, and viruses. Told to me scan just in case, so I clicked Okay to scan. Next thing you know, a windows-based OS desktop screen popped up, with a window scanning for viruses. And then I clicked for it to be removed. no joke!

never trust pop ups!

one of the MOST common malware "tricks" now days is a pop-up telling you to scan for viruses, when you click ok it ACTUALLY installs the malware

ANYTIME you think you've be infected, shut everything down, THEN open your anti-virus software DIRECTLY and run a full scan,

One caveat to my preivous comment about viruses, while there are no viruses for android phone it IS possible to download a PC virus file onto your phone and then have it infect your PC when you transfer the file over.

 

[Bundy]

never trust pop ups!

one of the MOST common malware "tricks" now days is a pop-up telling you to scan for viruses, when you click ok it ACTUALLY installs the malware

ANYTIME you think you've be infected, shut everything down, THEN open your anti-virus software DIRECTLY and run a full scan,

One caveat to my preivous comment about viruses, while there are no viruses for android phone it IS possible to download a PC virus file onto your phone and then have it infect your PC when you transfer the file over.

Actually, you are already infected by the time you see the pop-up - that's just one of the effects of having been infected.

A bit OT, but the worst part about viruses/malware/spyware is how easy it is now to stumble onto an infection. You used to have to be surfing porn or trying to find pirated software to get infected. I recently got infected with a rootkit virus - the nastiest of the bunch - while on a Fox Sports site. It's getting pretty scary out there!

 

[BetterMost]

I asked the HTC guy at the Verizon store the other day and he said HTC DOES NOT recommend it.

 

[lmbgm]

I think there are two reasons to have some sort of virus/spyware protection (eventhough I don't plan on installing anything).

1. Although there are probably no android viruses, I'm sure someone could write one. When I try out new apps, and I get the warning about security, I just hit ok and assume it is something I can trust. But, google is basically recording all my emails, txt, and voice mails. Many other apps have my passwords. Just think, swype could probably save every keystroke somewhere. A facebook, mail, etc app could easily steal my password and use it for no good. I'm not too worried at this point yet.

2. I have a linux machine at work that has a virus scanner. Most of the viruses it scans for are windows viruses. This is pretty useless for linux, but I may send files to my windows computers sometimes. Having the virus scanner is another layer of protection to ensure the files the I send out from my phone are clean. Ofcourse, most computeres these days have virus scanners that scan everything that come in anyways. But you'd be surprised how many people never update their virus definitions or never install security updates. Ofcourse many infections are from brand new viruses which are not in the virus scan system yet so that wouldnt be very useful either.

so bottom line, in theory, to be extra safe you should have one. but practically, you can probably get away with not having one. Its kind of like not wearing elbow pads. sure you could fall and get a scratch, but what are the chances.

 

[RustyNail]

Saw this today: Android rootkit is just a phone call away.

 

[Steven58]

Don't put antivirus on your Incredible!!! I put it on mine and it screwed up my OS TOTALLY! The first week after I got the phone, I had to do a factory restoration. The VZW CSR had this happen to someone who had an Eris. After I restored, it was fine.

Just a word of warning.

 

[sucker4pa1n]

I've had my DInc FC com.android.mms a few times now, and after doing research I ended up uninstalled AntiVirus Free. It hasn't even been a full 24 hours yet, but I'm going to keep my eye on it and see if I still have problems, but I'd venture a guess and say that was my problem.

Sucks, the 5 FCs I've had since I got the phone caused me to lose all but the past 24 hours of SMS/MMS messages. Thankfully I have a backup program.

 

[tcbj]

around the 1st of the year Droids started becoming unusable. couldnt make a call, totaly crippled. The only common factor was the app "antivirus" by droid security, both free and paid versions. couldnt get into the market to uninstall. some we could go to settings and unistall via manage apps. but for many the damage was done and we had to do hard resets.

you dont need it.

its not going to help you.

it may hurt you.

dont do it.

 

[BSFL89]

If your going to get something get lookout mobile. It at least is a gps lost phone tracker and backup device. And you can turn the antivirus as well as the other options on or off. Lots of people use it, I have it and have no problems. Whether it is necessary or not is up for question, but i like having the back up and the lost phone finder, and it is not hurting anything (battery life included)

 

[Tonk]

Been messing around with WM for 20 years and now Android, never heard of anyone ever getting virus on any of these devices. just something to bog your device down. DONT INSTALL ANTIVIRUS

 

[NoNoBadDog]

there are no known viruses for Android phones.

Really? Can you cite a reputable source for that little tidbit of inaccuracy?

 

[waynester]

At this time anti vir prob not needed, but as more and more financial and personal info is stored on phone , well crooks follow the info.
So the day is coming, a pc needs protection and phones are fast becoming the new pc.
they have mass spam mailers, what would be so hard to have mass dialers? i.e. dont open unknown email, dont answer unknown calls.
As far as known android virus, the best/worst ones are only "known" after the fact.

Which poses a question, does your vir/spy/malware program check the data when you sync with pc?

 

[elrabin]

Really? Can you cite a reputable source for that little tidbit of inaccuracy?

Really? Care to cite a reputable source showing any in-the-wild Android viruses?

A proof of concept is not equal to a live virus in the wild.

You can proof of concept nearly anything. "Oh, i created a proof of concept virus that would let me crash AT&T's GNOC. Assuming i can get past perimeter security, building security, the RFID locked datacenter doors, security cameras and passwords!"

Sheesh.

 

[TokedUp]

No, they actually harm more than help

 

[cshellyg]

I downloaded anti virus and it screwed up my most important app. It's now gone. I got rid of the app I liked and redownloaded it and now I'm fine. Should have read this prior to downloading

 

[potterdood]

I have lookout installed on my phone, it does more than just anti virus. but I haven't had any problems out of it and when I d/l a new app it scans it then lets me install. I think this 1 is good.

 

[Crashumbc]

Really? Care to cite a reputable source showing any in-the-wild Android viruses?

A proof of concept is not equal to a live virus in the wild.

You can proof of concept nearly anything. "Oh, i created a proof of concept virus that would let me crash AT&T's GNOC. Assuming i can get past perimeter security, building security, the RFID locked datacenter doors, security cameras and passwords!"

Sheesh.

You can't prove a negative... don't they teach kids ANYTHING in school these days?