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

No need for antivirus for Android.

Linux user #266351. Android since v1.0

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.