The need for antivirus software?

R P McMurphy

Apologies if covered elsewhere. Would like to get the considered opinion of people that would be more familiar with the android OS than me as to the necessity of installing anti-virus software. Currentlyrunning froyo

If it is necessary which apps would be best.

PogMoThoin

There is absolutely no reason to have an antivirus program on an Android phone. Android is Linux based and as such needs user permission to run/install anything. Even if viruses did exist for Android (which they don't) as long as you know what you're installing, you won't catch one.

R P McMurphy

Thanks, someone over the weekend told me I should have it installed. thanks for clearing that up

Gerard McDonald

R P McMurphy wrote: »

Apologies if covered elsewhere. Would like to get the considered opinion of people that would be more familiar with the android OS than me as to the necessity of installing anti-virus software. Currentlyrunning froyo

If it is necessary which apps would be best.

Hi R P , there is two schools of thought on this topic, firstly there's the group that says it's not necessary since its Linux, and a locked down version of Linux at that. Hardware protection prevents writing to key parts of the system, which CANNOT be circumvented during running of the OS. Thats before an attempt even gets to Android itself.

The second group believes no OS is immune (highly resistant at best).

Here's an example of the latter: From Juron99 on androidforums.com ,

I downloaded a wallpaper and it caused my phone to act crazy; flickering fast and switching between pages, etc. I was finally able to get on the internet by force and downloaded an antivirus program. It scanned and found a virus in the wallpaper. Removed it and am using Lookout now.

So my opinion? Hindsight is always 20/20, get Lookout mobile security, you will be protected and it also offers additional benefits such as you can backup all the info on your phone and in the event of something happening, (like dropping it in the jacks after 10 beers, don't ask.. ;-p) you can access and transfer your data to a new phone. Along with a phone finder from your desktop browser, which is very handy.

If you decide not to download the App, take a look at this post,

http://bit.ly/eUbSQr

It describes what each of the permissions on your phone do which all Droider's should know before installing any Apps.


Here s our Download links for Lookout Mobile Security:



1. Scan this link with a Barcode scanner from your Phone
2. Tap to Open and Download,
3. Tap to Install the App.

or

Tap this link to Download Lookout Mobile Security FROM YOUR PHONE
1. Tap this link http://bit.ly/gMlUeO
2. Install once Download has Finished.



If you need any more help just ask and I will help as best I can.

Happy Droiding,
Ger.

R P McMurphy

Thanks for the link Gerard, will read through that

srsly78

These AV programs are a scam/red herring at best. Here is why:

There is no difference between a "virus" and a normal app on android. There ARE no viruses, these "malicious apps" do not meet the definition. They only spread by people actually manually installing them (they do not then go around infecting other apps).

You must explicitly give permission to an app to access the internet and your personal information. Consider an app that uploads your info to some server in china, what is the difference between this and facebook for example? Very little, except one uploads to america and is a hell of a lot more malicious with your info than the chinese one

AV programs cannot do much without root access anyway, it's completely pointless. All they do is compare app names to a list of known malicious apps. Save yourself the trouble and just don't download dodgy apps from dodgy places.

AV programs are another red herring just like "task killers". People advocating these don't understand the system. Developers promoting AV apps are simply opportunists preying on users insecurity.

The_B_Man

This is good to know.
I've rooted my phone and have been installing apps willy nilly from all over the place. Was worried something might have changed and turn out there is viruses!

t0mm13b

Gerard McDonald wrote: »

Hi R P , there is two schools of thought on this topic, firstly there's the group that says it's not necessary since its Linux, and a locked down version of Linux at that. Hardware protection prevents writing to key parts of the system, which CANNOT be circumvented during running of the OS. Thats before an attempt even gets to Android itself.

The second group believes no OS is immune (highly resistant at best).

Here's an example of the latter: From Juron99 on androidforums.com ,

I downloaded a wallpaper and it caused my phone to act crazy; flickering fast and switching between pages, etc. I was finally able to get on the internet by force and downloaded an antivirus program. It scanned and found a virus in the wallpaper. Removed it and am using Lookout now.

So my opinion? Hindsight is always 20/20, get Lookout mobile security, you will be protected and it also offers additional benefits such as you can backup all the info on your phone and in the event of something happening, (like dropping it in the jacks after 10 beers, don't ask.. ;-p) you can access and transfer your data to a new phone. Along with a phone finder from your desktop browser, which is very handy.

If you decide not to download the App, take a look at this post,

http://bit.ly/eUbSQr

It describes what each of the permissions on your phone do which all Droider's should know before installing any Apps.


Here s our Download links for Lookout Mobile Security:



1. Scan this link with a Barcode scanner from your Phone
2. Tap to Open and Download,
3. Tap to Install the App.

or

Tap this link to Download Lookout Mobile Security FROM YOUR PHONE
1. Tap this link http://bit.ly/gMlUeO
2. Install once Download has Finished.



If you need any more help just ask and I will help as best I can.

Happy Droiding,
Ger.

Shameless plug to get a few yoyos knowing damn well that

1. Resources are hogged up:
   • Threads
   • Garbage Collection
   • Battery Power
2. Convincing those users that AV is essential when in fact it is not!
3. Preying on suckers to line your pockets
4. Install DroidWall, and APNDroid, to stop outgoing traffic in that way you''re safe in the knowledge that Linux's IPTables are blocking traffic.... no effin around with the handset...

State one good reason why is there a need - after all froyo and upwards manage memory far more efficiently - to deploy an AV that zaps processes that "appear to be suspicious" is absolute BS and can make android perform worse....

Shame on you for having the nerve, audacity and the cheek to come on to boards.ie and spread red herring and FUD over this....

Gerard McDonald

t0mm13b wrote: »

Shameless plug to get a few yoyos knowing damn well that

1. Resources are hogged up:
   • Threads
   • Garbage Collection
   • Battery Power
2. Convincing those users that AV is essential when in fact it is not!
3. Preying on suckers to line your pockets
4. Install DroidWall, and APNDroid, to stop outgoing traffic in that way you''re safe in the knowledge that Linux's IPTables are blocking traffic.... no effin around with the handset...

State one good reason why is there a need - after all froyo and upwards manage memory far more efficiently - to deploy an AV that zaps processes that "appear to be suspicious" is absolute BS and can make android perform worse....

Shame on you for having the nerve, audacity and the cheek to come on to boards.ie and spread red herring and FUD over this....

1. I make no money at all on any downloads, all free stuff mate, I replied to the thread because anti virus is an important issue, irregardless of weather its needed on android people are going to keep asking the question.
2. I stated both sides of the argument, saying that there are other utilities in the app that are actually useful.
3. I linked a good article explaining what permissions mean on android that people should read it. Again I make nothing, at all out of any of these apps.
4. I'll look into Droid wall etc cheers.

As for red herring and FUD, not my intention ever, if anyone took it up that way I appologise.