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Is it really necessary to use Antivirus on your Mobile? |
Miss UK
Joined: Jan 11, 2003
Posts: > 500
PM |
Lol Hobbs what you downloading outside the Mårkęt 
An "Apple" a day keeps the Doctor at Bay! |
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nile244
Joined: Nov 16, 2011
Posts: 2
PM, WWW
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According to me,we should install anti0virus for security purpose and it is advisable also.
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Sky Hi
Joined: Jan 20, 2007
Posts: 106
PM |
Don't be so cool. Take a look here: http://globalthreatcenter.com/?p=2492
Android is the future, and unfortunately malware coders know that too. Spyware and SMS Trojans are a fact. Not so common for the time being but they'll surely be increasing in the future. Google is not doing it's best in checking the hundreds or even more apps that they allow uploaded in the market every day:
"These days, it seems all you need is a developer account, that is relatively easy to anonymize, pay $25 and you can post your applications. With no upfront review process, no one checking to see that your application does what it says, just the world’s largest majority of smartphone users skimming past your application’s description page with whatever description of the application the developer chooses to include. Sure, your application can be removed after the fact—if someone discovers that it is actually malicious and reports it. But, how many unsuspecting people are going to download it before it is identified as malicious and removed?"
Personally, I use AVG Free. It's the only antivirus so far by an already known, experienced and big security company. With many features and getting better in every update. It only takes 5-15MB of RAM in my Experia Mini. You don't even notice at all that it runs in the background. It hasn't detected anything yet, but have in mind that I've only downloaded 60-70 apps of which I've kept about 50-60. One advise: don't download hundreds of useless-crap-apps, just for saying that you have many apps. Stick with those that you really need, and always read the comments and prefer those with many good ratings.
[ This Message was edited by: Sky Hi on 2011-11-21 11:33 ] 10 years non-stop SE user:
T300->K500->K700->K800->K810->C905->Xperia Mini |
Bonovox
Joined: Apr 13, 2008
Posts: > 500
PM |
Just turn off the unknown sources in settings & you'll be fine 
Phone?? What phone?? |
anonymuser
Joined: Dec 17, 2002
Posts: > 500
PM |
Dangerously bad advice. All "unknown sources" means is apps from outside the Android Market. There is malware *inside* the Android Market, because its not policed by Google, so only trusting the market will *not* keep you safe.
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Bonovox
Joined: Apr 13, 2008
Posts: > 500
PM |
All the time I have had Android or any smart phone I have never come across a single security issue
Phone?? What phone?? |
etaab
Joined: Jan 23, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: UK - South Yorkshire
PM |
I have years ago with my old Nokia N-gage. I was sat in McDonalds and it beeped because i thought someone was wanting to bluejack me a message. It was actually another Nokia attempting to send me via Bluetooth the Caribe virus for Symbian, it even said so. Obviously being pretty geeky with my phones i denied it knowing what it was. It was that virus which started spawning companies to release products like F-Secure.
Windows for my pocket pc also had a virus a few years ago which happened through downloading an app from a site which was pretty good but didnt test apps since it was just a forum. I downloaded an app which pretty much screwed up the entire system. Thankfully, back in those days once the power was cut to the system it was reset to factory settings, thats how i fixed it, with all my content backed up to a 256mb MMC card.
Symbian 3 devices have dodgy apps in the Nokia store also, i downloaded an app from there recently which slowed my N8 down to a cripple.
So, theres always going to be viruses out there but the point of the matter is this. Only download apps from trusted developers, apps which have weight behind them and a trusted reputation, apps which are of quality. Dont download nonesense like Gavin the talking puppy from the app stores. Thats my advice anyway.
[ This Message was edited by: etaab on 2011-11-21 18:45 ] Check me out on Instagram ! search for etaab ! |
Bonovox
Joined: Apr 13, 2008
Posts: > 500
PM |
I never leave BT on & hardly use it to be honest
Phone?? What phone?? |
etaab
Joined: Jan 23, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: UK - South Yorkshire
PM |
Heh, mine is always on. I love it when i meet someone who with the common misconception that if Bluetooth is on your phone will get hacked, which is quite regularly.
Check me out on Instagram ! search for etaab ! |
anonymuser
Joined: Dec 17, 2002
Posts: > 500
PM |
Bonovox - that's great, long may that continue for you and everyone else. I just think it's dangerous to perpetuate the myth that market apps are safe or trustworthy - in reality the android market just doesn't work that way. And many people don't want it to - I'm not going to get into the whole philosophical argument about policing vs not policing apps, it's just important to understand that google *don't* police so security is entirely up to the user.
It's not a hypothetical threat either - malware has been found in the market and has caused actual loss to users, we're not just talking proof of concept. The more android users there are, the more tempting a target it will be - these phones are mass market now, it's not like the cosy niche days of Symbian or Windows Mobile when next to nobody downloaded apps anyway.
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Sky Hi
Joined: Jan 20, 2007
Posts: 106
PM |
On 2011-11-21 18:49:53, Bonovox wrote:
All the time I have had Android or any smart phone I have never come across a single security issue
"...were his last words before he started crying, for his phone was infected..."
10 years non-stop SE user:
T300->K500->K700->K800->K810->C905->Xperia Mini |
etaab
Joined: Jan 23, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: UK - South Yorkshire
PM |
For once ill agree with Boinng, hes right on all counts from my experience. I think the bottom line is just stick to productive apps which actually do something and are made by a company with a reputation like Handy, or established companie who's apps are there for a reason like BBC, ESPN, Tesco, FTRC, Debenhams etc..
Check me out on Instagram ! search for etaab ! |
Bonovox
Joined: Apr 13, 2008
Posts: > 500
PM |
Well,that's what I tend to do & am careful.
[ This Message was edited by: Bonovox on 2011-11-21 19:44 ] Phone?? What phone?? |
etaab
Joined: Jan 23, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: UK - South Yorkshire
PM |
I think Sky Hi is simply quoting a passage from the mobile phone geeks bible.
Check me out on Instagram ! search for etaab ! |
anonymuser
Joined: Dec 17, 2002
Posts: > 500
PM |
Something else to worry about - those permissions you have to grant Android apps before they can perform certain actions? Ehh not so much apparently - http://www.theregister.co.uk/[....]0/google_android_security_bug/
Basically because of "enhancements" to the UI from most of the major manufacturers those permission requirements can be circumvented and exploited by cunning devs, so you can't trust them OR the market..
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Posted: 2011-11-14 19:06
