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Android Anti-Virus Software?

Discussion in 'ANDROID Phones, Tablets and Devices' started by RadioRaiders, Dec 26, 2011.

  1. RadioRaiders

    RadioRaiders RF Black-Belt
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    Is anyone using an anti-virus application on their Android phone? Or does anyone recommend using one?

    I see Avast! has a free version, and was wondering if it was worth checking out or not?

    Avast Android Anti-virus

    On one hand, it could be usefuly to check for malicious apps, but on the other hand I'm worried if it will bog my phones resources down and affect battery life, generate false-positives, etc.... basically, I'm not sure how advanced Android anti-virus programs are; if they are ready for "prime-time" just yet?
     
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    #1 RadioRaiders, Dec 26, 2011
  2. dmapr

    dmapr Silver Senior Member
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    I don't use any anti-virus software on mine. Judging by how much it bogs down computers I wouldn't want it on the phone. That being said, I exercise some caution in what I install on my phone :)
     
    #2 dmapr, Dec 26, 2011
  3. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
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    I don't use any anti virus software on mine either. In my year and half of using Android, I have had only one problem very recently. The app is called ExtDate widget and after their last update started sending out spam emails, which may have led to virus if I clicked on any link. Interestingly the lite version of the app is trouble free.



    Sent from my Mystical Magical Moto using Tapatalk.
     
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    #3 charlyee, Dec 26, 2011
  4. budney

    budney Resident Headbanger
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    I don't use a anti-virus app on my phone. The apps in download get high praise on forums and in the market. And so far I have not had any issues. Someday it may be required, but right now it a app that takes up way too many resources for what it does.

    Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk
     
    #4 budney, Dec 27, 2011
  5. KevinNewton

    KevinNewton New Member

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    I have found Lookout Security to be the best app and can recommend it. It is not a resource hog, works very well at protecting the device, and is considered the default security app for the Android platform. Hope this helps.
     
    #5 KevinNewton, Jan 4, 2012
  6. JFB

    JFB Gold Senior Member
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    Lookout came pre-loaded on my phone.
    I let the premium features expire. Anti-virus and backup features continue to work.
    It hasn't alerted on any viruses yet.
     
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    #6 JFB, Jan 9, 2012
  7. QLR

    QLR RIP Note!
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    I also use the Lookout anti virus. No problems with it as far as I can tell. I'm normally picky about what I put on my phone, but I can't be too safe.

    Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk
     
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    #7 QLR, Jan 10, 2012
  8. RadioRaiders

    RadioRaiders RF Black-Belt
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    Thanks for all the replies. As of now I'm also not using any anti-virus and choosing what apps I download carefully (ie: a large number of downloads and a 4-star or better rating). But maybe I'll give "lookout" a shot if I ever feel the need.

    I would also be glad if Google would do some type of a "massive anti-virus sweep" of all the apps on the Market and give some kind of feedback, eg. put a green symbol next to apps that were scanned and no threat detected, or a yellow or red next to apps that showed possible signs of malware.

    Don't get me wrong, I like the openness of the whole Android thing, and don't want it to turn into the closed and über-controlled Apple world, but some controlling by Google is needed at some point. And as I see at the moment, there is still zero controlling on Google's part, apart from just letting the "good" apps rise to the top and the "bad" ones sink to the bottom.
     
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    #8 RadioRaiders, Jan 19, 2012
  9. KevinJames

    KevinJames WA's 1st retired mod
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    I use AVG Technologies' antivirus software. works good for me (Samsung Infuse).
     
    #9 KevinJames, Jan 29, 2012
  10. dmapr

    dmapr Silver Senior Member
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    #10 dmapr, Jan 31, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  11. RadioRaiders

    RadioRaiders RF Black-Belt
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    #11 RadioRaiders, Jan 31, 2012
    2 people like this.
  12. jakson0100

    jakson0100 Banned

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    Currently using "AVG Mobilation". I have AVG Free on my PC at home, always found it to be reliable and easy to use, so I took the chance on the mobile equivalent.
    It has a scanning function, it's free, and seems to be OK so far
     
    #12 jakson0100, Feb 28, 2012
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