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[Q] About Viruses

I've got two questions...
1- Is it convenient to use an antivirus program for my phone??
2- (Maybe this is a stupid question...) If I download an .APK file to my computer to copy it to my SD... Can it infect with some kind of virus my computer?? Even if I don't open it.
Many thanks

The only place i would trust enough to download an apk from is XDA. Anywhere else, it's a risk. Not so much that your PC will become infected but you may end up with malware on your phone.
I wouldn't bother with an antivirus app on your phone, but instead use some common sense about where you source your apps and how you use your phone in general. Prevention is better than cure!

1) No. It's highly unlikely that you'll get a virus on Android. The risk is slightly greater if you pirate apps, but that's what you deserve for stealing from developers. Antivirus programs are ineffective, use a lot of resources, and typically either spam you with ads, want you to pay a subscription, and/or send your personal information back to China. I don't trust them.
2) No. Viruses will only harm the OS that they were made for. A virus made for Windows cannot harm your Android phone, and a virus made for Android cannot harm your computer.
Don't pirate apps or download apps from shady places, and don't download an app from the Market with a small number of downloads and reviews and you'll be fine.
Sent from my Evo + MIUI using Tapatalk!

quite true. Antivirus on mobile phone is just a wasting of ram.

[Q] Are anti-virus apps needed?

I switched to linux on all my computers to "avoid" viruses and have peace of mind. With my complete rom backups, do I need to have another memory hogging app (anti-virus) running in the background of my phone and tablet? I'm just really curious why it would be needed...

There are quite a few Anti Virus apps available, but I haven't heard of any Viruses!
Once there is confirmed news of a Virus attack on Android, I will install an app

No, anti-virus in not needed on Android. It is Linux-based and keeps apps running in their own sandbox. Just be careful about what apps you give superuser permissions (if you have your device rooted).
One possible area of concern may be when you do hook up your device with a Windows PC over USB, your SD card may get infected and in turn infect other PCs. But Windows viruses have no influence on your Android system itself.

You don't need an anti-virus application on Android. There are no viruses for Android (as of yet) that will infect your system without you explicitly giving it permission to do so. If you do not have a rooted device, the potential damage that can be caused by a malicious application is quite limited (but it could still run your phone bill up, for example). There have been some web scripts in the past that allowed access to your phone's SD card, but these security holes have been fixed in the latest builds of Android.
The best course of action is to be smart about what you install. Always look at the permissions that an application requests before you install it. There are also several permission managers available on the market. These applications require root access, and will block other applications in the system from being able to request certain intents (i.e. starting the camera, or phone)

workdowg said:
I switched to linux on all my computers to "avoid" viruses and have peace of mind. With my complete rom backups, do I need to have another memory hogging app (anti-virus) running in the background of my phone and tablet? I'm just really curious why it would be needed...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That topic comes up a lot, and is hotly debated. Here's one article that discusses the issue, and gives some advice:
Avoiding Malicious Apps

I have installed one..but never found a virus...so I think we don`t need it

definitely not needed.

yeah there is definitely no need for anti-virus.
but be cautious of some apps that install apps ads in your notification bar. it gets annoying.

Thanks all! I was certain that was going to be the consensus. In my "windows years", about 20, I never got anything more than some adware. Just need to be observant and wary. Some things that are "free" cost more in the end.

Antivirus and tips

Hey there,
I am new on android OS and I have some questions if you can help me please.
1. Should I install any antivirus?
2. Is there something equivalent to icloud?
3. By rooting my htc desire s what benefits I will gain?
4. Do you know any important tips (apps) that I should install?
Thanx

noob1990 said:
Hey there,
I am new on android OS and I have some questions if you can help me please.
1. Should I install any antivirus?
2. Is there something equivalent to icloud?
3. By rooting my htc desire s what benefits I will gain?
4. Do you know any important tips (apps) that I should install?
Thanx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Up to you. I've never installed an anti virus program on my phone because they run in the background eating battery and processing power.
2. I don't think it's really an equivalent but google drive alows you to sync folders on your pc with your android phone.
3. By rooting your phone it gives you full control allowing you to get rid of bloatware(pre installed software like soundhound, amazon mp3 etc.)
install custom roms that fit your preference and much more really. So many advantages you should youtube the benefits of rooting.
4.If you root your phone titanium backup is a must. It backs up your apps so when you install new roms you can just press a button and everything gets restored instead of you spending hours downloading and installing apps.

sharpinator said:
1. Up to you. I've never installed an anti virus program on my phone because they run in the background eating battery and processing power.
2. I don't think it's really an equivalent but google drive alows you to sync folders on your pc with your android phone.
3. By rooting your phone it gives you full control allowing you to get rid of bloatware(pre installed software like soundhound, amazon mp3 etc.)
install custom roms that fit your preference and much more really. So many advantages you should youtube the benefits of rooting.
4.If you root your phone titanium backup is a must. It backs up your apps so when you install new roms you can just press a button and everything gets restored instead of you spending hours downloading and installing apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can also use my backup root from the market to backup and restore apps after install new roms

No to antivirus
Many options, drop box, Google drive , etc with Android tot are not limited to Google only products add you are with Apple
You can use titanium backup for applications backup and restore, custom recovery for full device backups, a must if you plan to try the many custom ROM options
Would suggest that you follow the index link in my signature and read the many guides in the initial guide section first
Sywepd form my DsereiS

AVG or Sophos are good but to be quite honest i don't use either anymore. If you feel safer using one then i'd say one of those two would do.

avast is also good. it also adds firewall and stolen phone finder.

I installed avast just for the anti theft, then removed the anti virus
Sent from my HTC Desire S using Xparent ICS Blue Tapatalk 2

I've been using Lookout as AV ever since I got my phone. It has negligible impact on battery life.
I have a friend at work, who is a security expert and he got a virus on his Android phone. NOW he uses an AV product.
The apps I can't live without are Titanium Backup, 4EXT Recovery, and ES File Explorer.
Sent from my Desire S

Is adfreeapk.com Safe?

They happent o have an huge collection of apk programs and i am wondering if they are know or safe?
I usually scan the apks with the pc antivirus, then with avast in my phone but still... any thought on that?

How can I tell?

Hi there, I just have a quick question, if anybody could help me with this I'd be ever so grateful!
I was given a laptop today by somebody on Portland's Craigslist he gave it to me out of the kindness of his heart, wanted nothing in return,and to me that's not very common so I'm shocked and I Hate that I am, but I'm a little weary of it as well. How can I tell if this wonderful person possibly put some kind of hidden program or files or whatever to spy on me in any way? Whether it be for creepy reasons, monetary gain, or just monitoring in general, where would I look for files, or programs that could be a threat? Is there anyway to actually have these programs running and i not know about it? How can I be sure that he has no ties, no connection, nothing to do with this laptop anymore? Even remotely.....?
I need to be sure that my kids are gonna be safe using this laptop, how can I tell if there is Any invasion to our privacy?
I appreciate Any and All help I can get, I do know a little bit about this stuff but not nearly enough to be comfortable using it,
Thank you in advance

Which operating system is installed? The easiest way to be sure is just to format the hard drive and reload Windows...if Windows 10 is installed you can reset it quite easily through settings but if it's older then you'll need a disk or the installation files. If there's any sort of spy software installed it probably won't be obvious or show up as a program anyways.

I recommend a clean install of Windows 10 too. If that's not possible install Malwarebytes and ESET NOD32 antivirus free trial. Update both and do a full deep scan using both programs.
If it has malware or antivirus software already installed, uninstall it and get fresh versions above software. He may have white listed any malware/spyware he installed so when it scans, it won't show up in the detected list.
Also, I recommend a good firewall too. Personally, the built in Windows firewall lacks, but I'm a control freak.