Anti virus - G Tablet General

Is anti virus protection needed for g tablet? I saw AVG has a app for this and was wondering if viruses are a treat to the android tablets.
Thanks!
Ed

fasteddie58 said:
Is anti virus protection needed for g tablet? I saw AVG has a app for this and was wondering if viruses are a treat to the android tablets.
Thanks!
Ed
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Probably not yet. I read somewhere that the first Android virus had been seen but I don't think it is a big deal for now.

The way Android (and Linux) are structured, you normally wouldn't need an anti-virus. A virus would need root permissions to be able to do much system damage. By default, users do not have root permissions, so this would not normally be a concern. Where as in windows, everybody has administrative (root) permissions, and viruses have a field day.
That being said, the first thing most of us do is root the tablet. This could provide an easy access route for any virus or RootKit. I wonder if our tablets would work as well if we only temporarily rooted them.

Right now they are not needed, but I'm one who doesn't see the harm in having one. I use Lookout on my phone mainly for the gps locating feature.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Nospin said:
Right now they are not needed, but I'm one who doesn't see the harm in having one. I use Lookout on my phone mainly for the gps locating feature.
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Agreed. My thought process is that it's better to have something in place before you actually need it. No harm done by running AV now, especially if you root.

Wouldn't av degrade the performance of the Tablet?
Seems like for now, were still at the making things run reliably stage. I'd be afraid that AV would break something else.

Virtual Pariah said:
Wouldn't av degrade the performance of the Tablet?
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That is a very legitimate concern. With the low resources that most Android tablets have, an anti-virus app could significantly affect performance. I know that they did in Windows (when I used to use Windows).

I use Lookout. It works fine... at least it leads you to believe it does. I am ready to spring for the pro version where they claim you can wipe the tablet if it is lost or stolen.

Related

What's the best antivirus for TF?

Are there any recommended for Honeycomb?
personally not bogging down my tablet with an AntiVirus
I wouldn't mind having an anti virus on my android. Considering that you can download viruses from the market it should be very important to have.
Doing a simple google search should get you an idea of what is availible. AVG and Lookout seem to good. I think I'll give AVG a shot.
i dont run it anymore, but i really like lookout.
Using Kaspersky in my phone. Very non intrusive and no performance penalties.
From the makers of AVG free desktop products: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.antivirus
I read somewhere that eset have released an antivirus for Android which runs really well, I've not tried it myself though.
Kind Regards,
D4rKlar
D4rKlar said:
I read somewhere that eset have released an antivirus for Android which runs really well, I've not tried it myself though.
Kind Regards,
D4rKlar
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thanks for the heads up, eset is the best in the business... i'll definitely give their mobile offering a try.
+1 for ESET. The app is fantastic - I downloaded it last night.
Sent from my Alcatel OT-980 using XDA App
Anyone in here personally encountered a virus on their TF?
Only use the best.....and the best is AVG.
Personally not going to bother but if I had to use one I would go for ESET's as their desktop products are some of the best around imo.
But then again I don't even bother with Dekstop AV anymore.
I sideloaded Lookout for now. They are in the process of optimizing a version of Lookout for tablets. I follow them on Twitter and they seem to be pretty good at keeping up to date on current Android malware.
Someone asked earlier if anyone has had a virus issue with their TF, but I'd like to broaden that and say has anyone had a virus issue with Android at all? I know there are some but it's not nearly as prevalent as on Windows, correct?
Been using android devices for the last 3+ years and the most malicious thing I've picked up was prob Skype Lite
Without A Doubt The Best Antivirus Protection (no, this is not spam):
http://bit.ly/60VPs

[Q] Are you using an Antivirus/Anti-spyware app?

Do we need antivirus or anti-spyware apps on our devices? Are you currently using one? If so, which one do you use and would you recommend it for others?
I am not using it and dont see need for it but all my friends use it. They use Lookout app!!!!!!!!
Budge said:
Do we need antivirus or anti-spyware apps on our devices? Are you currently using one? If so, which one do you use and would you recommend it for others?
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I don't use one either. Never have
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
If you sideload apps from untrusted sources, it might be a good idea to have one. I've seen my bud get alerts installing apk's from newsgroups.
Look at the permissions, comments, the vendor.
Do not blindly download apps and you will never need Android Antivirus.
I've got Lookout as well, but only for the feature that allows you to find your phone incase you lose it. I figured, why not activate the antivirus feature, I doubt I'll ever need it though to be honest.
It's not like the Lookout antivirus program costs anything. So why not use it? Plus, as the poster above noted, you have the locate function ready if it gets lost.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727
I've used both AVG and Lookout. It never hurts to have an antivirus installed.
I'm using AVG like on my PC.
Never got any virus on my PC and don't want on my android phone.
I'm using Avast, but mostly because I use the Anti-Theft plug-in and also the Firewall, so it doesn't hurt to have the AV turned on as well.
If it weren't for the Anti-Theft and Firewall, I wouldn't be using one.
Avast has done a great job protecting my laptop, so I installed it on my phone.
Why not use an antivirus app? Well, battery drain, slower performance, and the fact that you probably don't need it are a few reasons.
If you're careful about apps you download you should never have an issue. My rule of thumb is not to download an app from the Market with fewer than 100,000 downloads, unless it's an app that I know is safe based on a recommendation from a knowledgeable person here on XDA. I also read the reviews and check out the dev first.
But, if you don't mind battery drain and slower performance, and it makes you feel safer, by all means go ahead. Just don't pay for an antivirus service--the paid services don't do anything that the free ones don't.

Mobile security all I want

Ok here's what I want lol my normal anti spy virus extra WITH USB lock so my phone can't be flashed and a cwm password is that so hard...... Core blimey
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
I dont think that a mobile needs Antivirus...
but if u want one.. market has alot..
I'm currently using Lookout on my Galaxy S2, I dont think there is any with a usb lock function, Although lookout has some really good features if you want to pay for them.
not necessary to install anti-virus software on cellphone
xujunhua said:
not necessary to install anti-virus software on cellphone
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Famous last words.
I have Lookout free version. Pretty decent but I have yet to come across a virus.
You can't get a virus on Android, windows or apple platforms
Ask us any Android Related Questions @FeraLabsDevs on Twitter (Even If You've Bricked)
Unnecessary because the market remove any suspicious apps.
Maybe good for lost or stolen phone which they provide a good protection against that.
U don't need one
I agree its pretty secure but i do have one still
If you want to be secure enough, I would recommend rooting your phone, then install something like Droidwall, LBE, and some other app like that.
That should really set you up just fine!
If mobile security is all you want, then keep your bootloader locked.
as for this , you don;t worry about that ,there is little virus can cause your phone in troule
Mobile security isn't to much to worry about. but if you are still worried i suggest bitdefender.
I am using lookout on my sensation 4g and it has nice features like others have said just no USB lock
Antivirus software
While I tend to agree that antivirus software for your phone probably isn't needed for software found in the markeplace, is there still a risk for those programs side-loaded from other sources? Maybe not. I personally don't see the potential threat as being big enough for me to use it on my phone. But, as already mentioned some security programs also offer additional features that are nice - ie finding your phone if it's lost.
Damn I see a lot of stupid/dangerous replies to this thread. Going to be really funny when these people download a malicious app from the marketplace/Play.
Just to clarify there are no viruses for mobile platforms but that's because a virus is defined as malicious code that can pass it's self on. What we do find is malicious code in apps which is classed as malware rather than a virus. And yes these do exist on the market despite what some of the people on here have said and yes they exist on both Andoird and iOS, not heard of any on Windows yet.
You are the best antivirus. Just don't install suspicious apps from Google Play.
blaked said:
Ok here's what I want lol my normal anti spy virus extra WITH USB lock so my phone can't be flashed and a cwm password is that so hard...... Core blimey
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
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I'd go with AVG antivirus free then

[Q] I've installed AVG on my Nexus 5 (Lollipop) but do I need it?

As title says Ive installed AVG but pop up appeared saying I need an Xframe or something which I can get on XDA forums..anyone?
Av is of limited use IMHO, but you'll have to make your own decision
It may not hurt but you can always wipe your phone. Keep regular backups.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Pretty much all anti-virus/anti-malware apps are useless in Android since they're sandboxed just like any other app.
BirchBarlow said:
Pretty much all anti-virus/anti-malware apps are useless in Android since they're sandboxed just like any other app.
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They are especially useless against root apps.
the best anti virus for android is common sense. Dont install anything from random websites, dont pirate apps since allot of them have malware, and keep porn to a minimum. pretty simple
I've always assumed AV software on a phone is if you're using it as a mass storage device, transferring files between PC's. It is then more use protecting the PC rather than the phone. I've never used one and never had any problems.
If you're not rooted it makes sense because you're an average user usually and there is malware for Android like there is for PCs. It's annoying but oh well.

McAfee anti-virus

I see this in device care , but at least on the PC side of life I never trusted McAfee. So is this something new? Does it work? Do we even need an anti virus app for these phones?
nuclearrage said:
I see this in device care , but at least on the PC side of life I never trusted McAfee. So is this something new? Does it work? Do we even need an anti virus app for these phones?
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To me, it's not about trust, but about necessity. As I find it unnecessary, it's no less than a bloatware.
not needed
nuclearrage said:
I see this in device care , but at least on the PC side of life I never trusted McAfee. So is this something new? Does it work? Do we even need an anti virus app for these phones?
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McAfee is one of the first things I disabled. Been doing android since 2009 and have yet to get a virus on any of my phoned. Just don't click on all the dubious site and click bait and you'll be okay.
Ok , thanks ! Kinda what I thought be figured I would ask anyways .
Sent from my Samsung SM-N960U1 using XDA Labs
Since it's integrated with the system, I tried enabling it and have not noticed any adverse effects on speed, stability, or battery life. So I'm happy to have whatever small measure of extra protection it may offer.

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