Database Info

Lookout Mobile Security?

What is everyone's opinion of Lookout Mobile Security, or any security/virus scanning app for their Android devices? I have been using Lookout for many months and I don't have any particular problems with it. I have recently flashed a ROM and I am running with limited apps (for the time being) but before I reinstall everything I previously had, I wanted to find out what others think.
I have read some articles recently that suggest mobile security apps are not really that needed as long as the person is cautious about the things they install. This can probably be said about anything that relates to software but do programs like Lookout drain the battery more? Do they slow down our phones? Like I said, I have been using it for many months so I do not have much experience without it.
I look forward to hearing what others have to say.
My apologies if this is in the wrong section. I just realized that I might have been better posting this in Q&A.

Yeah totally wrong section. Q and A or General.
X,
Sent from my Infuse.

Not really needed, unless you plan to install any Chinese/Japanese sex apps like "screaming Japanese girls".
Also be attention to the permission an app needs before you install it. It comes up on the screen when it prompts to install. For example, a wall paper app does not need access to contacts.

yea..i uninstalled a while ago.. i never seen the benefit..

Excellent, yeah that's what I was thinking too. I haven't been running it in a week and even when I did, nothing ever came up. I know that problems can occur with bad apps but like you guys I will just be careful and 'verify' the permissions of the things that I install. Thanks!

I don't think the virus scanning stuff like Lookout is worth it for droida and is kindof a ripoff itself.
However I do use the seekdroid app to help find my phone via location if I misplaced it... which happens every now and then.
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However I do use the seekdroid app to help find my phone via location if I misplaced it... which happens every now and then.
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Samsungdrive has that feature
http://www.samsungdive.com
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[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
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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.
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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.

Antivirus/Malware & Traffic Monitoring

I am newly registered to the XDA but I have followed for some time now. I have rooted a LG Optimus M as well my AT&T Galaxy S2 Skyrocket ( two separate devices...)
I recently switched to the :good::good::good::good:CM9 nightly builds:good::good::good:. Good so far in that realm minus a weird gallery issue.
My real question is what are people doing about antivirus/malware protection on a rooted phone? I have tried AVG and a couple of others, but the interface doesn't really show what it is doing. I also have a Macbook Pro and use Little Snitch for monitoring traffic going in and out. I can approve or deny traffic on a one time basis or forever. Is there also an app that would provide this type of functionality as traffic going out that I have not approved is generally my first clue that something might be going on.
This is my first post (N00bie) so I apologize if it is not formatted like some of you professional XDA members.
Thanks in advance.

onealvideo said:
I am newly registered to the XDA but I have followed for some time now. I have rooted a LG Optimus M as well my AT&T Galaxy S2 Skyrocket ( two separate devices...)
I recently switched to the :good::good::good::good:CM9 nightly builds:good::good::good:. Good so far in that realm minus a weird gallery issue.
My real question is what are people doing about antivirus/malware protection on a rooted phone? I have tried AVG and a couple of others, but the interface doesn't really show what it is doing. I also have a Macbook Pro and use Little Snitch for monitoring traffic going in and out. I can approve or deny traffic on a one time basis or forever. Is there also an app that would provide this type of functionality as traffic going out that I have not approved is generally my first clue that something might be going on.
This is my first post (N00bie) so I apologize if it is not formatted like some of you professional XDA members.
Thanks in advance.
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Click to collapse
dr.web is the best

onealvideo said:
I am newly registered to the XDA but I have followed for some time now. I have rooted a LG Optimus M as well my AT&T Galaxy S2 Skyrocket ( two separate devices...)
I recently switched to the :good::good::good::good:CM9 nightly builds:good::good::good:. Good so far in that realm minus a weird gallery issue.
My real question is what are people doing about antivirus/malware protection on a rooted phone? I have tried AVG and a couple of others, but the interface doesn't really show what it is doing. I also have a Macbook Pro and use Little Snitch for monitoring traffic going in and out. I can approve or deny traffic on a one time basis or forever. Is there also an app that would provide this type of functionality as traffic going out that I have not approved is generally my first clue that something might be going on.
This is my first post (N00bie) so I apologize if it is not formatted like some of you professional XDA members.
Thanks in advance.
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Ello, be warned that once you post you can't stop. I don't have any real input as I just install AVG and use common sense to not download ****ty apps. So I'll probably learn some good things.

+1 on Dr. Web
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Fo sho
I try not to install "****ty apps". I went on the play store and looked at the dr.web app the previous person suggested. I see a lot of negative feedback on that app... Works, doesn't work, won't uninstall, blah blah blah.... I think I will see what others post about this issue and make the best informed decision I possibly can...
whosgotlag said:
Ello, be warned that once you post you can't stop. I don't have any real input as I just install AVG and use common sense to not download ****ty apps. So I'll probably learn some good things.
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I use lookout
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Naked :s
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Welcome to xda also !
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onealvideo said:
I try not to install "****ty apps". I went on the play store and looked at the dr.web app the previous person suggested. I see a lot of negative feedback on that app... Works, doesn't work, won't uninstall, blah blah blah.... I think I will see what others post about this issue and make the best informed decision I possibly can...
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some of those people are idiots on there haha but also they may have a phone thats incompatible with the app whereas the skyrocket is compatible.. Ive pretty much tried every anti virus and dr.web is hands down the best and has very little battery usage
EDIT: the people that have uninstall issues probably forgot that they gave the app device administrative access... which you have to turn off to uninstall

I don't use antivirus I just pay attention to comments look at authors other apps and look up similar apps mind you I take these steps for not so well known apps common sense is key my friend just like with a computer
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Agreed...
Guitarboarder28 said:
some of those people are idiots on there haha but also they may have a phone thats incompatible with the app whereas the skyrocket is compatible.. Ive pretty much tried every anti virus and dr.web is hands down the best and has very little battery usage
EDIT: the people that have uninstall issues probably forgot that they gave the app device administrative access... which you have to turn off to uninstall
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I agree, a lot of people are idiots on the play store. I am not saying it is a bad product, I am going to check out all responses to my posting and see what works best. I don't even mind paying for the app if it truly does what it says.
I was reading an article on my Flipbook (Google>>Don't get faked by Android antivirus apps<<) the other day that said a lot of the Android A/V apps miss a lot of malware. I know these apps can't catch every iteration but really??? 50%??? That is horrible...

onealvideo said:
I agree, a lot of people are idiots on the play store. I am not saying it is a bad product, I am going to check out all responses to my posting and see what works best. I don't even mind paying for the app if it truly does what it says.
I was reading an article on my Flipbook (Google>>Don't get faked by Android antivirus apps<<) the other day that said a lot of the Android A/V apps miss a lot of malware. I know these apps can't catch every iteration but really??? 50%??? That is horrible...
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this is the best article actually its a study seperates the boys from then men in android virus protection lol scroll down to the page with test results like 8 pages down haha I just checked and it was 8.. with the colored bars on the right side
http://www.av-test.org/fileadmin/pdf/avtest_2012-02_android_anti-malware_report_english.pdf

I use Avast.

Tried AVG, Lookout.... Presently evaluating Avast, so far it's good but it seems to take a long time to scan new apps & updates, not sure if that's good or bad?
Sent from, The Eclectic Chair.

I use nothing

AV-TEST
Guitarboarder28 said:
this is the best article actually its a study seperates the boys from then men in android virus protection lol scroll down to the page with test results like 8 pages down haha I just checked and it was 8.. with the colored bars on the right side
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This is the same report as the article I mentioned. Good, I am on the right track then...
I installed Dr.Web, but immediately presented with a purchase page. :crying:
I looked over the results of the test and settled on Lookout for now. It seems when I install any app, it will automatically scan that app for me... I like that approach. I may purchase it later... maybe...
I will let you know if I run into any problems with that one... I have to say if you don't have some sort of Antivirus, you may be asking for problems... Seems with rooting and modding that we are doing, you never REALLY know what someone has programmed into a mod or app. I still want something like Little Snitch that monitors all inbound/outbound traffic and lets me decide whether to allow/deny connections....
Would be a nice feature in my mind...
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Galaxy S2 Skyrocket CM9 Nightlies

onealvideo said:
This is the same report as the article I mentioned. Good, I am on the right track then...
I installed Dr.Web, but immediately presented with a purchase page. :crying:
I looked over the results of the test and settled on Lookout for now. It seems when I install any app, it will automatically scan that app for me... I like that approach. I may purchase it later... maybe...
I will let you know if I run into any problems with that one... I have to say if you don't have some sort of Antivirus, you may be asking for problems... Seems with rooting and modding that we are doing, you never REALLY know what someone has programmed into a mod or app. I still want something like Little Snitch that monitors all inbound/outbound traffic and lets me decide whether to allow/deny connections....
Would be a nice feature in my mind...
----------
Galaxy S2 Skyrocket CM9 Nightlies
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Click to collapse
As long as you're not side loading apps and pay attention to the permissions that's all good.
You also have to not use open networks where they can poison and intercept your info. I stay off those and don't side load.
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Side Loading
xcrazydx said:
As long as you're not side loading apps and pay attention to the permissions that's all good.
You also have to not use open networks where they can poison and intercept your info. I stay off those and don't side load.
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Yeah, I don't do side loads. Like sticking a random memory stick in your computer...
I only load from the play store. I do however wish I could have Google Wallet without hacking other than root or CM9...

LBE privacy guard.
I've used it for a long while now. Clean, simple, and only presents me with a super user style allow/deny for permission requests. It let's you enable or disable internet connectivity for an app, but not specific requests to specific hosts like little snitch. Its great for other permissions too, locations, contact lists, etc.
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Perfect!
emmellst said:
LBE privacy guard.
I've used it for a long while now. Clean, simple, and only presents me with a super user style allow/deny for permission requests. It let's you enable or disable internet connectivity for an app, but not specific requests to specific hosts like little snitch. Its great for other permissions too, locations, contact lists, etc.
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Exactly what I was looking for!
Thanks thanks thanks!!!!

memory hogging antivirus

avast! Mobile Security v2.0.4400 using up 110 MB ram leaving free ram only 27 MB.
is this normal?
is an antivirus really required on a rooted jellybean phone?
are there better alternatives to avast! Mobile Security?

No, it's not needed since you normally download your apps from Play Store. It's safe. It not only hogs battery and ram, it also collect anonymous user info and data.

To be frank antiviruses are not required actually.
They drain battery,ram usage,etc..and makes few games to run non smoothly..
SENT FROM MONSTER ! ! !
HIT THANX OR I WILL JUST
CRY...

I've been running android naked in terms of anti virus for years and have never had any malware problems (and I even occasionally sideload things)
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It does add some nice anti theft and firewall features.

Do people even write viruses/malware for android? Can't say I've ever come across anything myself that would justify an AV.

Is there an antivirus which only works on demand and not in background?

ZeitgeistGlee said:
Do people even write viruses/malware for android? Can't say I've ever come across anything myself that would justify an AV.
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There's quite a lot malware around but I think mostly it's not in official play store

Big_Berny said:
There's quite a lot malware around but I think mostly it's not in official play store
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You're right...

Quite a relief now I need to uninstall my AV on my phone.

I use anti on my HTC one. Not sure if needed or not.
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In my 4 years of using an android I've never really felt the need to use an Antivirus.

Frankly, an antivirus on your phone is purely to keep paranoia in check. There's no point in using it as a locator after theft, because the first thing thieves do is wipe the phone.
Ironically, most infected apps are actually found in the Play Store, not on the 'alternative' websites. (unless you start downloading crap off mysterious Russian websites that have filenames like 'install.Apk') I know a few people who download litterally everything, and even they never had malware on their phone.
All the news articles on android malware are from the play store. But they usually only target eastern European users.
Your best antivirus is still common sense. If something seems fishy, it usually is.
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Do Android malwares exist?

Some say they don't some (including FBI) say they do.
Who is right???
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some
csm121295 said:
Some say they don't some (including FBI) say they do.
Who is right???
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they do exists but very less as compare to Windows.

Do anti-virus can help this problem?
Some say Android anti-virus is useless though...
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[email protected] D€\/¡! said:
they do exists but very less as compare to Windows.
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Are you sure? In about 20 years I never saw malwares on Linux, Android and OSX. Windows only!

Yes but unless you're an idiot you won't get them

You need it though because antivirus app have safe browsing option and can help find your device if lost. Less malware though but it can detect the risk of having a kind of app. Im using lookout.
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im just trying to help so I hope it works

To my experience, I've never gotten a virus. None of my phones have issues. Nor have I ever heard of it. Linux is complex system, though viruses exist everywhere. And in many forms you have a slight chance of getting a virus.
Using anti-virus apps are worthless and don't really work. They slow your device down allot, and usually ruin your experience.
Its hard to get viruses on android devices. So you shouldn't be worried.

Have fun
don't u worry child these malwares are not that harmful.
if u get any problem just reset ur device and have fun

Don't worry about them the latest Google Play Services has a lot of virus security patches

i have heard of virus on android but still have yet to get one, if you do get one, i fixed my friends chinese tablet by just factory resetting it, the only harm it does is spam adds and gets apps on your device and slows down.

Trozzul said:
i have heard of virus on android but still have yet to get one, if you do get one, i fixed my friends chinese tablet by just factory resetting it, the only harm it does is spam adds and gets apps on your device and slows down.
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Yeap, so some refer to anti virus apps and that makes it worse.