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.
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.
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.
Can anyone help me? I have a lot of ad, Windows ad, webpages with ad, I don't know what app to blame, and antivirus don't find anything
Restore your system. Back up data you need only. The more u back up the more u risk putting it back. Do a full restore. Clear it all. If the issue persists you need to boot to USB or CD and format the drive and do a full clean install. This will fix it
Angelo Dau said:
Can anyone help me? I have a lot of ad, Windows ad, webpages with ad, I don't know what app to blame, and antivirus don't find anything
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Click to collapse
If you ran antivirus only, before restoring you could also scan for adware and malware. Antivirus alone doesn't always catch adware Trojans on your phone.
Hi,
I did never own an android device in my life, always a jailbroken iphone. I've made the switch to android and i'm now the happy owner of a note 20 ultra (exynos).
I want to root my device, i kinda know how to do it already, but the more i read about it, the more i get confused...
After al my reading i gathered that this forum is basicly the central point of trusted knowledge regarding android, similar to r/jailbreak.
I still have several questions, which confused me after reading several tutorials;
If i root, i want to preferably use magisk since it is systemless. If rooting with magisk, do u need a custom recovery? What is the benefit of potentially using a custom recovery?
I've read an article about keeping ota updates possible with magisk (whitout custom recovery?), a/b partioning, i've installed magisk just to see the values. These are ramdisk:yes | a/b:no | sar:yes. Does this mean i wont be able to do ota updates since ab value is no? I'm guessing my device doesn't utilize ab partioning?
I know root will trigger several apps to stop working (banking apps, netflix, ...). I know it was kinda possible to circumvent this with magiskhide. I've read some articles that magiskhide isn't supported anymore due to conflict of interest, developer working for google now. Does this mean i won't be able to use these apps triggered by root? Are there alternatives for magiskHide?
Your help would be highly appreciated!
Thank u
Why do you want to root it?
Stock Androids can run very well.
Stock Samsung flagship phones are the most customizable phones on the planet. Good Lock family of apps, hundreds of free themes and icon packs on the Galaxy store.
Android updates can break things... Rule #1 if the firmware is running fast, stable and fulfilling its mission, let it be.
I'm not saying don't root but there are downsides including potentially creating a expensive paperweight. And once the Knox efuse is tripped, it's permanent.
Thank u for your response,
That is exactly why i didn't pull the trigger yet because i don't wan't it to become a paperweight. I wan't to gather more information before doing something i regret.
The reasons i want to root are basicly to enhance some privacy/control while staying on oneUI (kinda like it). Some edExposed modules, a root level firewall, a root level adblocker, enable stock call recording,... Remove some unnessecary services and bloatware (kinda possible with adb), or blocking some connections from services using a root level firewall.
Also as a bonus i would like to play around a little with kali, which is kinda useless without root. In my understanding i do need root to be able to have working drivers for external antennas or hackrf for example.
So i do understand its kinda a tradeoff.
Gain some, lose some.
Im just trying to mitigate the potential losses, by informing me in advance if the loss could be avoided.
Anoo222 said:
Thank u for your response,
That is exactly why i didn't pull the trigger yet because i don't wan't it to become a paperweight. I wan't to gather more information before doing something i regret.
The reasons i want to root are basicly to enhance some privacy/control while staying on oneUI (kinda like it). Some edExposed modules, a root level firewall, a root level adblocker, enable stock call recording,... Remove some unnessecary services and bloatware (kinda possible with adb), or blocking some connections from services using a root level firewall.
Also as a bonus i would like to play around a little with kali, which is kinda useless without root. In my understanding i do need root to be able to have working drivers for external antennas or hackrf for example.
So i do understand its kinda a tradeoff.
Gain some, lose some.
Im just trying to mitigate the potential losses, by informing me in advance if the loss could be avoided.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get a good case. The Zizo Bolt offers excellent protection. Without a case this phone will get damaged! The Notes are heavy, corner hitting, face planting fools. Gorilla IQ Sheild is a wet apply screen protector that works well. Both of the above products are inexpensive.
Karma Firewall uses almost no battery and works well, freeware on Playstore.
You can use Package Disabler to block apks and services. Or use adb editing. A lot of the Samsung bloatware just sits there using no resources unless you need it. Randomly disabling these can kill desirable features. Don't use the debloat lists some post; know what each app does before disabling it and its dependencies.
Use ApkExport to make installable copies of all your trusted Android apps and add it to your backups.
Use your SD card slot! Hell yeah, a dual drive PC in your hand.
Get a V30 rated .5-1tb SD card and use it as a data drive. All critical data, backups, pics, media, vids etc, SmartSwitch* backups go here. You can do a full reload from the SD card, no PC or external sources needed. Make sure to redundantly backup the SD card though.
Use the internal memory for loaded apps and the temporary download folder. Regularly transfer the pics in the DCIM folder to a folder on the SD card and that as the primary picture archive (do not name it DCIM!).
More than likely the stock version will need to be optimized to get the most out of it and best battery life. Power management including native and 3rd party ones tend to cause erratic behavior and not address battery drain effectively. Deal with power hogs on a case by case basis instead. Disable all Google, carrier and app feedback. All cloud apps tend to be hogs especially Google. Go through all the Google settings. If you don't use Google Firebase, turn it off.
Pickup the Buds+ or other model, these use the proprietary Samsung SSC codec and work seamlessly with the Note. I still prefer the Buds+ although I had ditch the last Wearables update... hopefully Samsung will fix that soon.
Play with it... it's so much more versatile, customizable and fun than iPhone.
*use to backup homepage settings, contacts and apps. Do not rely on it or use to transfer to a different device or firmware version... it can fail miserably. If it works great, but have other backups ready if it fails. Always back up pics, documents, media etc files separately, cut & paste. Never clone or compress music files/databases as it can remove critical null marks!
blackhawk said:
Get a good case. The Zizo Bolt offers excellent protection. Without a case this phone will get damaged! The Notes are heavy, corner hitting, face planting fools. Gorilla IQ Sheild is a wet apply screen protector that works well. Both of the above products are inexpensive.
Karma Firewall uses almost no battery and works well, freeware on Playstore.
You can use Package Disabler to block apks and services. Or use adb editing. A lot of the Samsung bloatware just sits there using no resources unless you need it. Randomly disabling these can kill desirable features. Don't use the debloat lists some post; know what each app does before disabling it and its dependencies.
Use ApkExport to make installable copies of all your trusted Android apps and add it to your backups.
Use your SD card slot! Hell yeah, a dual drive PC in your hand.
Get a V30 rated .5-1tb SD card and use it as a data drive. All critical data, backups, pics, media, vids etc, SmartSwitch* backups go here. You can do a full reload from the SD card, no PC or external sources needed. Make sure to redundantly backup the SD card though.
Use the internal memory for loaded apps and the temporary download folder. Regularly transfer the pics in the DCIM folder to a folder on the SD card and that as the primary picture archive (do not name it DCIM!).
More than likely the stock version will need to be optimized to get the most out of it and best battery life. Power management including native and 3rd party ones tend to cause erratic behavior and not address battery drain effectively. Deal with power hogs on a case by case basis instead. Disable all Google, carrier and app feedback. All cloud apps tend to be hogs especially Google. Go through all the Google settings. If you don't use Google Firebase, turn it off.
Pickup the Buds+ or other model, these use the proprietary Samsung SSC codec and work seamlessly with the Note. I still prefer the Buds+ although I had ditch the last Wearables update... hopefully Samsung will fix that soon.
Play with it... it's so much more versatile, customizable and fun than iPhone.
*use to backup homepage settings, contacts and apps. Do not rely on it or use to transfer to a different device or firmware version... it can fail miserably. If it works great, but have other backups ready if it fails. Always back up pics, documents, media etc files separately, cut & paste. Never clone or compress music files/databases as it can remove critical null marks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank u for taking the time to provide a summary based on your already gathered knowledge & experiences about this phone.
Get a good case.
*I've got the led book case, i know it isn't the best protecting case regarding fall damage, but i like the sleek design and combined front&back protection scratch wise.
Karma Firewall uses almost no battery and works well, freeware on Playstore.
* in my understanding all non root firewalls do this by redirecting all network traffic through a local vpn, which then can deny certain domains. I do already use a vpn so that is also a big + on the list why i want to potentially root.
You can use Package Disabler to block apks and services.
*Thank u, i will look into this. Didn't know of its existence yet. Although i now use something as SuperFreezer from fdroid, i don't know if this is similar or not.
Use ApkExport to make installable copies of all your trusted Android apps and add it to your backups.
*Thank u for this new information.
Use your SD card slot!
* I certainly do, this was one of the prerequirements to buy a certain phone. (I was juggling between sony xperia 1 mark 3 and note 20u). Another reason i want to root is, i don't want to use the sd card encryption from android, if my phone bricks, bye data. I want to be able to encrypt/decrypt some data (cross platform)on my sd card with a simple script. A one click script, not to enrypt each folder/file seperatly at it's different locatoin. I wanted to do this creating a simple python script, using openssl, and again after searching out how to do this, i came to the conclusion i needed root for this.
Disable all Google, carrier and app feedback.
*First things first
Pickup the Buds+ or other model, these use the proprietary Samsung SSC codec and work seamlessly with the Note.
*I still own the airpods pro i used with iphone as my convenience buds, and also have a bowers & wilkins over ear when i really want to enjoy the music, they use the apt x codec tho. Is the proprietary SSC codec a big difference? I have no experience with it as i've never had a chance to compare. Would they be worth the price investing in these buds, knowing i own both options mentioned above?
Play with it... it's so much more versatile, customizable and fun than iPhone.
*Thats an understatement, yet i feel like root would enlarge that playground by a lot.
You're welcome.
The 20U should be a really fun phone!
The display is just drop dead gorgeous. Run at 50% brightness or less to lengthen it's lifespan.
I prefer manual brightness control.
The spen is great for using as a remote shutter release as well as smart select for copying text you can't capture with cut&paste.
My 10+ is great, not even close to tired of it. It's current OS load is over a year old, still fast and stable with little maintenance. It's running on Pie. The 20U is the only other phone I would chose. Thinking of getting another 10+ or a 20U soon.
One drop onto concrete is all it takes and these are heavy phones. The Bolt is slim but heavy on protection. Very easy to grip and clean. The only downside is the inner kickstand tends to break. After over close to a dozen 2-4 feet drops onto concrete my 10+ still looks and runs like new.
So I overlook the kickstand flaw.
Yeah if you already are using VNP Karma may not be usable. Unlike other VNP based firewalls it uses almost no battery... it's a gem.
Package Disabler stops apps from running at boot up or you can enable/disable on the fly.
It's interactive widget allows you to toggle one or a group on/off from homepage etc. It's useful for troubleshooting. Unlike clearing data of apps in settings, clearing data with PD leaves no null marks (presumably). It can repair system apks that Setting can't because of that... it saved me from a factory reset by doing that. It will run in safe mode though and the only way to disabled it is under System Administrator. So don't get too crazy with it. I never boot looped an OS with it but there's some apps you probably shouldn't touch like the native launcher. After it's been activated I firewall block it.
The 10+ doesn't encrypt the SD card unless you want it to, the 20U is the same I believe.
NEVER encrypt backup data or you will lose it sooner or latter. I run will no screen lock as well and use Double Tap to turn on/off. That probably won't work on Android 10 though.
Google apps are know trouble makers which is why I mentioned that... Gookill.
The only other bluetooth codec that's has the fidelity of SCC on the 20U is LADC. I've tried as well researched all the other codecs (haven't sampled LDAC) and they are noticably inferior to SSC. Never use airpods so can't comment much on that, but the Buds+ simply never fall out.
As for rooting... the stock Android is (or should be) very robust and stable. Almost impossible to crash and burn. Even on Pie security isn't an issue unless you do something stupid. The downside is you lose diagnostic tools.
If you do root make sure you don't lose the SSC codec if you load a custom rom!
The other thing is if you root it you will trip Knox's efuse, this can not be undone short of replacing the mobo. Certain features need Knox to function and may be lost completely, forever.
Just be aware of that and look before you leap.
I personally don't use any of the Knox dependencies but you may decide differently.
Try this: