If you do use one which one and why?
No because I don't feel it's necessary. Research shows that a very, very minute percentage of apps are "infected". I'd be more worried about data farming apps like Brightest Flashlight.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
No, for a few reasons:
1. If I install stuff from the Play store, I'll be fine.
2. If I install stuff not from the Play store, common sense is usually the best antivirus.
3. I honestly haven't heard of anyone getting a virus on Android in the past few years.
4. If I do get a virus of some kind, I can easily wipe everything off of my device and start from scratch i.e. flashing factory images.
Antivirus and apps like LookOut always seemed like a waste of memory and battery life to me. Like the user above mentioned, those are the reasons why.
Nope. Never have on any android phone. If I had gotten a virus I might feel differently about that
NX5
No
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No
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The supposed Android malware threat is way, way overblown. Just be smart about what you're doing and you'll be fine.
Related
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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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.
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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.
Somebody tried to convience me by LOL'ing my concerns, that all permissions are necessary and no soft on Android Market, that could be harmful or say: abusive.
Sent from my XT910 using XDA
No, Android is riddled with viruses.
Before I started developing apps I just ignored all the permission and installed. Now I realise how foolish that is, if an app has permissions to access your files, it can access ALL your files. Android should emphasise the permissions more IMO.
On windows phone, yes.
never!
Apps ask for so much permissions, I feel like the devs can do whatever they want... I mean, you're supposed to give away all your personal data to random people!? I usually avoid installing apps that for no reason ask for personal logs, reading sms, gps position and a bunch of other stuff, but usually games and apps ask for every permission available, it just feels creepy. That's why I tend to keep the number of apps on my phone to a minimum.
Android does have malware which although usually caught quickly can sometimes get through so it makes sense to check the permissions of an app because there are unscrupulous developers out there who do get such apps on the market.
If you use common sense (eg if a live wallpaper wants to read your texts or make calls then its probably not safe to install) you should be fine.
For someone to say android is riddled with viruses is just scaremongering as neither I nor anyone I know have had malware etc from the market because we use common sense but at same time anyone who claims there can't be viruses malware etc on market is just as wrong.
Bottom line is use common sense and if you can read the market comments then it also helps you decide if an app is ok.
But yes there are malware / virus apps and yes they have been on market before.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
Thats why root is a must to cut off from network access, at least.
Sent from my XT910 using XDA
mistermentality said:
Bottom line is use common sense and if you can read the market comments then it also helps you decide if an app is ok.
But yes there are malware / virus apps and yes they have been on market before.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
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Very true
z33dev33l said:
No, Android is riddled with viruses.
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Half truth.. As usual.
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What are some good anti theft apps for my new N5? Is there any apps that can locate stolen phone without internet connection but using cell towers?
Cerberus.
caribouxda said:
Cerberus.
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This.
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None work 100%. if the thief flashes a factory image including (erasing) userdata.img the device is wiped and the anti-theft app(s) will be gone.
gee2012 said:
None work 100%. if the thief flashes a factory image including (erasing) userdata.img the device is wiped and the anti-theft app(s) will be gone.
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99% of thieves are stupid
The built in device manager is good
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Cerberus has worked well for me.
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how much battery drain is cerebus? i assume u have to have GPS and location on ALL the time, i hate doing that
is it like only 15bucks for lifetime cerebus? i don't really trust it cuz its basically that company 'hacking' /tracking your every movement
and if the theif is on XDA well say bye to your lost phone lol
What's wrong with Google device manager?
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gee2012 said:
None work 100%. if the thief flashes a factory image including (erasing) userdata.img the device is wiped and the anti-theft app(s) will be gone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you can atleast make it difficult for them.
If the device is encrypted with bootloader locked, they can't do anything except wipe the phone, and they'll have to know how. However, you can purposefully break the USB port and use wireless charging only. So worse case is they wipe your phone but they can't get at your data, then you call up the carrier to have it's IMEI blacklisted, so thief is left with atleast a cripppled device.
But if not encrypt your data, then use stock recovery with locked bootloader and USB debuggin turned off, they can't get at the data anyway if you have a strong lockscreen and unlocking bootloader means full wipe. There might be a way to bruteforce or exploit a bug to bypass the lockscreen, but let's assume the user have an adequate password and Google patches any bugs. Also disable the power off/reset menu (it can be done). Then you can find the location of the device using Cerberus. With root, regular factory reseting will not remove Cerberus and if they removed the sim/turn radio off/change sim, Cerberus will report it.
Just keep your phone with you at all time and carry a magnum.
I just use Android Device Manager on all my devices. Luckily I haven't had to actually use it, but it's about time that Google implemented device manager. A little late in my opinion.
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I quite like "prey" myself
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krs360 said:
What's wrong with Google device manager?
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musclehead84 said:
The built in device manager is good
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Not precise at all. It is good to create a general idea but if you want to get your phones back get cerberus.
I used Avast. The anti-theft option seems pretty decent. It buries itself in the OS and claims it's protected from factory resets. It has an option to remotely lock (which ALL anti-theft apps should have) but it also has the siren feature. If I activate it remotely, the siren sounds and the thief cannot shut it off while the phone is on.
Hopefully, I'll never need to use it but I do have it on all my devices.
Cerberus! Awesome security app!!
galaxys said:
Cerberus! Awesome security app!!
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Agreed. Cerberus is awesome, and it does not waste battery, as you asked. (unless it's being used, i.e. tracking down the bad guy)
Cerberus
Cerberus_disguised (Hidden version)
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.