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Anti virus

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.
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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.

Is security lookout necessary?

I have an android phone n was wondering it I need this protecting to take space n battery of my phone. Does anyone thing It's truly necessary thanks
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Absolutely useless.

CorradoSud said:
Absolutely useless.
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Thank you I though so to since It's runs on Linux right
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Yes it runs linux but taking care on the battery and space is needed for good responsiveness from your mobile on multitasking.

I found the program alright, if not a little battery draining. But turning off the seemingly-hourly backups and just doing them manually every so often helped, and I managed to locate my phone in somebody's pocket at a party

jarocho151 said:
I have an android phone n was wondering it I need this protecting to take space n battery of my phone. Does anyone thing It's truly necessary thanks
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
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its better to be safe than sorry. there have been viruses that have spread on android phones (ex. droiddream)

the gps location and scream features are worth it.

Any antivirus isn't so worth using as an antivirus YET, but in a few months/years, they will be our saviours. See...right now there aren't many malware around that can harm you if you don't root your phone or download untrustworthy apps. But there will be soon, as for example a serious one called "Droiddream", discovered not so long ago.
(Can't post outside links yet, but just google "Droiddream" and you'll have a read at how bad viruses will get in not so long)

If you're careful with what you download on your phone, you should be fine. If you're constantly trying new apps and downloading various things you might want to at least have a slight peace of mind!

It's hard to be careful with what you download if the Android Market itself spreads malware. So yes, use an antivirus app just in case that trustworthy app from the market turns out not so trustworthy after all.

[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.

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
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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
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I'd go with AVG antivirus free then

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.