alkalidodo
Well-Known Member
Have always said one does not need it for Handset but i am now tempted! do i really need it for my device moreso it now comes free,if so which?
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Anti virus
- Thread starter alkalidodo
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- htc desire hd
kejlyCZ
Android Enthusiast
Basically, not. Why?
- if you don't have root, system can't be infected
- applications can't install other applications
- applications can make calls or send SMS (which sounds like mallware), but you have to acknowledge this before installation
- all apps are sandboxed (means applications are running independent and can't influence other apps)
Of course, antivirus can't harm your phone, maybe make it little bit slower during checking. IMO antivirus can't access all data, so it can't check the phone.
For more infor see this thread :
http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/241803-android-antivirus-really-necessary.html
- if you don't have root, system can't be infected
- applications can't install other applications
- applications can make calls or send SMS (which sounds like mallware), but you have to acknowledge this before installation
- all apps are sandboxed (means applications are running independent and can't influence other apps)
Of course, antivirus can't harm your phone, maybe make it little bit slower during checking. IMO antivirus can't access all data, so it can't check the phone.
For more infor see this thread :
http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/241803-android-antivirus-really-necessary.html
saj_2001ind
Android Expert
moreover android os is based on Linux Kernel, and Linux Kernel is said to have very very less virus prone unlike symbian mobile os
dekenfrost
Newbie
Think of it this way, Android is open source, so every idiot can build an app that could completely ruin you're phone
So no, Viruses are'nt the real risk here .. the apps are. On more than one occasions apps have also been found to send information about the user to third-party businesses for marketing. (apps like papertoss for example, where you wouldn't even suspect such behaviour) And not only on android plattform.
But it's still easier to harm android devices, since it's open source. (you can think of apple what you will, but at least EVERY app get's reviewed before it goes live, that is not the case on the android market)
And I don't think an Anti-Virus software could prevent something like this (since you often allow the app to send information without thinking anything bad) so the only thing an Anti-Virus app will do is make you believe you're safe, and you are never really safe
saj_2001ind
Android Expert
Think of it this way, Android is open source, so every idiot can build an app that could completely ruin you're phone
So no, Viruses are'nt the real risk here .. the apps are. On more than one occasions apps have also been found to send information about the user to third-party businesses for marketing. (apps like papertoss for example, where you wouldn't even suspect such behaviour) And not only on android plattform.
But it's still easier to harm android devices, since it's open source. (you can think of apple what you will, but at least EVERY app get's reviewed before it goes live, that is not the case on the android market)
And I don't think an Anti-Virus software could prevent something like this (since you often allow the app to send information without thinking anything bad) so the only thing an Anti-Virus app will do is make you believe you're safe, and you are never really safe
dude every app in android has a set of permissions, and none will have any root permission unless ur device is root (even if u r rooted its very difficult)
you need to read some forums in xda ... open source does not mean any one can create an app and steal ur personal info
Think of it this way, Android is open source, so every idiot can build an app that could completely ruin you're phone
So no, Viruses are'nt the real risk here .. the apps are. On more than one occasions apps have also been found to send information about the user to third-party businesses for marketing. (apps like papertoss for example, where you wouldn't even suspect such behaviour) And not only on android plattform.
But it's still easier to harm android devices, since it's open source. (you can think of apple what you will, but at least EVERY app get's reviewed before it goes live, that is not the case on the android market)
And I don't think an Anti-Virus software could prevent something like this (since you often allow the app to send information without thinking anything bad) so the only thing an Anti-Virus app will do is make you believe you're safe, and you are never really safe
Sounds like Anti-Virus on every platform.
dekenfrost
Newbie
I'm aware of that, but open source apps can still do alot more damage than ios apps that need to go through an approval process and run on a closed source os.dude every app in android has a set of permissions, and none will have any root permission unless ur device is root (even if u r rooted its very difficult)
you need to read some forums in xda ... open source does not mean any one can create an app and steal ur personal info
They may be unable to cause harm on a root level, but they can still do alot of damage to you're core systems (homescreen, mailing, texting phone .. ing?)
I absolutely love the freedome an open source os gives me (changing all thos things) but it's deffinetely something you have to be carefull about
saj_2001ind
Android Expert
why dont you give us an example of an android open source app which has done any damage so far ?
saj_2001ind
Android Expert
and yeah open source doesnt mean the customisation freedom which you get in android but open source mean the source code of the OS is published to all, I hope you know this
dekenfrost
Newbie
There has just recently been this IPhone and Android Apps Breach Privacy - WSJ.com
Now this is not only an android problem and it doesnt really have anything to do with open source .. but that wasn't my point anyway. I just said you can do more harm on an uncontrolled open source environment.
I am aware what open source means, thank you ...
SpencerUk
Android Enthusiast
Think of it this way, Android is open source, so every idiot can build an app that could completely ruin you're phone
So no, Viruses are'nt the real risk here .. the apps are. On more than one occasions apps have also been found to send information about the user to third-party businesses for marketing. (apps like papertoss for example, where you wouldn't even suspect such behaviour) And not only on android plattform.
But it's still easier to harm android devices, since it's open source. (you can think of apple what you will, but at least EVERY app get's reviewed before it goes live, that is not the case on the android market)
And I don't think an Anti-Virus software could prevent something like this (since you often allow the app to send information without thinking anything bad) so the only thing an Anti-Virus app will do is make you believe you're safe, and you are never really safe
Bottom line is, You will be very hard pressed to to find a virus on an Android OS, just as hard pressed as you would on the majority of smartphone Operating Systems.
The apps are not the problem at all. The problem is the inability of the end user using common sense.
As I'm sure you will be aware, prior to installing an application, it advises you what services it will be using or requesting from your handset..end of the day, its the down to the user whether THEY accept that or not. It's basically down to common sense.
The real problem at hand is if the end user does not use common sense when looking at installing applications.
FURTHER EDIT
In response to your link, actually, that's poor reporting of an article link, because in technicality, its not breach of application privacy, as its the end user has the end say whether it gets installed or not. Last time I checked, I'm not enforced to install Sky + to my phone.
saj_2001ind
Android Expert
no offence, but I kinda didnt liked blaming open source...open source has given us OS like Linux on which android is built, and many more ....
Imagine if there was no open source , we were only to have microsoft and apple softwares then and were to keep paying ...
Imagine if there was no open source , we were only to have microsoft and apple softwares then
and were to keep paying ...
SpencerUk
Android Enthusiast
no offence, but I kinda didnt liked blaming open source...open source has given us OS like Linux on which android is built, and many more ....
Imagine if there was no open source , we were only to have microsoft and apple softwares then
Open Source = Linux
Linux made Windows
Linux made MAC
Linux made Symbian
Linux makes android
Linux makes everything xD
Moral of it all...Open Source rules!
saj_2001ind
Android Expert
very well said ... and yeah you can always uncheck the option of install from unknown source this way app can be installed from marlet place only, now you will again argue that market can have malicious app, but again like Spencer said there is well built security around it which assures app wont do anything which you don't let them to...
again did anyone come across any malicious or even suspecious looking app in android ? pls share
dekenfrost
Newbie
Well, that's basically what I meant.
But the normal user will not be aware that an application such as paper toss can be a risk of security.
Sure I agree, it's basically the same as on every other OS.
Yeah, but that was just an example and the story got covered on most major tech-sites.
The user has to use comon sense to decide what apps he installs, but we are talking about phones, and not computers. Most users don't have that much experience when it comes to security.
So if an application gives information about me to marketing firms .. that's definitely a breach of privacy ..
saj_2001ind
Android Expert
if we talking about privacy breach and if anyone if so concerned then never ever use google search, it stores all ur searches ..tagged to ur ip address, theres lots of stories going on...but again thats not called google virus,,its different and one can choose not to use its services
dekenfrost
Newbie
I just did .. but heres some more
Updated: Android wallpaper app that takes your data was downloaded by millions | VentureBeat
How Can I Tell If an Android App Is Malware?
Again .. I am NOT saying that open source makes all this possible .. I am just saying it makes it a bit easier on a market where no apps are checked before they go live.
That's just comon sense that you have to be a bit more carefull.
SpencerUk
Android Enthusiast
The point i'm trying to put out here is that the real risk is the customers inability to check what its going to use (services wise) prior to install.
My little sister is care free but even she looks at what its going to use prior to install, its not one click install, or one click purchase for that matter. There's still a confirming step either way.
Also I understand that as part of Google's developer licence agreement, the dev needs to declare what services it will use prior to install..all fingers point at the end user im afraid.
My little sister is care free but even she looks at what its going to use prior to install, its not one click install, or one click purchase for that matter. There's still a confirming step either way.
Also I understand that as part of Google's developer licence agreement, the dev needs to declare what services it will use prior to install..all fingers point at the end user im afraid.
dekenfrost
Newbie
The difference is that I know what google stores about me .. and I am ok with that.
But when a simple wallpaper app (just as example) gathers information about me and sends them to some corporation in china .. that's what you call malicious and suspicous.
If you talk about an actual virus that can destroy you're phone .. well you will not come across anything like that .. the bad guys don't want our phones destroyed .. they want it intakt cause they want all the information they can get
saj_2001ind
Android Expert
dekenfrost
Newbie
Which further proves my point that an anti-virus software would be pretty useless .. and that was what I was trying to say in the very beginning ^^
we went a bit off topic I'm afraid
saj_2001ind
Android Expert
android apps at least tell us while installing what all services its gonna use and we have the choice to not install it, what about Windows Mobile and Apple IOS apps, do they ask ?
saj_2001ind
Android Expert
Which further proves my point that an anti-virus software would be pretty useless .. and that was what I was trying to say in the very beginning ^^
we went a bit off topic I'm afraid
my friend you started with open source then called Android being uncontrolled , which is not fare and which led to so many discussions here .. anyways its discussion forums and everyone is welcome to have any friendly discussion on any topic
dekenfrost
Newbie
true it's a forum afterall ^^my friend you started with open source then called Android being uncontrolled , which is not fare and which led to so many discussions here .. anyways its discussion forums and everyone is welcome to have any friendly discussion on any topic
But just to clarify, I never made a point against open source (big fan of open source myself) .. but the market is uncotrolled in the way that new apps don't go through an approval process (correct me if I'm wrong) and they do in ios, which is why it takes so long for them to go live, so i still prefere the android market