tecbarrera
Member
Anybody know a good antivirus for the HTC EVO 4G? Been trying to get Lookout, but it doesn't seem to be available for the EVO on Android Market.
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Antivirus for Android?
- Thread starter tecbarrera
- Start date
guzziknight
Newbie
I've got Lookout on mine, just updated today in fact.
KENNECTED
Android Expert
I considerate a mini computer, but that doesn't mean the actual operating system functions as such.
Virus protection in Android
IMHO, antivirus/virus protection is not need, just like task killer apps are not needed.
ironass
Extreme Android User
Unfortunately, even Lookout could only "claim" to have detected, but not stopped, about 30 of the 54+ infected app's from the Google Market recently, Whilst some other so-called anti-virus systems didn't detect any!
One of the best anti-virus measures you can take is not to be stupid on what you put on your phone. See here:-
http://androidforums.com/android-ap...ps-avoid-viruses-guide-those-new-android.html
I personally don't use one as, in the event of a virus I can just wipe, flash the ROM with ROM Manager and restore again from a known, good, backup on Titanium or via Dropbox.
One of the best anti-virus measures you can take is not to be stupid on what you put on your phone. See here:-
http://androidforums.com/android-ap...ps-avoid-viruses-guide-those-new-android.html
I personally don't use one as, in the event of a virus I can just wipe, flash the ROM with ROM Manager and restore again from a known, good, backup on Titanium or via Dropbox.
A.Nonymous
Extreme Android User
"Erring on the side of caution" has the side effect of taking up space on your phone, potentially slowing it down and adding no extra security at all to the phone. That's the problem with Anti-virus AV programs. They literally add no extra protection of any sort to the phone and are therefore completely pointless. They take up space on the phone like any app does and take up overhead on the phone like any app does, but you get nothing at all for the resources used.
sookster54
Android Expert
IMO AV apps aren't needed, only thing you need to worry about is apps when you side load them or download them from elsewhere besides the Market (and usually XDA). Don't install pirated apps like Need for Speed or SPB Shell or so. Even then there are some apps on the Market you should look into before downloading, especially ones that require permissions to reading phone call and identity and contact data (wallpaper apps and most games don't need these).
Lookout is good for backing up and finding your device if you lose it.
Lookout is good for backing up and finding your device if you lose it.
Sombre
Well-Known Member
I personally use AntiVirus Free, now I don't know if it actually protects my phone but I feel better having it there and it does scan everything I install and compare it to a list of known malicious apps. I have not had any detections yet, using this software, but I'm happy to keep it there. I notice no performance drain by using this app so I'm quite happy to keep it there in the off-chance it actually is protecting me.
Cheers,
Sombre.
Cheers,
Sombre.
Yep, agree. Same goes for PCs too but I still run an anti-virus.
I do run Lookout as I have been known to be stupid on the odd occasion.
It's yet to find anything malicious.
A.Nonymous
Extreme Android User
Do you also take every snake oil product on the market on the off chance that it really does what it claims it does? I somehow doubt it. The snake oil may be harmless, but taking it anyway on the off chance that it might actually do something is just silly. AV is the same way.
Yep, agree. Same goes for PCs too but I still run an anti-virus.
I do run Lookout as I have been known to be stupid on the odd occasion.
It's yet to find anything malicious.
PCs (and Macs too for that matter) are vulnerable to exploits that require no user intervention at all. Android (to date) has not been proven to be.
ambientdroid
Well-Known Member
I disagree.
I'm in Japan, same as the OP, and found Lookout to be worse than useless.
The 'locate lost device' function does not work as advertised in many places outside of the U.S. and the backup feature (in the free version) only backs up contacts - google does that for me already.
Add to that an 'anti virus' that doesn't really have any benefit and you get a product that gives less tech-savvy people a false sense of security.
Here's a thread I posted about it: http://androidforums.com/android-ap...ut-locate-feature-unreliable-outside-u-s.html
Sombre
Well-Known Member
No, I don't take Snake Oil, but I do have tetanus boosters, insure my car, look before I cross the road etc etc.
ambientdroid
Well-Known Member
No, I don't take Snake Oil, but I do have tetanus boosters, insure my car, look before I cross the road etc etc.
The things you listed have been proven to work/be useful.
Android 'anti virus' programs; not so much.
False analogy. Antivirus doesn't actually protect you from anything.No, I don't take Snake Oil, but I do have tetanus boosters, insure my car, look before I cross the road etc etc.
Tempusfugit
Android Enthusiast
No, I don't take Snake Oil, but I do have tetanus boosters, insure my car, look before I cross the road etc etc.
Do you look for viruses before crossing the road? Do you insure your car from viruses? Do your tetanus shots include antivirus? I would make sure you are protected from viruses on all fronts, just to be sure. I think auto zone sells special air filters that keep the viruses from getting into your engine. The ones crossing the road can be tricky, especially if you are trying to chew bubble gum at the same time.
Tempusfugit
Android Enthusiast
actually its to much trouble arguing with people on the internet about this..
Did you know TV remotes can get viruses? They are basically mini mini computers. I sell stickers that you put on it and it keeps viruses out. PM me for more info.
Did you know TV remotes can get viruses? They are basically mini mini computers. I sell stickers that you put on it and it keeps viruses out. PM me for more info.
Sombre
Well-Known Member
I'm not going to argue anymore, I'm just going to giggle when you infect your phone.
It's 'too' not 'to'. I wonder what else you got wrong in your posts ;P
Cheers,
Sombre.
A.Nonymous
Extreme Android User
Well, better safe than sorry I guess.
Tempusfugit
Android Enthusiast
Oh noes. A post I made in a minute had a typo! I should go back and edit it like you so everyone thinks I'm sma-
OH crap! My refrigerator got a virus! Its flinging ice cubes everywhere! Someone help!!!! Oh the huge manatee!
ambientdroid
Well-Known Member
Well how do these programs work?
With most platforms, antivirus programs have a database of definitions to compare and scan against.
Seeing as there has been no record of a virus infecting an android device, no definitions exist. So what do they use? Windows definitions. Many of these 'security' apps are checking your phone for code that can't run on it anyway.
There have been, however, trojan horses on android. Programs that claim to do one thing but have another, malicious, purpose. No android app has been able to detect or do anything about the ones that have been found, and probably won't in future. Anyway google removes them from the market and your device once they are discovered.
The only real way to defend against a trojan horse is to keep an eye on the permissions and research apps (reviews, reputation, problems) before installing them. But that's just common sense.
Sombre
Well-Known Member
From the AntiVirus for Android website:
Antivirus Free will detect new applications that are installed on your system, and cross-reference them with our database of known malicious apps.
Apparently there are HUNDREDS of known malicious apps that this database cross-references against.
Cheers,
Sombre.
Tempusfugit
Android Enthusiast
lol.......
and the database of known malicious apps is made up of apps that google has removed from the market and your phone.