Antivirus?

[saltyduck]

Does a phone need an antivirus? What's the best one? Since they're kind of always running, do they kill battery? Which is the best one that doesn't kill battery? Pros? Cons? Splurge for a paid version? Free?

 

[Wbounds2]

I run Eset mobile security. No battery problems. And no lag. Most part I don't know it's there until 1 day it caught something in an email. So I think I made the right choice in purchasing this for my S5.
Oh yeah it's free for 30 days.

 

[jmatteis]

I use Lookout on the recommendation of a friend. Been great so far

 

[AZgl1500]

I'm using the default Verizon supplied McAfee and so far, it is totally invisible except when a download is done.

I programmed it to do a total scan once a week.... it has never reported any issues.

Prior to this GS5, I used AVG free on my Galaxy 'S' and it likewise was incognito most of the time. Over the 3 years I used that, it caught a few items that "might have" done my phone dirty... never knew what, because it deleted all of the items.

 

[victek]

Does a phone need an antivirus? What's the best one? Since they're kind of always running, do they kill battery? Which is the best one that doesn't kill battery? Pros? Cons? Splurge for a paid version? Free?

The need for antivirus/anti-malware is not as clear for android as it is for Windows, but I believe "better safe than sorry" especially since there are a number of good free products. I used Avast and MalwareBytes Anti-malware on my previous phone. I haven't made up my mind yet for the S5, but I'll probably try the same combo to begin with.

 

[Mittar]

I use Lookout on the recommendation of a friend. Been great so far

I also use and am happy with lookout. It's got lots of recovery and backup type features even in the free app.

 

[jrowlings]

I've used Lookout for years now... until just recently. It suddenly seems to be a massive drain on battery. Over 40%! Thought I'd adjusted settings properly to share less data... but perhaps not... need to explore. I did see on another forum some speculation about whether a recent update had caused this. I might try the Verizon supplied protection in the meantime.

 

[saltyduck]

Thanks everyone. Lookout seems to be the more popular one...I used to use one for my Galaxy Nexus...I can't remember which one right now. But in the 3yrs that I had it, it never found or caught anything which is why I wonder. But with my luck I will get something on this new phone!

 

[VentureForth]

I've used Dr. Web before but haven't really seemed to need it. Of course someone is probably counting on that. ..

 

[DragonSlayer95]

Antivirus for phones is pretty much useless unless your using it for its lost device feature.

As long as your only getting apps from the play store and not side loading them from untrusted sources.

Otherwise lookout would probably be the best one in my opinion m

 

[victek]

Antivirus for phones is pretty much useless unless your using it for its lost device feature.

As long as your only getting apps from the play store and not side loading them from untrusted sources.

As you note there are often additional features. Along with device location some apps make it possible to remote wipe the data if the phone can't be recovered. There's also call and SMS filtering.