Madbat
Android Expert
The AVG app only has a couple of lines related to actual viruses – “Scan apps, settings, media in real time”, and “Defends against malicious apps, viruses, malware and spyware”.
There’s a reason for this. On Android, viruses as we know them from the desktop are not that big of a threat. Because of the way Android operates, more threatening are malware, malicious apps and spyware. These malicious apps find their way to your phone either through bogus apps, pirated apps, ads or just through browsers.
Of the 5 million Android devices that Kaspersky’s Security Network analyzed, Kaspersky found the number of attacks per month went from 69,000 per month to 650,000 between August of 2013 through March of 2014. In this period, the security researchers at Kaspersky found 175,442 new and unique types of malware for Android.
I use a rooted Android phone. On the face of it, this means that my phone is open to all sorts of exploits out there. On a rooted phone, getting admin access to modify the system files is a lot easier. On a non-rooted phone, the system files are effectively locked down. Away from the prying eyes of the user and the attackers alike.
But of course, the hackers always find a way. Malware apps usually get access to personal information like your contacts, SMS, emails, etc – things that Android apps have access to already. Here are the basic steps you need to take to make sure malware doesn’t get to your system.
Only install apps from the Play Store. Stay away from third party app stores. I’d even go one step further and say don’t take apps from the Play Store for granted. The Play Store doesn’t have an active app blocking policy like the iOS App Store. Fake apps that look like the official apps for Netflix or eBay make it to the Play Store all the time.
Before downloading an app that you’re not sure of, read the description carefully, check out the reviews and see the ratings. Official apps on the Play Store usually have 4.5 star ratings or higher.
Just a tip.
If you do all the things listed above, the chances of malicious software infecting your phone are negligible. But it’s still possible.
I personally feel confident enough with my current setup to not need an antivirus app but I can see how it can be seductive. Fortunately, features like remote wipe, cloud backup, etc, are not unique to antivirus apps. In fact, Android has its own Device Manager app with tracking and wiping features.
There’s a reason for this. On Android, viruses as we know them from the desktop are not that big of a threat. Because of the way Android operates, more threatening are malware, malicious apps and spyware. These malicious apps find their way to your phone either through bogus apps, pirated apps, ads or just through browsers.
Of the 5 million Android devices that Kaspersky’s Security Network analyzed, Kaspersky found the number of attacks per month went from 69,000 per month to 650,000 between August of 2013 through March of 2014. In this period, the security researchers at Kaspersky found 175,442 new and unique types of malware for Android.
I use a rooted Android phone. On the face of it, this means that my phone is open to all sorts of exploits out there. On a rooted phone, getting admin access to modify the system files is a lot easier. On a non-rooted phone, the system files are effectively locked down. Away from the prying eyes of the user and the attackers alike.
But of course, the hackers always find a way. Malware apps usually get access to personal information like your contacts, SMS, emails, etc – things that Android apps have access to already. Here are the basic steps you need to take to make sure malware doesn’t get to your system.
Only install apps from the Play Store. Stay away from third party app stores. I’d even go one step further and say don’t take apps from the Play Store for granted. The Play Store doesn’t have an active app blocking policy like the iOS App Store. Fake apps that look like the official apps for Netflix or eBay make it to the Play Store all the time.
Before downloading an app that you’re not sure of, read the description carefully, check out the reviews and see the ratings. Official apps on the Play Store usually have 4.5 star ratings or higher.
Just a tip.
If you do all the things listed above, the chances of malicious software infecting your phone are negligible. But it’s still possible.
I personally feel confident enough with my current setup to not need an antivirus app but I can see how it can be seductive. Fortunately, features like remote wipe, cloud backup, etc, are not unique to antivirus apps. In fact, Android has its own Device Manager app with tracking and wiping features.
