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Security?

Lanman1978

Android Enthusiast
Do you use any sort of security on your device? If so what is it? I use Bluepoint Antivirus Pro. It is very reliable and scans all app activity.
 
I use Lookout and have been every since I had my OV. It's very good and all that I will ever need in terms of security.
 
For theft recovery potential, I use GotYa!
There's almost no point in using antivirus on Android. It's like putting a snow plow on a helicopter; unless you're doing things you reaaally shouldn't, you don't need it.
 
Antivirus for Android is completely pointless.

Google pre-scans all apps that go into the market with its "bouncer". This is much more reliable and trustworthy than a random antivirus app that don't do anything than waste system resources.

I use where's my droid just in case I lose my phone.
 
Antivirus for Android is completely pointless.

Google pre-scans all apps that go into the market with its "bouncer". This is much more reliable and trustworthy than a random antivirus app that don't do anything than waste system resources.

I use where's my droid just in case I lose my phone.

Exactly. I don't use any security apps. There's no point. Don't pirate apps and you're generally fine

I sometimes use an anti theft app, but honestly my phone never leaves my sight.
 
The problem with all so called security apps is that Android runs them in a sandbox so while they can do a cursory scan on the file it can't do anything while an infected file is actually running.
 
Exactly. I don't use any security apps. There's no point. Don't pirate apps and you're generally fine

I sometimes use an anti theft app, but honestly my phone never leaves my sight.

But that's the exact reason some need anti virus/malware software, because as we all know, some people do download pirated or cracked apps/music and the like. Right or wrong, it happens.
 
Then they deserve what they get.

Exactly, and we don't condone pirating software here, so let's not discuss that other than to say that's where the vast majority of android malware is.

Download from the play store and you are about as safe as can be
 
But that's the exact reason some need anti virus/malware software, because as we all know, some people do download pirated or cracked apps/music and the like. Right or wrong, it happens.

And as I posted above, it's a false sense of security, none of the anti virus apps are able to scan a running application. They can only do a cursory file scan of your storage.
 
It does scan when app is being installed.

AV is just a tool. An added layer of security. The false sense of security you're talking about only comes when you treat it as an end all and be all defense - which it is not.
 
It does scan when app is being installed.

AV is just a tool. An added layer of security. The false sense of security you're talking about only comes when you treat it as an end all and be all defense - which it is not.

How do you know it is doing anything in the background other than displaying a scanning message?

Even If they do even scan your apps they will be completely useless against zero day vulnerabilities.
 
Not condoning it. Just saying it happens.
As for the usefulness, if the user gets a sense of security, then it's serving its purpose, be it false or not. And if they catch something, then just man-up and accept it.
Personally, I use Lookout because of the tracking ability and being able to remotely wipe. I can also make my phone scream.
 
How do you know it is doing anything in the background other than displaying a scanning message?

There are numerous sites/videos that show AVs scan results against known threats.

Even If they do even scan your apps they will be completely useless against zero day vulnerabilities.

That's fine. The purpose of AV is not to identify zero days. Not even your desktop AVs can do that. It's purpose is to help user to identify known threats.
 
Not condoning it. Just saying it happens.
As for the usefulness, if the user gets a sense of security, then it's serving its purpose, be it false or not. And if they catch something, then just man-up and accept it.
Personally, I use Lookout because of the tracking ability and being able to remotely wipe. I can also make my phone scream.

The problem with this is that if you believe that you actually have protection and do some dodgy downloading the false sense of security can be catastrophic if it involves a keylogger and anonymous server.
 
The problem with this is that if you believe that you actually have protection and do some dodgy downloading the false sense of security can be catastrophic if it involves a keylogger and anonymous server.

Trust me, I understand.
But for the most part, if they're looking for AV software, they're probably already involved in some questionable activity, and looking for some way to lessen their chance of catching something and/or looking for some peace of mind.
 
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