Should I get antivirus?

[The Smasher]

I do take precautions on my phone, I don't install many apps on my phone, and the ones that I do are heavily researched. I never get my apps from anywhere besides the play store, so I am not talking about the marketplace side of things.

I am talking about for web browsing. This is 90% of what I use my phone for, so this is where I would have a problem. I have seen that many people tell you that as long as you don't sideload your apps, you shouldn't have a problem. But I don't really see them say anything about regular web browsing.

 

[DragonSlayer95]

I do take precautions on my phone, I don't install many apps on my phone, and the ones that I do are heavily researched. I never get my apps from anywhere besides the play store, so I am not talking about the marketplace side of things.

I am talking about for web browsing. This is 90% of what I use my phone for, so this is where I would have a problem. I have seen that many people tell you that as long as you don't sideload your apps, you shouldn't have a problem. But I don't really see them say anything about regular web browsing.

Your only worry would be inputting a password and username. As long as you know your on the legit site, antivirus isn't needed for web browsing.

Sent From My Paranoid Evo 3D Using TapaTalk 2

 

[euph_22]

I do take precautions on my phone, I don't install many apps on my phone, and the ones that I do are heavily researched. I never get my apps from anywhere besides the play store, so I am not talking about the marketplace side of things.

I am talking about for web browsing. This is 90% of what I use my phone for, so this is where I would have a problem. I have seen that many people tell you that as long as you don't sideload your apps, you shouldn't have a problem. But I don't really see them say anything about regular web browsing.

There really isn't much reason not to use one of the reputable antivirus programs (avast, lookout, etc).

But honestly, there isn't much reason to install them either. Like you said, unless you're installing random 3rd party apps (or some fly by night apps on the market), there just isn't that much risk. There certainly is no real risk from just web browsing. And like dragonslayer said, you're more likely to run into phishing schemes and whatnot that android malware while browsing.

But if it makes you sleep a little easier, go ahead and install an antivirus. Besides, many of them provide other nice features (tracking, remote lock incase the phone is stolen, for example). I don't think I'm running AV, but I do have lookout installed for the security features.

 

[El Presidente]

I don't think I'm running AV, but I do have lookout installed for the security features.

Same here. I've lookout installed for the phone finder etc, not because I'm worried about malware.

OP, entirely up to you if you do or don't, it's not mandatory and malware on Android isn't a massive problem.

 

[The Smasher]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I have thought about it, and if there is no real threat from web browsing, then I will probably go without.