HappyKiddo
Newbie
Im thinking of Avast or AVG , both free version. Any suggestions guys? And why would you recommend it?
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Whats the Best Antivirus for Android Mobile?
- Thread starter HappyKiddo
- Start date
jefboyardee
Extreme Android User
Get your apps from Google Play and fuggetaboutit. I've been droiding over three years, have tried thousands of apps, nothing resembling even malware, let alone a virus.
HappyKiddo
Newbie
I get my apps from PLAY STORE is that safe?
jefboyardee
Extreme Android User
I give up.
sfbloodbrother
Extreme Android User
Lol... 
I think, even if you get your apps from the play store, there's still an advantage with having a mobile security. I'm using McAFee mobile on android. The good about that, yes it checkes every app I download, but it also checks the permissions for those apps, so if any app requires unnecessary permissions, they will let me know. Happened a few times. Like why would a flashlight app need to monitor SMS, phone calling and stuff?
Another plus side is if your phone gets stolen, you can trace where the phone is, send an alert, or completely wipe the phone from your desktop. I have mine set so if someone gets the password wrong, it will take a front facing picture and email it to me. So far, it has taken about 1,000 photos of me
I think, even if you get your apps from the play store, there's still an advantage with having a mobile security. I'm using McAFee mobile on android. The good about that, yes it checkes every app I download, but it also checks the permissions for those apps, so if any app requires unnecessary permissions, they will let me know. Happened a few times. Like why would a flashlight app need to monitor SMS, phone calling and stuff?
Another plus side is if your phone gets stolen, you can trace where the phone is, send an alert, or completely wipe the phone from your desktop. I have mine set so if someone gets the password wrong, it will take a front facing picture and email it to me. So far, it has taken about 1,000 photos of me
HappyKiddo
Newbie
Lol...
I think, even if you get your apps from the play store, there's still an advantage with having a mobile security. I'm using McAFee mobile on android. The good about that, yes it checkes every app I download, but it also checks the permissions for those apps, so if any app requires unnecessary permissions, they will let me know. Happened a few times. Like why would a flashlight app need to monitor SMS, phone calling and stuff?
Another plus side is if your phone gets stolen, you can trace where the phone is, send an alert, or completely wipe the phone from your desktop. I have mine set so if someone gets the password wrong, it will take a front facing picture and email it to me. So far, it has taken about 1,000 photos of me
Thanks I'll give it a shot!
DomingoLewis
Newbie
I was confused too about it. There are lots of great and effective antivirus out there, but if you want to protect your PC and phones you should buy one. It's better to buy now than to suffer later. I'm very particular about buying products, goods and choosing services so before I decide to buy that certain thing I read reviews first. It helps me a lot, hope it would help you too.
I don't use any, period. When I install apps, I can see the permissions, and if any look fooky for the app or game's function, then it doesn't get installed.
chanchan05
The Doctor
Lol...
I think, even if you get your apps from the play store, there's still an advantage with having a mobile security. I'm using McAFee mobile on android. The good about that, yes it checkes every app I download, but it also checks the permissions for those apps, so if any app requires unnecessary permissions, they will let me know. Happened a few times. Like why would a flashlight app need to monitor SMS, phone calling and stuff?
Another plus side is if your phone gets stolen, you can trace where the phone is, send an alert, or completely wipe the phone from your desktop. I have mine set so if someone gets the password wrong, it will take a front facing picture and email it to me. So far, it has taken about 1,000 photos of me
If you read the permissions before doing the install, you won't need an app to tell you that it's dodgy. The only thing I see good about such apps is the security feature.
Crashdamage
Android Expert
You should NOT use any so-called 'memory cleaner' or 'memory optimizer'.
HappyKiddo
Newbie
I downloaded some games and apps and sometimes the permissions include
photos and videos,I dont understand y they need that
HappyKiddo
Newbie
Crashdamage
Android Expert
Because Android does an excellent job of handling memory by itself. It needs no help from 3rd party apps. Such apps usually do more harm than good.
Here's a slightly older article on the subject: Android Task Killers Explained: What They Do and Why You Shouldn't Use Them
In short, using task killers (or memory cleaners) goes against how Android is designed to function. Android (and Linux, for that matter) isn't like older versions of Windows; free memory is wasted memory. The more stuff Android can keep floating in memory, the quicker that stuff will be to access when you need it. If you keep killing apps or flushing the RAM, the system has to work that much harder to present that stuff when you need it. That help?
We've also got a short primer on Android permissions: http://androidforums.com/android-ap...explained-security-tips-avoiding-malware.html
I can't say for sure, but some games may want access to your photos to be able to set a user avatar or similar - or for sharing scores to Facebook/Google+, the game may want to be able to create screenshots.
By the way, Google already scans every app in the Play Store in an on-going and proactive process. When you install apps from outside the Play Store, Google is also able to scan those at install time (configure that in Settings > Security > Verify Apps). Those two measures mean that you really don't need a third-party antivirus application on Android - it's just redundant when that capability is already built into the Android ecosystem.
Google also provides a built-in Android Device Manager which integrates to provide remote lock/wipe and device tracking functionality. So you really probably don't even need the anti-theft protection of AVG/Avast/Lookout. Those third-party apps may provide finer control, but (again) it's a bit redundant.
I'm generally a pretty security-conscious guy, but I stopped using third-party security apps once those two features got rolled into Android / the Play Store. Let me know if you have any questions on how exactly they work.
For extra credit, here are good write-ups on both of those systems:
jefboyardee
Extreme Android User
Two articles to add to the confusion...
Android Antivirus: 6 truths about smartphone malware
The 4 best Android anti-virus apps
Android Antivirus: 6 truths about smartphone malware
The 4 best Android anti-virus apps
KaChow
Newbie
I use BitDefender Antivirus, I've tried a number of different Antivirus programs out there, and this one happens to be the best for my usage. You can either opt to have the free version or go with the paid which also offers alot more benefits, plus it protects smart watches as well. Going without an Anti-virus program is like not using a condom (or some other protection,) sure you can use the default settings in Android Security Settings, to see what permissions an app has access to, but those settings do not rate how safe the application is that you have just downloaded. Just because it comes from the Play Store doesn't mean that is a safe application.
jefboyardee
Extreme Android User
Then I guess I'm just extremely lucky... off to buy a Powerball ticket.
KaChow
Newbie
Just to give you an idea of how safe apps are on the play store. My most unsafe app is the White Pages Caller ID, it's a great app cause it works but leaks all kinds of information. I'm sure some of you have these other apps and were unaware of the security concerns. Good luck with the Powerball!
Do you trust the antivirus app? BitDefender comes from Romania. A popular free Android antivirus is called 360 Mobile Safe, comes from China, and probably a lot of people are trusting that one with their privacy and safety. Why are they providing the free service, what are their motives and reasons for doing it.
My phone has actually got app by app permissions control built-in, it's part of the firmware, and can select individual permissions, allow or deny for any app. But that's not a usual Android feature.
This particular security and antivirus app communicates with servers in Beijing, PRC. It's popular on Google Play and has many good reviews.
Do you you trust it? Might want to think carefully if you're working for the NSA or GCHQ.
...and to use the condom analagy, which particular condom do you trust?
KaChow
Newbie
Do you trust the antivirus app? BitDefender comes from Romania. A popular free Android antivirus is called 360 Mobile Safe, comes from China, and probably a lot of people are trusting that one with their privacy and safety. Why are they providing the free service, what are their motives and reasons for doing it.
My phone has actually got app by app permissions control built-in, it's part of the firmware, and can select individual permissions, allow or deny for any app. But that's not a usual Android feature.
This particular security and antivirus app communicates with servers in Beijing, PRC. It's popular on Google Play and has many good reviews.
Do you you trust it? Might want to think carefully if you're working for the NSA or GCHQ.
...and to use the condom analagy, which particular condom do you trust?
View attachment 77001
Point taken. I've had much success with Bitdefender on my PC's (the antivirus suites are top-rated usually in the Top 3 on PC's,) I also have the paid version of Bitdefender on my Android device, sure you can opt for free, (however I like features and support Development.) To me there are more services that Bitdefender provides beyond app monitoring and system scans, such as real-time Identity Theft Protection between all of my devices Monitoring and much more. Sure it has all those other benefits such as wipe the phone if its lost or stolen, or the scream to find it, or the text alert when a SIM card is inserted. Sure it is comfort to know what the app permissions are and having the ability to change them, but I would rather have the anti-virus program inform of problems on my device then have the ability to change functions within the anti-virus app. I could use the same app I mentioned above the ROM Toolbox Lite which is free use the App Manager program and have complete control over everything within an application.
I think some apps need to have their limitations, especially anti-virus programs.
With the condom comment, I can
Attachments
Can see 360 Mobile Safe is definitely Chinese and is trying to send a message to 10010, that's the service and billing number for China Unicom. KaChow you're in Philadelphia and this came from Google Play? Is 10010 used in the US for phone number verification or SMS billing?
Qihoo, the makers of 360 Mobile Safe, have been making their "360" PC(Windows) antivirus product for years, and fact most PCs in China have it. Problem is I found it doesn't work. It's only the last couple of years with the popularity of Android, that they've gone international with their mobile antivirus(trojan) products,
Qihoo, the makers of 360 Mobile Safe, have been making their "360" PC(Windows) antivirus product for years, and fact most PCs in China have it. Problem is I found it doesn't work. It's only the last couple of years with the popularity of Android, that they've gone international with their mobile antivirus(trojan) products,