topic Re: Antivirus Apps in Android

Antivirus Apps

jonsie — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:23:58 GMT

What's the view about installing antivirus apps on the Samsung S3 such as the ones below.

Do I need one or is there particular one that people use and can recommend?

125

Lookout Security & Antivirus

LOOKOUT MOBILE SECURITY

Lookout keeps your tablets and phones, and everything on them, safe and secure...

AntiVirus FREE

AVG MOBILATION

AVG is a PC & Mobile security software provider to over 143,000,000 global us...

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Re: Antivirus Apps

Bambino — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:28:56 GMT

I use Lookout. The free version is very good. It scans every app before installation, automatically runs a weekly scan of all your apps, and backs up your contacts as well. I believe Avast now do one for Android as well, but I have no experience with it on my phone, just on my laptop. Personally, I wouldn't go near AVG, but that's only my opinion.

Re: Antivirus Apps

MI5 — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:34:33 GMT

I use Samsung's own off the Sammy apps store (free).

Re: Antivirus Apps

Toby — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 12:04:21 GMT

Avast would be my choice if available jonsie

@Bambino, just out of interest, what do you not like about AVG?

@MI5 does the Samsung default one have a name or is it just 'default samsung antivirus'

Re: Antivirus Apps

MI5 — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:15:44 GMT

@Toby wrote:
@MI5 does the Samsung default one have a name or is it just 'default samsung antivirus'

It's Samsung Mobile Security http://www.samsungapps.com/venus/topApps/topAppsDetail.as?COUNTRY_CODE=GBR&productId=G00001627130&_isAppsDep=Y

Re: Antivirus Apps

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 12:59:25 GMT

I wouldn't use AVG on my PC's - far too much nagging to "upgrade" - but I installed the free version on my android (Xperia sk17i) and it seems fine - unobstrusive and using minimal resources.

The problem is that it's not easy to tell if A/V software is even doing anything worthwhile on a phone. On a pc, you know when it has spotted problems or blocked anything dodgy - especially if you are less than "uptight" about what sites you visit. On a phone, the threats are far more likely to come from apps stealing data and "phoning home" with it - and those will often be "legitimate" apps installed via androind market. If you have said "I want to install and use this app" - no A/V software is going to tell you that it's "acting odd" - even when that's exactly what it is doing. The key is to check and double check the "permissions" of all application before you install them. If you can't see a good reason for an app to have access to call-logs, for example, don't install it. No A/V software can deal with that sort of spyware.

Re: Antivirus Apps

perksie — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:42:13 GMT

I would try a free one and see how you get on with it, you can always change it for something else if it's a pain.

Just make sure it has a phone tracking feature built in with the ability to remotely turn on the GPS, wipe the phone etc.

I have tried Lookout and it worked fine for me.

You will probably already have set a sim lock to prevent it working with another sim.

Re: Antivirus Apps

Bambino — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:21:32 GMT

@Toby, I had a a lot of problems with AVG a few years ago on my PC. One particular update was so corrupt that in the end I had to reformat my hard drive to purge it. There were, at the time, thousands of complaints on the AVG forum about that update, and since that time I have never used AVG again. I can understand that if you use free software there will be the occasional 'nag' to upgrade, but as @Anonymous says, the nags to upgrade to AVG's paid version were bordering on the incessant.

@Toby wrote:
Avast would be my choice if available jonsie

@Bambino, just out of interest, what do you not like about AVG?

@MI5 does the Samsung default one have a name or is it just 'default samsung antivirus'

Re: Antivirus Apps

Toby — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:03:30 GMT

Thanks for the explanation, I had no idea it was regarded in that way.

Avast I stick with then.

What about iOS anti-virus? Anyone have any recommendations? I could do with both for myself and my girlfriend

Re: Antivirus Apps

Bambino — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:14:30 GMT

@Toby wrote:
Thanks for the explanation, I had no idea it was regarded in that way.

Avast I stick with then.

What about iOS anti-virus? Anyone have any recommendations? I could do with both for myself and my girlfriend

As I said earlier, it's only my experience and opinion. Others may think differently.

Avast is a good choice.

As far as IOS is concerned, apparently Apple are so smug that they think their OS is so secure that they don't need antivirus apps, but they have now approved the use of one:

http://www.technewsdaily.com/6978-new-anti-virus-app-removes-malware-from-iphone-ipad.html

Re: Antivirus Apps

jonsie — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 23:52:24 GMT

I've gone with Avast, all up and running:smileyhappy: It's got very good write-ups so hopefully I won't encounter any problems with it:smileytongue:

Re: Antivirus Apps

perksie — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:30:34 GMT

I haven't tried Avast yet, I know it's highly rated though.:smileyhappy:

Re: Antivirus Apps

Zombie_Fried — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 01:12:32 GMT

I use the AVG one seems ok not had any issues with it.

Re: Antivirus Apps

mac1 — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:50:03 GMT

i have installed the AVG anti-virus and have had no problems, and i,m using a galaxy s 3. or should i try another one...find phone works well and locks..

Re: Antivirus Apps

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 20:23:40 GMT

I am using the AVG and have done for about a year I think, no problems at all.

I must say that I have AVG installed on my families PC's and customer who want free anti virus I reccommend as never had any issues with it. I do use it inconjuction with Spybot as well.

As has been said its a personal preference and I guess until you experience a problem with it you have no need to try another product. Interesting reading though and having seen Avast in action as well I would say that is always a good shout as well. They also do a good bootable disc as well that I keep next to my Hirens bootcd lol