topic Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it! in Off-Topic

Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

perksie — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 00:01:37 GMT

Adrian Ludwig, lead engineer for Android security says you just don't need it:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/04/24/android_antivirus/

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

Cleoriff — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 00:12:21 GMT

Must admit I was always worried about whether to have a/v on my phone or not. @MI5 has always told me I didn't need it on either of my phones (S3 and now Note 3) so i was guided by him. My husband, on the other hand, who is more into computers than mobiles, is not happy unless he has antivirus on his S3...

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

viridis — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 00:32:28 GMT

Never used it on phones.
Permission information is on every app you install.

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

MI5 — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 08:52:05 GMT

Been saying the same for years.
The only one I use is Lockwatch but that is for its other features.

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

paulbacon — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 08:53:11 GMT

Other than apps, have no drive by downloads or malware from visiting sites been written for android?

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 10:26:47 GMT

It's clearly one of those issues that's always likely to divide opinion, but even speaking as an Apple diehard, I do sometimes wonder if we are too complacent about the risks.

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

Bambino — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 10:37:43 GMT

As secure as Google says it is, it still isn't invulnerable, as witnessed yesterday by the spam attack on Google Maps:

http://techcrunch.com/2015/04/24/google-works-to-improve-spam-detection-systems-on-google-maps-after-obscene-edits/#.xard8g:jxJr

I'd rather run an anti-virus app for my own peace of mind. I use Bitdefender, which is cloud based and only runs when on WiFi or data, so it uses very little of anything on my phone and tablet.

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 10:43:44 GMT

Here's an interesting article about mobile banking:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/25953741

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

jonsie — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 10:51:34 GMT

To be blunt there are a lot of very clever people out there who have the knowledge to hack anyone. I use Lookout on all my devices simply so I can wipe them or find them. Probably worthless in the grand scheme of things but if gives me a little piece of mind. ...

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

perksie — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:01:47 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
To be blunt there are a lot of very clever people out there who have the knowledge to hack anyone. I use Lookout on all my devices simply so I can wipe them or find them. Probably worthless in the grand scheme of things but if gives me a little piece of mind. ...

I agree @jonsie theft or loss is probably a bigger concern for most people, I'm using Prey Project for that purpose.

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

Cleoriff — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:03:23 GMT

Yes...I have heard good things about Lookout. Apart from all the security it provides, apparently it emails you photos of its location etc when it has been stolen....

https://www.lookout.com/android

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

jonsie — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:06:10 GMT

You get a photo of the bust Ard using it ☺

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

Cleoriff — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:20:06 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
You get a photo of the bust Ard using it ☺

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

Bambino — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:34:12 GMT

Although the ability to track your phone if it gets lost or stolen is a good idea, the basic problem is you have to have GPS and location services turned on all the time in order for the app to do its work. I don't keep those services running all the time, as they're battery hogs, so if my phone did go walkies, it would be gone.

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

perksie — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 13:43:59 GMT

You only need it to have an internet connection, if it's turned on you can use a Google search (while logged into your Google account) for "Find My Phone" which can locate, ring, lock or erase your phone remotely.

Re: Anti-Virus for Android burn it!

Bambino — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 14:06:09 GMT

That would mean keeping mobile data continually switched on, which would put a strain on anyone with a minimum data allowance.