Free Android AV fails to protect against nasties

[Glenn]

Many free-of-charge antivirus products fail to protect Android smartphone against malware effectively, leaving users with a false sense of security as a result.

Tests by antivirus testing lab AV-Test.org revealed that the best freebie Android anti-virus scanner, Zoner Antivirus, caught 32 per cent of 160 recent Android threats. The other six free-of-charge Android products fared abysmally, with the best of the rest detecting just 10 per cent of the threats. One detected none whatsoever.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/11/14/android_anti_virus/

[Rik]

Ouch.

[Simon]

I honestly can't see Android lasting long at this rate, because security issues seem to be popping up more and more, and sooner or later, it will simply become too dangerous to use. 

[Rik]

Not to mention the lawsuits...

[Lance]

HP could do well to do something with WebOS.

[Simon]

I think that's the only one I've never used. 

[Rik]

You will.

[Simon]

 

[Gary]

I honestly can't see Android lasting long at this rate, because security issues seem to be popping up more and more, and sooner or later, it will simply become too dangerous to use. 

Thats like saying Windows won't because of Virus and Malware though, Simon. Android will do very well, its more popular than all other mobile platforms already amd now Google are trying to unify handsets too. Have to say The Samsung Galaxy Nexus or whatever its called thats coming out soon with a 4.6" screen thats so close to the iPhone 4/4s in resolution (only a few pixels in it) will be a belting handset, also it has massive battery.  Apple even though the iPhone is great are getting left behind faster and faster...

[Simon]

Android need to tighten up on the apps though.  There's been too many security issues with them of late.

[Lance]

Thats like saying Windows won't because of Virus and Malware though, Simon.

But the growth of Windows wasn't down to how great it was, it was largely due to a lack of credible mainstream competition. Android has the credible competition from iOS and Windows Mobile 7.

Apple even though the iPhone is great are getting left behind faster and faster...

In what way, Gary? The screen on the phone still has one of the best ppi figures of any phone, even though its been out for nearly 18 months. Its now dual core and more capable graphics wise, and the camera seems pretty impressive too (I've not got one so can't comment other than a couple of in shop test shots). It almost seems as if with the 4s Apple has held back by not including things such as a better front facing camera and dual band wifi.