Android Antivirus

sparky · Nov 04, 2014, 16:27:05

Being new to android, I was wondering what the consensus of opinion might be for installing an antivirus product on my phone, Nexus 5. I'm not going to be downloading games or installing loads of innocuous apps and won't be visiting dodgy web sites etc. Apps that I will use will may be some for News, Travel, Sport, Timetables etc. I have no plans to do banking on my mobile. Yes, I have two email accounts on it, both are spam filtered at the server. Yes, I suppose google playstore now has my paypal account details as it seems to be the only way to even get free apps.

Can't believe that anything more than something like the free avira app would be necessary, but is it even necessary ? Any views?

Thanks.

nowster · Nov 04, 2014, 16:35:18

Lookout?

Simon · Nov 04, 2014, 18:24:24

I use BitDefender Mobile which has a free version. I find it pretty inconspicuous, but you get a reassuring popup when it scans a new app.

Steve · Nov 04, 2014, 18:57:38

Lookout for me , I paid a bit extra for the premium version as well. It appears to be fairly unobtrusive plus I get the backup facilities as well.

Baz · Nov 04, 2014, 19:08:32

Avast Mobile Security for me...similar as what Simon said, it just sits there and works.Good SMS and Call filter too which I use a lot,app management if you want,Anti theft which seems good but I havent set up yet.

MisterW · Nov 05, 2014, 11:36:32

+1 for Avast Mobile Security

J!ll · Nov 05, 2014, 12:29:16

I have a new phone, and son said he will be putting Sophos on for me

he started working for them about 3 weeks ago so has it free.

MisterW · Nov 05, 2014, 14:37:41

It seems to be free anyway Jill

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sophos.smsec&hl=en_GB

sparky · Nov 05, 2014, 14:57:57

Thanks for all the inputs.

Baz, MisterW, is that the free version of Avast?

I thought I'd got it down to Eset or Webroot, Lookout is too expensive, minimalist if you take the free version. But have to admit, Avast looks good, although seems to require two apps to get the additional theft functionality. Is it not overly complicated? Is there any effect on battery use or speed of your devices? Seems to be exactly what you want if you have a rooted phone, but mine is not. Would you still recommend?

Cheers.

MisterW · Nov 05, 2014, 15:41:56

QuoteBaz, MisterW, is that the free version of Avast?

Yes, but like Baz , I've never setup the Anit theft.
Doesn't seem to have any effect on battery life. I have it on my Moto G phone and Nexus 7 tab.

sparky · Nov 05, 2014, 15:54:34

Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear.

I'll give it a go and see how it works out. Thanks for all the input.

talos · Nov 05, 2014, 16:30:10

Don't set up the anti theft like I did, I found out too late that when you have it You cant get rid and it alters part of the phones set up

MisterW · Nov 05, 2014, 17:16:42

Seems you can get rid of it BUT you need to remove it via Avast Mobile security. https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=126979.0
OR possibly this way

QuoteThis is way late I know, but I am posting for the benefit of anyone who might happen on this thread as I did.

I had to uninstall avast mobile security from my old android phone because it was slowing my phone down too much. I forgot about the extra security it had installed when I first got mobile security. but here is what I found.

1)IF avast is installed through rooted, you can use the uninstall wizard,

2)f not, you have to uninstall the "disguised" app that installs with the unrooted install. I understand that it gives a different name for each device on installation, or perhaps it has a set of names. In my case it was "rdp bridge"

since my device was unrooted at install (I waited until after warranty was over to root), I did not have the option of using the "uninstall wizard" that is "built in" to the app.

I had to"

1) uninstall avast through the app manager
2) uninstall the "disguised security app ("RDP bridge") through the app manager.

I assume you will have to know/remember the name it gives the hidden app to find it.

I chose to use titanium backup to uninstall.

This freed up my space and stopped the rest of the resource hogging that avast seems to do on my older device.

I hope this helps anyone who comes across this in the future.

J!ll · Nov 05, 2014, 19:15:39

Quote from: MisterW on Nov 05, 2014, 14:37:41
It seems to be free anyway Jill https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sophos.smsec&hl=en_GB

Yes I know but he does not want me using anything else!

sparky · Nov 05, 2014, 19:43:27

Quote
Don't set up the anti theft like I did, I found out too late that when you have it You cant get rid and it alters part of the phones set up

Oh Dear. I thought that Avast looked like it might get kind of complicated! Maybe Eset might be the better option.

MisterW · Nov 06, 2014, 08:12:03

It isn't complicated, just don't setup the Anti theft.

colirv · Nov 06, 2014, 09:08:39

I use AVG Antivirus Free. Seems fine.

Steve · Nov 06, 2014, 09:20:57

I've had a read around the web , the Android operating system is very secure, which of course however doesn't excuse complacency . However don't forget it's in the interest of security companies to advertise their cross platform security software and ramp up the threats. iOS is not immune either but I suspect there's a very low install rate of security software on that platform.

So should you decide you need it, make sure it works as advertised and doesn't impair your smartphones performance.

http://phandroid.com/2014/05/06/android-virus-malware-scan/

sparky · Nov 06, 2014, 13:36:13

Good article.

I think I might wait now until after the Lollipop upgrade as that seems imminent . Don't want too many problems all at the same time.

Steve · Nov 06, 2014, 13:41:29

I think there's a lot to be said about careful smartphone use on the Internet negating the need for any security products, just depends on ones level of paranoia in the end.