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Anti-virus apps for android: are they necessary?

Quagmire

Imaginary talking monkey
Staff member
Premium Member
Wondering because the phone I plan on using as my primary phone only goes up to android 11 (I have another phone that can handle 12 but I mainly use that one as a wallet).
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
I don't have an antivirus app for my phone but I might change my mind if I hear anything about them doing any good. So far I'm not aware of anything.
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Wondering because the phone I plan on using as my primary phone only goes up to android 11 (I have another phone that can handle 12 but I mainly use that one as a wallet).
I carry Advast.

I feel vulnerable without one.
 

ChristineM

"Be strong", I whispered to my coffee.
Premium Member
I understand that Android cannot get viruses, at least viruses that are self replicating. They are vulnerable to malware though so after tying several I use Kaspersky, it's unobtrusive and seems to do its job well.
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I understand that Android cannot get viruses, at least viruses that are self replicating. They are vulnerable to malware though so after tying several I use Kaspersky, it's unobtrusive and seems to do its job well.
Those damm ads do a good job of tracking me based on what I type.
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
Those damm ads do a good job of tracking me based on what I type.

I now occasionally use Windows 10 "Windows Sandbox" to create a blank environment, run a browser there with "InPrivate" mode and delete the VM when I'm done. That's not a phone thing but sometimes I want to not be tracked.
 

dybmh

דניאל יוסף בן מאיר הירש
It seems to me Android is rock solid. Ever tried to root one and do your own thing? Not very easy.

The only problem I've run into is installing free apps that include malware which won't uninstall cleanly. As a result, I install none of that. Haven't had a single problem.
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
t3ozy.jpg
 

libre

Hermit Thrush
Android Sanboxing prevents apps from having the system-wide access that a desktop computer program would.

The vast majority of Android threats are going to be unwanted programs that users are tricked into downloading, apps that have more invasive permissions than they need, and the classic phishing text. Malware is not unheard of but doesn't exist in the way that commercial malware exists on Windows.

Sophisticated android malware does exist but is typically created in an intelligence community: Pegasus (spyware) - Wikipedia.
 

Wu Wei

ursus senum severiorum and ex-Bisy Backson
Since the entire world is going smartphone, and the black hats know it. And since we all know what security features these phones currently have, and the black hats know too.... I vote security software for smartphones. Don't have it on my personal phone, but will have soon. Discovered one of my security systems allows me to install it for free. Work phone has security on it.

But then take this for what it is worth, I'm an IT pro who was once much more involved in IT security..... so I always go for security software
 
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