Anti-virus apps for android: are they necessary?

[Quagmire]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

 

[Quagmire]

Sure.

 

[ChristineM]

Those damm ads do a good job of tracking me based on what I type.

But they are from Google and similar so can't be malware ;-)