Develop Bugs

[Q] Avast! Lookout, Cerberus, or something else?

I had Lookout since I got my phone, then won a free premium upgrade for a year that just ended.
Avast! just came out (out of Beta) with free Antivirus which I'm using at the moment.
I've seen great reviews about Cerberus, but it costs a few bucks.
So, I'm not worried about viruses (I've read enough articles about it) but I like to have something to track, lock, and wipe the phone in case it is lost or stolen.
I'd like to see what programs you guys use or don't use and why?

I use lookout on my wife's phone, since she misplaces it at least once a week. I was using it on my phone but have stopped since I was only using it for tracking and I can wipe my phone remotely through my work exchange server if I lose it.

Try Seekdroid, it can remotely enable GPS and may be what you're looking for. Antivirus programs are pointless though.
Supersonic Evo 4G | MIUI | Tapatalk

Nothing new or old impressed(es) me if it cant find and remove the CarrierIQ rootkit. They missed it..what else will they miss
Signature and definition based av solutions are dying a slow death anyway, one last hu rahhh.. smartphone users.

AVG
You forgot to specify AVG's free antivirus solution. It doesn't require any signup, unlike Lookout, and doesn't waste space in your notification area because it only appears there when it scans, fixes, etc.

Lacedaemon said:
You forgot to specify AVG's free antivirus solution. It doesn't require any signup, unlike Lookout, and doesn't waste space in your notification area because it only appears there when it scans, fixes, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might give that one a shot. I run AVG on my PC and it's been pretty good. I like that it doesn't take up room in the taskbar and it looks like it has the remote locate/wipe/lock that I want to have. I don't know why I didn't think to look it up before.
Update: Tried AVG, but it can't locate my phone when I tested it. (I went through all the proper steps of setting it up in the "remote" menu) So it doesn't look like it's gonna be a keeper.

Avoid Mcafee Unless You're Willing to Pay
alxrock said:
I might give that one a shot. I run AVG on my PC and it's been pretty good. I like that it doesn't take up room in the taskbar and it looks like it has the remote locate/wipe/lock that I want to have. I don't know why I didn't think to look it up before.
Update: Tried AVG, but it can't locate my phone when I tested it. (I went through all the proper steps of setting it up in the "remote" menu) So it doesn't look like it's gonna be a keeper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aw, that sucks. Well just a word of notice: Don't go for the Mcafee Antivirus, it's just a 7-day trial unless you pay for the subscription. It was really disappointing because I signed up and configured everything, like the Buddy List feature, which is when the app automatically sends a text to your "buddies" phone numbers when it's lost/found.

I've been using Lookout since it came out, but now I have the same doubt. For sure if you only want it for remote wipe and so, I would choose Cerberus, but I usually download apps from other stores, testing apps I can't be sure if they are completely safe, etc, so I don't know if I should keep my Lookout for malware detection or just forget the paranoia and move to Cerberus.
In my situation, what would you guys do?

I never use AntiVirus never had a problem,
Sent from my PC36100 using Xparent Green Tapatalk

Try Android lost its on the market i havent yet lost my phone or anything but dude!!!! The features on this app are amazing! Ive tried most of the features n its great (exept for wiping my phone) Its a BETA version but free its really cool.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Oh yeah i forgot u need to be rooted.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Can I get Cerberus for free ?

dnesh.sharma said:
Can I get Cerberus for free ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lmao you actually bumped a three year old thread, for that...

Hahahaha.
Sent from my SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

Avast anti virus & Theif security

Seen this and thought it was fantastic, Avast have gone all out - even adding extra features for root users.
Not to bothered with the antivirus jargon as i dont think its required on mobile devices so long as you install apps from the android/amazon market. but the anti theif stuff looks fantastic, even tells you if they stick in a new sim card in your stolen phone, as well as the standard gps stuff. And if your rooted (if your not why are you here?) even if they wipe the phone the app stays there..... great stuff.
Link
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.avast.android.mobilesecurity
You tube link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sVzou1P68I8

Anti theft is very complete. Would take much more than an average electronics thief to crack into my phone to use it again.
Still wondering if it's needed. Also, does anyone know why it says it needs to stay in the notification list. It takes up valuable space at the top of the list just to tell you there's nothing wrong.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

looks cool gonna try it, Thanks

According to the reviews by security experts the virus and trojan side of current Android AV programs is no better than 50% success rate .
jje

I've used Lookout mobile security now for a long time the free version as the paid version costs too much every month so im interested in Avast as i used to have it on my laptop but i have some questions, can someone let me know how this compares to Lookout and is it a battery drainer or not?
Thanks

Never used lookout but a for the battery drain I haven't noticed anything higher than 2% for avast. Overall battery life doesn't seem to have much of an impact.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

rustyguy said:
Never used lookout but a for the battery drain I haven't noticed anything higher than 2% for avast. Overall battery life doesn't seem to have much of an impact.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers i may ditch Lookout for now and try Avast then.

Well, i'm been more than happy with Avast on my PC, so can't see why i shouldn't give it a go on the phone as well
It doesn't seem to drain the battery, and i really like the built-in firewall + install on /system :-D
Does it really need to have the notification icon? I can't actually see which difference it makes, but it sure is annoying as I like to have a clean design on my homescreens.. My guess would be that it needs the icon to deliver notifications if something happens that i need to report, and if it's disabled it can't deliver these..
Just my 2 cent

spirol said:
Well, i'm been more than happy with Avast on my PC, so can't see why i shouldn't give it a go on the phone as well
It doesn't seem to drain the battery, and i really like the built-in firewall + install on /system :-D
Does it really need to have the notification icon? I can't actually see which difference it makes, but it sure is annoying as I like to have a clean design on my homescreens.. My guess would be that it needs the icon to deliver notifications if something happens that i need to report, and if it's disabled it can't deliver these..
Just my 2 cent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'll be there to stop android closing the program, I'm sure since early days this will be removed or be able to have a blank like tasker..
Sent from the valley of the shadows....

Dont think we need It, maybe anti-theft but the Antivirus itself? I tried and unistalled, just another useless process in my case

Well i uninstalled Lookout and downloaded Avast and it certainly offers a lot more than lookout (unless you are willing to pay every month) the only thing with Avast it says it's outdated but when i go into the app it says up to date, asides from that it certainly looks very capable indeed.

You can install this app, then set the anti-theft and then remove the app. The anti-theft part will still be present only the virus scanner is deleted.
That the way I use it, combined with LBE Privacy Guard for setting the permissions on apps. I don't see the point in using a virusscanner if you are limiting apps permissions.

i have avast installed and it does a lot for a free program.
im just wondering if it scans every file that the system is using. if it does, wouldnt it drain my battery faster?
also kinda interested in lbe privacy guard. any other users have experience using it? any link in xda for comments and such on it?

I uninstalled the anti virus part. Now i only got the anti theft app and i am loving it! I feel alot safer now.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

[Q] Best virus scanner app for Android?

Hello,
what is the best anti virus/malware and other ****, app for android?

Super-Veloce said:
Hello,
what is the best anti virus/malware and other ****, app for android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
non, they needlessly wast battery.
if your worried about security and are rooted get LBE security from play it lets you control the permissions of all yours and system apps.

I wan to install it, update and scan my phone, than delete it again, to save memory/battery/performance

Super-Veloce said:
I wan to install it, update and scan my phone, than delete it again, to save memory/battery/performance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they mostly are bad at detecting stuff, google pulls them from play before the avs pick them up.

treebill said:
they mostly are bad at detecting stuff, google pulls them from play before the avs pick them up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah ok, but when you install an app outside the market, you got the risk it contains something bad

Using NQ security 6.0 myself, not having any battery drain whatsoever.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

Super-Veloce said:
yeah ok, but when you install an app outside the market, you got the risk it contains something bad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true but it has to declare is permissions, if a live wallpaper wants to make calls or send texts you know is not right.
Just install from the forums here or play.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

I have been using the Dr. Web free version for past 2 years - light and does what it is supposed to do. The paid version has extra features which I do not need.

ESet was good until they made you pay for it!

pdroid is great but doesn't support HOX due to not being s-off yet.

I use avast! Mobile Security.
It has a lot of functions, is free, and won several test of Android-Antivirus Software
http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/best-android-antivirus-apps-revealed-by-av-test-labs-2012036/
http://www.avast.com/pr-avast-free-mobile-security-gets-top-av-test-ranking-for-android-malware
http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/android/
and so on...

Lookout
I use lookout. Not sure if the malware virus stuff does anything. Never had it find anything.
But the other features are brilliant. Locate you phone by GPS or getting it to scream. Remotely wiping your phone when you loose it etc. It is one of the first apps I install. To protect me from losing my phone and more importantly all my data.

i use comodo. free for pc and android. have been using it for years

Vipre - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ssd.vipre

What is the best Android Anti-Theft protection?

Hi,
I am currently using Avast. It is a really powerful and cool app, which BTW I don't understand why it is free. However, Avast has too many functions. In particular Firewall, Antivirus, Shield, Privacy Advisor that I don't really need. May be I am wrong but I think it is overkill for my need. For now I am looking for a lightweight and efficient Anti-Theft protection. I would greatly appreciate any advice.

I use SeekDroid - .99 cents for a one device license. Can be used to track your device if its ever stolen. Have never lost my phone but it is always quick to locate me when I log in to their website.
Has an option to hide it from the device so would take a savvy person to remove it (with password enabled, it would require a factory reset of the device).
I don't and never have used any firewall, anti-virus or the like on my android devices. No need.

For paid-Cerberus
For free-Androidlost

2LoT said:
Hi,
I am currently using Avast. It is a really powerful and cool app, which BTW I don't understand why it is free. However, Avast has too many functions. In particular Firewall, Antivirus, Shield, Privacy Advisor that I don't really need. May be I am wrong but I think it is overkill for my need. For now I am looking for a lightweight and efficient Anti-Theft protection. I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As of right now, Android antivirus, firewall and the like are not very useful or practical. While there is a lot of talk about the potential for Android hacking, there has yet to be any REAL noteworthy attacks. The bottom line is that until attacks actually happen, anyone that says they can protect you from them is lying. There isn't a cure for a virus that has yet to exist.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2

2LoT said:
Hi,
I am currently using Avast. It is a really powerful and cool app, which BTW I don't understand why it is free. However, Avast has too many functions. In particular Firewall, Antivirus, Shield, Privacy Advisor that I don't really need. May be I am wrong but I think it is overkill for my need. For now I am looking for a lightweight and efficient Anti-Theft protection. I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Cerberus on my GNex and it's brilliant but I paid for it before I ever knew about Avast's mobile security app or I would have just gone with Avast instead....Like you said, it's free (I don't know why either, it's awesome!). I have it installed on a colleague's GNex and it presents no battery/memory usage issues, it runs quietly and you can simply turn off the features you don't wish to use like the antivirus/shield/pvcy advisor/firewall/call-sms blocker etc. Just use it for anti theft (that's just what my colleague uses it for). If/when you feel the need to use the anti virus ever or maybe if you ever feel like you wish to block a few pesky callers etc you can turn on/off those individual features as you choose.
Plus, if you're rooted, the anti theft really makes it hard for a crook to uninstall it even with a hard reset - you can force data connections on if the sim is ever replaced and tons of other stuff you can do to locate your phone or wipe your data remotely and make the device unusable for the bad guys. Great stuff for the heavy price of $0.00

Guiding.God said:
I have Cerberus on my GNex and it's brilliant but I paid for it before I ever knew about Avast's mobile security app or I would have just gone with Avast instead....Like you said, it's free (I don't know why either, it's awesome!). I have it installed on a colleague's GNex and it presents no battery/memory usage issues, it runs quietly and you can simply turn off the features you don't wish to use like the antivirus/shield/pvcy advisor/firewall/call-sms blocker etc. Just use it for anti theft (that's just what my colleague uses it for). If/when you feel the need to use the anti virus ever or maybe if you ever feel like you wish to block a few pesky callers etc you can turn on/off those individual features as you choose.
Plus, if you're rooted, the anti theft really makes it hard for a crook to uninstall it even with a hard reset - you can force data connections on if the sim is ever replaced and tons of other stuff you can do to locate your phone or wipe your data remotely and make the device unusable for the bad guys. Great stuff for the heavy price of $0.00
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your input. If you know Cerberus and Avast, how do you compare their Anti-Theft features?

I ave used many but cerberus is the best. If the sim is changed you receive a ,message on the phones you choose when installing with the new number.
With that you can command your phone through SMS or network
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

2LoT said:
Thanks for your input. If you know Cerberus and Avast, how do you compare their Anti-Theft features?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried to play with both and to simulate scenarios of theft as best as I could in my environment. Both apps have worked extremely well and have almost similar features - the only things diff that I can see are the camera/snapshot function of Cerberus (can snap a pic or video or record sound of thief and email it to you). Other than that they are similar from what I can tell...both responded extremely quickly on all accounts (web interface to control device as well as sms commands, sim change, location retrieval, data/sd card wipe etc). Both have the ability to survive a hard/factory reset (if your phone is rooted) since they mount themselves as system files.
I haven't formatted the system to install a new rom from recovery (CWM) but I did try wiping the cache etc and they both obviously survived that. I'm not sure any app can survive a system format from recovery though even cerberus and avast. Maybe if the recovery itself was locked or password protected? Not sure.
Other than that, as I said, the only difference I have seen is the camera and microphone engaging capability of Cerberus versus the $0.00 price of Avast. I recommend either wholeheartedly but if you don't want to pay for great protection then Avast is the way to go. If you want a pic/video of a potential thief in your inbox then you should pay for Cerberus lol.
Hope this helps.
---------- Post added at 07:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:14 AM ----------
tntgdh said:
I ave used many but cerberus is the best. If the sim is changed you receive a ,message on the phones you choose when installing with the new number.
With that you can command your phone through SMS or network
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The same is true of Avast as well, a sim change will trigger a silent text to your predefined number so you can control the phone via sms.

Hi Guiding.God,
That was quite an extensive benchmark you did there. Thank you for sharing your findings.

2LoT said:
Hi,
I am currently using Avast. It is a really powerful and cool app, which BTW I don't understand why it is free. However, Avast has too many functions. In particular Firewall, Antivirus, Shield, Privacy Advisor that I don't really need. May be I am wrong but I think it is overkill for my need. For now I am looking for a lightweight and efficient Anti-Theft protection. I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While looking for an anti-theft solution I came across this post, just to let you know that you install avast, then install avast anti-theft, configure it, make sure it works by sending SMS and via the my.avast web page, then you can uninstall "avast secutiry", the anti-theft will stay there.
I don't know why they do not relase their anti-theft as a standalone version, but it works fine without avast firewall/antivirus/etc
You can launch the anti-theft config screen via an SMS if you want to modify settings too.

I use GotYa.

Cerberus ftw

Cerberus. Hands down. :laugh: Simple and straight to the point.

A gun.

Magister54 said:
While looking for an anti-theft solution I came across this post, just to let you know that you install avast, then install avast anti-theft, configure it, make sure it works by sending SMS and via the my.avast web page, then you can uninstall "avast secutiry", the anti-theft will stay there.
I don't know why they do not relase their anti-theft as a standalone version, but it works fine without avast firewall/antivirus/etc
You can launch the anti-theft config screen via an SMS if you want to modify settings too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed if u freeze or uninstall avast, the anti theft still works via sms, but the web interface does not connect.
Do you have this issue?

Cerberus! Totally worth buying

100% cerberus!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Canadoc said:
I noticed if u freeze or uninstall avast, the anti theft still works via sms, but the web interface does not connect.
Do you have this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem here, I uninstalled avast and anti-theft still works by SMS or their web interface. Dialing my PIN code works too to bring the menu.

more
Hi guys, I didn't really know where to post this so imma do it here.
Im looking for a theft protection-app that also enables me to remotely control my phone with a lock feature, wipe feature and scream feature.
I tried webkey(sorry can't post link) and it had-except for locking-all features I wanted, but found it very inconvenient to use.
I'm rooted so that's not a problem.
any suggestions?

whytunes said:
Hi guys, I didn't really know where to post this so imma do it here.
Im looking for a theft protection-app that also enables me to remotely control my phone with a lock feature, wipe feature and scream feature.
I tried webkey(sorry can't post link) and it had-except for locking-all features I wanted, but found it very inconvenient to use.
I'm rooted so that's not a problem.
any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about Google's new Android Device Manager?
a manta wrote this.

Avast

Who uses it?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

I use it, in PC & Nexus 4. Any question?

VivaErBetis said:
I use it, in PC & Nexus 4. Any question?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have. Does it slow down the system on n4, and have you notice it affecting battery life?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I use it on my N4. No noticeable slow down or additional battery drain.
Sent from my Nexus 4

I really don't see the need for a antivirus program. Half the time it doesn't even catch it from reports I've read..and this goes for all the "name brands" programs.
Sent from my Nexus 4 16GB using Tapatalk 2

porkchopbolt said:
I have. Does it slow down the system on n4, and have you notice it affecting battery life?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No slowdown at all or battery drain. As far as I know the apps are checked only when you started them, so it may take longer, but I didn't noticed a big change. Internet navigation is fluid too.
The option to perform a periodic system scam is very quick too and works well.
And last but not least, it comes with an optional and very complete anti-thief solution that allows you to control some of the functions of the mobile from another mobile using SMS messages or just from avast web account. I've installed and tested it and is fantastic.
For me It's highly recommendable because nowadays Android is a growing market for malware.

Avg is cool with no battery drain. And yesh works
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

I don't use anti virus programs... I find it stupid that there are anti viruses on Android. It doesnt get any... I have seen articles saying Android gets them, but I used Android from the release of the Dream/G1 and never have any viruses.

Its on every computer and mobile device I own. GREAT Antivirus.

I use it on my phone as well. I use both Anti-Theft and Anti-Virus feature.

So did anyone ever catch any malware with it? :b

Well, aslng as it won't effect performence / battery drain, why not use it?
It is a layer of protection against 0-day exploits, finds some malware + anti-theft (which is the main rason I think about getting Avast).

I do. Besides, I am definitely a power user and I love every customization / functions / protection on my phone while doing my best to conserve battery and maximize performance.
Avast is currently the best antivirus software on the play store. I dont hear from others, I experience it. I used AVG and then Lookout when I used my LG Optimus One two years ago, and I found them crap. Not for the UI or simply the scanning ability, but the stupid limited functionality they tend to provide in the free version. As someone said above, its just an Android phone, not a big deal, many even thinks that antiviruses are totally not necessary, so why being so serious and offering paid features which is... as well not a big deal?
I don't say that an antivirus is a must, and in regard to the increased security Google offers in their Play Store last year, and even the apk scanning system introduced in android 4.2, the need for an additional antivirus program is nearly unnecessary.
Since the Galaxy Nexus, I said to myself Lookout is real crap I must find a better program then I found Avast, and got amazed. Lookout lags your phone when you install / update an app on the Play Store because the scanning process is bulky. However for Avast, it was totally a breeze.
The open-app scanning is really a top security function, but for the sake of maximizing battery life (reducing any possible additional cpu load), I disabled that. And before Android 4.2 I enabled the install-app scanning function, now it apparently can be disabled
The Web Shield is useful if you use stock browser (if in AOKP) or Chrome, I always enable that.
Privacy Advisor and Firewall are two bonus features which saves my phone space that I don't have to install another two separate apps for them. Network Meter should be designed for post-ICS devices and I have that disabled. SMS and Call filter are totally useful and working, another built-in feature that saves my space.
Last but not least the best free feature it offers is of course Anti-Theft. It does nothing harm to battery and performance and those Norton and Kaspersky make them paid features. Well, they are almost the same which gets triggered by SMSes. Avast offers all functions you can ever imagine in an anti-theft app and it once helped me to locate my phone in my relatives' home Try it and it will never regret.
Also in settings you can disable the ongoing notification if you would like to keep things minimal like me. All in all with the proper settings I can make Avast stay as my antivirus + antitheft when never giving a chance or reason for it to hog my cpu to affect performance / battery as most antivirus apps do, or what most users are concerned about it. I recommend to every of my friends, I hope you will like and enjoy using it too :laugh:

weeo said:
I don't use anti virus programs... I find it stupid that there are anti viruses on Android. It doesnt get any... I have seen articles saying Android gets them, but I used Android from the release of the Dream/G1 and never have any viruses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It IS possible to get a virus on Android, but generally not if you only download apps, etc. from the Play store. I know of a friend who sideloaded a bad apk...

From what I've gathered, having an antivirus on android is pretty useless, unless sideloading downloaded apk's from what could be shady websites. Even then, android itself has a built in 'malware scanner' that checks for this stuff when you try to install a downloaded apk.
To be honest, I've never ever seen anyone report they've seen an antivirus on android catch anything. Nor have I seen it on my own devices either.
None the less, I guess it couldn't hurt having an extra layer of protection.

I do...
I use it on my laptop and reviewed it recently on my N4 for AndroidTapp. Good product and easy to use. It's very much a all-in-one solution which is good if you want something easy and effective but not-so-good if you're a bit paranoid about malware as you're putting all your eggs in one basket so-to-speak.
Malware on Android is massively over-rated and finding a virus on Google Play is very unlikely. I download all manner of apps and games for review on a daily basis- and have been doing so since 2009- and I've yet to find one solitary app that had something bad in it,
Unfortunately, the security of Android must really grate security companies so they put out fear-mongering stories about how insecure the platform is. They refer to 'research' but if they're doing the research themselves it's hardly objective, of course they are going to find threats! In truth it's pretty much all bullsh*t.
As has already been mentioned, the only chance you might find a virus really is if something is sideloaded to your device.

Do you realise that chances of getting a virus on android are lower than winning a lottery jackpot ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

I guess I will disable open-app scanning.
Leaves me with:
Scan on Install
Anti-Theft
Call/MSG Filter
rest disabled.

BTW, there is an online Android malware scan here, for the records:
http://anubis.iseclab.org/