Develop Bugs

Anti-Virus

Do you use Anti-Virus software?
http://dailymobile.se/2011/03/03/google-removed-21-malware-apps-from-the-android-market/
This has me thinking on using one now, do they slow down the phone in anyway?

shankly1985 said:
Do you use Anti-Virus software?
http://dailymobile.se/2011/03/03/google-removed-21-malware-apps-from-the-android-market/
This has me thinking on using one now, do they slow down the phone in anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
antivirus will make your phone lag and freeze a second while they scan the installing file, other than that not much fuss

I've been using lookout since last year and it has been great - doesn't slow the phone down at all.
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

wildcardspv said:
I've been using lookout since last year and it has been great - doesn't slow the phone down at all.
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has it ever detected anything?

shankly1985 said:
Do you use Anti-Virus software?
http://dailymobile.se/2011/03/03/google-removed-21-malware-apps-from-the-android-market/
This has me thinking on using one now, do they slow down the phone in anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use common sense + check out comments first + permissions when installing :]

I'm using AVG (free) Antivirus, and I'm very happy with it so far.

I use Antivirus Free
http://www.appbrain.com/app/antivirus-free/com.zrgiu.antivirus
I dont have it running as a service, just use it to scan the phone occasionally.

Crustyloaf said:
Has it ever detected anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It hasn't, but then I also haven't had any probs or infections that I know of, so I have to presume its doing its job.....
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

noobandroid said:
antivirus will make your phone lag and freeze a second while they scan the installing file, other than that not much fuss
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use an anti virus app on my Android, I have no problems with the app.

I was worried about the recent dodgy apps and wasn't going to install anything. my mate suggestied lookout and I thought I would give it a go. it hasn't slowed my phone down at all so I installed it on my Vega as well.

oursoul said:
I use Antivirus Free
http://www.appbrain.com/app/antivirus-free/com.zrgiu.antivirus
I dont have it running as a service, just use it to scan the phone occasionally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm I've been looking in to this a bit. Am I right in thinking this AV simply uses a list of known malware rather than actually scanning inside a file? Any light on this appreciated.

oursoul said:
Hmm I've been looking in to this a bit. Am I right in thinking this AV simply uses a list of known malware rather than actually scanning inside a file? Any light on this appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Highly likely, that's how the devs themselves describe the app. Lookout AV seems to be immensely popular as well, but no description by the dev on how it catches any bad code, which makes it difficult to compare to Antivirus Free.
Which brings up a question on how does AV software for Android actually detect malware. Just like in a PC? Where a list of definitions are installed and everything inside the PC cross-checked against that?

I think the term we're looking for is heuristics.

Eh, definition, heuristics - pardon my French.

Greek apparently, it means to find, cross reference and generally spot patterns and figure stuff out.

Hi guys, since posting this I have download and installed a anti-virus software from the market, its called antivirus LOL its by creative apps. So far its very good doen't use much battery and my phone hasn't slowed down, give it a try its free also

Not convinced there is an actual threat .
Yes you can get some apps that are " iffy" and will send txts etc... but you just have to read about them first .
Remember we are using Linux...how many Linux viruses have there been?? as many as windows???
Read the reviews , and if you are you are unsure.. look on the web ..
most of mine are word of mouth ... so I know they work

[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

Antivirus

Do we need antivirus for our phone? Because i think antivirus app eats some ram
Sent from my BioWonder using xda premium

reddvilzz said:
Do we need antivirus for our phone? Because i think antivirus app eats some ram
Sent from my BioWonder using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would still suggest you to install one for your safety, since nowadays the malwares are growing quickly in Android, you may consider Avast, which doesn't bring too much impact to my SGW's performance, a high detection rate and the best of all is Avast is free to use

MyDeSTiNaTe said:
I would still suggest you to install one for your safety, since nowadays the malwares are growing quickly in Android, you may consider Avast, which doesn't bring too much impact to my SGW's performance, a high detection rate and the best of all is Avast is free to use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how would you get a virus? maybe when you install something like a CPUPerformanceTweak.apk or some trash like that, but when you just install well-known apps, I guess you won't get a virus. in my opinion its like on a windows pc, brain is still the best anti virus.

Fensterbank said:
how would you get a virus? maybe when you install something like a CPUPerformanceTweak.apk or some trash like that, but when you just install well-known apps, I guess you won't get a virus. in my opinion its like on a windows pc, brain is still the best anti virus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that depends on whether one sticks to the store, or try to sideload everything. Or download apps from uncouth sources.
If one practices safe se... I mean, safe installs, there is no real need for an antivirus.
That said, Avast! AntiVirus for Android is quite good (as tested by one of the more trustworthy independent antivirus testing organization), light on resources, and even offers an anti-theft feature. And all for the unbeatable price of free.
Sent from my GT-I8150 using xda app-developers app

Okay i'll stick with avast then.. Thanks for your responses guys
Sent from my BioWonder using xda premium

reddvilzz said:
Okay i'll stick with avast then.. Thanks for your responses guys
Sent from my BioWonder using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remember that if you use the root-based anti-theft feature, you have to follow its procedure to uninstall, or else the anti-theft module will forever be integrated to your ROM
_____ Galaxy W + Mutant ROM + xda app _____

Never use antivirus,downloading apk like hell,works fine ang never gets virus detected. For me-->> forbiden to put antivirus on android,it just eat your ram and make ur phone slow
(Just my opinion) :beer:
Sent from my GT-I8150 using xda premium

dollyaja said:
Never use antivirus,downloading apk like hell,works fine ang never gets virus detected. For me-->> forbiden to put antivirus on android,it just eat your ram and make ur phone slow
(Just my opinion) :beer:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Avast, and I certainly don't feel my phone slower...
Especially since I now like to experiment with many sideloaded apps (not pirated, but apk's that for one reason or another, aren't published in the Play Store), using an antivirus provides an additional peace of mind.
Plus, with Avast, I get for free what others will ask for payment, such as anti-theft protection, easy firewall, call/sms filter, etc.
_____ Galaxy W + Mutant ROM + xda app _____

I'm using Lookout.
Can anyone let me know which one is better? Avast/Lookout?
Thanks.

ericjj said:
I'm using Lookout.
Can anyone let me know which one is better? Avast/Lookout?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think both are good. But the avast have more things (and get for free what in lookout you have to pay for it)

ilusi0n_ said:
I think both are good. But the avast have more things (and get for free what in lookout you have to pay for it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about their effect on battery drainage? Which one save more battery? Would change to avast if it save more battery.

ericjj said:
How about their effect on battery drainage? Which one save more battery? Would change to avast if it save more battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both don't have great impact on battery. I read somewhere (don't remember where, probably in xda forums) that avast use less battery than lookout. This without anti-theft if I'm not mistaken. If you activate anti-theft in avast than the usage on battery will increase. I can't confirm this though because I didn't use anti-theft in avast
So, as far as my experience tells me, I didn't notice biggest difference in both regarded to battery drainage.
But between those two I prefer avast, but that it's my personal opinion. But in the end is always a matter of preference.

reddvilzz said:
Do we need antivirus for our phone? Because i think antivirus app eats some ram
Sent from my BioWonder using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think my wonder don't need an antivirus, coz it's eats my ram and otherwise my wonder also need an antivirus for proctected from malware which can enter into my wonder with easily coz my wonder have rooted.

pepoluan said:
Well, that depends on whether one sticks to the store, or try to sideload everything. Or download apps from uncouth sources.
If one practices safe se... I mean, safe installs, there is no real need for an antivirus.
That said, Avast! AntiVirus for Android is quite good (as tested by one of the more trustworthy independent antivirus testing organization), light on resources, and even offers an anti-theft feature. And all for the unbeatable price of free.
Sent from my GT-I8150 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every now and then i install Avast to do a full system check co'z sometimes i practice not so safe se_. I mean i download apps from 3rd party sources.

Honestly i dont use anti virus apps, it will eat alot of memory also adding consume in my battery, I just to be carefull for downloading apps and games.

Dhada said:
Honestly i dont use anti virus apps, it will eat alot of memory also adding consume in my battery, I just to be carefull for downloading apps and games.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no need for any if you trust the applications you install (from google play store) and if you don't download applications from 3rd party sources. But obviously that's not all, but the essencial

i never use antivirust...bcoz sometime that antivirus detect some app infected but actually no! so started from that i fobia to use..hahaha

most of the virus are made for microsoft product..it is like a programming file which is make os become 'crazy' due to inapropriate manner as the original os..that why most of apple product not required antivirus..same as andriod..
correct me if iam wrong..
Sent from my GT-I8150 using Tapatalk 2

kacanghantu said:
most of the virus are made for microsoft product..it is like a programming file which is make os become 'crazy' due to inapropriate manner as the original os..that why most of apple product not required antivirus..same as andriod..
correct me if iam wrong..
Sent from my GT-I8150 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends really. The total of virus made is proportional to what people use nowadays. Most of people use windows, so of course the best is attack windows right? The use of android increase a lot for the last years. Even though it is difficult to have virus on a linux based system is not impossible.
If we need antivirus? Maybe. But do we really need it? Depends on what you do with your phone. And that is related to user not to the SO. SO will do everything to protect you but the final decision is yours (talking about root).
Also, human being has the ability to think that such things only happen to others

Actualy guys i dont have any idea what virus we can incounter in our device, I have a question there is a annoying thing on my device longtime ago, everytime i enable my WIFI or Data Connection there something popup annoying on my phone like a advertise, some stuff for free to download, on my notification bar, sometimes an image apear on my screen at my home screen if i tap it or close it automaticaly my browser will open and go to untrusted website.. Is that a sample virus for android? and there is no way to remove this problem i do a factory reset wipe cache. but still it did not remove, so i flash my phone and its totaly gone.

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/