antivirus/security recomendations? - AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note II

Does anyone here use an antivirus for there note 2? I see a couple options in the play store and was wondering if theyre worth while. I installed avast and it didn't find anything on my phone. My main reason for the scanner was because im usually verycareful with what I install and dont install games or any random apps but I ended up with advertisements in my notifications pull down.
Just wondering what everyones opions on antivirus for android are.

I use avast. .. top rated app
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317

Ive trusted the premium version of Lookout for years.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

There's a difference between antivirus and malware. Antivirus is almost not worth worrying about. Malware is questionable. Some scanners will give you an idea of the apps thay dont play nicely, but nothing will necessarily prevent them from toast spam.
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I would love to help you, but help yourself first: ask a better question
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Grab airpush detector from the market. It will most likely find the app thats causing the notifications. An anti virus wouldn't pick that up. And +1 on Avast. Best option out there imo.

royalh said:
I use avast. .. top rated app
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda premium

Related

Antivirus apps

Out of curiosity.. how many of you are using antivirus apps?
I see a bunch out there now that have call blocking...anti theft etc all bundled in.
Any user experience or suggestions?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Internet is a lot cleaner place these days.. I remember back in 98 u could get a virus by just visiting a porn site(oops!)
However with that being said i wouldnt go as far as downloading a anti virus for ur phone as long as ur careful what attachement ur opening as well as what ur downloading.
Sent from my SGH-T989D using XDA App
Vinsane said:
Out of curiosity.. how many of you are using antivirus apps?
I see a bunch out there now that have call blocking...anti theft etc all bundled in.
Any user experience or suggestions?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android =/= windows. Antivirus apps are useless. All they can do is scan your apk files to see if you downloaded a bad app.
Sent from my Hercules using XDA App
^ how is that useless? at least you can find and uninstall the bad apk.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
dv84 said:
^ how is that useless? at least you can find and uninstall the bad apk.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't install some rogue app from an unknown publisher that has three downloads and you will be fine?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
i have Avast installed
but it's frozen, so it's not running
I use avast also since it has a scanner for your SD card. I don't know how well it actually works but I haven't had any problems just yet.
I was using something called LBE Guard (I think that's its name). I believe that it lets you decide what each app can and can't access (Like Go Keyboard accessing the internet).
I've also heard they can wreak havoc on some legitimate apps that access system files through su or on app killers, but I've also heard app killers aren't good for the phone so I'm still up in the air.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
I have avast as well. Great little app from a good company and has a firewall built into it so u can choose which apps have internet access.
That right there for me is pretty cool.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using xda premium
Vinsane said:
Out of curiosity.. how many of you are using antivirus apps?
I see a bunch out there now that have call blocking...anti theft etc all bundled in.
Any user experience or suggestions?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using avast as well. Its actually found a few malware apps here and there. So for that purpose alone, i guess it does the trick. To each his own I guess.
I think being vigilant in what apps are accessing is crucial, but sometimes your in a hurry and you just don't care to read something, and that's when something will sneak by you.
I've tried different ones and I like Avast best so far.
The UI Is pretty slick, Once installed everything is fairly detailed and breaks down categorically things that might be worth looking at IE: Privacy
What apps can :
track location
read identity info
access messages
access contacts
access accounts
change secure settings
access web pages
It will give you the number of apps in each category and then its happy hunting from there.
but again best thing just check it out for yourself.
Here is a scenario - ROM manager by clockwork is tagged as suspicious by antivirus app!
Antivirus apps are for idiots. I hear this crap every time some moron mentions android.
If somehow by freak accident you contract a virus, you deserve it. Im not saying theyre non existant, but theyre non existant. Obviously if we have to hack and break a phone manually to access files, a simple apk wont do the trick, hence gingerbreak... And if youre rooted, then hopefully you have enough intellegence or knowledge to keep your phone clean.
Sorry if this offends you, i sincerely dont care.
ftarules said:
Here is a scenario - ROM manager by clockwork is tagged as suspicious by antivirus app!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess it depends what you use. I had a live wallpaper that was causing problems. This at least found it for me. Rom manager has never popped up as problematic. Go figure. Im all for snake oil if im not paying for it. To each his own again. Pass judgement at your discretion. In the end do what ever you want. Your phone. Your experience. Your pseudo piece of mind. Some folks don't give a crap, others are OCD and the rest fall inbetween.
"Stay thirsty my friends."
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
One thing to remember Antivirus programs are not just ANTI-VIRUS, they are designed to detect any program that has excessive access to the file system and/or memory, or that attempt to modify stock system code, which is one of the reasons ROM Manager gets tagged, it is able to modify your boot partition.
There are malicious apps on the market, and they don't always get caught by Google before they get out, so it does not take a genius or a moron, to get one, it can just happen ....
Antivirus apps are a double edged sword, they can save your ass, or prevent you from doing something you actually want to do , as with most things in life, they should be used in moderation ....
I personally would rather have a AV app that is a little over zealous, than one that ignores a potential threat ...
The biggest annoyance on android right now is Air-push ads , while not malicious they are annoying, even more so when the publisher does not inform you that they are the "ad supporting" part of the app ...
So IF you are app happy, and install tons of apps, an AV app may be a good thing for you ....
Call me paranoid, but I usually don't install an app from a NEW publisher that has not been on the market at least 30 days, I usually check and see what other apps are put out by a publisher as well ... IF you only see ONE or TWO apps by a NEW publisher, then you might think twice, until reviews start flowing in ...
bkaltec said:
Antivirus apps are for idiots. I hear this crap every time some moron mentions android.
If somehow by freak accident you contract a virus, you deserve it. Im not saying theyre non existant, but theyre non existant. Obviously if we have to hack and break a phone manually to access files, a simple apk wont do the trick, hence gingerbreak... And if youre rooted, then hopefully you have enough intellegence or knowledge to keep your phone clean.
Sorry if this offends you, i sincerely dont care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny. Another internet tough guy who has to ruin discussions.
Attitudes like yours are what is driving our forum to the ground.
ム丹し丹メㄚ ち工工 - XDΔ ΔPP
I even dont have anti virus on my laptop lol.
They are useless if you know how to use internet
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
bikrame said:
I even dont have anti virus on my laptop lol.
They are useless if you know how to use internet
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xactly
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
jordanishere said:
Xactly
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Click to collapse
i agree also. dont go to the market and dowload crap apk to see "naked pretty ladies" or "poker win billions" some lame ass name stuff. just the names of tthe 30+ "malware" apk's that have been found were dead giveaways. and as far as my computer....no antivirus there either, i surf porn on my tablet as needed and really only use my computer to root phones. and even that can an ordeal with ****ing microsoft products.....i hate my desktop!!!! it doesnt deserve to live or consume electricity
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Using Avast. It has many features in one for free. I don't know if it works.
---------- Post added at 01:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:54 AM ----------
bikrame said:
I even dont have anti virus on my laptop lol.
They are useless if you know how to use internet
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully you don't use windows.
---------- Post added at 01:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:55 AM ----------
ftarules said:
Here is a scenario - ROM manager by clockwork is tagged as suspicious by antivirus app!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems like a useless app because of the limited ROMs on it.

Ever since I got my phone, I started getting spam such as

Ever since I got my phone, I started getting spam such as "you've won a $500 card to Best Buy, just answer a few questions" daily. These appears in my drop down list and not SMS/messaging.
What can I do?
Its called air push. There is a permanent opt out apparently in the market, but it has mixed results. For me it doesn't work for my brown it does
Not my brown, my bro damn auto correct
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
Kkg is correct. Not sire if it comes included in the phone but from my experiences it happens after you install certain apps that include it.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
actually there is a newer SPAM bot system than air push, just last week i installed a new game and it came loaded with it, good thing is, all i had to do was uninstall that game to remove it
annoying as hell, sorry forgot the name of that game, it was some shoot them up game, just don't remember the tittle
just today i found yet another one, this one was caught by the antivirus software when i tried to install a fake temple run
Run the airpush detector and download an antivirus app. Its probably one of your apps. What did you download as soon as you got the phone? Was there something free or did you get one online with your cpu and install with the cord? You can fix this easily. If it really is something that came with your phone rooting and flashing should get the job done. I have gotten 2 weird messages but they originated from tmobile. Some attempt at raising revenues.
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
there is a app that will tell you what app is causing it airpush detector i think is what its called
I have gotten that spam crap when i open my browser
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
I would definitely check through your apps and delete the ones that look "shady" to you. I can usually tell if a app looks shady or not just by the app itself, but it is sometimes hard to distinguish. Also, running a anti-virus app mentioned by the posts above me will help in flushing out suspicious looking apps.
Its an app. It happened to me with free mp3 downloads app lol
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Some GOSMS themes now come with this. Sad ****ers have got to go.
If you install Lookout's Push Ad Detector and run it you'll know which apps you have installed have these ads. It'll also direct you to the way to opt-out if you can or you can uninstall the app.
Link to app --> https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lookout.addetector
the opt out never works, is best to just uninstall the App/Game and give them bad reviews
The application stated above works great! I had been getting the green plus signs in my status bar that say I won something or free best buy gift cards etc... I found out that it was caused by Go sms themes, like the black& white theme and purple theme specifically. I hated getting these adds. It made me feel like my phone was unsafe. Do virus apps really do much, or do they just take up room? Thanks for the application and any more info! David
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
there is a fake ICS them for Go Launcher EX that also comes pre-loaded with SPAM bot
Thanks, it found MySettings. We will see in a day or so what happens.
just long press home key right after you the get AD. The offending app will be there. Uninstall
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App

Lookout mobile security/T-Mobile mobile security

Are these type of apps needed or recommemded? Got lookout preinstalled(not activated) and got a txt about the T-Mobile mobile security app. Wife dloaded it, but I did not on to mine.
If needed which one is best?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
droptopMP said:
Are these type of apps needed or recommemded? Got lookout preinstalled(not activated) and got a txt about the T-Mobile mobile security app. Wife dloaded it, but I did not on to mine.
If needed which one is best?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think we really need those stuff. If you know well what you are downloading and from where you are downloading this stuff are useless.Beside they Consume battery alot.
I never used them on my 4 android devices lol
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Thanks
I use Lookout a lot. It has saved me many times when I left my phone somewhere, and I had to find it. The web interface is great. You can locate it via GPS, make it scream, or even wipe it if you need to. It also does a daily back up of all your pics and calls. Not sure if we need the Anitvirus yet on our phones, but it's nice to have as a piece of mind. Especially when downloading all these third party apps from say XDA (not that members would try to give bad ones, but some links go to shady sites once in a while).
So look out is good? What about avg?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
Avast beta FTW
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
Another really good security app is cerberus doesn't provide any type of virus protection be offers a wide array of lost or stolen options definitely worth a try.
Sent from my galaxy s2 juggernaut
2nd for avast. Don't care much for lookout and I wouldn't give me dead grandmother AVG.
Casperi
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
I don't think lookout is necessary, although the locating feature is great..you can try cerberus or seekdroid if you want an app that locates your phone
I like my Roms the way I like my women..... Clean and smooth
I use avast. Use it on my desktop and it's way better than most other anti virus for PC. Avast doesn't seem to use much battery and is very light on my phone. Plus the anti theft feature is the best out there. Period.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA Premium; powered by the Darkside.
All I have to say is Cerberus the best for rooted and non rooted users its like alarm force for my phone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda premium
What's wrong with AVG? Im still on the.fence on if I want to use any of it......
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
I use Lookout mainly for its backup and lost devices capabilities... as long as you are downloading from known sources you should have no need to scan files for viruses.
Quick question about these type of apps: do they automatically enable GPS if lost and you try to find the device?
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inpherknow said:
Quick question about these type of apps: do they automatically enable GPS if lost and you try to find the device?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it does not enable GPS, but it still narrows it down to a couple feet using triangulation with the surrounding towers and/or wi-fi. I just did it for mine, and the map pinpoints it to inside my living room. Since it also has the ability to scream (actually screams a loud noise) there should be no issues finding it within a few feet while screaming. On that note even if the phone is set to silent Lookout will turn the volume all the way to 100% to scream making it very easy to locate.
My favorite combo is tmobile security (auto location off) with dropbox for backup purposes... less battery drain. (Wont find your phone if its off)

Well this sucks!

http://phandroid.com/2013/03/13/google-play-store-ad-blocker/
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
F**k Google... they should get rid of apps that contain "in-app purchase" because you cannot get a goddamn refund !!
MikeyLee said:
F**k Google... they should get rid of apps that contain "in-app purchase" because you cannot get a goddamn refund !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah no **** lol. Guess open source don't mean much. Adfree was one of the main reasons I root in the 1st place. I've got a backup anyway. I wonder if they can still support the app but just not through Google.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
t4d73 said:
Yeah no **** lol. Guess open source don't mean much. Adfree was one of the main reasons I root in the 1st place. I've got a backup anyway. I wonder if they can still support the app but just not through Google.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ad free apps will always be out there. They just wont be on the market. We all know how to sideload :laugh:
Speaking of side loading, anyone have a copy if ad away they're willing to share? Or even better, can someone guide me on how to pull it from wherever it installs, copy to my SD card so I can install it from there on ROM swaps?
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nuc noob said:
Speaking of side loading, anyone have a copy if ad away they're willing to share? Or even better, can someone guide me on how to pull it from wherever it installs, copy to my SD card so I can install it from there on ROM swaps?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Knock yourself out
https://www.dropbox.com/s/64b8cqnydf5ldk0/AdFree.apk
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Disappointed to see this move from Google. Ads on desktop is one thing but on my cell....really?!?!?!
Almost feels like an Apple move
Sent from my NOTEworthy smartphone
t4d73 said:
Yeah no **** lol. Guess open source don't mean much. Adfree was one of the main reasons I root in the 1st place. I've got a backup anyway. I wonder if they can still support the app but just not through Google.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android is open source Google Play is not.
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This shouldn't really bother anyone. AdFree was for root users and if you know how to root there is a very good chance you will always know where to find the apk.. Now when they prevent me from loading it on my phone it'll be a problem.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Now I just read that Google is killing off their rss reader service. That blows. Not sure how that's gonna affect most people, but I use it several times a day. I use greader pro, but it uses Google reader services for pulling in all my feeds. Time to look for alternatives.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
BrianBaker said:
This shouldn't really bother anyone. AdFree was for root users and if you know how to root there is a very good chance you will always know where to find the apk.. Now when they prevent me from loading it on my phone it'll be a problem.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So long as Google doesn't take active measures in the future to prohibit ad blocking...and doesn't take measures against users who use adblocking
nuc noob said:
Now I just read that Google is killing off their rss reader service. That blows. Not sure how that's gonna affect most people, but I use it several times a day. I use greader pro, but it uses Google reader services for pulling in all my feeds. Time to look for alternatives.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This news REALLY pisses me off.
gReader is the only way I can keep up with Android Police, Android Authority, and a few other news sites. gReader being killed off is only slighly more annoying to me than Google killing off iGoogle.
I dont even use ad blockers, I just have a modded host file that blocks all that crap anyway I add the host file to every rom I flash.
shiftr182 said:
I dont even use ad blockers, I just have a modded host file that blocks all that crap anyway I add the host file to every rom I flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most Android adblockers modify the hosts file to do the adblocking.
Sounds like the world is ending in here...
It's really not that big of a deal >.>
Android is open. The store is not. You can do whatever with Android, you just wont be getting it from their store. I don't know why everyone is so upset.
Considering that hosts blocking only works if you have root, I really don't see how this is a problem. If you can root your phone, you can install third-party apks without an issue.
Still, a *****ly move, but Google does make all of their profits selling ads. It is probably AdBlock that killed the fun, since it semi-worked (WiFi only) for non-root users.
anishannayya said:
Considering that hosts blocking only works if you have root, I really don't see how this is a problem. If you can root your phone, you can install third-party apks without an issue.
Still, a *****ly move, but Google does make all of their profits selling ads. It is probably AdBlock that killed the fun, since it semi-worked (WiFi only) for non-root users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess my only complaint would be I like Adfree and wonder how it will continue to get updates without the store.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Ok why is everyone trippin for? Lets not forget there Internet. HuGE web. Just did a "ad away. Apk" gt the latest version free. Not from the play store since they wanna be jerks.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
Call me a Devil's Advocate here, but what's the big freaking deal with ads in apps????? I mean, I do hate the ones that get pushed as fake notifications with some of the crapware you can get on the market, but I don't consider the regular ones obtrusive... And let's remember, ad revenue is the bread and butter for Google, and a lot of the developers who offer their apps for free...
here's the link for ad-away. i prefer this one since you can customize your lists easily.
http://code.google.com/p/ad-away/
I must have been under a rock (or refreshing the Macks Rom thread too often ) but I just realized that the copy of AdFree I've had installed forever was no longer functioning.

Which malware to use

Avast
360 mobile
Lookout
To downlosd and durf the web
Thanks
Sent from my SM-T310 using Tapatalk
None, unless your going to be side-loading applications from places other than the Play Store, they just waste resources and are not really needed for general browsing, but if you really want one for peace of mind, I'd recommend Avast.
Been getting some popups thst thetablet is being infected and download blsh blah .so thought will ask , using 360 security after reading reviews bettrr then avast
Sent from my SM-T310 using Tapatalk
boxer29 said:
Been getting some popups thst thetablet is being infected and download blsh blah .so thought will ask , using 360 security after reading reviews bettrr then avast
Sent from my SM-T310 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I've come across those, they seem to be from adverts, no real threat but I now use AdAway.
It's Yahoo. Their ads are incredibly invasive, but probably harmless unless you click them.
Sent from my unknown using xda app-developers app

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