Android Security Test 2017 – 100+ Apps tested

Discussion in 'mobile device security' started by Minimalist, Mar 15, 2017.

  1. Minimalist

    Minimalist Registered Member

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  2. daman1

    daman1 Registered Member

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    Thanks for the link,

    Disappointing with Zemana only 88%! :eek: I currently use that on my android and would have thought it would have scored better with the amount of development it does , I'm glad now that I also installed BD, and also worse yet with MBAM o_O
     
  3. Rasheed187

    Rasheed187 Registered Member

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    Thanks will soon install a mobile AV, but seems there is a lot of crapware being offered.
     
  4. daman1

    daman1 Registered Member

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    I'm currently test-driving BD seems pretty light not a lot of bloatware. You can turn off what you don't want to use.
     
  5. illumination

    illumination Guest

    You guys do realize that on Android, anti viruses can only scan so deep into the OS due to restrictions right?

    That said, they are still useful for scanning apps and browsing protection.

    I find Norton Mobile to be above average, especially with it's app advisor that allows a user to see feedback on a app, it will warn you of risks, malware, high data usage,high battery usage, unusual behavior and privacy, before you even download any app from Google Play Store.
     
  6. Trooper

    Trooper Registered Member

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    Interesting results to say the least. I don't use AV on my Android phone however.
     
  7. daman1

    daman1 Registered Member

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    Browsing protection is what m mainly after.
     
  8. aigle

    aigle Registered Member

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    I don't use an AV on my phone.
     
  9. Rasheed187

    Rasheed187 Registered Member

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    What do you think about Lookout?

    https://www.lookout.com/products/personal

    Sounds interesting.
     
  10. illumination

    illumination Guest

    I had Lookout preinstalled on my Device, after some research, found its "bad app" detection is not stellar, it's webfilter/VPN privacy is eh, ok as well, the VPN only seems to work on the default browser when its open, and not other apps like a traditional VPN. If you were to purchase the full protection of Lookout, it will run you $100 a year per device.


    The webfilter and app advisor are both great in NS mobile. I also run their Wifi Privacy "VPN" which has been working good for me and is cross platform.

    I have one main system in the house and 2 mobile ones. So I just bought the NS 5pc "Deluxe and the Norton Wifi" also 5 device, and now have 3 devices covered for cheaper then Lookouts 1pc deal.
     
  11. wiwul

    wiwul Registered Member

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    THANK you so much for this link!

    Even when -only- considering those that are scoring 100%, the list is still overwhelming and it is pretty difficult to make a choice... :)
     
  12. Trooper

    Trooper Registered Member

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    Zemana is not rated so highly. Figures, just when I was starting to test it.
     
  13. Trooper

    Trooper Registered Member

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    Only thing I do not like about Norton is using a fair bit of RAM. Also annoying popup messages telling you to download and install some of their other apps.
     
  14. Blues7

    Blues7 Registered Member

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    BD is a bit spotty on my Kindle Fire HDX and MBAM seemed to need updating and re-scanning more than I liked.

    I'm currently using a combination of Dr. Web AV Light and Zemana Mobile Security. (I contacted Zemana over the weekend and they wrote back that after extensive testing there were no known conflicts with those two AVs running contemporaneously.)

    I've been using the Dr. Web app for a few years now, occasionally in tandem with another app like Zemana, MBAM, BD.
     
  15. illumination

    illumination Guest

    I'm averaging 41MB of memory usage, with a total of 3GB on my Android, not particularly heavy in my book. I do agree those messages can be annoying from NS, although I'm using the two products it is pushing, so I no longer have that issue either. Norton's "app lock" which is handy if you let others use your phone and a great second line of defense for your sensitive apps, and Norton Wi-Fi Privacy which is cross platform and comes with multiple device if you so chose, and is absolutely perfect for those on the go that frequent public hotspots.
     
  16. daman1

    daman1 Registered Member

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    How so? I tried on my s5 and it seemed fine for the 14 days I tried it. I just didn't like it wasn't very configurable with settings.
     
  17. Blues7

    Blues7 Registered Member

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    It runs fine and detects updates / changes to apps...however when I run a scan, it usually gets about 20% or so through the scan before it shuts itself off and I have to open the app again and re-scan. Usually the second time it goes all the way through.

    Also, I've never noticed any response from BD when I downloaded and ran the Eicar test but Dr. Web Light detects and quarantines it.
     
  18. daman1

    daman1 Registered Member

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    Were you using Chrome browser? and had it turned on in "accessibility" in your device settings? I had the same issue, once using chrome web protection it worked.
     
  19. Blues7

    Blues7 Registered Member

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    Standard silk browser, nothing sideloaded from outside the amazon ecosystem on that machine. Just some sort of hiccup with that app and the OS apparently.
     
  20. daman1

    daman1 Registered Member

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    One thing I don't like about BD or even KMS and seems odd is that you need to use chrome browser, the factory installed android browser is not covered with web protection.
     
  21. Trooper

    Trooper Registered Member

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    Mine was pushing 200 megs on my Google Pixel XL with 4GB of RAM. I just don't want the popups appearing all the time so between that and the RAM I uninstalled it.
     
  22. illumination

    illumination Guest

    My maximum usage is 89MB, have not seen it breach that in several months of use, not sure why yours is hitting 200. The pop ups I understand and have addressed it in the Norton forums.

    That said, Norton's app advisor still makes it one of the best choices I have seen in the play store.
     
  23. Trooper

    Trooper Registered Member

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    I hear you. Maybe I will try it again but still feel there is no need for AV on an Android device. What phone do you have?

    So you said the popups have been addressed?
     
  24. illumination

    illumination Guest

    As mentioned before, due to restrictions of the OS itself, AV's are limited to the depth of the system they can scan, so essentially for that purpose, they really are useless. Scanning apps and having a decent webfilter for your mobile browser however add's another level of protection. The App advisor will scan the app as you open it in the Play store and warn you of Malware, Unusual behavior, High Battery Usage, Privacy,ect, before you download it.

    We all know that even if your strict with your droid, you can still pick things up in the Play store, and online, so those extra additions tighten things down a little.

    HTC One A9, running Nougat.

    I have dropped a suggestion in the feedback of Norton as well as placed a thread suggestion in the open forum. Im waiting for acknowledgment to push the issue further, as i agree, this is not only annoying, but really reflects poorly on a other wise good security.
     
  25. Trooper

    Trooper Registered Member

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    Oh I hear you. I just feel that until it uses a bit less RAM and they get rid of those annoying popups, I can't use it. Agreed on what the AV;'s can touch. You are more at risk with Android if you are rooted. Which I normally am, but with my current phone I don't even feel the need. I have a Google Pixel XL. But Norton does seem like a good product.

    If you hear anything about those popups going away let me know. I have a feeling that they are there for the long haul however.

    EDIT: Forgot to ask. Do you notice any wakelocks or battery drain with using Norton?
     
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