AV for Android Marshmallow?

Discussion in 'mobile device security' started by Scott W, Dec 9, 2016.

  1. Scott W

    Scott W Registered Member

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    My iPhone 5s was a gonner so I decided to change-up and get a Samsung Galaxy S7 (Android Marshmalllow). Is it advisable to install an antivirus or other security app? ...and if so, please suggest a few good ones (preferably free).

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2016
  2. IvoShoen

    IvoShoen Registered Member

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  3. roger_m

    roger_m Registered Member

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    If you only download apps from the Play Store, and don't use 3rd party apps stores or download and installs apps manually, then chance of getting infected is extremely minimal. But installing an antivirus won't hurt as it should have close to zero affect on the performance and battery life on your phone, as Android antiviruses don't continually monitor the phone like PC antiviruses do.
     
  4. Scott W

    Scott W Registered Member

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    Thanks... Btw, is Baidu and the DU Group one and the same (I can't find Baidu Mobil Security on Google Play)?
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2016
  5. roger_m

    roger_m Registered Member

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    Yes they are the same.
     
  6. bellgamin

    bellgamin Registered Member

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    Please provide a quantified probability percentage of "minimal" to 5 significant places after the decimal. (I use MBAM. I 'd rather be safe than minimized.)
     
  7. roger_m

    roger_m Registered Member

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    All I can say is that I've download nearly 900 apps (yes I know that's a lot) from the Play Store over the last 6 years, and have not got infected yet.

    If I was to include the apps I've downloaded from third party app stores, and the APKs I've downloaded and installed manually, the number would be closer to a thousand apps. I've also not got infected from APK files or using third party apps stores, even though it's nowhere near as safe as downloading from Google Play.
     
  8. guest

    guest Guest

    Although I do agree with the "you don't need one" sentiment of some users, I only agree with them. If you have to ask about AV's for Android, it's probably safer to have one installed.

    I've heard great things about NoRoot Firewall, ESET, and Sophos for real-time protection. I personally use AFWall+ to disable the majority of internet connectivity (I'm thinking about uninstalling it soon), but I do use Zemana with real-time protection disabled, and set up to scan any .apk file I open on my phone. Although I have not been infected on my Android before, I have found a few modified .apk files from questionable sources that Zemana has flagged as adware.
     
  9. daman1

    daman1 Registered Member

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    I would, on my Galaxy S5 I have Zemana with real time "ON", it's very light I don't even know it's there. Unlikely ill ever have a problem but if I do I have a catch net :thumb: .

    Oh OT nice phone choice ;), I'm going to the 7 next month. :)
     
  10. daario

    daario Registered Member

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    No antivirus needed. Just don't root and follow general security guidelines (don't visit unknown websites, don't install APKs from unknown sources and so on). ;)
     
  11. daman1

    daman1 Registered Member

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    Update,,

    I'm currently trying Kaspersky IS on my droid and really liking it so far, it has nice features of course real time web protection, schedule scans, etc, updates and is very configurable in it's settings, Has deep file scanning and it's light.

    Compared to BD I tied it does have RT WP but there is no schedule scans and the scans were only apps installed no deep scanning of files and not to many settings you could configure and only a 14 day trial.

    Anyone else running KIS??
     
  12. EASTER

    EASTER Registered Member

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    So not to steer too far OT, how are you liking Marshmallow Permissions managements.

    Are those enough to your own satisfaction? What I like is that it shows EVERY permission each app contains and with Marshmallow we can DENY many of them that the app really doesn't need to work right anyway like Phone Contacts, Microphone etc.
     
  13. Scott W

    Scott W Registered Member

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    Marshmallow's permissions management works great for me.
     
  14. EASTER

    EASTER Registered Member

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    Same here. Plus now that Huawei FINALLY! got around to dishing out some Security patches and most of all eliminated LAG that was really horrible on Honor 5X as well as that BATTERY DRAIN BUG it's actually a usable handset again for me.

    It was a royal pain using X-plore after every reset/reboot to dig down deep in the settings for sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/core_ctl/min_cpus and change the 4 to 0 so that a minimal of 1 cpu core was to be active instead of 4 all the time.

    It caused the Battery to drain off way too fast the way it was. A HUGE oversight. Mine was in the closet for months until I learned of the new update.

    Of course I had to revert all the way back to square one and work back up again but it was worth the trouble this time. :)

    The big bonus with Marshmallow Android 6.01 for me is no need for AV of any type. Just a keen eye on what comes in and then use Android to configure the PERMISSIONS manually.
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2017
  15. Trooper

    Trooper Registered Member

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    I don't use any AV and I do think think one is required, especially on Android 6.0 and up.
     
  16. EASTER

    EASTER Registered Member

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    I agree that may be very important for those who use browsers especially.

    I remember getting hit with a lousy repeating ad obviously designed to not only refuse shutting down/off but a battery drainer too.

    That was BEFORE getting the permissions in order and needless to say now I use Free Adblocker Browser too.

    Of course if anything wild ever happens TWRP BackUps take care of those matters as well as Macrium Reflect does for Windows.
     
  17. fehmi2029

    fehmi2029 Registered Member

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    the best way to protect your is to use only google playstore i dont think an antivirus on android can do much because it run sandboxed like other apps so it doesnt have system wide access
     
  18. roger_m

    roger_m Registered Member

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    They don't need system wide access to scan any apps installed on your device.
     
  19. fehmi2029

    fehmi2029 Registered Member

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    indeed but since they dont have full access they wont be able to remove an virus who has full access
     
  20. roger_m

    roger_m Registered Member

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    Viruses can only get root (full) access if your device is rooted, and you manually grant access from the Super User prompts.
     
  21. EASTER

    EASTER Registered Member

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    +1

    Important if your device is rooted and you know what your doing to keep watch on the SuperSU List of which apps you set to Grant Status to.
     
  22. daario

    daario Registered Member

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    Not true, malicious app can use an exploit such as KingRoot and gain root privileges on its own.
     
  23. roger_m

    roger_m Registered Member

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    Well in theory they could. But can you give me an examples of malware actually doing that?
     
  24. daario

    daario Registered Member

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    Every decent Android malware does that. Godless, Kemoge. Don't remember more and don't want to look it up. Google should tell you more.

    Only Nexus/Pixel brand and a few other exceptions are secure because they've got all the security patches. Yet many people still ignore the fact...
     
  25. roger_m

    roger_m Registered Member

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    I was unware of that. To be honest, I've never taken much notice of Android malware.
     
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