Free android antiviruses with real-time scanner

Fanboys are clearly fan boys.

 

Apple definitely exercises more control over their products. That has positives and negatives, such as better security and higher prices

I don't know that the iPhone is any "smarter" than any other smartphone these days I think Android has pretty much caught up with iOS.

 

Cought up? When was it behind?

 

Check this out. Weak results for AVG, Bitdefender, ESET, Noroton etc.

http://www.av-test.org/fileadmin/pdf/avtest_2012-02_android_anti-malware_report_english.pdf

 

Just installed Dr.web light. My phone is low spec, and i read this was very low on resources. Seems ok so far, although I wonder if its necessary
Might consider turning off realtime, and scan once a month or so

 

i would not turn off the Dr Web realtime protection. To make sure you always have free resources I would install Advanced Task Killer and run it now and then and you will see more responsiveness. Also, even though Dr. Web is my av of choice I sometimes will scan with Zoner because it will scan quicker than Dr. Web.

 

Thanks

 

I really fail to see why there is a need for AV on a mobile phone, a phone, c'mon people, get real!
I understand apps/browsing culture as I have an Android phone myself but really?

If you're going to browse illicit dangerous websites and/or install apps without reading reviews or even worse install untrusted apps then really you should go back to an old Nokia with, at most, Bluetooth connectivity.
You play with fire, you're gonna get burnt!

The Common Sense app, v1.0, is installed on every phone, highly recommended.
Scare mongering at it's best!

 

You're kidding, right? There are plenty of normal looking sites with malware as well as phishing sites. Read the report at av-test.org

 

On a Windows powered mobile maybe but c'mon Android, really?
Next you'll be telling me I need an AV for my Linux PC's at home?
Marketing strategy is one thing, scare mongering another.

Remind me again roughly the number of Windows based virus/malware specimens there are out there, now compare this with the amount of Linux/Android ones, never mind the fact they all need authorising before they'll install/run (see common sense v1.0 app).
Like I said if people want to tread dangerously into the shady world of android malware and infected apps then that's up to them, however adhering to, again, common sense v1.0 app, there should be no requirement for such an software. Maybe some navigation software though to find this stuff wouldn't go amiss maybe?
I've used Linux for years now, in the workplace too, and number of infections received in that time...................on any linux based device, that's right, none, zero, zilch!

But you know what, if it makes people sleep better at night knowing their android 'phone', yeah that's right folks, 'phone' is protected by antivirus software so be it, but I for one ain't 'buying' it!

Oh and as a footnote, Task Killers are pointless on Android devices. Those are for people still thinking with a Windows mindset and that it's all about free RAM. I'll read the av-test.org posting, you read the beginners guide to Android OS before recommending anymore pointless apps to other readers?!
http://androidspin.com/2010/05/25/why-you-dont-need-a-task-killer-app-with-android/

 

Fine. Android threats are real and growing.

https://www.mylookout.com/mobile-threat-report
https://www.mylookout.com/_downloads/lookout-mobile-threat-report-2011.pdf

Just don't post here crying about how malware bricked your phone.

 

Trust me bud, it won't happen but hey, keep fighting the good fight though!!

"New types of malware that can infect Android phones have been identified. While not very widespread and articles about it are mostly scaremongering, it is still wise to be aware of it.

Please note that you can only get infected if you give a non-approved app permission to install itself on your phone while visiting a website and agree to the permissions."

Common Sense v1.0 app, free with every phone!

 

Cases of infected apps in google market are not very rare, so... common sense may not work always
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2011/mar/02/android-market-apps-malware

A new malware named 'Voice Changer Israel' found in the Android market.
New Spy application was found in the Android Market.

etc....

Infections by SMS also already happened taking advantage of vulnerabilities/bugs in Android 2.X.X that allows rooting.

So, infections may be rare nowadays but growing very rapidly unfortunately
Its the same story repeating again... see MAC OS.

 

Nothing to do with the commercialisation of the Android Market by the anti-virus companies because until recently it was an untapped area?
Funny that all of a sudden malware appears to becoming more prevalent in this area, almost in sync with AV's becoming more widespread for this platform too?

I'm afraid common sense does still prevail because if you are someone who constantly downloads/installs apps onto your Android phone, from untrusted areas aswell as legit, the risk of infection so increases pro-rata, true? Same scenario on Windows PC's.
If, like me, you have an android phone, but haven't rooted it, haven't downloaded any apps since acquiring it, simply browse Sky/BBC News on my lunch break if on site (use PC otherwise) and use GPS SatNav. No active syncs or auto-updates then my risk of infection is somewhat greatly reduced, to almost nil?

I'm merely stating that if you use a phone, as a phone, with maybe the bells and whistles it came with, regardless of what platform its on, you're pretty much safe.
If however you choose to use your 'phone' as some kind of portable gateway to hell, ignoring reviews/recommendations on app, installing unsigned apps and ignoring common sense, you will find these horrors that are lurking out there.
Its no different to using a PC. I use an AV on my Windows PC due to %risk out there, I don't however feel the need to protect my Linux stations or my Android phone as installations there are permission based and require authorisation and I use my 'common sense' in this area as and when/if required. This is why I employ D+ on my Windows PC too.

It's kinda like wearing a suit of armour to fight someone armed with a rather large mango fruit, kinda somewhat unnecessary?!
But hey, each to their own, I for one won't be subscribing to any AV for Android/Linux platforms as I believe there enough barriers inherently already in place to protect me, starting with yours truly!

 

Of course, but then you do not need a smartphone

 

Exactly!
I only got mine for the SatNav/GPS built in as gave my TomTom SatNav to father-in-law.

 

Unfortunately, "The Common Sense app, v1.0", is not installed on every phone.

Ice

 

People said that about Windows PCs too. I initially thought the threat of viruses on PCs was just marketing - fortunately I saw soon enough that the threat was real. The scenario with Android looks the same. Now I prefer to be an early adopter with regard to security.

 

I have an Asus transformer (301) Android tablet with wifi only:
a) did not root it, kept it stock
b) don't allow to install (apk files) from folders(so called unknown places)
c) use applocker to lock system, google store and applocker
d) lock tablet with password

When you have a phone, you will likely have more apps due to the smaller window screen and optimization/speed advantages one has of the aps. I can imagine when you try out a lot of aps to add a AV (with anti-theft protection and sms filtering).

Edit: for tablet users, due to its fair position in tests and its bare basic AV functionality I would go for dr Web light,

 

Toshiba Thrive tablet. Wi-Fi only. Using Kees' list:
a) rooted. Superuser warns of any app needing Superuser permission. Answer no to all except screenshotER, avast, AdAway, RootExplorer.
b) ditto, called "unknown locations" here
c) ditto
d) ditto
add
e) AdAway puts in hosts file - mvps and another 2-3 lists
f) DrWeb for AV or Avast Mobile with simple little application firewall - I did not install Avast's Anti-Theft section. No SMS here.

 

Malware Attacks Skyrocket, Target Android

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2409257,00.asp?kc=PCRSS05079TX1K0000992

http://www.mcafee.com/us/resources/reports/rp-quarterly-threat-q2-2012.pdf