Best Android Antivirus/Security App

[DocGreen]

Just upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy S III (woohoo!!)
Haven't installed security yet... want to make sure I get the right one. I'd been using Avast on my last phone, and it seemed pretty good. I like the way Avast lets you manage all your devices on their website, and gives you an easy way to locate your phone and send commands to it without borrowing someone else's phone.


So what do you guys recommend?

 

[JustInspired]

You know, I've had Android phones for years now and still use my S2 as my main workhorse but I have never installed security software on them (or rooted them).
Is it that important? I always took the view that if you don't install unknown apps (i.e. ones not approved in the official Google Play store, it's pretty safe.
Plus I don't want to slow down my phone.

Sorry, I know, totally unhelpful post Doc!

 

[ThomasM]

I use Avast on my Tablet, and recommend it. PC Authority (Australian) recommended Avast for Android, as the tests came out the best, and come out best of all the tested brands...

Good luck!

Thomas

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

yeah this is likely to end up as a landslide victory for avast.

 

[DocGreen]

You know, I've had Android phones for years now and still use my S2 as my main workhorse but I have never installed security software on them (or rooted them).
Is it that important? I always took the view that if you don't install unknown apps (i.e. ones not approved in the official Google Play store, it's pretty safe.
Plus I don't want to slow down my phone.

Sorry, I know, totally unhelpful post Doc!

That's alright, No AV is a valid answer!

I use Avast on my Tablet, and recommend it. PC Authority (Australian) recommended Avast for Android, as the tests came out the best, and come out best of all the tested brands...

Good luck!

Thomas

Great info! Thanks Thomas.

yeah this is likely to end up as a landslide victory for avast.

Not surprising... I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on something better by sticking with what I know.

 

[OneClick]

Gizmo freeware just did this review.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/best-free-antivirus-app-android.htm#trustgo-mobile-av
I'm still using avast and have been very happy with it.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I don't use AV on my droid. Can't stand the slow down, especially can't stand the battery drain.

Read this article...
http://www.howtogeek.com/129896/htg-explains-does-your-android-phone-need-an-antivirus/

99.5% of malware that hit Droids came from "outside sources"...meaning non-Google Play. And the latest version of Android does more scanning itself now....built in antivirus for apps you're installing that come from outside sources.

Plus..when you install questionable apps...YOU'RE in control of what it can access...don't go flying through the "yes I accept you can have all my phone" prompts. Those security features were put there for the end use to pay attention to. We preach to computers users to "opt out" of stuff during install of freeware, why aren't we capable of doing that ourselves on our own phones?

 

[SilverLeaf]

I don't use AV on my droid. Can't stand the slow down, especially can't stand the battery drain.

Read this article...
http://www.howtogeek.com/129896/htg-explains-does-your-android-phone-need-an-antivirus/

99.5% of malware that hit Droids came from "outside sources"...meaning non-Google Play. And the latest version of Android does more scanning itself now....built in antivirus for apps you're installing that come from outside sources.

Plus..when you install questionable apps...YOU'RE in control of what it can access...don't go flying through the "yes I accept you can have all my phone" prompts. Those security features were put there for the end use to pay attention to. We preach to computers users to "opt out" of stuff during install of freeware, why aren't we capable of doing that ourselves on our own phones?

You hit the nail on the head...stick with Google Play. And even there, I always note the privileges an app requires. On many occasions I've decided not to install an app for this reason. Why in the world would a simple single-function app need access to my contacts, phone state, full network access, storage, caller identity, etc?

As a side note, I highly recommend the Droidwall firewall as a security app. It's an open source front end to iptables, and gives you a great amount of control over what has acces to the networks (both wifi and 3G/4G). Also SetDNS is helpful if you would like to use alternate DNS servers.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Malware has made it to the google play store on several occasions and thats just the ones I know about. Avast doesn't slow down my phone at all but I have a dual core phone...im not sure about those older androids.

The anti-theft features come in handy as well.

 

[phaZed]

Have been on droid for some time now and never had an AV. Have been in the unlocking and rooting scene for years too.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Have been on droid for some time now and never had an AV. Have been in the unlocking and rooting scene for years too.

You kind of sound like a customer right now lol. I don't need an antivirus i've been using this computer for years and never had a problem!


Edit: but on a serious note, I don't think i've encountered a virus yet but then again...depending on what the virus did I wonder if I would even notice if I was infected.

 

[DocGreen]

As a side note, I highly recommend the Droidwall firewall as a security app. It's an open source front end to iptables, and gives you a great amount of control over what has acces to the networks (both wifi and 3G/4G). Also SetDNS is helpful if you would like to use alternate DNS servers.

That sounds pretty interesting... I use OpenDNS on all my computers, it would be pretty sweet if I could set my phone to use it too

Malware has made it to the google play store on several occasions and thats just the ones I know about. Avast doesn't slow down my phone at all but I have a dual core phone...im not sure about those older androids.

The anti-theft features come in handy as well.

^this^

Google Play isn't immune to viruses. And besides the viruses, Android security apps had a whole host of other features like anti-theft, lost device location, and remote management. That's actually my main reason for wanting one. This phone is ridiculously expensive. I can't afford to replace it, so if I mis-place it or it's stolen, I need to be able to locate it and get it back.

 

[SilverLeaf]

....snip......
Android security apps had a whole host of other features like anti-theft, lost device location, and remote management. That's actually my main reason for wanting one. This phone is ridiculously expensive. I can't afford to replace it, so if I mis-place it or it's stolen, I need to be able to locate it and get it back.

You might want to check out Prey, if you haven't already. http://preyproject.com/

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

You might want to check out Prey, if you haven't already. http://preyproject.com/

I cant remember why i decided against prey.

I use avast as av and sms location and I use lookout with everything but missing device module disabled for data location. If my memory serves me correct prey is data only for missing device right? I cant remember.

Avast also blocks you from uninstalling anything without entering your avast pin so they cant remove lookout.

 

[Rosco]

i know a lot of people are not fans of viper but i love it. PCs, laptops, servers, and phones!. It has picked up 1 virus on my phone. Plus i loss my phone a lot so i can send a alarm from a computer to locate it. None of this text stuff. It backs up my contacts and phone logs. It free without wipe and 10 bucks a year with remote wipe.

Viper is a must have IMHO.


ooo yea no slow down i have noticed. I have it do scan in the middle of the night

 

[DocGreen]

Another one of the reasons I like Avast:

None of that texting commands nonsense. Just go to my.avast.com (i think) and you can manage all of your devices from a web interface (PC's included). Gives you a map for location, GPS coordinates, commands that you can issue to the phone, and a bunch of other stuff.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Another one of the reasons I like Avast:

None of that texting commands nonsense. Just go to my.avast.com (i think) and you can manage all of your devices from a web interface (PC's included). Gives you a map for location, GPS coordinates, commands that you can issue to the phone, and a bunch of other stuff.

I forgot about that feature, but the web interface uses sms for the commands too dont it? there must be some reason I have lookout for data and avast for sms.

 

[Dr Tweak]

Dr. Web light, it's free and I don't notice any impact on my phone or battery. I'm not so worried about a malicious app as I am getting infected by something while browsing or something with the data the app pulls in. All apps are is an easy way to access websites and I predict that you will see more and more malware targeted at smartphones since that is what people are using for most of their online communication.

 

[DocGreen]

I forgot about that feature, but the web interface uses sms for the commands too dont it? there must be some reason I have lookout for data and avast for sms.

The website probably does send the commands via sms... but its the website doing it, not me. All I have to do is point and click from any web-connected device. With other apps you have to
A) remember the commands, and
B) have access to another cell phone to send those commands that you don't remember. Oh, and then there's
C) The other apps I've tried will only accept sms commands from a "trusted device", which needs to have been set beforehand.

That's awfully damn inconvenient IMO.

 

[compnet]

I think most carriers have a locate/wipe app and web interface..

The only instances of malware on the market that I have heard of, were a) all reported by lookout, b) taken down within 24 hours, and c) pretty obvious if you checked permissions.

There is more reason to have AV on a mac than an android phone (drive by infection)..

I'm not worried about battery, I couldn't kill the s3 battery if I tried. I just see no need for AV on my phone.