Does Android Phones Need Antivirus?

TheMatrix on 31/08/2016 - 03:09

I am new to Android OS, have always been an iOS user. I just bought my son a Xiaomi Redmi note 3 from a deal post here. I thought I better educated my self a bit about android OS. This Lifehacker article today by a guy who described himself as a "cyber forensics investigator" seem to say we MUST have antivirus on our phone, although he did not single out Android OS.

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2016/08/how-to-stop-your-phone-…
From my years using iOS, I never install AV app, and never have any problem, though I always take the usual precautions, such as keep it up to date, not clicking on unknown link, not jailbreak etc.

I am sure there is a lot of android OS experts here, what is your thought on this? Thanks.

Mobile Android

Comments

  • BensonP on 31/08/2016 - 06:43
    +1

    Do you NEED antivirus? Of course not.
    Are they useful? Absolutely.

    I've used android for about 5 years, without any malware or antivirus program, and never had a problem. I only download apps from the Play Store, and never from other sources.
    Most antivirus apps have a an antitheft option, which is good.

    One feature that, in my opinion, is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY would be remote wipe. If someone steal your phone, you need the ability to wipe, lock or locate the phone. Android Device Manager already does this.

    • CyberMurning on 31/08/2016 - 09:09

      just wondering how that actually can work (remote wipe).
      if phone got stolen but the thief never connect it to internet obviously you cant locate/wipe/lock, correct?

    • CLoSeR on 31/08/2016 - 09:28

      Yeh, or just enable encryption.

      Remote Wipe doesn't necessarily mean your data is safe if it was unencrypted.

  • geek001 on 31/08/2016 - 08:22

    I think you only need antivirus if your android phone is rooted and/or if you install apps(apk files) that you download from thirdparty websites. But then again, these days a lot of "legitimate" apps ask for way too much permissions anyway. Some of them stay on my phone memory even when there is no reason to at all.

  • CyberMurning on 31/08/2016 - 09:10

    a friend never root or install apks, but sometimes when browsing legitimate websites, there are pops up coming saying her phone is affected by virus, etc etc. anyone has the same experience?

    • CLoSeR on 31/08/2016 - 09:26
      +4

      It's just a scam popup to get you to click, similar to popups on PC browsers where they tell you your PC is infected.

  • TheMatrix on 31/08/2016 - 13:27

    Does Android OS encrypt phone data by default?

    • klaw81 on 01/09/2016 - 09:41
      +1

      From memory, flagship phones from last year onwards have encryption by default. But anything from Android 5.0 onwards has the option of encryption if you want to - just have to be willing for slightly reduced battery life and slightly slower response.

  • numbing on 31/08/2016 - 13:37

    Depends on the person, I use cm security just in case, keeps patches up to date, due to most mobiles not receiving android updates after a certain period.

    I have yet to see many phone virus's, without root that is.. Most roots are root kits lol. At the end of the day their are exploits and people out their trying to hack you.

    So why not if you phone is capable have one.
    If it isn't install one get patches and then remove.

    Daily use a anti-virus is not really needed.

    So answer. Yes or No

  • abhayks on 04/09/2016 - 09:31
    +1

    Short Answer:: No

    Long Answer :: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    Android does not needs antivirus if you stick to Google Play store. If your phone is rooted with Custom ROM, no antivirus can save you from malicious ROM or sideloaded apks :)

    • TheMatrix on 04/09/2016 - 11:08

      Would the ROM install in the international version of Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 that we get from Geekbuying web site is considered a custom ROM?

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