GrumbleDook Posted June 22, 2011 Posted June 22, 2011 I've had a question posed to me on twitter about AV software for Android (on Asus Transformer). Talking with friends in recent weeks they have said AVG is not bad on Android and the paid version is worth it, or SMobile Shield. I know Lookout is out there too (folk had said it is abut of a hog) but what are others using / recommending?
MYK-IT Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) I've briefly looked into this in the past and in the end decided not to bother. My phone is rooted with CyanogenMod firmware (combined with Titanium Backup Pro, ROM Manager and DropBox to back everything up etc) I usually rebuild/flash my mobile on at least a weekly basis! The remote locking / wiping / locating functionality of some of these security / AV products I would be interested in though. I am just waiting to see if / when Sophos release their Mobile Security for Android product if it' s part of our Software licence or not to give it a try. Edited June 23, 2011 by MYK-IT 1
adhutton Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 I've had a question posed to me on twitter about AV software for Android (on Asus Transformer). Talking with friends in recent weeks they have said AVG is not bad on Android and the paid version is worth it, or SMobile Shield. I know Lookout is out there too (folk had said it is abut of a hog) but what are others using / recommending? AVG gets my vote. I've had it on my Motorola Android phone for a while and no problems. Andrew 1
Mcshammer_dj Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 AVG free version works fine and I also use Hisurfing to avoid the phone connecting to the internet when I am not using it. 1
Guest Guest Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 Lookout seems fine to me. Only scans incoming apps etc so it doesn't eat any resources once the app is on afaik
aerospacemango Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 I've had MyLookout on both my androids since last August. Never had a problem, and as well as scanning incoming apps, it also can be scheduled to scan the phone overnight. Plus the backup helps too! 1
DAZZD88 Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 I use AVG but don't really find all that much of a benefit to it, especially seeing as I now know that even if I muck up a ROM flash I can still just install Titanium Backup and restore everything. 1
LosOjos Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 I've briefly looked into this in the past and in the end decided not to bother. My phone is rooted with CyanogenMod firmware (combined with Titanium Backup Pro, ROM Manager and DropBox to back everything up etc) I usually rebuild/flash my mobile on at least a weekly basis! The remote locking / wiping / locating functionality of some of these security / AV products I would be interested in though. I am just waiting to see if / when Sophos release their Mobile Security for Android product if it' s part of our Software licence or not to give it a try. I use AVG but don't really find all that much of a benefit to it, especially seeing as I now know that even if I muck up a ROM flash I can still just install Titanium Backup and restore everything. Aren't you both missing the point somewhat? AV software's primary purpose is to defend you device against virii and malware, both of which you can get at any point regardless of how often you backup/wipe your phone and you could potentially be opening yourself up to all sorts of problems... I don't imagine it would be too difficult for instance for somebody to write an app that causes your phone to automatically dial a premium number every 5 minutes, costing you a fortune and making them rich! Another example might be a simple case of a seemingly harmless app sending all of your contacts, photos, and whatever other personal info you have on your phone off to some server without you ever knowing it's happened (until it's too late)... A backup won't help you there, but an up to date AV might block the app from ever being installed. On topic - I've used Lookout since I had my Desire 18 months ago and it seems to work fine, doesn't use up too much resources. I might give AVG a go though to compare. 1
MYK-IT Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 True, though all my (and yours!) contacts, diary, location etc are already being sent to some server (Google's ) 1
LosOjos Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 True, though all my (and yours!) contacts, diary, location etc are already being sent to some server (Google's ) Also true, but Google are unlikely (and I chose that word carefully!) to do anything malicious with that info! 1
DAZZD88 Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 @LosOjos, I do still have AVG on it, but like I said I'm not so sure it's really doing anything worthwhile. 1
LosOjos Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 @LosOjos, I do still have AVG on it, but like I said I'm not so sure it's really doing anything worthwhile. I think of it in the same way as home insurance - 99% of the time, it's money I could do without spending, but the moment I don't have it, I'll probably get robbed... 2
CyberNerd Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 Also consider running a firewall (you run one on your other computers don't you?) DroidWall is ok 1
GrumbleDook Posted June 23, 2011 Author Posted June 23, 2011 Many, many thanks ... muchly appreciated.
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