Security antivirus/malware apps?

[droidxer]

Are there any apps that people recommend that can act as an antivirus or like malaware bytes type app to constantly run not using much battery and protect the phone from malicious sites and apps?

[Ads]

[thescreensavers]

Why do you need one? Android is basically linux and it cant get any Viruses. Its just a waste of Space and Battery life, as well as it will prob kill some of your performance. And I would be afraid of anyone trying to sell you something like this.

[Martin030908]

There are no confirmed viruses on Android.

No need for an anti-virus. Just gonna use resources on your device for NOTHING.

[droidxer]

I was under the impression that there were viruses and malware out there. Just because it's Linux doesn't mean a virus can't go uncaught?

Also what about just general hackers or people nearby trying to improperly see the content on the phone? Is there some sort of way to protect against that with a firewall?

[luv2increase]

I was under the impression that there were viruses and malware out there. Just because it's Linux doesn't mean a virus can't go uncaught?

Also what about just general hackers or people nearby trying to improperly see the content on the phone? Is there some sort of way to protect against that with a firewall?

I use an app called "Droid Wall". It is a firewall. You have to be rooted to use it though. The only communications getting into and out of my phone are those of which I allow That is how I like it!

[Martin030908]

Report your findings to someone, as you have the first confirmed virus on Android platform....

There are no viruses. not yet at least.

[Inkog]

Its trivial (read easy) to hide a key logger, trojan, or any other nefarious code within an Android application, particularly if you install it from outside the Market. I would say OSes like Android can be riskier than Windows if you’re rooting or loading custom roms, especially without knowing what you’re doing. If you have root, and give root access to “101 farts & quifs”, don’t be surprised to learn that you bought some Chinese or Russian dude the best night of their life… after they got your bank credentials.

Be smart, always question why an app requests a particular access when you install it. Why would a fart app need network access? At best it's gathering marketing info for who knows what, at worst its stealing your identity and spending your life savings.


These risks are real and are occurring on every OS, and to say Android/Linux is immune, is utterly ignorant.



Cheers.

[droidxer]

What does it mean to be 'rooted'?

[titans]

Let me google that for you

[Martin030908]

Its trivial (read easy) to hide a key logger, trojan, or any other nefarious code within an Android application, particularly if you install it from outside the Market. I would say OSes like Android can be riskier than Windows if you’re rooting or loading custom roms, especially without knowing what you’re doing. If you have root, and give root access to “101 farts & quifs”, don’t be surprised to learn that you bought some Chinese or Russian dude the best night of their life… after they got your bank credentials.

Be smart, always question why an app requests a particular access when you install it. Why would a fart app need network access? At best it's gathering marketing info for who knows what, at worst its stealing your identity and spending your life savings.


These risks are real and are occurring on every OS, and to say Android/Linux is immune, is utterly ignorant.



Cheers.

On the topic of a virus affecting your Droid... there are NO CONFIRMED viruses.

Now on the topic of your Droid being able to 'host' a virus that may transfer to your PC/MAC, this is most definitely possible.
In fact.... Virus found on Vodafone HTC Android phone | Security Management | ZDNet UK
Mariposa virus back on Vodafone Android smartphones - The H Security: News and Features

- back to Android itself being affected -

*posted at xda by lbcoder*

"Take everything you know about microshaft windoze and forget it. The system architecture of android is almost completely invulnerable to viruses/worms/etc.

In a typical unix system, hacks can take one of very few possible approaches;

1) service bug targeting, i.e., if one were to discover a security vulnerability in the Apache HTTP server, one could theoretically compromise it. That particular service I mean.

2) user account targeting, i.e., one could convince a user to run something dangerous, which would infect that specific user's account, of course, this attack would limit itself to damaging that user's personal data and would not be able to take down the whole system unless it also targeted a kernel or X-server exploit.

Note specifically regarding #1, that in a well configured system, that targeting a particular service would be restricted to a specific user account just as in #2 since each service runs as its own username.

3) Targeting KERNEL defects; this is perhaps the most frightening possibility. It is also the least likely since it would also require #1 or #2. Any particular kernel attack, particularly in Linux is also very unlikely to work for long due to the open sourced nature of Linux. There are a LOT more people involved in monitoring the fundamental securities of the Linux kernel than any other OS because of its open nature. It is also a source of PRIDE for kernel HACKERS that they ALSO be responsible for openly providing the SOLUTION to any exploits that they discover. And they usually do this with their REAL NAME since it basically immortalizes them. The end result is that every time a kernel exploit is discovered, it tends to be patched within hours of its first application.


Now of course you want to know how this affects Android, since by all appearances, there is no user-level security. WRONG. The Android security level is actually on par with service level security on unix servers. EVERY SINGLE application installed is granted is own user account, which means that if any particular application is dangerous, its range of damage is restricted to that particular application's private data, as well as any permissions that the application is explicitly granted (i.e. when you install an application, it gives you the required security list). There is also the very slim possibility of a kernel exploit (though this is extremely unlikely), and it could damage the data on the sdcard (since it is an MS-crap filesystem with no security restrictions).

Of course you will note that older versions of the ADP1 system image came with an unregulated 'su' command (which you could also end up with using a "cat sh > su; chmod 4755 su" root approach) which basically can be used by any application to take over the whole system. Make sure that you don't have any such su command on your droid. Either use a password-protected su command (which will cause problems for trusted apps requesting root privileges), or the gui-supported su command. Subsequent ADP1 images came with an su command that was restricted to the debugging terminal user, which is fine.



In other words... you don't have much to worry about. Just don't do anything really stupid, like installing an untrusted application that wants a boat load of privileges that it shouldn't be asking for." [end quote]

Again... on the topic of an anti virus being needed for your Droid.... no you do not need it. Your PC should have an anti virus on it, should your Droid be hosting one... your PC software should do it's job. Save your money/battery/resources on your Droid.

An anti-virus on your Droid is not going to identify an app you've installed (which you've allowed certain access it shouldn't have/doesn't need) as a virus. So there is no benefit of having one on your device.

So pay attention to the access an app asks for. Use common sense when installing apps. Only use official banking apps etc....

Flashing custom ROMs does not relate to viruses on the platform. This is not sound logic to determine Android more vulnerable than Windows...

Google is your friend, research.....