Antivirus software - Android

User avatar
Count Steer
Posts: 11808
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:59 pm
Has thanked: 6376 times
Been thanked: 4752 times

Antivirus software - Android

Post by Count Steer »

Continuing on an Android theme...has anyone bothered with installing AV software on phones and tablets?

In t'early days I installed a freebie and it was all right-ish but a bit intrusive rather than transparent - just doing the job in the background.

I could install Norton as I have a multi-seat licence but sometimes it makes it appear like the laptop's primary function is to run Norton :( (Well, secondary to constantly updating Windows that is).

Anyone used Norton on Android? Any other recommendations? TBH I'm pretty low risk. No hooky software or iffy sites (intentionally anyway!). I tend to avoid free wi-fi too.
Doubt is not a pleasant condition.
But certainty is an absurd one
.
Voltaire
User avatar
weeksy
Site Admin
Posts: 23420
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:08 pm
Has thanked: 5450 times
Been thanked: 13085 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by weeksy »

AVG, goes on all android.
User avatar
Yorick
Posts: 16736
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: Paradise
Has thanked: 10263 times
Been thanked: 6886 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by Yorick »

I've got the McAfee thingy that comes with desktop package.
User avatar
KungFooBob
Posts: 14199
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:04 pm
Location: The content of this post is not AI generated.
Has thanked: 539 times
Been thanked: 7527 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by KungFooBob »

Never bothered, but then I don't visit dodgy sites or open dodgy looking emails.
User avatar
Count Steer
Posts: 11808
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:59 pm
Has thanked: 6376 times
Been thanked: 4752 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by Count Steer »

weeksy wrote: Wed Apr 06, 2022 9:55 am AVG, goes on all android.
Cheers, that was the one I used on my first Android device. I'll give it another look. :thumbup:
Doubt is not a pleasant condition.
But certainty is an absurd one
.
Voltaire
User avatar
DefTrap
Posts: 4495
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:23 am
Has thanked: 2260 times
Been thanked: 2191 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by DefTrap »

Do you really need it on Android?
User avatar
Count Steer
Posts: 11808
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:59 pm
Has thanked: 6376 times
Been thanked: 4752 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by Count Steer »

DefTrap wrote: Wed Apr 06, 2022 10:04 am Do you really need it on Android?
I guess that's the big question! You only need it when you need it (or it's too late IYSWIM).
Doubt is not a pleasant condition.
But certainty is an absurd one
.
Voltaire
User avatar
MrLongbeard
Posts: 4586
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2020 2:06 pm
Has thanked: 599 times
Been thanked: 2442 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by MrLongbeard »

Count Steer wrote: Wed Apr 06, 2022 9:53 am Continuing on an Android theme...has anyone bothered with installing AV software on phones and tablets?
Nope.
User avatar
DefTrap
Posts: 4495
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:23 am
Has thanked: 2260 times
Been thanked: 2191 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by DefTrap »

Count Steer wrote: Wed Apr 06, 2022 10:07 am
DefTrap wrote: Wed Apr 06, 2022 10:04 am Do you really need it on Android?
I guess that's the big question! You only need it when you need it (or it's too late IYSWIM).
I've never heard of anyone getting a virus on android?
I'm interested because the missus has a chromebook and it felt weird not putting any AV on that.
User avatar
MrLongbeard
Posts: 4586
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2020 2:06 pm
Has thanked: 599 times
Been thanked: 2442 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by MrLongbeard »

DefTrap wrote: Wed Apr 06, 2022 10:21 am I've never heard of anyone getting a virus on android?
Me either.
AFIAK the biggest risk with Android is dodgy apps making it onto the playstore and sideloading APK's from dodgy sources, dunno if an antivirus app would address those or not.
User avatar
Ditchfinder
Posts: 1123
Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2020 8:55 am
Has thanked: 621 times
Been thanked: 692 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by Ditchfinder »

Never bothered here either. Worst that's ever happened with the daughter was allowing notifications off spammy sites and you can just turn those off in the settings easy enough.

Android and Chromebooks don't have root access enabled so nothing serious should be possible unless you are installing apps from outside of the Play Store environment.
'07 Griso 1100 (for sale), '94 Sprint 900, the scabbiest Himalayan in the country
Supermofo
Posts: 5000
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
Has thanked: 4360 times
Been thanked: 2850 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by Supermofo »

I've not bothered. Had android phones forever. In the early days I had Avast I think, but bothered in recent years.
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 12167
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9825 times
Been thanked: 10145 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by Skub »

I've had android for yonks,but never heard of one catching a virus.
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
Felix
Posts: 3940
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2021 12:34 am
Has thanked: 484 times
Been thanked: 1427 times

Re: Antivirus software - Android

Post by Felix »

MrLongbeard wrote: Wed Apr 06, 2022 10:08 am
Count Steer wrote: Wed Apr 06, 2022 9:53 am Continuing on an Android theme...has anyone bothered with installing AV software on phones and tablets?
Nope.
Another nope. I did try one called CM Security what was not to intrusive but i kept forgetting it was there so thought why bother.