Android smart phone question

AV packages available for smartphones tend to be more than just for anti-virus, but a total security package, meant to track, disable, and secure personal data from a lost or stolen smartphone.

Android in particular has become the prime target, and more vulnerable to malware attacks, due to its sheer popularity, and less overall control over the OS/apps such as from Apple. Even Homeland Security issued a warning earlier this month to law enforcement and firefighters about keeping 2011 and earlier versions patched.

I would takes steps to password secure your phone, and use one of the available Android security packages available. The good news is that many of the best are available Free at the Google Play store. See reviews here depending on your version of Android 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3.

I installed Lookout on my DroidX when I first got it (around 2 years ago). Ironically, that very software bogged down the phone so bad I ended up uninstalling it! :S I've been running it naked ever since, no problems. I don't keep anything important in there though, so if I lose it or something it's not the end of the world.

WyoTraveler wrote:

edsland wrote:
No your good it's not like a computer.

I can get on the internet put in my pass word do my banking, buy and sell stocks, and it isn't like a computer:S

Not only a computer, but would be considered a super computer some time ago. And the sheer size of today's smartphones and tablets make them easy to "walk" or be misplaced. Leaving your personal info and email wide open if you didn't secure your device, or have a way to GPS track its location, or remotely lock or delete private info.

1492 wrote:

Not only a computer, but would be considered a super computer some time ago. And the sheer size of today's smartphones and tablets make them easy to "walk" or be misplaced. Leaving your personal info and email wide open if you didn't secure your device, or have a way to GPS track its location, or remotely lock or delete private info.

True words.

These things are amazing and addictive!
I just got my first touchscreen smartphone (not android) and it's tough to put it down.
The locate my phone features could be invaluable in say a dire situation.

Fast becoming a junkie...

A good free antivirus is from AVG AntiVirus Free in the Play store.

I also run the Malware Bytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) also free in the Play store.

If you never download and install applications then it is not critical for you to run antivirus protection. If you do download apps, then it is cheap insurance to have the protection.

I use Zoner antivirus on a Samsung Tablet, HTC Inspire, and HTC ONE (android devices).

Zoner Antivirus

It is a free program/app like MSE, AVG, etc.

The antivirus is more than just virus protection. It has remote location, and remote deletion of information if phone is lost/stolen.

I also use a synchronized password Safe in Cloud, which synchronizes encrypted passwords between HTC Phones, 2 laptops and a tablet. I change a password on a phone, tablet, puter, the pw gets synchronized on all devices.

I paid $4.99 for the Safe In Cloud password app, inexpensive and a great app that works. Best four, ninety nine I have spent.

Are smartphones computers?, I can do everything my computer does, including banking, and printing, except playing DVD's or CD's, but movies and music can be played on the phone.

It's a receptacle for a lot of information. I'm going to protect it like I do my computers.

Do I need protection, helllsbellls, I'm not a geek, but I sure do feel better having it.

I'm going to do what I believe is best for me and mine, others can drive the way they choose.

Oh, phones also work great in making and receiving calls.

My Android came with 'lookout" installed. I'd say it's not a bad idea to have something to protect the phone.

shadows4 wrote:
New smart phone user here. Is virus protection needed with a smart phone? If so any recommendations? Thanks, John

You might want to take a look at this to help you decide.

Android has the least security protection and is hacked the most often and easily.

http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-f......../slideshows/10-dangers-of-mobile-banking

Number 7 of the 10 dangers
7. Currently, the majority of mobile malware viruses are written for Android devices. “In the fourth quarter of 2012, 97 percent of all of the malware released into the mobile environment was targeted against Android,”

Conroy says. “The Android app store is more open for developers to go out there and publish something.” Other brands are not immune to viruses, she says. Android is just currently “the bad guys’ favorite."

Made me change my mind of switching to Android.

camperdave wrote:
I installed Lookout on my DroidX when I first got it (around 2 years ago). Ironically, that very software bogged down the phone so bad I ended up uninstalling it! :S I've been running it naked ever since, no problems. I don't keep anything important in there though, so if I lose it or something it's not the end of the world.

Mine came with Lookout. I enabled it and yes, bogged down the phone and ate up the battery. I removed it, had to root the phone because it came with it. Lookout wouldn't go away once I set it up, kept coming back. My phone is a phone, I don't use it for banking, etc. so I don't use anything.

Any antivirus ap is just going to wear your battery down quick.Always running.
Avast and lookout is the worst too.