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During the next month I will upgrade from a Touch Pro to the Desire HD. I assume that I will use this new phone a lot more when it comes to surfing the web. What are your opinions about the need for firewall and antivirus when it comes to this kind of phone and the android system? Is it needed? If yes, do I need both firewall and antivirus application? What are the best applications out there on android market?
I really doubt you will need a firewall or anti virus
Dont need them! but good to have them
I don't use AV
Hi
I don't use AV
10X
Download lookout when you get it! Better to be safe than sorry
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
If you really are worried about it, then just use them anyway, however there is no point whatsoever. If you're getting viruses on your phone, you are doing something you shouldn't be doing anyway.
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
As with your personal computer, the best antivirus is between your ears. Just be careful - always read the changelog and permissions when installing and updating apps.
If you're particularly paranoid, then you could download Lookout but if you're careful it'll just be an unnecessary waste of CPU cycles and battery usage.
No, no need at all.
I haven't needed one. At the beginning I thought maybe I should get one, but didn't install it anyway
I didn't install any and had no problems in 3 months of usage.
I don't think we need an anti-virus for this period of time.
I have Lookout (Market Link) and ESET Mobile security (Market Link) but just having one of them is overkill. Still, if you really want them it wont hurt to download them.
No need, they would just help to drain the battery.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
I don't use one.
Don't bother personally.
Sent from my Cyanogenmod 7 phone.
It's true that Linux based system are not prone to virus attack simply because it's just not popular enough. But IMO the time might come soon since more and more these mini warriors are being built and used.
However at this stage, i say your fine without one. Unless you tend to pass on virus infected emails with your phone to a windows based platform. Just something to think about. Personally I say screw apps that would put more load on my already weak battery life.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA App
I got my google acc hacked few times, i dont know if it has something to do with android.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
Daz555 said:
No, no need at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for sure.
(If you did get a `virus' you could make lots of money selling and documenting your story.)
I installed Lookout more for the location feature than the av features. Just incase some bastard does a runner with my phone.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
Sorry for my bad English.
I'm now using the beta version of Norton. I don't know how it reacts to virusses, but I think it works good.
Before Norton I used Lookout. When I installed an app, I got feedback if the app had viruses or not. Now using Norton I do not get this feedback.
I prefer Lookout.
Out of curiosity.. how many of you are using antivirus apps?
I see a bunch out there now that have call blocking...anti theft etc all bundled in.
Any user experience or suggestions?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Internet is a lot cleaner place these days.. I remember back in 98 u could get a virus by just visiting a porn site(oops!)
However with that being said i wouldnt go as far as downloading a anti virus for ur phone as long as ur careful what attachement ur opening as well as what ur downloading.
Sent from my SGH-T989D using XDA App
Vinsane said:
Out of curiosity.. how many of you are using antivirus apps?
I see a bunch out there now that have call blocking...anti theft etc all bundled in.
Any user experience or suggestions?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android =/= windows. Antivirus apps are useless. All they can do is scan your apk files to see if you downloaded a bad app.
Sent from my Hercules using XDA App
^ how is that useless? at least you can find and uninstall the bad apk.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
dv84 said:
^ how is that useless? at least you can find and uninstall the bad apk.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't install some rogue app from an unknown publisher that has three downloads and you will be fine?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
i have Avast installed
but it's frozen, so it's not running
I use avast also since it has a scanner for your SD card. I don't know how well it actually works but I haven't had any problems just yet.
I was using something called LBE Guard (I think that's its name). I believe that it lets you decide what each app can and can't access (Like Go Keyboard accessing the internet).
I've also heard they can wreak havoc on some legitimate apps that access system files through su or on app killers, but I've also heard app killers aren't good for the phone so I'm still up in the air.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
I have avast as well. Great little app from a good company and has a firewall built into it so u can choose which apps have internet access.
That right there for me is pretty cool.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using xda premium
Vinsane said:
Out of curiosity.. how many of you are using antivirus apps?
I see a bunch out there now that have call blocking...anti theft etc all bundled in.
Any user experience or suggestions?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using avast as well. Its actually found a few malware apps here and there. So for that purpose alone, i guess it does the trick. To each his own I guess.
I think being vigilant in what apps are accessing is crucial, but sometimes your in a hurry and you just don't care to read something, and that's when something will sneak by you.
I've tried different ones and I like Avast best so far.
The UI Is pretty slick, Once installed everything is fairly detailed and breaks down categorically things that might be worth looking at IE: Privacy
What apps can :
track location
read identity info
access messages
access contacts
access accounts
change secure settings
access web pages
It will give you the number of apps in each category and then its happy hunting from there.
but again best thing just check it out for yourself.
Here is a scenario - ROM manager by clockwork is tagged as suspicious by antivirus app!
Antivirus apps are for idiots. I hear this crap every time some moron mentions android.
If somehow by freak accident you contract a virus, you deserve it. Im not saying theyre non existant, but theyre non existant. Obviously if we have to hack and break a phone manually to access files, a simple apk wont do the trick, hence gingerbreak... And if youre rooted, then hopefully you have enough intellegence or knowledge to keep your phone clean.
Sorry if this offends you, i sincerely dont care.
ftarules said:
Here is a scenario - ROM manager by clockwork is tagged as suspicious by antivirus app!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess it depends what you use. I had a live wallpaper that was causing problems. This at least found it for me. Rom manager has never popped up as problematic. Go figure. Im all for snake oil if im not paying for it. To each his own again. Pass judgement at your discretion. In the end do what ever you want. Your phone. Your experience. Your pseudo piece of mind. Some folks don't give a crap, others are OCD and the rest fall inbetween.
"Stay thirsty my friends."
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
One thing to remember Antivirus programs are not just ANTI-VIRUS, they are designed to detect any program that has excessive access to the file system and/or memory, or that attempt to modify stock system code, which is one of the reasons ROM Manager gets tagged, it is able to modify your boot partition.
There are malicious apps on the market, and they don't always get caught by Google before they get out, so it does not take a genius or a moron, to get one, it can just happen ....
Antivirus apps are a double edged sword, they can save your ass, or prevent you from doing something you actually want to do , as with most things in life, they should be used in moderation ....
I personally would rather have a AV app that is a little over zealous, than one that ignores a potential threat ...
The biggest annoyance on android right now is Air-push ads , while not malicious they are annoying, even more so when the publisher does not inform you that they are the "ad supporting" part of the app ...
So IF you are app happy, and install tons of apps, an AV app may be a good thing for you ....
Call me paranoid, but I usually don't install an app from a NEW publisher that has not been on the market at least 30 days, I usually check and see what other apps are put out by a publisher as well ... IF you only see ONE or TWO apps by a NEW publisher, then you might think twice, until reviews start flowing in ...
bkaltec said:
Antivirus apps are for idiots. I hear this crap every time some moron mentions android.
If somehow by freak accident you contract a virus, you deserve it. Im not saying theyre non existant, but theyre non existant. Obviously if we have to hack and break a phone manually to access files, a simple apk wont do the trick, hence gingerbreak... And if youre rooted, then hopefully you have enough intellegence or knowledge to keep your phone clean.
Sorry if this offends you, i sincerely dont care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny. Another internet tough guy who has to ruin discussions.
Attitudes like yours are what is driving our forum to the ground.
ム丹し丹メㄚ ち工工 - XDΔ ΔPP
I even dont have anti virus on my laptop lol.
They are useless if you know how to use internet
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
bikrame said:
I even dont have anti virus on my laptop lol.
They are useless if you know how to use internet
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xactly
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
jordanishere said:
Xactly
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree also. dont go to the market and dowload crap apk to see "naked pretty ladies" or "poker win billions" some lame ass name stuff. just the names of tthe 30+ "malware" apk's that have been found were dead giveaways. and as far as my computer....no antivirus there either, i surf porn on my tablet as needed and really only use my computer to root phones. and even that can an ordeal with ****ing microsoft products.....i hate my desktop!!!! it doesnt deserve to live or consume electricity
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Using Avast. It has many features in one for free. I don't know if it works.
---------- Post added at 01:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:54 AM ----------
bikrame said:
I even dont have anti virus on my laptop lol.
They are useless if you know how to use internet
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully you don't use windows.
---------- Post added at 01:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:55 AM ----------
ftarules said:
Here is a scenario - ROM manager by clockwork is tagged as suspicious by antivirus app!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems like a useless app because of the limited ROMs on it.
Hi guys. I'm experiencing something that is taken away from my great experience so far using android. A couple of weeks ago I downloaded gReader (free edition) to read my feeds. Everything went fine until I used the help/about page. When I used this part of the app I was sent to a porn ad. Thinking that it was a problem isolated to that part of the app I didn't use the help section again. Today after I downloaded ChompSMS and set it up, I went to send a text and the app redirected me to another porn page.
What the hell is up with that? I was running AVG antivirus but it didn't block the ad. I have downloaded now Avast antivirus because my brother recommended this app as being better that AVG.
Now I ask of all of you. What can I do to prevent this from happening? I'm running stock 4.0.2 on a GSM Nexus. I have only downloaded apps from the store and 4 apps from the web (amazon appstore, volume+ from devs web site, get jar from official site and play store update from xda). Any help will be very appreciated.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
jrodsep said:
Hi guys. I'm experiencing something that is taken away from my great experience so far using android. A couple of weeks ago I downloaded gReader (free edition) to read my feeds. Everything went fine until I used the help/about page. When I used this part of the app I was sent to a porn ad. Thinking that it was a problem isolated to that part of the app I didn't use the help section again. Today after I downloaded ChompSMS and set it up, I went to send a text and the app redirected me to another porn page.
What the hell is up with that? I was running AVG antivirus but it didn't block the ad. I have downloaded now Avast antivirus because my brother recommended this app as being better that AVG.
Now I ask of all of you. What can I do to prevent this from happening? I'm running stock 4.0.2 on a GSM Nexus. I have only downloaded apps from the store and 4 apps from the web (amazon appstore, volume+ from devs web site, get jar from official site and play store update from xda). Any help will be very appreciated.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you uninstall the original app (gReader) and made sure all of its contents were cleared?
Well I think your phone is tying to seduce you... Man what can't this amazing phone do!
sent from my GSM Galaxy Nexus
anton2009 said:
Did you uninstall the original app (gReader) and made sure all of its contents were cleared?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded the app directly from the play store and chompsms as well. Don't understand the part of the contents cleared.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
jrodsep said:
Hi guys. I'm experiencing something that is taken away from my great experience so far using android. A couple of weeks ago I downloaded gReader (free edition) to read my feeds. Everything went fine until I used the help/about page. When I used this part of the app I was sent to a porn ad. Thinking that it was a problem isolated to that part of the app I didn't use the help section again. Today after I downloaded ChompSMS and set it up, I went to send a text and the app redirected me to another porn page.
What the hell is up with that? I was running AVG antivirus but it didn't block the ad. I have downloaded now Avast antivirus because my brother recommended this app as being better that AVG.
Now I ask of all of you. What can I do to prevent this from happening? I'm running stock 4.0.2 on a GSM Nexus. I have only downloaded apps from the store and 4 apps from the web (amazon appstore, volume+ from devs web site, get jar from official site and play store update from xda). Any help will be very appreciated.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easiest way to stop ads is to root your phone and install adfree from the market (or play store as its now known).
Mark.
mskip said:
Easiest way to stop ads is to root your phone and install adfree from the market (or play store as its now known).
Mark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any solution without rooting? I don't want to void my warranty...
jrodsep said:
Is there any solution without rooting? I don't want to void my warranty...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't void your warranty by rooting...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
efrant said:
You won't void your warranty by rooting...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting is considered tampering as far as the manufacturers terms go. It would void the warranty if rooting was related to the problem you are experiencing when sending the phone in.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
EP2008 said:
Rooting is considered tampering as far as the manufacturers terms go. It would void the warranty if rooting was related to the problem you are experiencing when sending the phone in.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You forget that you can eliminate ALL traces of root, so you cannot tell the difference.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
I'm very new to the android eco-system. Do I have to unlock the bootrom to perform root?
jrodsep said:
I'm very new to the android eco-system. Do I have to unlock the bootrom to perform root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you don't. There is thread in the general section with instructions.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Instead of going through the process of rooting your phone and installing an ad blocker how about just ditching the app that is causing the porn ads.
If you don't know which app is doing this then download Lookout Ad Network Detector.
Ad Network Detector scans your phone or tablet for the presence of the most common ad networks used in mobile apps, giving you insight into what types of ads can be displayed, and what information is gathered by the ad networks. With easy access to this information, you'll be able to decide whether you want to keep the app that has certain ad networks on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
akoepke said:
Instead of going through the process of rooting your phone and installing an ad blocker how about just ditching the app that is causing the porn ads.
If you don't know which app is doing this then download Lookout Ad Network Detector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. There is also Add-ons Detector and Air Push Detector as well.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
efrant said:
You forget that you can eliminate ALL traces of root, so you cannot tell the difference.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, some hardware issues make it impossible to unroot your device, so that wouldn't be an option.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
EP2008 said:
Unfortunately, some hardware issues make it impossible to unroot your device, so that wouldn't be an option.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I guess you are right.
Basically, the things that could happen to prevent you from not being able to "unroot" are the following:
1) Device does not power on; or
2) USB port stops working. But in this case, there are still ways to "unroot" in most instance.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
efrant said:
Well, I guess you are right.
Basically, the things that could happen to prevent you from not being able to "unroot" are the following:
1) Device does not power on; or
2) USB port stops working. But in this case, there are still ways to "unroot" in most instance.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your usb port isn't working, chances are you can't charge your phone and it won't have power to reverse the root.
Either way, if Samsung deems your device was broken because of rooting, then you're screwed.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
I recommend Adaway instead of AdFree too (that is after you unlock and root your phone). Extremely rare when I see an ad in anything. AdFree I was seeing ads still. That was the worst part when I got my Android was all the BS popups and inline ads, it drove me nuts in less than 3 days.
Did you uncheck interest based ads if so could be a bad app
Sent from my Apple Mac 2 in 1983
Flukester69 said:
I recommend Adaway instead of AdFree too (that is after you unlock and root your phone). Extremely rare when I see an ad in anything. AdFree I was seeing ads still. That was the worst part when I got my Android was all the BS popups and inline ads, it drove me nuts in less than 3 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, adaway seems to work better, although I wish we had the equivalent of noscripts for the default browser.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Thanks again to mskip for suggesting rooting and installing adfree. But I have rooted and found that adaway works best and I have no more unwanted pop up ads. Thanks again to all that helped
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Source: http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/fake-antivirus-app-steals-contact-data-mobile-devices
The authors of Android.Enesoluty have added another app to their repertoire. The new app is called “Safe Virus Scan” in Japanese, and as the name suggests, it is supposed to function as an antivirus app. However, as you might have guessed, it does not contain any antivirus functionality and the only action it performs is to steal personal data.
Previous variants displayed messages stating that the app was incompatible with the device. However, unlike its predecessors, this app appears as though it actually functions as advertised.
By the time the scan is complete, the app has uploaded all contact data that is stored on the device to an external site. The app is actually quite convincing and it is difficult to identify anything suspicious about it.
I've never really felt a need to have antivirus on any of my android phones. Is it really that prevalent?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
redthunda69 said:
I've never really felt a need to have antivirus on any of my android phones. Is it really that prevalent?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've read and heard stories about people using computers, bogus apps, ect, to steal people's info. I have anitvirus apps on my devices and laptop. Better safe than sorry.
lol @ people actually thinking android can catch viruses.....I been an Android phone user since the HTC Hero and to this day ..NOTHING...
And never used an anti-virii scanner....
Its more of a danger due to malicious apps like the one mentioned.
But yes android is 'infectable'. If an app gains root privileges it can write and hide malicious code to the /system..
I just dont know that the av solutions out right now can detect this without a db comparison.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
http://phandroid.com/2013/03/13/google-play-store-ad-blocker/
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
F**k Google... they should get rid of apps that contain "in-app purchase" because you cannot get a goddamn refund !!
MikeyLee said:
F**k Google... they should get rid of apps that contain "in-app purchase" because you cannot get a goddamn refund !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah no **** lol. Guess open source don't mean much. Adfree was one of the main reasons I root in the 1st place. I've got a backup anyway. I wonder if they can still support the app but just not through Google.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
t4d73 said:
Yeah no **** lol. Guess open source don't mean much. Adfree was one of the main reasons I root in the 1st place. I've got a backup anyway. I wonder if they can still support the app but just not through Google.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ad free apps will always be out there. They just wont be on the market. We all know how to sideload :laugh:
Speaking of side loading, anyone have a copy if ad away they're willing to share? Or even better, can someone guide me on how to pull it from wherever it installs, copy to my SD card so I can install it from there on ROM swaps?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
nuc noob said:
Speaking of side loading, anyone have a copy if ad away they're willing to share? Or even better, can someone guide me on how to pull it from wherever it installs, copy to my SD card so I can install it from there on ROM swaps?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Knock yourself out
https://www.dropbox.com/s/64b8cqnydf5ldk0/AdFree.apk
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Disappointed to see this move from Google. Ads on desktop is one thing but on my cell....really?!?!?!
Almost feels like an Apple move
Sent from my NOTEworthy smartphone
t4d73 said:
Yeah no **** lol. Guess open source don't mean much. Adfree was one of the main reasons I root in the 1st place. I've got a backup anyway. I wonder if they can still support the app but just not through Google.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android is open source Google Play is not.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
This shouldn't really bother anyone. AdFree was for root users and if you know how to root there is a very good chance you will always know where to find the apk.. Now when they prevent me from loading it on my phone it'll be a problem.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Now I just read that Google is killing off their rss reader service. That blows. Not sure how that's gonna affect most people, but I use it several times a day. I use greader pro, but it uses Google reader services for pulling in all my feeds. Time to look for alternatives.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
BrianBaker said:
This shouldn't really bother anyone. AdFree was for root users and if you know how to root there is a very good chance you will always know where to find the apk.. Now when they prevent me from loading it on my phone it'll be a problem.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So long as Google doesn't take active measures in the future to prohibit ad blocking...and doesn't take measures against users who use adblocking
nuc noob said:
Now I just read that Google is killing off their rss reader service. That blows. Not sure how that's gonna affect most people, but I use it several times a day. I use greader pro, but it uses Google reader services for pulling in all my feeds. Time to look for alternatives.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This news REALLY pisses me off.
gReader is the only way I can keep up with Android Police, Android Authority, and a few other news sites. gReader being killed off is only slighly more annoying to me than Google killing off iGoogle.
I dont even use ad blockers, I just have a modded host file that blocks all that crap anyway I add the host file to every rom I flash.
shiftr182 said:
I dont even use ad blockers, I just have a modded host file that blocks all that crap anyway I add the host file to every rom I flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most Android adblockers modify the hosts file to do the adblocking.
Sounds like the world is ending in here...
It's really not that big of a deal >.>
Android is open. The store is not. You can do whatever with Android, you just wont be getting it from their store. I don't know why everyone is so upset.
Considering that hosts blocking only works if you have root, I really don't see how this is a problem. If you can root your phone, you can install third-party apks without an issue.
Still, a *****ly move, but Google does make all of their profits selling ads. It is probably AdBlock that killed the fun, since it semi-worked (WiFi only) for non-root users.
anishannayya said:
Considering that hosts blocking only works if you have root, I really don't see how this is a problem. If you can root your phone, you can install third-party apks without an issue.
Still, a *****ly move, but Google does make all of their profits selling ads. It is probably AdBlock that killed the fun, since it semi-worked (WiFi only) for non-root users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess my only complaint would be I like Adfree and wonder how it will continue to get updates without the store.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Ok why is everyone trippin for? Lets not forget there Internet. HuGE web. Just did a "ad away. Apk" gt the latest version free. Not from the play store since they wanna be jerks.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
Call me a Devil's Advocate here, but what's the big freaking deal with ads in apps????? I mean, I do hate the ones that get pushed as fake notifications with some of the crapware you can get on the market, but I don't consider the regular ones obtrusive... And let's remember, ad revenue is the bread and butter for Google, and a lot of the developers who offer their apps for free...
here's the link for ad-away. i prefer this one since you can customize your lists easily.
http://code.google.com/p/ad-away/
I must have been under a rock (or refreshing the Macks Rom thread too often ) but I just realized that the copy of AdFree I've had installed forever was no longer functioning.