Malware and Anti-virus - Xoom General

Hi all,
I was just/wondering what the general consensus is on AV / Malware apps, as I'm considering Lookout on my Xoom...
The main reason for asking, is that I have the wifi only model, so I don't know if the Phone locator would work, but is the rest of app worth the subscription?
Do other on this forum just take care what they install, or use one of these security apps for the extra protection?
Cheers,
Steve
Sent from my MZ604 using Tapatalk

SteveH0773 said:
Hi all,
I was just/wondering what the general consensus is on AV / Malware apps, as I'm considering Lookout on my Xoom...
The main reason for asking, is that I have the wifi only model, so I don't know if the Phone locator would work, but is the rest of app worth the subscription?
Do other on this forum just take care what they install, or use one of these security apps for the extra protection?
Cheers,
Steve
Sent from my MZ604 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Lookout, but haven't subscribed to Premium. The locator should work as Xoom has a great GPS. Don't know about the other services.

okantomi said:
I use Lookout, but haven't subscribed to Premium. The locator should work as Xoom has a great GPS. Don't know about the other services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried Lookout before on my Desire, so thought I'd give it a go on the Xoom - Works great, and the subscription is a bargain since it's tied to your email, so I have both devices protected now. Only feature I don't use is the backup, since my contacts are in Google anyway, and I don't care if I loose my recent call list!
Sent from my MZ604 using Tapatalk

Related

Sources people

sooooooo all this talk of vz limiting & suspending accounts due to data usages & this new "rooted phones hunter" from vz & moto talk...
has anyones account been limited? or are there any official news articles or actual announcements from vz or moto on the web?
just curious
sent from the DX
As to my knowledge, the only tethering app they can track is the 3G Mobile Hotspot app preinstalled into your phone. There is a hack that allows people to tether using that app for free.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA Premium App
I've seen throttling but that's all. Nothing else yet.
Sent from my Droid X packing Gingerbread.
havent seen or heard anything
have no doubt eventually the possibility exists....doubt the sky is falling though....
edit:
news with a reputable source sure would be appreciated....
Avelnan said:
As to my knowledge, the only tethering app they can track is the 3G Mobile Hotspot app preinstalled into your phone. There is a hack that allows people to tether using that app for free.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I"m pretty sure that any type of tethering will get you in trouble from what a lot of P3droid's writing states... Esp. since google can remote wipe/remove apps from your phone...I would assume carriers have some insight as well to what a customer is using.
Google's insight is from what you've downloaded from the market I believe. I still can't believe how blown out of proportion this rumor has become.
taterDX said:
sooooooo all this talk of vz limiting & suspending accounts due to data usages & this new "rooted phones hunter" from vz & moto talk...
has anyones account been limited? or are there any official news articles or actual announcements from vz or moto on the web?
just curious
sent from the DX
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is already one thread about this topic don't need two
sorry didn't see the other thread... but how can they track an unrooted easytether app vs. the rooted wireless tether app? I don't doubt eventually one day this will all be true but I still think they have better things to do than to hunt rooted phone users down...
sent from the DX
You guys apps have nothing to do with it, you can download tethering apps, they just don't work, therefore they cannot bust you on this.
What they will bust you on is the IPs you are accessing, easy ones will be like Windows Updates servers, firewall/anti virus update servers, Steam will be another big one...
There is IPs that you will be accessing on your PC that some of you guys can't deny will be definitive proof you are tethering, and I guarantee as hard as you try they will always have a way of figuring it out and there is nothing you can do, its a service you are required to pay for and they are going to make you pay for it.
see that's coming at it from a different angle & I totally get that... but I paid for easy tether & I'm not rooted I use it on my personal com... & it works perfect I just think that if there was a true issue w/tethering why not remove easytether or pdanet from the marketplace? just my 2¢
sent from the DX
and I know someones going to say something along lines the lines of its a google vs. vz issue... well then if vz starts blocking apps I think there would be an issue w/google...
sent from the DX
taterDX said:
see that's coming at it from a different angle & I totally get that... but I paid for easy tether & I'm not rooted I use it on my personal com... & it works perfect I just think that if there was a true issue w/tethering why not remove easytether or pdanet from the marketplace? just my 2¢
sent from the DX
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They cannot do this because no matter what Verizon, or any other carrier for that matter, wants us to pay for or does not want on the market, it is not their market. The market is controlled by Google and they will only remove apps that go against their policies.
Anyway we should all be aware that the android market is not the only source of apps for android. There is the Amazon market which certainly has different rules that Google's market, and there is Applanet which simply does not have rules or at least none that would keep tethering apps out (or a large quantity of others either). Also, the developers could simply post the apps on their website if removed. Therefore it would not be at all effective to remove them from the market
for once I agree w/jmoney... and we have yet to see evidence of any account suspensions our cancellations due to tethering... still waiting on some proof & tired of all the "talk" of this rooted hunting sprees...
sent from the DX
What I have heard is that Verizon is not going after rooted users and to my knowledge are still taking the same stand against rooters as they have in the past. What they are going after are the people who use tethering without a tethering plan. They are only doing this because there are certain members of this community who use tethering for obscene amounts of data. These are the people who use 150gb or more a month and yes there are people who do that.
We need to remember that just because we can tether large amounts of data does not mean that we should. I saw the following analogy on an article online and I think it is an excellent way to think of this.
If you are in a supermarket and you notice that they are giving out free samples of something, there are two things you can do. You can just take one and everyone else can have one and there is no problem at all and they will continue to allow the free samples. Or, you could, since it is all free, take all of the samples for yourself and no one else will get any, and the store will stop providing them and everyone loses because you were greedy.
If we all just use a small amount a month, I'm very sure that there will be no problem with the carrier and we all can enjoy the exeperience

[Q] Whats the best defese?

Ive tried doing some searching around the threads, but I am not really finding a good answer. I want to put a good security app on my epic 4g, but Im not a fan of lookout's monthly subscription. Even though its only $3. (Course, Im also one of those that thing needing to subscribe for my virusscanner updates is stupid too)
I am wondering what, if any, you all would recommend to use for:
Lost Phone Location
Remote Lock
Remote Wipe
Malware/virus defense.
Thanks for your comments, I appreciate any help.
Lookout does all of those for free???? You don't have to pay for those features..... you only pay for online safety....
AVG antivirus
theduce102 said:
Lookout does all of those for free???? You don't have to pay for those features..... you only pay for online safety....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, you do have to pay for them. The free version of lookout only gives you..
Protect against viruses, malware and spyware
Backup and restore your contacts
Find your phone if it is lost or stolen
It doesnt give you the lock/wipe functions in the free version. I would prefer to have everything running in one app in the interest of less memory usage, but if theres another free app that gives the lock/wipe functions and I cant find another alternative, then I will do that.
pablomentabo said:
AVG antivirus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh Nice! AVG is what I use on my desktop, I didnt even know their android one would do the lock/wipe functions.
Thanks
Doesn't the Sprint Protection app do all that?
readingkeeper said:
Doesn't the Sprint Protection app do all that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Didnt even know that one existed. I have TEP, so thats a good alternative too.
I've used the lock wipe on free???? I confused (*_*)
Prey is what I use.
It would be nice if Google would build that into Android. I liked that Palm had that built into WebOS. It actually came in handy for me when my Pre was stolen. I am going to have to check AVG out, thank for the suggestion!
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
AVG is not a good antivirus program. I suggest you use something different
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
tatoniss said:
AVG is not a good antivirus program. I suggest you use something different
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you not like it and what would you suggest?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
But if your using a cutome rom it tells you your phone isn't supported.
Meant to hit quote but must of missed this is towards the sprint protection comment
Sent from my lean mean drunken machine useing XDA Premium and a 12 pack of Sam Lager
Avg desktop has lower detection rates compared to other free programs. Avast and Avira have better detection rates, and are lighter on resources. Both of those are free as well. Last time I checked avira was slightly better.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Best mobile defense is simple. Don't lose your phone, don't DL unknown apps, don't do anything questionable and for impregnable security, never actually turn it on.
Please excuse any erors or typos as this massage was sent from my mobil device.
AVG is lame, and its detection rate (at least on desktops) is horrible. Think Norton, just free... And their adverts are equally annoying. As far as Desktop/Laptop protection, Comodo is free, and (last time I checked) ranked with a 99.93% detection rate. Lightweight as hell, too.
Back on topic, I saw that Kaspersky and Eset both offer free protection for mobile. And I know that ESet also has a "notify my friends" option if your chit gets stolen. However, I found Prey to have one of the best tracking options (actually had a customer's laptop recovered using it, much like lojack's software). I have it enabled with Computrace on my dell studio (just in case one or the other fails ^.^)
Anyone tried Droid Lost? http://market.android.com/details?id=com.androidlost I'm using it now and unless it borks my phone or starts sending out Spam I am kinda impressed. It allows for a lot of powerful emergency security features and is free.

Android Antivirus

There is a new study by AV-test concerning the effectiveness of Antivirus products on detecting malware and viruses on Android phones. The results are given in the following link:
http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/android/
I have used the AVG antivirus pro for quite some time but it was draining my battery considerably as shown by the BetterBatteryStats app. After reading the results by AV-test website I uninstalled it and installed the AVAST antivirus which gave better detection rates. Now battery life is much better and things are smoother, using an AV with better detection rates.
Just wanted to share it in case others have had similar battery drain issues with their AV or were wondering how effective their AV is.
I use Avast on my Note and AVG on my tab 7.0
I don't see/feel much of a difference in any way
Furthermore i use LBE on both, i feel much better
controlling the authorisations and behaviour of apps.
Antivirus apps are useless on Android. Why don't you people listen when everybody who knows tells you that ? Even Android reps said it. So forget about antivirus apps and better take care what you install on your devices.
alexdumitru said:
take care what you install on your devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is the best protection
That's not so easy when you only install warez versions...
Sent from my superior GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Zamboney said:
That's not so easy when you only install warez versions...
Sent from my superior GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even better...Don't be so cheap and you won't have to worry about it.
No warez - no worries. (Buy the app! Dont't be a cheapskate! )
Use a firewall and apps like LBE and PDroid that can block unnecessary permissions.
What worries me more than a virus is a warez-app that might delete everything in sd-card on first run.
We don't care much about modify/delete permission, do we ?
Why would you even want warez on android when the average price for an app is below $5 ???
LOL @ people still swearing blindly that all apps are safe as long as you get them from the app store.
Oh and apparently macs are not vulnerable to viruses or malware....
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
friedje said:
Why would you even want warez on android when the average price for an app is below $5 ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because some people REALLY are that cheap. And for some reason they complain about their warez not working and crap support etc.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
uberNoobZA said:
LOL @ people still swearing blindly that all apps are safe as long as you get them from the app store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
common sense should always prevail, even on the app store - but saying that it is ALOT less likely to get malware from the appstore than warez
Some people don't have a way of purchasing apps because the google play store has restrictions in some countries. Let's not generalize people who use warez.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
l0rd_almighty said:
Some people don't have a way of purchasing apps because the google play store has restrictions in some countries. Let's not generalize people who use warez.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. I don't have a credit card and I don't like being charged for using a pre-paid card and being obligated to charge a card with at least 20 euro's so I can buy and app every once in a while. Whenever I find an app I want to buy I'll check all resources to see if there's another way to purchase the app but if there's not then I'll probably get it elsewhere.
That to me is one of the biggest flaws (and maybe even the only one) of the market. There are so many safe payment options these days and still Google sticks to credit cards.
I don't have credit card either, but there's always an option for every app except games. And angry birds and some other freeware are the only games I have.
Instead of using warez Root Explorer, you can use File Manager, instead of using warez TB, there are 3-4 more app combined will have all the functionality of TB.
I've got Avast, Lookout and Prey on my phone, and I don't have any battery or performance issues.
And just because paid apps aren't available to you, doesn't make downloading them for free "okay" in the eyes of the authors or Google.
To a certain extent, you can also use GetJar and SlideMe as alternatives, I assume that there's others.
There have been several cases of malware finding its way onto the marketplace, often disguised as perfectly reasonable applications, so burying your head in the sand and saying "but they say it's not a problem!!1!" is not an ideal solution.

Best Antivirus for ICS

Can someone suggest best antivirus for ICS?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
None. Antivirus software for Android = a scam to make the antivirus vendors money.
Just read reviews for apps before installing them from the Market. Malware is usually pretty obvious.
Norton,avast,dr.web they were tested by some big world company wich test antiviruses so type at google best android's antivirus
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
Entropy512 said:
None. Antivirus software for Android = a scam to make the antivirus vendors money.
Just read reviews for apps before installing them from the Market. Malware is usually pretty obvious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really true. If you are tech savvy enough to be sure you don't have anything with malware then best of luck to you. You are well respected on this forum so I'm sure you'll be fine.
I'm technically minded and a software programmer by trade but I couldn't be sure that any app on the market is safe without fully reverse engineering it (which I'm not eating my time attempting) and even then some sneaky developer could push something dodgy out in an update so I'd have to check them too.
Also checking apps doesn't protect you from dodgy messages, emails, etc.
So, I have AVG on all my Android devices just in case. It uses very little resources and has caught a couple of suspect things over the last 6 months since I moved to 'Droid!
I am using Kaspersky Mobile Security. Very System friendly.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note using XDA Premium App
I am taking the small risk of a data leak over a performance loss, so I am currently not running one, having said that I do run it on my pc :-/
emuX said:
.
I'm technically minded and a software programmer by trade but I couldn't be sure that any app on the market is safe without fully reverse engineering it (which I'm not eating my time attempting) and even then some sneaky developer could push something dodgy out in an update so I'd have to check them too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not about needing to reverse engineer code!
It's more about paying attention to the permissions that the app requests when you go to install it and deciding if they are appropriate.
For example, an app that just makes farting noises almost certainly doesn't need access to your contacts, and services that cost you money.
Some people think that an Android antivirus program will protect them against such threats, and they will if the application has been "blacklisted". However, most of these programs rely on blacklists, so until a particular application is flagged as malware, you are still at risk!
The moral of the story is, nothing beats eternal vigilance!
Regards,
Dave
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
emuX said:
Not really true. If you are tech savvy enough to be sure you don't have anything with malware then best of luck to you. You are well respected on this forum so I'm sure you'll be fine.
I'm technically minded and a software programmer by trade but I couldn't be sure that any app on the market is safe without fully reverse engineering it (which I'm not eating my time attempting) and even then some sneaky developer could push something dodgy out in an update so I'd have to check them too.
Also checking apps doesn't protect you from dodgy messages, emails, etc.
So, I have AVG on all my Android devices just in case. It uses very little resources and has caught a couple of suspect things over the last 6 months since I moved to 'Droid!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And neither will these 'antivirus' software help if a developer slips something in, the truth is the best thing you can do it check comments malware is far less a problem on android then Windows, these companys simply try to sell you this software as so many people are used to needing it on windows they think android is the same.
All the apps do is detect known 'black listed' apps which are either not going to be on the market or have bad comments already.
While the main reason for these apps is pointless I will say some of the extra features are quite useful including device tracking etc.
However I would never buy one of these apps for sure
Avast Free s the best, enough said.
John
Tinderbox (UK) said:
Avast Free s the best, enough said.
John
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep
The additional 'Theft Aware' software, is free as well
emuX said:
Not really true. If you are tech savvy enough to be sure you don't have anything with malware then best of luck to you. You are well respected on this forum so I'm sure you'll be fine.
I'm technically minded and a software programmer by trade but I couldn't be sure that any app on the market is safe without fully reverse engineering it (which I'm not eating my time attempting) and even then some sneaky developer could push something dodgy out in an update so I'd have to check them too.
Also checking apps doesn't protect you from dodgy messages, emails, etc.
So, I have AVG on all my Android devices just in case. It uses very little resources and has caught a couple of suspect things over the last 6 months since I moved to 'Droid!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You my friend, are to paranoid.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
lamou1nr said:
You my friend, are to paranoid.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better that than having all my account details hacked because some dodgy app is snooping.
Responding to the others who replied to me...
If you choose a reputable AV company like AVG or Norton you should be safe.
And, you can't tell much from the permissions. Yes, if the app asks for access to your contacts and phone identity then you could just not install it, but what if it was an alternative dialer that was ad supported? - then it would need internet access and permissions to read your phone details (like Go Dialer) and then you are stuffed.
I've got a door at the front of my house. Even though I live in a good area and have neighbours around most of the day, I still lock it!
foxmeister said:
It's not about needing to reverse engineer code!
It's more about paying attention to the permissions that the app requests when you go to install it and deciding if they are appropriate.
For example, an app that just makes farting noises almost certainly doesn't need access to your contacts, and services that cost you money.
Some people think that an Android antivirus program will protect them against such threats, and they will if the application has been "blacklisted". However, most of these programs rely on blacklists, so until a particular application is flagged as malware, you are still at risk!
The moral of the story is, nothing beats eternal vigilance!
Regards,
Dave
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
emuX said:
I've got a door at the front of my house. Even though I live in a good area and have neighbours around most of the day, I still lock it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To use your analogy, your "antivirus" app is like a bouncer on your front door. If a known threat pitches up and wants to come in, the bouncer will stop them, but for new and unknown threats, he'll happily wave them through.
Given that reputable app stores like Google Play or Amazon are quick to remove known threats, all you've done is bought yourself a false sense of security! Good luck with that!
Regards,
Dave
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
I was just asking about this kind of thing just the other day.
Here is what I found (http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/android/)
The Best stuff at the moment seems to be
avast! Free Mobile Security
F-Secure Mobile Security
Kaspersky Mobile Security (Lite)
. . . .McAfee Mobile Security >_> (Apparently...)
and
Zoner AntiVirus Free
I'm using COMODO on Android (good antivirus, real time scaner and great anti theft options) and on PC i'm using COMODO Internet Security (antivirus+firewall+sandbox). It's free both on Android and PC.
Avast
Avast...without doubt.Run it on my PC too.
I'm using LBE to adjust/monitor permissions for apps. I don't think antivirus programs will do you any good.
Avast is the best in my opinion. Even though its a really good AV and its also free I still dont use one. Don't need one on my mobile.
Even on Windows I never get viruses.
Most malware and viruses come in with dodgy emails and dodgy websites. Avoid those and you'll be fine.
I just use Avast even though I like it more for the Anti-theft feature than the actual anti-virus feature.

Do you have installed Avast in your Nexus?

How many of you have Avast installed? Does it use too much battery?
are you trying to have anti virus or anti theft ?
if its anti theft your looking for id suggest Cerebus. Im not to sure about the battery drain on Avast though
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...51bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5sc2Ryb2lkLmNlcmJlcnVzIl0.
waste of memory and battery to have any antivirus apps installed. just dont install third-party apps from suspicious places
I've had avast installed on another phone of mine. Doesn't use a lot of resources, but it's useless most of the time.
Just install it if you're going to install an app from a shady 3rd party website to scan said app and deactivate or uninstall it of you don't need it.
Seriously all that marketing crap you hear about android and malware is loads of bollocks.... Chances of you getting a virus are like winning a lottery...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
MattSkeet said:
Seriously all that marketing crap you hear about android and malware is loads of bollocks.... Chances of you getting a virus are like winning a lottery...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. And if someone does get a virus from a app that someone downloaded from a third-party website or third-party market (not Amazon or SlideIT though), chances are... they deserve it for pirating apps
Besides.. android has a built in malware scanner before you install a app. Not sure how good it is but yeah.
Aside from that, basic rules.
1. dont install apks from random places
2. dont install apps from play store that are just now recently published with 0 ratings [i mean you could... but be wary of it, look at the dev's other apps he made and its ratings]
if you're looking for anti theft, then get a app with only antitheft (or disable its antivirus component if bundled). cerberus is a good app, one time fee of 2.99 euros. there are free alternatives available as well.
lookout's plan b is pretty good as well (remotely install it via play store website to obtain location)
Does anyone use seekdroid for antitheft. Is it any good?
none of these anti theft sofware/app will get your phone back if it gets into the 'wrong' hands, so its the luck of the draw if you ever 'lost' your phone, good luck
cobyman7035 said:
none of these anti theft sofware/app will get your phone back if it gets into the 'wrong' hands, so its the luck of the draw if you ever 'lost' your phone, good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if they can't get their phone back I think users are looking for a remote wipe as a phone does contain a lot of personal information in regards to user accounts.
And some people have actually gotten their phones back with the help of police
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
zephiK said:
Even if they can't get their phone back I think users are looking for a remote wipe as a phone does contain a lot of personal information in regards to user accounts.
And some people have actually gotten their phones back with the help of police
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes agree wipe feature is nice to have as a last resort or first if your paranoid
°°°Nexus™ 4 via XDA Premium App°°°
if people are looking for theft security. get a app that only does that, not a antivirus included.
or just go live on the high road and use Plan B

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