5 million Android handsets infected with newly discovered trojan - Xperia Arc General

Symantec has released information about a newly discovered threat known as “Android.Counterclank.” It is a variant of a previously discovered Trojan horse called “Android.Tonclank.”
The malware is embedded into various apps in the Android Market and once downloaded, launch services that send information from the device, such as MAC Address, SIM Serial, IMEI, and IMSI, back to the malicious host.
Symantec has identified several malicious app titles spread out over 3 publishers. They are:
iApps7 Inc
Counter Elite Force
Counter Strike Ground Force
CounterStrike Hit Enemy
Heart Live Wallpaper
Hit Counter Terrorist
Stripper Touch girl
Ogre Games
Balloon Game
Deal & Be Millionaire
Wild Man
redmicapps
Pretty women lingerie puzzle
Sexy Girls Photo Game
Sexy Girls Puzzle
Sexy Women Puzzle
Removing the associated application should remove the malware from the device.
1. Open the Google Android Menu.
2. Go to the Settings icon and select Applications.
3. Next, click Manage.
4. Select the application and click the Uninstall button.
source: phonearena

I dont play games...and about Sexy etc.....i have wife.
But for me it seems more "we all need download now some antivirus" app

Don't have this apps but Google should check the apps that come into market like Apple does!
Sent from my iPad 2 using Tapatalk

Google must atleast check for malacious code in the apps before making it available in the market

5 million my arse. Says who? Oh, a company that produces AV software!
Yes, this is no doubt a problem but I take everything Symantec says with a pinch of salt. It's in their interests for malicious software to exist.

Don't use these app too.
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App

Bullsh*t!
Sent from my LT18a using Tapatalk

rec71 said:
5 million my arse. Says who? Oh, a company that produces AV software!
Yes, this is no doubt a problem but I take everything Symantec says with a pinch of salt. It's in their interests for malicious software to exist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly it.
However many consumers are too thick to see this, and most news sites are too desperate for hits to not report this tripe.

According to GSMAerna
Mobile security firm Lookout Mobile don’t believe these applications pose quite as much of a threat however, they are not to be taken lightly, as a spokesperson explains.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://blog.gsmarena.com/symnatec-h...-string-of-botnet-apps-on-the-android-market/

I am in deep shock that apps like "Pretty women lingerie puzzle", "Sexy Girls Photo Game",
"Sexy Girls Puzzle" and "Sexy Women Puzzle" turned out not to be legit applications.
Come on guys, this is hardly a real threat...
Anyone in their right mind knows that an app with the word "Sex" in its title, by a never-heard-of developer, could be suspicious.
It's like when people get viruses on their PC because they clicked on the "Click here to Scarlett Johanson naked and talk to her"!

iridaki said:
I am in deep shock that apps like "Pretty women lingerie puzzle", "Sexy Girls Photo Game",
"Sexy Girls Puzzle" and "Sexy Women Puzzle" turned out not to be legit applications.
Come on guys, this is hardly a real threat...
Anyone in their right mind knows that an app with the word "Sex" in its title, by a never-heard-of developer, could be suspicious.
It's like when people get viruses on their PC because they clicked on the "Click here to Scarlett Johanson naked and talk to her"!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like your thought, which is exactly same as mine for years
But I believe that this is one main area where Google looses to Apple .

Not like before mate. Apple devices are also getting hit by malware. According to F-Secure about 58 new variants of Mac malware have popped up in the last year.

I saw the news. thought it might help few. all are talking about sexy. who will install. what about counter strike atleast in pc it sold 25 million units. obviously there are lot of fans who want to download the game. I personally was about to download it. but the comments said it is not good so didnt download

Symantec have retracted their malware announcement, they've downgraded the threat to just adware.
http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2012/01/symantec-backpedals-android-apps-not-malware-simply-crapware/
Although to be honest, anyone downloading any of the apps mentioned above probably shouldn't be allowed access to the internet and a credit card.

ShyamSasi said:
Not like before mate. Apple devices are also getting hit by malware. According to F-Secure about 58 new variants of Mac malware have popped up in the last year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But Android is still worse in that case.
Sent from my iPad 2 using Tapatalk

Because apple is not open source...they even don't know if they have viruses.
Android is open source and if coming some new virus we can always find some solution FAST.
This **** what those antivirus manufactures talking don't need take seriously always.
Its their job to make some commercial...even if they make those viruses itself..or they pay to someone to make viruses or make "panic"
Its clever commercial trick.
But anyway...viruses existing and if you don't know what your doing with your phone..then DON'T DO IT.
Peace and less panic my friends
Taavi
Sent from my MT15i using Tapatalk

Symantec does not even know what happened with pcAnywhere, will know about android apk.

Related

New Android Virus from China?

At the company I work for, an email came out from our care group that I thought everyone might find interesting. When I first read it, I immediately thought of the MIUI ROM that I installed....
"A new virus infecting the android based phones has been detected in china.It is being said that this is by far the most complicated and sophisticated Android virus that the security firm has come across.This virus is being dubbed as ‘Gemini’ and it has the capability of being remotely operated by the hacker once it is in the phone.Though many viruses have been detected earlier in Android apps. but this the is most sophisticated among all of them.
The Botnet feature of the virus is the major concern.Once the malware is completely installed on the user’s phone, it has the potential to receive commands from a remote server that allows the hacker to access the user’s data and all personal stuff.Once the privacy of the user is compromised,the hacker can do anything he wish to do.
Lookout mobile security,who basically detected this virus said that Gemini uses advanced and sophisticated techniques to hide it’s track.They also said that that the virus is capable of sending location coordinates and device identifiers to the remote server, helping it to generate a list of all installed apps on the infected phone and to install more infected ones.
All the infected applications that have yet come up have been downloaded from a third party Chinese application market. “Geinimi is effectively being ‘grafted’ onto repackaged versions of legitimate applications, primarily games, and distributed in third-party Chinese Android app markets,” the company wrote in a blog post.On the other hand,the same applications that are downloaded from official Android application market are safe.
Although it is not very clear that what actually is the intent of the authors of Gemini.The chief technology officer for Lookout,Kevin mahaffy said that “It could be anything from a malicious advertising network to an attempt to create a botnet”.Botnet basically is a group of infected computers or phones that the attacker controls to compromise for data and identity theft and also it can be used to launch attack on other machines.
The application which are grafted with virus are mostly games and a few applications.Some among them are:
• Monkey Jump 2
• Sex Positions
• President vs. Aliens
• City Defense
• Baseball Superstars 2010.
Here’s how it works:
When a host application containing Geinimi is installed on a client’s phone, the Trojan gets activated in the background and collects information that can compromise a user’s privacy.Geinimi attempts to connect to a remote server using one of 10 embedded domain names. If it connects, Geinimi transmits collected information to the remote server."
here you go http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40857219/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/
Interesting read. I wonder: If the infected app is removed, does the virus get removed with it?
rugedraw said:
Interesting read. I wonder: If the infected app is removed, does the virus get removed with it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that would make for a pretty ineffective trojan. I highly doubt it.
also, as per the msnbc article, the virus is named "Geinimi," not "Gemini." Although I guarantee everyone will call it gemini because it's so much easier, at least to an english speaker.
Old news.
cjh6386 said:
that would make for a pretty ineffective trojan. I highly doubt it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does get removed if you remove it from applications. The only way it wouldn't get removed is if the app were to root the device first, and then push the apk to the apps folder. but this one doesnt do that.
I'm honestly surprised there aren't more of them out there, it would be way to easy to do.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
cjh6386 said:
that would make for a pretty ineffective trojan. I highly doubt it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point......I'm just not sure how viruses affect our phones compared to how they affect Windows based PC's.
Last-Chance said:
Old news.
It does get removed if you remove it from applications. The only way it wouldn't get removed is if the app were to root the device first, and then push the apk to the apps folder. but this one doesnt do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even then, you would still be able to remove it manually from the apps folder, no? Providing the user has root access, of course.
This is bull****. Why can't they leave viruses for windows computers?
Sent From My HTC Evo 4G On The Now Network From Sprint Using Tapatalk Pro!
I guess it's becoming an issue with the carriers too since our Care department is now getting swamped with calls from people who either "think" they're phones are infected or read that MSNBC article.....
In any event, I have to admit that I didn't even give it a thought that I might get a virus on my phone. I actually even saw quite a few virus programs on the Market and just ignored them. I'll now have to revisit that option, especially since I'm installing ROMS from every source that posts them....
rugedraw said:
Good point......I'm just not sure how viruses affect our phones compared to how they affect Windows based PC's.
Even then, you would still be able to remove it manually from the apps folder, no? Providing the user has root access, of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably, but if the app is smart enough to root android devices, chances are its smart enough to hide itself. With root access it can pretty much do anything it wants, including hiding itself, as well as accessing other programs, and what not.
Would a nand restore get rid of it?
Sent from my HTC Supersonic
If it needs root access to do it's thing, wouldn't that trigger the superuser app? And if a game triggers the superuser app, and a person clicks on "Allow"...then...maybe they deserve to be infected.
From what I remember of reading about this virus, it only affected users in China who downloaded it from a third-party market application and not Google's Android Market.
Viruses in android doesn't make any sense to me at all. Since android is so different. As another poster stated, doing a nand is in essence like wiping the total system, correct?
Sent from the Evo 4G
dglowe343 said:
Would a nand restore get rid of it?
Sent from my HTC Supersonic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in essence yes. But a person smart enough to code a virus that roots devices is probably smart enough to backdoor nand restore points as well.
Holyrolla said:
If it needs root access to do it's thing, wouldn't that trigger the superuser app? And if a game triggers the superuser app, and a person clicks on "Allow"...then...maybe they deserve to be infected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The chinese one doesn't need root. I was just saying that if it had root it would be a lot harder to remove. And the app is binded to other programs, so the person will probably not even know that the legit one doesnt require superuser.
mbaseball3 said:
Viruses in android doesn't make any sense to me at all. Since android is so different. As another poster stated, doing a nand is in essence like wiping the total system, correct?
Sent from the Evo 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why doesn't it? Millions of dollars are stolen each year by criminals that infect phones in order to dial out premium numbers.
Last-Chance said:
in essence yes. But a person smart enough to code a virus that roots devices is probably smart enough to backdoor nand restore points as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fear monger much?
EDIT: for those curious he's just drumming up nonsense to see if he can get you in a frenzy ... that or has has NO CLUE what he's talking about.
Even if someone was stupid enough to "Accept default permissions" and not question why your video game that you downloaded from a third party marketplace with "allow unknown sources to be installed" flag set needs to look at your phone calls and personal contacts ... there would still be a popup by superuser the moment it tried to do something that required root.
It's a perfect storm trojan: no more a risk to your phone than a phishing site is to your identity: that is a huge problem if you're an idiot.
Justin.G11 said:
fear monger much?
EDIT: for those curious he's just drumming up nonsense to see if he can get you in a frenzy ... that or has has NO CLUE what he's talking about.
Even if someone was stupid enough to "Accept default permissions" and not question why your video game that you downloaded from a third party marketplace with "allow unknown sources to be installed" flag set needs to look at your phone calls and personal contacts ... there would still be a popup by superuser the moment it tried to do something that required root.
It's a perfect storm trojan: no more a risk to your phone than a phishing site is to your identity: that is a huge problem if you're an idiot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea bro, cause you know what you are talking about. How about you actually look up **** before talking.
1. A 3rd party app can simply ask for 1 permission, then root the phone and gain wide variety of permissions. When i say root, i dont mean the same way as you see here. It will gain permissions beyond what normal apps do. It wont ask for superuser permissions. It will only ask for 1 permission on install
2. Did you know that there is a Buffer overflow available on all phones that are running 2.1 of android? Did you also know that there is a buffer overflow for all androids that are running the latest webkit on 2.2? apparently not. fyi, a buffer overflow in a browser can represent a huge risk, meaning visiting a website that is infected will in return infect you. A buffer overflow will also not ask for any permissions and load a malicious application straight to your phone.
Next time when you talk to someone as if they were a kid, make sure that person doesn't happen to have a CS degree, and 8+ years of experience in computer security. Now gtfo.
those chinese have a strange sense of humor, I bet it started as a prank by some drunk college students to see if they could do something small that would make americans even more paranoid
NewZJ said:
those chinese have a strange sense of humor, I bet it started as a prank by some drunk college students to see if they could do something small that would make americans even more paranoid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you call being charged 100s of dollars on your bill because some virus made phone calls to premium rate numbers a joke, then yes they are very funny.

Beware Malware For Android In 20 Top Apps

Openness – the very characteristic of Android that makes us love it – is a double-edged sword. Redditor lompolo has stumbled upon a perfect example of that fact; he’s noticed that a publisher has taken "… 21 popular free apps from the market, injected root exploits into them and republished." The really scary part? "50k-200k downloads combined in 4 days."
Lompolo explains the situation quite well:
Link to publishers apps here. I just randomly stumbled into one of the apps, recognized it and noticed that the publisher wasn’t who it was supposed to be.
Super Guitar Solo for example is originally Guitar Solo Lite. I downloaded two of the apps and extracted the APK’s, they both contain what seems to be the "rageagainstthecage" root exploit – binary contains string "CVE-2010-EASY Android local root exploit (C) 2010 by 743C". Don’t know what the apps actually do, but can’t be good.
I appreciate being able to publish an update to an app and the update going live instantly, but this is a bit scary. Some sort of moderation, or at least quicker reaction to malware complaints would be nice.
EDIT: After some dexing and jaxing, the apps seem to be at least posting the IMEI and IMSI codes to hxxp://184.105.245.17:8080/GMServer/GMServlet, which seems to be located in Fremont, CA.
I asked our resident hacker to take a look at the code himself, and he’s verified it does indeed root the user’s device via rageagainstthecage or exploid. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg: it does more than just yank IMEI and IMSI. There’s another APK hidden inside the code, and it steals nearly everything it can: product ID, model, partner (provider?), language, country, and userID. But that’s all child’s play; the true pièce de résistance is that it has the ability to download more code. In other words, there’s no way to know what the app does after it’s installed, and the possibilities are nearly endless.
Justin pinged a contact at Google to bring the issue to their attention. In the time I’ve proofed this post, they’ve already checked the apps and are planning on pulling them from the Market [Update: holy cheeseballs, they've been pulled already! Took less than 5 minutes from first contact to pull!], as well as remotely removing them from user’s devices. Unfortunately, that doesn’t remove any code that’s already been backdoored in.
Let’s hope they’re quick to react – this is the ultimate Android Trojan to date, and it’s already been downloaded over 50,000 times.
Feel free to discuss this over at Droid Forums, or via the comments below.
Update: The publisher’s been removed entirely from the market, so you can no longer see the list of apps. Luckily, I managed to grab a few screenshots last night. There’s been a ton of response to this, and we’ve been contacted by a few big dogs. Justin is also working on a removal tool. I’ll be doing a follow-up post this evening.
Left: the real app. Right: Myournet’s virused-up version.
The offending apps from publisher Myournet:
Falling Down
Super Guitar Solo
Super History Eraser
Photo Editor
Super Ringtone Maker
Super Sex Positions
Hot Sexy Videos
Chess
下坠滚球_Falldown
Hilton Sex Sound
Screaming Sexy Japanese Girls
Falling Ball Dodge
Scientific Calculator
Dice Roller
躲避弹球
Advanced Currency Converter
App Uninstaller
几何战机_PewPew
Funny Paint
Spider Man
蜘蛛侠
Credits To xxx.AndroidPolice.com for the news
hxxp://xxx.androidpolice.com/2011/03/01/the-mother-of-all-android-malware-has-arrived-stolen-apps-released-to-the-market-that-root-your-phone-steal-your-data-and-open-backdoor/
top apps
Hilton Sex Sound
the **** ? i dont want to live on this planet anymore
PartyVirginX10 said:
top apps
Hilton Sex Sound
the **** ? i dont want to live on this planet anymore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahahahahaha with the first post combined with your response I fell out of my chair in laughter. Lol.
Sent from my Delorean using a flux capacitor!
PartyVirginX10 said:
top apps
Hilton Sex Sound
the **** ? i dont want to live on this planet anymore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Literally just laughed my ass off! Ahahadaa
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
yeah, its mildly scarey. almost any reputable app name on the market has numerous duplicates by third party publishers. the scarier part is all the positive comments in these apps from all the clueless folks running stolen/modified software/software titles.
Think I'll be forwarding this to all those I know who are addicted to downloading for free from Applanet
LususNaturae said:
Think I'll be forwarding this to all those I know who are addicted to downloading for free from Applanet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why? this is about the official google market...
What are you going to do, say "Don't get risky apps from there, instead get official risky apps! lulz"
fiscidtox said:
why? this is about the official google market...
What are you going to do, say "Don't get risky apps from there, instead get official risky apps! lulz"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because, this article says the "official" apps were edited and re-uploaded under another similar name.
On applanet, you can get some other "official" apps with similar small changes
This warning isn't about the original apps, just dangerous rip-off versions
And that's what applanet is full of.
LususNaturae said:
Because, this article says the "official" apps were edited and re-uploaded under another similar name.
On applanet, you can get some other "official" apps with similar small changes
This warning isn't about the original apps, just dangerous rip-off versions
And that's what applanet is full of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes but these were in the official market... so why do you feel any safer? If you see an app for the first time and don't know any better, how would you know the difference?
, as well as remotely removing them from user’s devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um what? Forget the pissing malware, I'm far more concerned that google can pick and choose what's on my phone. Not to mention the privacy implications. Just what sort of access do they have to the data on our devices?
yeah I missed that line as I skimmed through it.. That is some sketchy stuff right there
How can i know if im infected? And if im how do i fix it? Stupid hilton... i mean guitar hero xD
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
Hell!! thanx for d list i got 1 of them..
hessfer said:
How can i know if im infected? And if im how do i fix it? Stupid hilton... i mean guitar hero xD
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=977154
Heres a more detailed list with the publishers names
Full list of infected applications published by "Myournet":
Falling Down
Super Guitar Solo
Super History Eraser
Photo Editor
Super Ringtone Maker
Super Sex Positions
Hot Sexy Videos
Chess
下坠滚球_Falldown
Hilton Sex Sound
Screaming Sexy Japanese Girls
Falling Ball Dodge
Scientific Calculator
Dice Roller
躲避弹球
Advanced Currency Converter
App Uninstaller
几何战机_PewPew
Funny Paint
Spider Man
蜘蛛侠
Full list of infected applications published by "Kingmall2010″:
Bowling Time
Advanced Barcode Scanner
Supre Bluetooth Transfer
Task Killer Pro
Music Box
Sexy Girls: Japanese
Sexy Legs
Advanced File Manager
Magic Strobe Light
致命绝色美腿
墨水坦克Panzer Panic
裸奔先生Mr. Runner
软件强力卸载
Advanced App to SD
Super Stopwatch & Timer
Advanced Compass Leveler
Best password safe
掷骰子
多彩绘画
Full list of infected apps under the developer name "we20090202″:
Finger Race
Piano
Bubble Shoot
Advanced Sound Manager
Magic Hypnotic Spiral
Funny Face
Color Blindness Test
Tie a Tie
Quick Notes
Basketball Shot Now
Quick Delete Contacts
Omok Five in a Row
Super Sexy Ringtones
大家来找茬
桌上曲棍球
投篮高手
Heres where the source came from
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/over_50_droiddream_malware_apps_removed_from_android_market.php
clemot said:
check this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=977154
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tnx a lot man!
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
hessfer said:
Tnx a lot man!
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes thank you!
Thank God I've Never Installed this apps on my x10
PartyVirginX10 said:
top apps
Hilton Sex Sound
the **** ? i dont want to live on this planet anymore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROFL ..... i can't find the like button ... otherwise i have to thank you lol
PartyVirginX10 said:
top apps
Hilton Sex Sound
the **** ? i dont want to live on this planet anymore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
looooooooool
doppl really dl that thing???? hahahahaha

Do I need antivirus software for my Galaxy Note?

New to smartphones, I was just wondering do I need an antivirus for my Galaxy Note? And if the answer is yes, what do you guys recommend?
All you need to know about this subject is right here.
Regards,
Dave
foxmeister said:
All you need to know about this subject is right here.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly the article I read that made me ask the question
Since it came from google, the manufacturer of android, I think they would try to protect the integrity of their product, so I am not sure....
Checkout these articles: http://www.neowin.net/news/free-android-anti-virus-products-virtually-useless - http://www.neowin.net/news/wp7-avg-antivirus-app-is-possibly-spyware
I personally feel Google trying to do their down things does allow malware to get in once a while and need to improve Android security. I am more worried with the privacy issue (Carrier IQ). I still feel there is a level of openness with Android, its not entire open source, but at least you can see something unlike some competing mobile os.
Personally I use AdFree (which does more than block ads since it block malware sites from loading, it basically adds IP blocklist to your /etc/hosts file, which you can also do manually) and LBE Privacy Guard (which seems to be a great concept allowing to deny permissions of apps, my only concern of it is being closed source, there is a big thread about it).
having an antivirus is useful. a few months ago my motorola atrix was having a bug where the screen would only light up when i first turned it on. if i locked it and then tried to unlock it, the screen would work, but the backlight wouldnt work.
i grabbed dr. web light, not expecting it to really do anything. ended up finding malware, and after removing the malware, screen backlight started working properly again.
on a phone like the galaxy note, theres more than enough processing power to run a background virus scanner without running out of puff, so i say, why not?
The answer to this question is really quite simple, it depends on this:
Do you carefully watch the permissions of apps you are about to install?
If your answer is: "yes, I carefully watch the permissions and don't install apps such as tetris which wants access to sms" then you can quite safely go without any anti malware software.
If your answer on the other hand is: "no, I just install interesting apps and quickly click through the permission page to start the download" then yes, you might benefit of software to protect your device.
The beauty of Android is that whatever app you are about to install INCLUDING malware states clearly what part of your device it is going to access. If people don't bother reading the permissions then a big part of fault is on them also. However this isn't really too well explained, especially for new users, so I assume a majority of users don't really understand WHY the permissions are shown before downloading an app. This is something Google could improve on in my opinion.
And lastly, the fact that apps coming to Apples app store are screened doesn't make it any more secure than Android. It just has people making the choices FOR you. If something well hidden is slipped past them, not a single user will know about the threat. Just as one app developer showed in public a few weeks ago and as a result got his developer status cancelled by Apple.
edit
Also a small note here. A virus is something that multiplies and spreads (weather it's bacteria or code doesn't matter). The malicious apps in the market are malware and spyware and because of this the word antivirus for Android isn't really correct. They don't stop viruses, they stop malicious apps.
edit 2
here's the link to the story of that Apple developer:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygre...per-program-for-proof-of-concept-exploit-app/
this just proves that app store isn't any more secure than Android market. It just has people who take a look at apps before they are approved, and as you can read, they are far from perfect.
How many of you guys use Antivirus?
Who here does not feel the need?
Does Google recommend it like Windows does for PC? (already read the article from one Google guy saying Antivirus companies are playing on our fears, but he is only one guy)
And to those who have used antivirus software, which software did you use on your Note specifically and has it slowed down your Note or increased the battery consumption?
knowsnophones said:
How many of you guys use Antivirus?
Who here does not feel the need?
Does Google recommend it like Windows does for PC? (already read the article from one Google guy saying Antivirus companies are playing on our fears, but he is only one guy)
And to those who have used antivirus software, which software did you use on your Note specifically and has it slowed down your Note or increased the battery consumption?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You already have a couple fairly comprehensive answers to your first post but I'll answer these questions too:
I do not use any antivirus and I do not feel the need to
Aside from that article, I haven't seen a single mention from Google about needing any antivirus at all.
The so called antivirus programs that are made for Android right now suck. They don't stop enough malware to be worth the money or effort, here's a few source links for evidence: http://www.extremetech.com/computin...rus-apps-are-useless-heres-what-to-do-instead and http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/231902823
Just by using common sense you will be fine with no antivirus app. If you really want an antivirus app, then go get it. It will be close to useless and it won't stop all threats anyway so you will still have to use common sense to be protected anyway.
I installed avast. it is free and no it doesn't slow down my note.
friedje said:
I installed avast. it is free and no it doesn't slow down my note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the AVG pro, might not really need it since I´m kind of anal about what I install on the GNOTE... But better safe than sorry...
+1 doesn´t slow things down.
akselic said:
You already have a couple fairly comprehensive answers to your first post but I'll answer these questions too:
I do not use any antivirus and I do not feel the need to
Aside from that article, I haven't seen a single mention from Google about needing any antivirus at all.
The so called antivirus programs that are made for Android right now suck. They don't stop enough malware to be worth the money or effort, here's a few source links for evidence: http://www.extremetech.com/computin...rus-apps-are-useless-heres-what-to-do-instead and http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/231902823
Just by using common sense you will be fine with no antivirus app. If you really want an antivirus app, then go get it. It will be close to useless and it won't stop all threats anyway so you will still have to use common sense to be protected anyway.
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Just because YOU feel superior to most other users, doesn't mean that they have the knowledge or enough 'common sense' to understand the permissions some apps ask for. The fact that an antivirus is not 100% safe doesn't mean it is 100% useless.... If it stops just one threath it already made sense..
There are lots of good FREE antivirus programs so where is the reason NOT to install one ???
There are also ppl that don't take medics, because if they or their children die from FLU that was Gods will.......
Maybe you should consider that not all users of a smartphone are IT-gods like you
friedje said:
I installed avast. it is free and no it doesn't slow down my note.
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ville7805 said:
I got the AVG pro, might not really need it since I´m kind of anal about what I install on the GNOTE... But better safe than sorry...
+1 doesn´t slow things down.
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I have both installed, no slowdown issues and was running LBE too, may switch to droidwall or turn LBE back on. Worth noting the AVG pro is free if you qualify for the Samsung Hub exclusives.
Dave
I am using Lookout anti-virus ever since my first Android more than a year ago. It's never given me a hic-cup even when scanning.
Also, anyone knows an App which lists which App has what permission in a list form?
Thanks!
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Does a free antitrust do as good a job as a paid one
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ChimpNippl3s said:
Does a free antitrust do as good a job as a paid one
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For now they all do a rather lousy job, the free and the paid ones.
But the paid ones seem to score a bit better.
I installed LBE aswell, but you need root for it to work well.
Same goes for avast, it prefers having root access.
I use avg on my galaxy tab, works without any issues.
friedje said:
Just because YOU feel superior to most other users, doesn't mean that they have the knowledge or enough 'common sense' to understand the permissions some apps ask for. The fact that an antivirus is not 100% safe doesn't mean it is 100% useless.... If it stops just one threath it already made sense..
There are lots of good FREE antivirus programs so where is the reason NOT to install one ???
There are also ppl that don't take medics, because if they or their children die from FLU that was Gods will.......
Maybe you should consider that not all users of a smartphone are IT-gods like you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to over react mate. I'm no IT-god, or a nerd or anything like an "advanced" user. The only common sense that I was referring to is something that everyone has. If you can read what the apps do, then you can read the permissions before installing them. There is no need to be an expert.
If you are installing a single player offline game that asks permissions for sms, phone calls and contacts and it isn't blacklisted by those antivirus apps yet, then it won't be detected and you can only blame yourself when you get a 600$ phone bill because the app has sent messages to premium numbers. It's not rocket science, just common sence.
If the tests conclude that 90% of androids antivirus programs manage 10-20% of malicious apps and you still want one, then go ahead and get one. No need to get offended when people are trying to give advice.

Highly NSFW - "****" Returns As A Downloadable APK After Android Market Ban

http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/1...-a-downloadable-apk-after-android-market-ban/
copied from Android Police dot com
First things first - if you're easily offended or recently had your appendix removed, with stitches that could come apart from excessive laugher, stop reading right now, hit the Back button, and erase the title from your memory. Cool? Alright.
So, a few weeks back, an app called "****" showed up in the Market, only to be quickly banned by Google (what a **** move, eh?). We called it the most WTF app to ever hit Android, and Google seems to be in agreement. Since there's a sexual connotation (who would have thought?), the Market's ToS are pretty clear - no porn is allowed, so nobody should have been surprised when the app got ejected.
However, we still wanted to play it (and so did a lot of you based on all the comments) and spin that trouser sausage left and right in the most hilarious ways possible. There was only one problem - nobody had the APK. And even if they did, it was copy-protected, so no dice on off-Market installs.
Not a problem - the app's author promised us to sort it out and release the APK without any copy protection a few weeks later. As you may have guessed, "a few weeks later" happens to be today, so let me present to you - ****.
But seriously, make sure there are no sharp objects on the floor around you - we don't want anyone hurting themselves rolling around, do we?
http://www.static.artificialwonders.com/android-apps/****/dick_free_1.0.3.apk
I downloaded it just too see what it was, and yea it was something else but it works for a good ice breaker with women.........
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cant stop laughing watching the gameplay god ! whatelse can we expect in android
nice game
uninstalling
this is just a waste
Sent from my LG-P500 using XDA App
brockf5 said:
nice game
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Click to collapse
either ur gay or ur a girl -.-

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
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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.
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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.
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lamou1nr said:
You my friend, are to paranoid.
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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
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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.

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