mobile phone anti-virus

waterman3

Hey

I just bought my first smartphone today (exciting). Do you need to get anti-virus software for them?

It's an android so maybe you can get an app for it or something??

grumbler

Mobile Antivirus Software: Free protection for your smartphone...

Meepster

Just to add to that list. Avast now do an anti-virus package for Android phones (and it's free)...

pingu

do we really need any security for android phones?

DUTR

pingu wrote: »

do we really need any security for android phones?

I don't think in the case of anti virus, I do not recall stories of handsets becoming corrupt due to virii the way pc's do

jonmc1980

I think its only really essential if you are installing apps downloaded and then moved to the phone via pc. These won't have been checked like market apps so there's a danger they aren't what they seem and could create problems for you.

gjchester

pingu wrote: »

do we really need any security for android phones?

Depends.

If you stick to the "real" stores and don't download anything willy nilly, from any where you cn find things probably not.

Thre is a case that an app may send your personal data out, or dial permium call / send premium texts out but I'm not sure that any anti virus will stop it.

Like most things it's common sense, if your going to root and laod a custom rom where you don't know what is in it then don't store password / card / bank detaisl in it for your own safety. And as ever check your online account for unusual activity for a while after you root the device.