New to Android phones ~ advice please

xxxdarlingxxx

I have just got my first android phone, it's a samsung galaxy 2.

I would really appreciate some advice on how to be safe using it.

I know there are apps that can lock & track the phone if it was stolen but I don't know enough to know what would be best. I have it insured on my home insurance.

I also think there is an app that stops me going over my minutes & data limit, again not sure what it is or where to get it.

If I was to get an "app" how would I pay for it, I wouln't want any pin numbers or password to be on the phone

I also don't know if I need any security software like I have on my pc.

Any advice for a newbie to all this new technology much appreciated.

xDx

DUTR

Perhaps you have been reading too many of thegoodman's posts, set up a phone and sim lock and that's all you need do other than not be careless when out and about with the handset, you get apps from the market and the paid ones can be paid for via credit/debit card just as you would do many other online purchases.
I don't have any other security I don't see the point.

Guys_Dad

There are lots of free apps in the market app on your handset.

I would load AVG AniVirus (free) first which will scan any app you subsequently download.

I would also load
Guage Battery Widget
Data Counter Widget
Android Assistant
Silent Mode Widget
Zedge Ringtones if you want wallpaper, ring tones etc

I can vouch for their safety and benefit. From there on, just see what you like.

xxxdarlingxxx

Thanks, I havn't been reading any posts in particular, I just understand the phone to be a mini pc. I wouldn't use my pc without security and I am careful about what I download. Perhaps I am over thinking this but better safe than sorry !

Can you advise what Android Assistant will do please ?

Thanks

xDx

Jon_01

xxxdarlingxxx wrote: »

Can you advise what Android Assistant will do please ?

Thanks

xDx

Almost everything !
http://www.appbrain.com/app/android-assistant%2818-features%29/com.advancedprocessmanager

23n1th

Security on an un-rooted android phone is next to useless.

Cash-Strapped.T32

xxxdarlingxxx wrote: »

I just understand the phone to be a mini pc.

Most sensible post in a "my new phone" type thread I've ever seen. :T

thegoodman

23n1th wrote: »

Security on an un-rooted android phone is next to useless.

Android Malware Grew 3,000 Percent in 2011:
Mobile malware developers targeted Google's Android more than any other mobile operating system in 2011. However, cyber-crooks also abused Apple's iOS, RIM's BlackBerry and Symbian.

Malware that specifically targeted mobile operating systems increased in 2011 as smartphones became more popular with enterprise users, as well as consumers. These cyber-criminals also developed affection for the Google Android OS, which saw the biggest jump in malware during the past 12 months, according to a new report from Juniper Networks.
Malware targeting the Android mobile operating system grew by a whopping 3,325 percent in the last seven months of 2011, according to the 2011 Mobile Threat Report, which Juniper released Feb. 15. Android malware accounted for about 46.7 percent of unique malware samples that targeted mobile platforms, followed by 41 percent for Java Mobile Edition.
Overall, mobile malware more than doubled in 2011, growing by 155 percent across all platforms, which included Apple's iOS, Research In Motion's BlackBerry and Symbian. New malware samples targeting Java Mobile Edition increased by a little less than 50 percent in 2011. Java ME is popularly used on Symbian and Windows Mobile devices.


Link:
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Android-Malware-Grew-3000-Percent-in-2011-Report-575050/

If you call all that useless than yes you dont need any security software, let hacks take your money and personal information. Life is too short to worry about security.

DUTR

thegoodman wrote: »

Android Malware Grew 3,000 Percent in 2011:
Mobile malware developers targeted Google's Android more than any other mobile operating system in 2011. However, cyber-crooks also abused Apple's iOS, RIM's BlackBerry and Symbian.

If you call all that useless than yes you dont need any security software, let hacks take your money and personal information. Life is too short to worry about security.

What do you suggest to the OP as an alternative?
A passenger has less chance of dying in an air accident than on the road, yet people still die from air traffic accidents :eek:

23n1th

@ xDx

I apologise for the[strike]good[/strike]trollman showing up. If you mention "Android" on this forum Trollman shows up and posts his point of view in a language that can only be described as gibberish whilst simutaenously posting random news articles that he doesn't read. Trollman also doesn't know what he's talking about.

For your info most malware is found in third party app stores in china and russia, not Androids Offical Market. Not only that but a lot of the security firms are scare mongering about this malware issue to sell their products. I wasn't lying about security software being next to useless on an un-rooted phone. AV-TEST.org (independant) tested them: Results Here you can read about it: http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/security-software/290411-report-most-free-android-antivirus-apps-useless

Heres some valid advice on what you can do to look after yourself: http://www.extremetech.com/computing/104827-android-antivirus-apps-are-useless-heres-what-to-do-instead/2

My only other bit of advice is to ignore trollman hes just a forum troll.

thegoodman

23n1th wrote: »

@ xDx

I apologise for the[strike]good[/strike]trollman showing up. If you mention "Android" on this forum Trollman shows up and posts his point of view in a language that can only be described as gibberish whilst simutaenously posting random news articles that he doesn't read. Trollman also doesn't know what he's talking about.

For your info most malware is found in third party app stores in china and russia, not Androids Offical Market. Not only that but a lot of the security firms are scare mongering about this malware issue to sell their products. I wasn't lying about security software being next to useless on an un-rooted phone. AV-TEST.org (independant) tested them: Results Here you can read about it: http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/security-software/290411-report-most-free-android-antivirus-apps-useless

Heres some valid advice on what you can do to look after yourself: http://www.extremetech.com/computing/104827-android-antivirus-apps-are-useless-heres-what-to-do-instead/2

My only other bit of advice is to ignore trollman hes just a forum troll.

The link you have provided yourself show that good security software works. I am sure some antivirus apps might be malware themself who knows.
http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/security-software/290411-report-most-free-android-antivirus-apps-useless

Next researchers installed each product on a clean device and attempted to install ten widespread malicious apps. As expected, the real-time protection component of F-Secure and Kaspersky detected and blocked all of the samples. Once again Zoner Antivirus was the only free product with decent protection, blocking eight of the ten samples. All the rest blocked either one or none.

So the good antivirus app is not useless, is it?