Internet Security - no idea

tnor_fo_tkcab

AndyPix wrote: »

You do not need antivirus on a phone or tablet.

Viruses do not and cannot exist on these devices (unless rooted)

Is this right & if so why ? If it is I might have a bit of uninstalling to do !

Xsdna

You have to understand the difference of lingo..

A computer virus, by definition, spreads, usually without the users knowledge. Android apps can't do this as each app (like Facebook, Skype, gmail etc) runs inside its own separate "container".

In addition, when installing any app, it will ask what permissions it will use. For example, Skype will ask to access the camera, why? For video calling. If you however install a free game, and it wants access to your camera, it's questionable. That said, sometimes apps require camera access for related hardware.... Take a torch app for example (think camera flash light needed).

Some apps can run in the background. Hidden. Useful in most cases, like what's app needs to run hidden, to receive messages, even when it's not on your screen at the time. Again, "bad" apps can exploit this function to track what you do.


Top tip: make sure you only download from app store, make sure allow apps from untrusted sources is unchecked. (In phone settings / security). Yes very occasionally a rogue app gets through, usually the low downloaded new games / utilities from no name publishers have the most problems.