do I need anti virus for new phone?

clive0510

Hi got a new phone. its a zte blade. seems far more than I need really, but the guy in the phone shop seemed to think thats the one I should buy. 
Any way I have on this pc avg free edition anti virus. and it knows I got a new phone. its suggesting I should get avg for my phone too. should I do that? never had anything like that on the old phone, and had that over 10 years.that was a smart phone too. nokia lumia. also if I download it will it take much data? what other security stuff do I need?. I dont really know much about phones so any help appreciated

CoastingHatbox

It depends.

I'm rather sceptical of AVG because it seems you install the "free" edition and you get harassed eternally until you pay for it.

That aside, I think Antivirus software can cause as many problems as it solves and increases the available attack surface/can itself introduce vulnerabilities. Unless you are the type of person who likes to visit dodgy websites or download apps with little/no reputation, then I would suggest not. The only caveat I offer with that, is that there is a high prolification of malware apps in the Google Play store ... a recent study found that this was the vector for most malware arriving on Android phones. It might be better to accept that when installing an app, you need to take good care in order to ensure you are installing the legitimate version and not a similar clone.

JJ_Egan

No AV required and neither would i take the advice that a salesman says this is what you need .

clive0510

ok thanks for the replys. just wanted to check what other people thought. as I said I've never had antivirus for a phone before. just for pc. thanks.

J_B

clive0510 said:

ok thanks for the replys. just wanted to check what other people thought. as I said I've never had antivirus for a phone before. just for pc. thanks.

You don't really need AVG on your PC - the built in Windows one is fine.

Browntoa

J_B said:

clive0510 said:

ok thanks for the replys. just wanted to check what other people thought. as I said I've never had antivirus for a phone before. just for pc. thanks.

You don't really need AVG on your PC - the built in Windows one is fine.

It's a mobile phone

jsmith9

You don't need AVG on your phone, and you don't need AVG on your PC.

clive0510

jsmith9 said:

You don't need AVG on your phone, and you don't need AVG on your PC.

uhmmm interesting. so now I'm being told I dont need an antivirus other than what came with laptop pc phone or watever device I have which I never really wanted in the 1st place. if lockdown doesnt drive me bonkers I think the techo stuff will. so can one of you young people (probably half my age) tell me, should I now completely uninstall avg? 

debitcardmayhem

I'm not half your age unless you are over 139 , If you have Windows 10 then you shouldn't need avg just use Microsoft Security. If you are on Window 8/7/Vista/XP then think about updating.

jsmith9

You don't need AVG on your phone

assuming you have Windows 10 on your laptop you don't need AVG there either - uninstall it and use the inbuilt windows anti-virus system

clive0510

windows 10 is what I have and new phone is 4g. I don't mean to upset anyone with my posts and comments. I just struggle with some of the new tech stuff and I wonder is all really needed. thanks for all your help and comments.