Protection for my Android phone

FDa65rdk

Hello

I have a Samsung Galaxy S8 and wanted to check what I need to provide adequate protection.

I have Malwarebytes Mobile Security (Plus Annual) which is £43.49 per year.
I also have the free version of AVG AntiVirus.
I've read online that:
'AVG Antivirus has a 100% malware protection rate across operating systems. In lab tests, it detected 100% of viruses it had prior knowledge of, and 99% of viruses it had no prior knowledge of.'
I don't know whether this an objective review.
AVG Antivirus can be upgraded for a monthly of either £1/month for the Premium version and £2/month for the Ultimate version.
If AVG Antivirus protects against malware then am I right in assuming that I don't need Malwarebytes if I have AVG Antivirus?
If so and AVG Antivirus does everything that Malwarebytes does (and more) then why is it cheaper than Malwarebytes?
Thanks

FDa65rdk

I've attached a screenshot of the upgrade options for AVG Antivirus, showing Advanced Security and VPN Protection icons.
Can someone tell me what each of these icons represent?

Thanks

400ixl

The Samsung Galaxy S8 stopped getting security updates in 2021.

It is well past its secure life to be on the internet. Trying to paper over the cracks with the likes of AVG is a pointless waste of money and doesn't actually really work on an Android device.

Malwarebytes is worth running occasionally, but not worth paying for when there is a free version.

Simple answer is replace you very out of date phone with something that will be getting security updates for at least a few years to come.

FDa65rdk

Thank you.

Sorry if these are stupid questions but:

1) Is it possible to get a new phone and keep the same number as my current phone?

2) Can I transfer my current subscription to Malwarebytes Mobile Security (Plus Annual) over to the new phone?

oldernonethewiser

FDa65rdk said:

Thank you.

Sorry if these are stupid questions but:

1) Is it possible to get a new phone and keep the same number as my current phone?

2) Can I transfer my current subscription to Malwarebytes Mobile Security (Plus Annual) over to the new phone?

Your mobile number is associated with the SIM not the phone so put current SIM in new phone, same number.

I would expect to be able to transfer your subscription as that is tied to your account and not the phone.

I certainly wouldn't renew it or upgrade that software.

400ixl

Get a phone which is getting security updates and you don't need either of your subscriptions.

As for the number, if you just bay a new phone and keep your current contract then you just swap the sim from one to another. If you upgrade with you current supplier it will be the same.

If you buy a phone / contract with another supplier then you will need to transfer the number. That is as simple as requesting the PAC code from your current provider and giving it to the new one.

FDa65rdk

oldernonethewiser said:

FDa65rdk said:

Thank you.

Sorry if these are stupid questions but:

1) Is it possible to get a new phone and keep the same number as my current phone?

2) Can I transfer my current subscription to Malwarebytes Mobile Security (Plus Annual) over to the new phone?

Your mobile number is associated with the SIM not the phone so put current SIM in new phone, same number.

I would expect to be able to transfer your subscription as that is tied to your account and not the phone.

I certainly wouldn't renew it or upgrade that software.

Thank you.

I know very little about phones and wouldn't know where to begin looking for a new one.

Are there any suggestions on where I can begin to look and what the cost would be?

For example, is the phone paid for upfront or can monthly payments be made?

oldernonethewiser

You can buy a phone on a monthly contract or pay for it outright.

You can buy used or new.

Is your current phoned owned by you and do you just pay for the SIM, either monthly or PAYG?

There are a lot of phones on the market, you need to decide what you want the phone to be able to do and how much you want to pay.

This site has a good search facility for phones

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/

400ixl

You can get a phone + contract deal or buy them separately.

Do you know anyone who could help you understand your options and match your budget.

For example, how much do you pay today, is it a contract (and are you still in the minimum term contract) or is it a Pay as you go deal?

oldernonethewiser

400ixl said:

Get a phone which is getting security updates and you don't need either of your subscriptions.

As for the number, if you just bay a new phone and keep your current contract then you just swap the sim from one to another. If you upgrade with you current supplier it will be the same.

If you buy a phone / contract with another supplier then you will need to transfer the number. That is as simple as requesting the PUK code from your current provider and giving it to the new one.

The PAC surely?

Emmia

FDa65rdk said:

oldernonethewiser said:

FDa65rdk said:

Thank you.

Sorry if these are stupid questions but:

1) Is it possible to get a new phone and keep the same number as my current phone?

2) Can I transfer my current subscription to Malwarebytes Mobile Security (Plus Annual) over to the new phone?

Your mobile number is associated with the SIM not the phone so put current SIM in new phone, same number.

I would expect to be able to transfer your subscription as that is tied to your account and not the phone.

I certainly wouldn't renew it or upgrade that software.

Thank you.

I know very little about phones and wouldn't know where to begin looking for a new one.

Are there any suggestions on where I can begin to look and what the cost would be?

For example, is the phone paid for upfront or can monthly payments be made?

You can buy a SIM free phone, for the full upfront cost(which you'd use with a cheap SIM only contract) or a contract which includes the handset.

You can get good deals on the Pixel 8 which should get security updates for at least 7 years (discounted now the Pixel 9 has launched), or there is the fairphone which you can repair yourself (if you break the screen etc. which I think is 10 years of updates.