yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[General Topics] gopars:
Never thinking using antivirus on my android device :D

i9300 64Gb , Ipad 2 3G+wifi 64Gb

Retired phone : i9000 , i9100 - N7000 , N7100 - P1000 , P6800 - Xperia Arc S , Xperia M - LG P990 - Iphone 4, 4s - Oppo Mirror R819
[General Topics] robrobbbbb:
I think that as long as you know the source of the apps you install are reliable it is not needed
[General Topics] AR SMARTY:
i use Kaspersky Mobile :rolleyes:
[General Topics] promohammad:
No need but I see that it is an additional app
[General Topics] famazi:
Agreed. :)
[General Topics] azureskies:
I've never used one because of ram limitations on my devices. Generally, I think it's fine to go without one. Some apps do go a little wild with their permissions, but there are other things out there to help you with those.
[General Topics] kupuk23:
No need for me, just install the apps carefully and read the review of the app first. :good:
[General Topics] Badbob117:
I have used air push detector

At one point i had some strange pop up notifications happening in my notification bar. They were pretty intrusive and would randomly pop up and tell me to buy this game and that game , regardless of what i was doing..

My buddy pointed me in the right direction to a air push detector on the play store. Right away identified the bad culprit! I deleted the app and lef them a nasy review! Then i left the air push detector a 5 star review.

That is about all the experiience i had with nasty apps. But no i do not use any anti virus on a regular basis. Notification pop ups are the onlly type of "virus" i have encountered..
[General Topics] assassinst:
yes that's what i think. seems my device only 1700mAh and 490mB RAM, antivirus's look like virus for my device LoL :laugh:
[General Topics] Asif Wani:
nopz

not needed!!
[General Topics] JJKPL:
I think it's not necessary. You should just use your phone carefully.
[General Topics] Alexandar-II:
How carefully, what do you mean by that
[General Topics] mirfaghihi:
antivirus

i have installed avast but not using it mean i freezes it having my xperia ion about a year with out antivirus not having any virus problem yet
[General Topics] hambuger:
Just another way for people to make money, I guess..
[General Topics] X0LARIUM:
On second thoughts...been with Android for the last 6 years. Not exactly happy always, but never understood what all this ho-hum was about. I mean, they keep saying "Android is unsafe...Android is unsafe" But no one cares to explain how and why.

Say, for one moment, we believe them. So what exactly is Google stealing from me? My contact details? My messages? My SMS(I barely use it anyways)? Where exactly do I need to start worrying?

I even read a report saying Android is so vulnerable, a user can wake up one morning to a completely (remote-) wiped device. Never seen or heard that happen in the last five years to anyone...

So...I guess it's your choice in the end...
[General Topics] akashtaker001:
Never really used antivirus. Just keep the App installation from Unknown Sources disabled.
[General Topics] JJKPL:
First of all, don't visit suspicious webpages, check every app you download from Google Play and don't install unauthorized apps.
[General Topics] aamirrajpoot:
Well, I am using android for over 2 years, and I never installed antivirus.

I read once that Nortan created an antivirus for MAC when asked; what is the market, as MAC are not infected with viruses. They replied that, yes MAC is not infected with viruses but, they can spread virus. For example there is virus in email attachment. You download that email on your system and when forward that email to some one; you are actually spreading them

Well I see it they are trying to get more money from those markets which are not the cause. Remove the cause. Like windows, or symbion systems. Fix them and there will be no need for any antivirus... hehehe but they will lose their business.

Regarding data collection, yes I am suspicious that Google Play Services is trying to read my contact list. too bad there are so many conspiracy theories and may be some of them are true
[General Topics] XDguru:
Waste of money..if ur using trial then its ok..For pc Kaspersky is a reliable antivirus.But for android no needed.
[General Topics] cra1g321:
How can you even say that whenever so much mobile malware is targeted at Android ??

It's just so stupid IMO for people to say, Oh you dont need a antivirus, you will be fine.

There is plenty of malware that exists for android and you never know what new malware will be released in the future.

Trend Micro reported back in September that they have counted over 1,000,000 malicious apps for android !!!

And don't forget there has been numerous reports last year of malware getting into the Google Play store, so don't think you are safe just because you only use apps from the Play Store.

** I've tried out Avast and Comodo and chose Comodo, because it was only using 4MB of RAM compared to Avast which was just over 40MB,

I'd rather give up 4MB of RAM to comodo and feel more secure than just not using any antivirus at all.
[General Topics] alaziz.abbie:
no, it slow down your device. im not using anvir my hh just fine
[General Topics] evil_arri:
When I got my first android device i started to use antivirus but never got a problem... just draining battery. Now i never use them anymore, just got every app from the playstore and no apk from unknown sources. My only concern should be interacting with pendrives from other people, but the antivirus on my PC takes care of that.
[General Topics] cra1g321:
Yeah i've never heard of any of them, antivirus software available now is much better.

---------- Post added at 05:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:31 AM ----------

To those saying about it slowing down your phone, battery draining and stuff,

checkout comodo, i'm shocked at how it only uses up 4MB of RAM on my moto g !!
[General Topics] XDguru:
Thanx for ur comments.Again if ur using apps from play store and carefully checking permissions.Then u don't need an AV.And the facts u hav brought are also correct.There are apps those carry permission more than they require,their only objective is to collect data like phone number,location, sms details.They won't get permission to write kernel, like the windows n program files in in pc.so no damage being carried to your device.Its almost impossible to write your Rom system files unless u use special apps with root permission.so ur os is safe.Rest your private data on phone for that check app permission and being an advanced user of xda use permission guardian apps.And stop using those bulky add supported apps.In my last two years I haven't seen an AV catching virous.Trust me ur AV also won't.Play store is safe.Go through the website you referred and check the behavior of apps it mentioned by malware.If their nature is to collect phone nos and location etc than Google has millions of apps,can b mentioned as mallware.And the 1st one would b your key board.so chill n think again.Thanx for those websites misguided information for which people like u make very good customer and sales agent for all Antivirus.Xda is an advanced portal where very less users use AV.And I trust on my developer friends intelligence here.So no AV.

But if u feel like u need one ur comments are also welcomed.Rather than based on an web information if you can provide some technical reason to use one would be great and appreciated.

Thanx for your valuable suggestions.
[General Topics] armageddon6:
I don't bother any more. Only really used the phone tracker feature in them once or twice when I misplaced my phone.
[General Topics] neng24:
theres a new virus and its for android..xda posted info about the virus on youtube.

they advised android users to turn off debugging when connected to a computer if you wont be needing the debug mode as the virus access your phone through pc..

i dont use antivirus before but i am now..better safe than never.

you could look it up on youtube.
[General Topics] mini01:
I use antivirus since I use my phone. A few days ago I had the first "risky" notification - I don't know if it was true but the risky app I tried to install came from a dark side of the web and I think it was true and better delete it.

Yes, I think antivirus is needed.

P.S.: I use AVL, no battery draining or slowing down the phone for me - and it's free - so why don't using it
[General Topics] nottys4:
ive never used 1
[General Topics] Welld1s:
I think, there's absolutely no need to use anti-virus software on mobile phones. There're not so many viruses on Android (correct me if I'm wrong). The only reason - programs, that send multiply sms messages to tricky a**holes. But if you'll be carefull in what you are installing, you don't need anti-virus soft :)

P.S. Sry for bad English, not my native language.
[General Topics] olivi25:
i use avast beacause Viruses are everywhere
[General Topics] cramamarshall:
Re:Antivirus

I actually use Norton Mobile Security for my tablet. I use for the Anti-Theft features. They come in handy in the unlikely event that my device becomes lost or stolen.
[General Topics] Rodrigo Toledo:
I use AVG and its ok so far

Enviado de meu XT1058 usando Tapatalk
[General Topics] wyf:
i just for stopping auto-start apps:cool:
[General Topics] smartpr1v4t3:
I dont use a AntiVir.

I know whats pages i can surf and what App i install.

So i dont see a need
[General Topics] Flow-Chi:
I think there's of course a lot of users that could need one..

But at least for me it's not really necessary, if you're careful what you do then you should live fine without it.
[General Topics] sunaku:
I use the built-in AntiVirus scanner in MIUI v5. :cowboy: I guess it's better than nothing. :fingers-crossed:
[General Topics] XDguru:
There is no need of using debugging on, unless ur flashing a Rom or kernel.in that scene u can't help a antivirus.so in my case no need.and if there is a virous resided in ur pc.well ur pc AV should take care of it as for its suspicious nature.And please don't forget to download apps only from play store.no outside apps.For me I hav a rooted monster,with cmw installed,with nandroid backup.so let that bloody virous come.I will flash him up.haha.Don't just freak bro.Being an advanced user of xda.. No need to.And if the virous hurts you let xda devs know..will kill it.:D
[General Topics] googlesstepchild:
Nope

Never have had a virus on my phones. Had the Galaxy SII for two years and now using a RAZR MAXX, and have never installed an antivirus program.
[General Topics] as2003:
I read somewhere that it is useless to use anti virus on android. So I'm happily uninstall it because it slows down my aging device.
[General Topics] DarkZacky:
Yes AV on android might be able block some viruses.

But from what I've read from articles and comments, it won't be able block much.

Personally I rather be more careful when browsing and use ad blockers to safeguard my phone.

There are risks when using the Internet, you just need know how minimize it.
[General Topics] slabongrade:
my comodo finds spam sometimes
[General Topics] Laserman49:
If you don't in suspicious sites, you don't need one.
[General Topics] stipipoy:
Doesn't hurt to have one on your phone. Better safe than sorry. I used Zoner on my phone. Its lite, fast and ad free. It allows me to check all apps permissions in full details as well. Making sure no apps are doing data mining on my phone. But as mentioned, its a matter of personal preference.

Sent from my [Root] O+ 8.15, Stock Rom using Tapa Talk
[General Topics] Vanpiere:
I'm using a variety Antivirus on my phone so far it's good, but I think that is not of a big use, but that depends from person to person
[General Topics] Skulldiver:
Used Avast for some days but then never used an av app again. even because it's not really working well on android (without root and system access it can only warn you but not really make something against it). The best security is a good mind imo.
[General Topics] the_geek05:
I use avast, its the best
[General Topics] RendarK98:
ESET

I'm using Eset. :D
[General Topics] k660:
i use aviva antivirus. it's free
[General Topics] hiiipowers:
I use avast but my device is rooted so Antivirus apps actually server a real purpose imo
[General Topics] r0cky0790:
I have installed one in the past but if you know what's installed on your phone (knowledge of the apps) your fine. Things like editing permissions for apps are coming standard in custom roms now. With all being said, imo useless.
[General Topics] timmy5822:
basicly is not needed cause most of the antivirus software runs behind and drain ur battery and ur ram
[General Topics] pcguy112887:
As others have said, if you treat your phone right and know your installing good stuff... don't worry about it. But if your the type of person who finds their computer riddles with viruses after some porn surfing, then your gonna have a bad time without it!
[General Topics] echevierra:
it's like curing your own computer

at first we must verify that some app ISN'T HAD VIRUS by looking at other people comment

and we must verify to that that app is not harming your device

so check often before virus caught your device (coz curing device would cost a fortune)
[General Topics] Anang_Galih:
I think my phone not need an antivirus. Cause its make my phone run slowly

Hit THANKS if I help you

Xperia Neo --> MIUI
[General Topics] dudumelo:
Not necessary. Just don´t click on suspicious links. Be careful. I´ve never used
[General Topics] gorya76:
if you have smthng important - yes. no - dont bother)))

---------- Post added at 08:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:36 PM ----------

if everything is ok, rather not)
[General Topics] NanoSkill:
I used to use avast since it was free but it slowed my HTC one down so... Depends I'f you want that tiny bit of security against slowness
[General Topics] joeb3219:
I use the AVG anti-virus app, but hardly ever for anti-virus purposes. It has a bunch of stuff added into it that I used to have multiple apps for, but condensed down to one. Otherwise, anti-virus on Android is pretty pointless (being that it's Linux based) - you're really just looking out for spyware... Which, as others have said, it pretty hard to get into unless you're being careless in your app choices.

Moreover, the best antivirus system is you - read the reviews and ratings of apps, and make smart decisions! :)
[General Topics] Blakebn2012:
I do not think it is required. The only anti-virus I use is common sense.
[General Topics] cnpc1984:
I just installed security management software, used to stop the daemon. Anti-virus software that consume resources program, I don't want to use it. I usually put only a few I need to program, and is in a comparatively famous website. As long as you have good habits, I believe that my mobile phone is very safe.
[General Topics] casper_zy:
I think my phone not need an antivirus.
[General Topics] Drice81:
I think, i don't need an antivirus. I download my application from the Play Store and i don't go on "dangerous" website
[General Topics] solidforce:
Meh. Have one but it has never done anything.
[General Topics] thegr8x:
No antivirus

I've never used an anti virus before. And don't think I'll start using one either. Never have encountered a dangerous app before. But I heard that sometimes a few apps in play store have viruses in them.
[General Topics] rixcantolan:
i haven't instal any antivirus for my smartphone, is it going to be okay if i surf to the internet? or android have its own anti virus like fire wall?:confused:
[General Topics] outchard:
antivirus collecting data

Is there one antivirus that isn't collecting our data? Most of them collect our surfing data on the web.....Does somebody known an antivirus app that doesn't store our data ????????????
[General Topics] dimsar2013:
Antivirus on Android offers anti-theft, virus check, cache cleaner(sometimes), internet security. These are the basic features. Otherwise, it depends on the antivirus you chose. Also, if you install many APKs you will probably an Antivirus because some apks contaon android viruses and trojans. If you need an antivirus, I suggest you ESET or Kaspersky.
[General Topics] r0cky0790:
Obviously you haven't heard about Android device manager which allows you to ring, lock, erase your phone from home without any third party apps involved. Also cleaning your cache constantly makes your phone slow. Cache is their for a reason and only really should be cleared when going for a whole other daily driver setup. Last but not least if you install sketchy apps that look like complete crap you deserve to have a battery draining useless anti virus app because you don't care about your phone anyway. To each his own.

"Cataclysm + ElementalX [Tap2Wake Enabled] + Dalvik/Bionic Patches + Exposed + Gravity Box & Candy shop Mods + DPI 440 + Apex Launcher w/ Morena Icons + Jishnu's Camera Mod/LG G2 Camera Port + Latest GPU Drivers + -75 UV Across The Board + 4 OC Cores @ 2.226 GHz + TWRP" My Nexus Is The ?,┌П┐[◣_◢]┌П┐!
[General Topics] dimsar2013:
Of course I've heard of Android remote device management. It's a Google service. I do not have Antivirus installed on any of my devices.
[General Topics] r0cky0790:
I wasn't under the impression that you had one installed, it just kinda threw me off when you suggested a anti virus app also listing "benefits". The trippy part is you don't have one installed yourself. No beef, just saying.....

"Cataclysm + ElementalX [Tap2Wake Enabled] + Dalvik/Bionic Patches + Exposed + Gravity Box & Candy shop Mods + DPI 440 + Apex Launcher w/ Morena Icons + Jishnu's Camera Mod/LG G2 Camera Port + Latest GPU Drivers + -75 UV Across The Board + 4 OC Cores @ 2.226 GHz + TWRP" My Nexus Is The ?,┌П┐[◣_◢]┌П┐!
[General Topics] Ninasat:
I use AVG. It does what promiss
[General Topics] Ushkalka Mob:
I consider that the antiviral program on phone isn't necessary. It is necessary to look through only the entrusted sites.
[General Topics] tecnonucleo:
Absolutely no. It's just a matter of common sense when you install apps, reviewing carefully its permissions for example.
[General Topics] tocatalk:
I've been using lots of different smartphones for over 5 years now and I've never had a single problem with viruses or other malware. If you'll install something bad yourself - a virus won't help you..
[General Topics] simonbigwave:
Jus saw this https://blog.lookout.com/blog/2014/03/06/dendroid/ dendroid malware can takeover ur cam and audio and sneak into your googe play.. features:

Ability to intercept and block SMS received by the target device

Download Pictures from the target device

Spy on the user by taking pictures or making audio and video recordings

Download the user’s web browser history and any saved bookmarks

Download any other accounts (email, social media, VPN) stored on the device

Send texts as the device owner

Record any ongoing calls

Open a dialogue box to ask for passwords or send messages to the victim
[General Topics] Lukapetr:
No no...I don't have any antivirus on my note2
[General Topics] Lim Wee Huat:
Was using malwarebytes to scan once in a while. Now I’m using this.. It’s really lightweight.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.belarc.securityadvisor
[General Topics] DigitalCocaine:
I guess you don't need an antivirus unless you're downloading bunch of garbages, for me I dont need it in my SG S3.
[General Topics] Disharmony:
Not

Not really they doesn't do anything
[General Topics] decreatived:
never use one

but maybe it would be defensive :cowboy:
[General Topics] alexander2020:
I have been using AVG antivirus in my mobile. It's better to use anti-virus app coz sometimes those adds and pop-ups on mobile games can contain virus.
[General Topics] MindfulSheep:
Using AVG here. If you're rooted then I believe it's in your best interest to have an antivirus installed. Android devices are so prevalent now that they are a becoming a main target for attacks. If you're not rooted, I would still suggest having an antivirus, but a virus is fairly limited with what it can do on a non-rooted device.
[General Topics] redknightalex:
I don't believe that you need any sort of anti-virus app on an Android device, rooted or not, now or anytime soon. Although it isn't a closed ecosystem, if you stay smart about what you download and install, you should be fine.

Having said that, I do run Avast on my One M7 because I bought it as part of a package. Sort of a "why not?" scenario. It hasn't impacted my performance in any way and I could even say that running it on a daily basis for the past few months has been better for my battery life than keeping some of Google's search and locate functions (which I've now turned off completely). I use their Anti-Theft rooted install on both my One and Nexus 7 so I can track them down and erase online if needed, without those pesky Google apps running in the background. I just checked and the entire suite is less disruptive to my CPU, and with fewer wakelocks, than Dropbox is. Because it isn't bothering me, I keep it.

But I know I have very little use for it. It did notify me that a simple solitaire app I had installed a long time ago was pretty nasty to my privacy but that was completely my fault for not noticing it earlier.
[General Topics] zerocords:
Well i haven't use any antivirus yet but i did get some kind of virus it wasn't the big deal but it was very annoying but it was all about one application that i download from the play store it contains ads and it pops and ad that block the screen every 30 mins or something but then i just deleted the app and was gone...
[General Topics] Shlikstr:
Never used and never needed one so I suppose that's not really necessary unless you download garbage from untrusted places...

Enviado desde mi Edison mediante Tapatalk
[General Topics] galaxys:
Have used one for awhile but doesn't seem needed for my usage. It's now frozen until needed...
[General Topics] pichonCalavera:
I don't use one, I just take care of how I use my phone and backup my important files constantly and do a full nandroid backup once in a while just in case something goes wrong.

The overhead that an antivirus takes over the phone is not worth it for me.
[General Topics] simonbigwave:
Agree. Too much battery drain is only reason not to install.
[General Topics] abumy:
I run bitdefender and like some of the features. But I am realizing that some of the more important features don't actually work. For example, some malware, like mobogenie, still has found a way to force itself to download to my device, even when bitdefender is supposed to have safe browsing features and a malware scanner.

It only has alerted me once regarding a "suspicious" site that I know for sure is not at all suspicious. Otherwise, it just assures me by toast messages that it is running. What it does when it runs that makes my device more secure than without, not really sure. The fact it doesn't stop unapproved apks from downloading makes me think there is something really lacking.

The antivirus apps are sort of expensive too. Bitdefender was $10 for just a year and others are much more. What they actually do to prevent malware and work in real time on android devices, from my experience they are not really effective security programs.

On Microsoft Windows they work pretty good.
[General Topics] EndLess:
no need for this
[General Topics] 726f62696e:
I don't use any antivirus. But I do use afwall.
[General Topics] abumy:
Which firewall are you using?
[General Topics] MercMode:
Better to go without antivirus since it saves some storage space, battery life etc but i guess necessary for newbies who don't know how to be cautious and protect themselves.
[General Topics] Ultratails42:
I have been running a antivirus since day 1 I got my phone. But honestly it's never done anything. Never had a problem where it had to intervene in the years ive been using this phone.
[General Topics] 726f62696e:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dev.ukanth.ufirewall
[General Topics] abumy:
Thanks. I have been looking at this one. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lostnet.fw.free. I like that it tells one where the data is going but the app also asked basically to allow all my data to go through it. Anyone checked it out?

Currently using Android Firewall myself.