Antivirus for Android smartphone?

S

Squirrel93

New Member
Hi! I just got an Xperia Mini Pro, and the first time I started it, it prompted me to get McAfee Security, which was free and ready to install. I did, and now McAfee searches through my memory card every time I start the phone. It's a bit annoying, I'm pretty sure a phone doesn't need to be checked for viruses that often.

Is it worth having in the first place? Any help will be appreciated.
 
You can always switch to another antivirus app

Also does your app have a setting that would keep it from going through your memory card?
 
Squirrel93 said:
Is it worth having in the first place? Any help will be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Frankly, virus scanning apps for phones are pointless and battery drains. If you are careful with which websites you go to, and don't install any unknown apps you'll be fine without a virus scanner.

Uninstall that McAfee stuff.
 
kobaj said:
Frankly, virus scanning apps for phones are pointless and battery drains. If you are careful with which websites you go to, and don't install any unknown apps you'll be fine without a virus scanner.

Uninstall that McAfee stuff.
Click to expand...

In fact, my smartphone has a setting to prevent installing
non-Market (Android) applications which I presume yours does too.

If you want to go the non-market applications route, then you
should have AVG.
 
Get rid of McAfee, just be conscious as to what you install. Every single app you install on the market tells you exactly what permissions it requires. If a racing game wants access to your text messages it might be a good idea to say "no"

I'm pretty sure you're pretty safe on the web browsing front. Pretty sure most smartphone viruses/malware are in illegally cracked versions of paid apps you'd have to be looking to download.

The other 1% gets out on the market, but it's usually snuffed out pretty quick by Google, and in the off chance you selected one of those apps while it was still available, being a permissions ninja will make it avoidable.
 
Squirrel93 said:
Hi! I just got an Xperia Mini Pro, and the first time I started it, it prompted me to get McAfee Security, which was free and ready to install. I did, and now McAfee searches through my memory card every time I start the phone. It's a bit annoying, I'm pretty sure a phone doesn't need to be checked for viruses that often.

Is it worth having in the first place? Any help will be appreciated.
Click to expand...

I use AVG AntiVirus - it's free for Android (I do believe there is a premium edition) - I have my phone set to only download official market apps, but everytime I download an app it scans it, which takes about 10-20 seconds usually. I don't think I need it but I feel a bit unsecure removing it, if you get me...

AVG doesn't scan every time I use my phone, however my phone scans my memory card every time it turns on, it's Samsung so I have to watch the "SAMSUNG" logo for 60 seconds before it powers on, then have to wait another 1-2 minutes for the memory card to be checked, it's quite annoying.

But back to point, I recommend using AVG Android edition if you want antivirus software that isn't a pain the butt and doesn't constantly annoy you. :)
 
Top 5 anti-virus softwares available for Android:
-AVG Antivirus
-Lookout Security & Antivirus
-Dr.Web Anti-virus Light
-ESET Mobile Security and
-NetQin Security & Antivirus
 
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