Android Platform the Most Popular Platform for Hackers

[WCMack]

Click here to read the NY Time article.

Perhaps not all the problems we are experiencing are from bad hardware or software, but rather some may be from malware.  I just downloaded a security program for my phone and feel better (although $32 poorer) about protecting myself from these situations.  You may want to consider that as well.

P.S.  I am NOT shilling for any security software company, it's just a thought!

[HoustonHeart]

IF you want to waste money. Apps are hard to code to do harm. Most malware soft is pretty muc ha wast and many will pay for articles to claim the need to sale their over priced prodcuts that are scams. 30+ dollars? Not even the most used antivirus (as claimed) costs near that.

You are more lickely to get hacked on a Iphone and Ipad which si why they changed to a included malware. IOS can allow easier virus design.

While Android can allow access to soem features of the android, you have to willingly install such  apps. If they are not off the market place which the codign is reviewed prior to market place release, then sure, you cann basically give your go ahead to run third party apps.

I can sell an app and hype a threat that will protect your Droid from sudden mind control from a Jedi Knight.

[WCMack]

Dear HoustonHeart,

Well, now I feel really stupid.  I am so glad you set me straight.  I will never trust another article written in the NY Times or buy another product from Symantec again.  After all, I should have recognized, as you did, that these shoddy and dangerous, perhaps criminal, enterprises are not worthy of my consideration.  Do you think we should take legal action against these information terrorists who spread these awful lies?

Wow, what a mind!  To be so sure of yourself, and apparently always be right!  I am in awe.  How do you do it??

[HoustonHeart]

Mcafee isn't symantec. 

As long as you are using approved apps on the market place or from verizon, you won't allow phones access to features of the phone (gps data, locations ect) without concent. Apps on the market place must follow certain Guide lines for approval.

IF you check the ability to run unapproved apps you take a risk. You may want to check other articles concerning Mcafee's claims on android that counter that article.

30.00 is a high cost to pay when their are free and low cost alternatives that are as good, even tho malware apps tend to record data in their own way and use high resources and cpu craw draining your battery quicker.

Any platform can be a terget, they tried targetting IOS early on. Of coarse drooids larger market would be a target now.  I do understand how Android builds work, and you won't fall prey unless you willingly fall prey.

[WCMack]

Right, I may not know much but I know Symantec is not McAfee. The Times article quotes a McAfee employee, but I bought my security program (the $32 one) from Symantec. Make sense now??

I agree that running unapproved apps increases the risk of getting malware on your phone. But people have the right to choose. I posted the article just as a way of telling people they may want to consider anti-malware apps to counter that risk.

You suggest that there are "free and low cost alternatives" to the app I purchased. Why don't you tell the forum where to find such apps, and which ones you believe might be worth consideration, instead of telling me how stupid I was to pay $30+? That would have been more helpful.

BTW, if I want to pay $32 for the app, that's my business. I mentioned it only as an aside, and did indicate that I was NOT advocating anyone else buying any particular app. Keep your thoughts about the wisdom of that decision to yourself, or better, PM me and tell me you think I'm stupid. I thought we were here to help others, not to dis others.

[Soulchaser]

@ HoustonHeart- You may want to check your own computer for some malware. I had to read every one of your posts twice as to understand them. Maybe you have a virus causing your spell checker not to work. I don't know. SMH

[HoustonHeart]

Being sarcastic doesn't make you any more intelligent. It drops your ability to work well with others further and shows you need to raise your ego with attacks to take up for your other short comings.

Plain and simple. Antivirus apps are not needed unless you allow yourself to install unapproved apps from sources you are willingly allowing to have control of your device.

Was this simple enough for you to comprehend? If you can't adjust through typos, you simply lack common sense.

Now WCMack, yourself, you seem more interested in getting Kudos then helping people. You practicaly beg across this forum for them. You should know by now that every article on the web and NYtimes does not mean it is accurate information and everyone is at risk. A majority of Android OS users are not at high risk. It is those who willingly accept APPS that are not pre-approved, and other sources that could cantain app modified acccess code to give the users access to the device features for tracking purposes.

You may want to read technical reviews on Antivirus apps and how they actually work, and why mose peopel find them to be more battery/resource hogs then an actual benifit.

 This doesn't mean better security isn't needed. That can always be improved. It however doesn't mean users should be paying for it. Certainly not 32.00 for a years worth of service from an anti virus company (which many charge). It should be provided by the carrier the contract term is with. However I am sure they will tell you the same thing in regards to sources of apps and to only get them at trusted sources and not allow unsigned apps to run on the device.

P.S. No kudos needed. 

[WCMack]

I will respond to HoustonHeart offline by PM, so that any issues between us don't take up any more time/space in this forum.

Thanks.

[Ann154]

Malware on android phones has been discussed a few times over in the Android Discussion forum and the Android Apps forum on this community.

The threads might be slightly buried under the current topics though.