Do you need Antivirus app?

I havent got the Droid yet, but when i do should i install an antivirus program on it? If so what is a good one to use?

I've never had a smartphone so idk if it is automotically protected or if it comes with one, or if i should even get one.

Any help would be awesome, thanks.

Accepted answers

curtterp

galaxie500fb wrote:
if you get your apps from the android market you should be all set.

Actually this is somewhat untrue. The Android Market does not closely scrutinize the apps submitted. there was a couple of live wallpapers that were doing info grabbing, but they have been pulled after someone complained.

There also has been a confirmed trojan horse in the Android system. This stems from a text message asking you to download a media player, then it send messages to Premium SMS without notification to the user. But this requires user interaction for it to work. One way to combat this is to block Premium SMS content in My Verizon.

The true part of the statement is that you should only install apps from the Market or sources that YOU TRUST. The Droid X has a setting that only allows apps to be installed from the Market. This is your first line of protection. Second line of protection is to look at who the app comes from. You shouldn't download an app from the Market that says it works with your bank, if the submitter is not your bank. Common sense here :smileyvery-happy:

You shouldn't need an antivirus app for now, but with the popularity of the Android OS right now, virus programmers might start looking on how to make life difficult for us Android users.

Bottom line, know where the app you are installing comes from.

All comments

galaxie500fb

if you get your apps from the android market you should be all set.

lewwill

I'm new to smartphones also and just got the DX on 7/15. I was advised by a friend to get an AV for it and downloaded free Lookout. Seems to work well and mostly good reviews. No problems so far with it. I've had it about 2 weeks.

curtterp

galaxie500fb wrote:
if you get your apps from the android market you should be all set.

You shouldn't need an antivirus app for now, but with the popularity of the Android OS right now, virus programmers might start looking on how to make life difficult for us Android users.

Bottom line, know where the app you are installing comes from.

TheGreatOne

If you really want anti-virus then go with the free app Lookout Security.

Keegan1

Alright i might look into that Lookout Security app. Thanks for the help