Do I need an anti-virus for my Android smartphone?

[AstroBenny]

Hi!

I just bought myself a Galaxy S6 and was wondering whether I need to bother installing an anti-virus because I used to have an iPhone and I never really bothered with anything like that?

A few questions though, 

Can malware/viruses be installed onto my device without me explicitly downloading something?

What kind of activity puts me at risk of getting malware/viruses?

Cheers

 

[Chasem121]

I don't have one, as long as you are not an idiot who downloads suspicious things off of porn websites you should not need one.

 

If you want one just to feel comfortable, I believe that Avast is a fairly good android antivirus

[minibois]

I have been using Android for over 3 years now without an anti virus and never got any virus. Unless you go out of your way to download the most shady APK's on the internet: you don't need one.

[simtransporter]

It's a difficult to give a definitive answer, I'd say in most cases with normal use and on a non-rooted phone you won't really need AV unless you are browsing the more obscure sites and downloading and installing packages from non verifiable or untrusted sources like the comments above have mentioned.

 

Despite that there isn't a whole lot that will protect you from things like security vulnerabilities and exploits in the browser or the operating system, android has been known to have many security issues. It's worth keeping your OS and apps up to date.

While it is technically possible to get infected, if you keep your software up to date and you use your device responsibly you will most likely be fine.

[Guest Generallee]

Android has MANY security issues, especially pre lollipop, you can't do anything about it so the best thing to do is to update the OS itself

[zool]

short story - no

 

Long story - as long as you only download apps from google play you shouldn't need one. However,If you allow installation of unknown source apps. (this is an option in settings, disabled by default) then you might, need one. personally i don't use one.

 

apps can only install with your expressed permission.

 

Android is linux based so windows viruses don't work obviously.

 

My biggest tip for staying safe on android to read permissions when installing apps. Even apps from play store can be dodgy in ways that wouldn't be picked up by an antivirus anyway, e.g. an app with camera and internet permissions *could* broadcast your camera over the internet. if you don't like what it can access, don't install it.

 

also Keep debugging off, unless your using it

 

 

Stay safe!

 

 

[Scruffy90]

As a power user i'd say no. Been using android since 1.0 and have never gotten a virus. Most of the people who get mobile viruses are downloading apk's and such from unreputable sources.

[Gibs960]

I've not got one because they're not really needed unless you're downloading weird APKs or going onto dodgy websites.