Virus/Malware Protection for an Android Tablet

Qui-Gon John · Post by **Qui-Gon John** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 3:53 pm

Hi all and Merry Christmas,
We are getting a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus for Christmas. Mostly for my wife, (her gift - she wants it for games, mostly, maybe some reading), but I'll use it for Web & Skype when travelling, and possibly for GPS.

Anyway, I just read a blurb on ZDNET about a lot of malware on Android Phones and Tablets. So I was wondering if anyone here can give a good recommendation on the best app to load on this tablet to protect against the nasties.

Thanks All,
John

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:18 pm

https://market.android.com/details?id=c ... lesecurity

RaisinCain · Post by **RaisinCain** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 5:52 pm

Stay away from questionable sites/content? Seriously, you don't need it. There has been quite a lot of hype flowing on the internet about this "so called" exploit.

Qui-Gon John · Post by **Qui-Gon John** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 6:09 pm

Are all the apps at the Android Marketplace safe?

RaisinCain · Post by **RaisinCain** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 6:30 pm

Really? Did you do any research prior to the consideration of buying the tablet? You'll be fine with it. There are instances of malware supposedly working its way to the device but don't believe the hype. They are few and far between. The app store is very safe (my GF has a Nook Tablet).

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:10 pm

Good read
http://blog.mylookout.com/blog/2011/12/ ... edictions/

more and more issues will come up each year so may as well prepare but right now..today not that much.

RaisinCain · Post by **RaisinCain** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:15 pm

Sava700 wrote:Good read
http://blog.mylookout.com/blog/2011/12/ ... edictions/

more and more issues will come up each year so may as well prepare but right now..today not that much.

No more issues will come up. They will issue patches just like any other OS.

Qui-Gon John · Post by **Qui-Gon John** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 8:57 pm

Sava700, thanks, I will read over that blog when I get a little more time.

RaisinCain, sorry, I did research, but it was along the lines of what features the device had, I was especially comparing whether I wanted this one or the Kindle Fire, (which we had seen over the Thanksgiving weekend, a visiting family member had one). In my opinion, this will do all that the Fire does, plus more that I want, like Skype, GPS, etc. But I didn't really even consider potential viruses or malware. I guess from my limited point of view, a hand-held device like this wouldn't have these concerns.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:55 am

I use Dr Web on the Droids.
Careful in the "marketplace"...carefully review software you're thinking of downloading. Stuff like the "naked girls" or "101 sex positions" apps will usually bring a trojan with them. Only download apps that have high amounts of downloads, and lots of good reviews/ratings.
Malware is out now for them and it's exploding exponentially. Phishing and redirects, there are even "fake alerts/rogues/scareware" out there for them just like for computers. There are also well written trojans that remain very quiet and un noticed...getting on your system and quietly keylogging, and uploading what it records...hoping to get e-mail account info, credit card numbers, bank logins, paypal logins, etc.
There is a lot of malware that exploits SMS and tricks users into having to pay high rates for txt sent to high rate lines. This can get accidentally installed from downloading/installing a poisoned program, or from some phishing link you clicked on, even tripping across a poisoned website.

Updates are usually done through the vendors updates, which..so far..they are far and few between.

It's not rampant out there yet like it is for computers....surf on a Windows PC unprotected for a few days and you're likely to get infected...you can probably go for weeks or months without getting infected on an android tablet. But the reality is...malware out there for androids is growing exponentially. In a year or two it's bound to be equal to Windows computers as far a risk.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 9:22 am

RaisinCain wrote:No more issues will come up. They will issue patches just like any other OS.

lol yeah and the cat and mouse game will begin...