Does Android have its own built-in security or does one need additional anti-virus?

[Genesis]

I'm a Smart Phone phobe, but a few months ago purchased a Samsung Galaxy J5 - middle of the range smart phone with Android OS, v5.1 (Lollipop).

Does Android come with its own built in security, or can anyone recommend the security one should have on Android for browsing the Internet - particularly forums?

 

[Barnum4000]

I'm not too sure but the security on Android is not very good. When I go on my Barclay's mobile banking app it will tell me that I need to improve my security on Android. I would recommend downloading some apps to improve the security of your phone.

you can get AVG and anti malware bytes on android as well.

 

[agentsky]

My phone has one. It came with the ROM i'm using, although you can install free or paid once from the play store the thing is we do not know if they actually works so it will be a cross finger.

 

[Genesis]

I've been doing some research and Bitdefender came up. Any one has experience with Bitdefender?

This is a review at Tom's Guide.
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/bitdefender-mobile-security,review-2629.html

 

[binil]

Toms guide - http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-antivirus,review-2588-7.html
In this they say Avast! Mobile Security & Antivirus is much better than Bitdefender.

 

[Yozora]

I use Avast and it's decent, hasn't really found much, but that could be because there's nothing to find.

Other security tips:

Use an ad blocker, if you're using Dolphin, the one here is good:
http://dolphin.com/lab/en

Get a firewall app. Far too many apps will try to connect to the internet without reason. Some of them are trying to sell off your personal info. I use "Mobiwol", but any decent firewall app should work.

Don't install apps which ask for too many permissions. e.g. A flashlight app should not need access to your address book & location info.

Turn of Wifi in stores:
http://lifehacker.com/how-retail-stores-track-you-using-your-smartphone-and-827512308

 

[Genesis]

Thanks Binil. I did find Tom's guide useful and it does recommend Avast.

Thanks Yozora for all of those tips. I'll have to check where to find the Firewall, but I guess Avast will help me to do that.

 

[Yozora]

@"Genesis"
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netspark.firewall
I use that firewall, and it's the best I've found among apps which don't need a rooted device to work.
If your phone is rooted you might have a few more options.

 

[Genesis]

@"Genesis"
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netspark.firewall
I use that firewall, and it's the best I've found among apps which don't need a rooted device to work.
If your phone is rooted you might have a few more options.

Awesome, thanks Yozora! :good:

 

[myserver99]

You must improve it only if you do important financial operations. Attacks on Androids systems tend to be targeted attacks not just random, because of the complexity of an attack. Be very carefull, look around dont get fooled by the impression of security. Security is as strong as you make it.

 

[CHT]

I'm a Smart Phone phobe, but a few months ago purchased a Samsung Galaxy J5 - middle of the range smart phone with Android OS, v5.1 (Lollipop).

Does Android come with its own built in security, or can anyone recommend the security one should have on Android for browsing the Internet - particularly forums?

In terms of attack methods, there's only two real methods, web attacks and malicious apps. For the first method, there's no built-in way thus you'll have to get your own solution. For the second one, just getting known apps on the Play Store will surfice as that's the in-built protection.

 

[dev70194]

No you need to install a seperate anti-virus. As far as I know that version of android dosent have one natively.

 

[CHT]

No you need to install a seperate anti-virus. As far as I know that version of android dosent have one natively.

You only need that seperate anti-virus if you install apks out of the Play Store or shady apps.
As I said, any app that goes on the Play Store does get tested for malicious code, especially for the big apps that most people use.

 

[dev70194]

No you need to install a seperate anti-virus. As far as I know that version of android dosent have one natively.

You only need that seperate anti-virus if you install apks out of the Play Store or shady apps.
As I said, any app that goes on the Play Store does get tested for malicious code, especially for the big apps that most people use.

Yea that's true, never really thought of that. But a hacker could always poison your dns and make the google play download link download their shellcode.

 

[shubhangtiwari]

There is no use of installing an antivirus on android since Android is Linux based.

The only thing you need to worry about is installing apps from unknown sources they might be phishing attacks or trojans.

 

[YMSTNT]

There is a new feature, called Play Protect in Google Play. It's an antivirus for android built in the Play Store. I think its enabled for default, but I don't know.
I don't know, if it have a good protection, but I think its worth a try.

--
Sorry for my bad English.
Have a good day!