However, reports and research of a number of companies producing antivirus software suggest that subject to some recommendations, the user is sufficiently protected from problems with viruses on this platform.
Android OS independently checks the phone or tablet for malicious
Android operating system has built-in antivirus functions by itself. Before deciding which antivirus is to install, you should look at the fact that your phone or tablet computer can already do without it:- Applications on Google Play checked for viruses : When publishing applications in the Google store, they are automatically checked for malicious code using the Bouncer service. After the developer loads its program on Google Play, Bouncer checks the code for the presence of known viruses, trojans and other malware. Each application starts in the simulator to check whether it behaves in a pest on one or another device. The behavior of the application is compared with well-known viral programs and, in the case of similar behavior, is noted accordingly.
- Google Play can delete applications remotely : If you installed the application that, as it turned out later, is malicious, Google can remove it from your phone remotely.
- Android 4.2 checks third-party applications : As already written above, applications on Google Play are scanned for viruses, but this cannot be said about third-party software from other sources. When you first install a third-party application on Android 4.2, you will be asked if you want to check all third-party applications for malicious code, which will help protect your device and wallet.
- Android 4.2 blocks sending paid SMS messages : The operating system is prohibited by the background shipment of SMS to short numbers, which is often used in various trojans, while trying to send such an SMS message when you are notified.
- Android limits access and application operation : The permission system implemented in Android allows you to limit the creation and distribution of Trojans, spyware and similar applications. Applications on Android cannot work in the background, recording each your press on the screen or the entered character. In addition, when installing, you can see all the permissions that the program is required.
Where do viruses come from for android
Before the output of Android 4.2, there were no antiviral functions in the operating system itself, all of them were implemented on the Google Play side. Thus, those who downloaded applications from there were relatively protected, and those who downloaded programs and games for android from other sources were more risk.
In the latest study of the Anti-virus company McAfee, it is reported that more than 60% of malicious software for Android is the FakeIinstaller code, which is a malicious program that is disguised as the application. As a rule, you can download such a program on various sites pretending to be official or unofficial with free download. After installation, the application data is secretly sent from you paid SMS messages from the phone.
In Android 4.2, the built-in virus protection function will most likely allow to catch an attempt to install fakeinstaller, and even if not - you will receive a notice that the program is trying to send SMS.
As already mentioned, on all versions of the android you are relatively protected from viruses, subject to the installation of applications from the Official Google Play Store. The study conducted by the F-Secure anti-virus company shows that the number of malicious software installed on the phones and tablets with Google Play is 0.5% of the total.
So is it necessary antivirus on android?
Antiviruses for Android on Google Play
As the analysis shows, most of the viruses come from a variety of sources where users try to download a paid application or game for free. If you use Google Play to download applications - you are relatively protected from Trojans and viruses. In addition, your own attentiveness can help you: for example, do not install games that you want to send SMS messages.
However, if you often download applications from third-party sources, then the antivirus can you need, especially if you use more old than Android 4.2 version of the operating system. However, even with antivirus, be prepared for downloading the pirated version of the game for Android you download not at all expected.
If you decide to download Anti-Virus for Android, Avast Mobile Security is a fairly good solution and is completely free.
What else to do antiviruses for android
It should be noted that anti-virus solutions for the Android not only catch the malicious code in applications and prevent sending paid SMS, but may also have a number of other useful functions that are not in the operating system itself:
- Phone search, in case it was stolen or lost
- Phone Safety and Use Reports
- Functions of firewall
Thus, if you need something from this kind of functions in your phone or tablet, the use of antivirus for Android can be justified.