Some people think that antivirus on smart phones is a waste of time and resources and some think the opposite. For me, I don’t think it’s a necessary…yet.
There is a lot of misconception on antivirus app on smart devices which many
thought for it to be similar to what they had in their desktop or PC. It’s not
entirely correct. While similar function as desktop antivirus programs such as
URL blocks, scan downloads and apps installed for malware do exist for Android
antivirus, you can’t expect it to work like normal desktop antivirus. So, you
don’t expect android AV to quarantined files and perform automatic clean up on
your android.
Due to the nature of Android operating system, which implements sandboxing
process as a part of its built-in security features, each app are isolated
from each other. This means that the malware are treated just like another app
in the system and to remove it, we just need to uninstall it.
Illustration 1: AV-TEST Website on Android AV Apps
So which antivirus apps do you recommends?
It’s all about preference actually. AV-TEST GmbH, is an independent IT
security organization that have tested many antivirus programs including apps
for androids and they published their monthly findings in their website
(http://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/mobile-devices/android/). You can compare
it yourself and test out any one of the recommended apps.
Coming back to my early statement, I don’t think antivirus for android devices
is a necessary but it’s just a matter of time for me to change sides. In 2013,
AV-TEST GmbH reported about 1.8 million android-related malware samples
registered with them and about 6000 new samples received daily. An article by
The Telegraph UK
(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10225511/Surge-in-malware-on-Android-smartphone-system.html)
reported that 44 percent of malware apps subscribed the phone owner to a
premium service without their knowledge which the profit is funnel to the
malware developers and another 24 percent focus on data stealing.
With Android ever increasing popularity, variance of android-enabled device
are coming to market every year from smartphones, smartwatches, to smart TV
and now car entertainment system, it is a growing concern and we can only keep
our finger cross so that, Google, owner of the Android OS platform and these
antivirus apps developer to keep up the good work in securing the platform and
make our live less worried ;)
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