General operating system question about security of Android.
Can anyone explain what procedures protect someone from getting a virus, spyware, etc. from a downloaded android app? I'm assuming Blackberry, Apple, Nokia, etc. inspect apps for security before allowing on their store. But is there similar inspection with android by say Google?
Keep in mind that it depends where you download apps from. If from the Android Marketplace, I am certain that all apps are evaluated and checked for malicious code by the Android team. Opening apps from other sources or screen pop ups and there are no guarantees.
I hope that is helpful, others may chime in with more information.
If I'm annoyed and you're annoyed, does that make us a paranoid ??
Sarcasm is a fine art...
"Don't believe everything you think"
It's not a matter of if you win or lose, it's how you assign the blame
My understanding is that the android market is pretty much a free for all. a quick google search seems to support that.
However, there is a certain level of inherent security in android. when you install an app, you are told the list of permissions that app needs to use. If you don't think the app you are installing should require those permissions, do not install it. also, stick to apps are well reviewed with high ratings.
when you install an app, you are told the list of permissions that app needs to use.
But that's what concerns me, they seem to list everything under the sun. Calls in and out, gps locations, text in and out, etc.,etc. Made my head spin. So could very well be a great app, but the permissions seem daunting, and so generically written to protect them, not us.
You shouldn't have to be too worried about virus's in apps but you may want to be concerned about your data being shared somewhere you don't want it. There are apps out there that will scan all apps you install on your phone. I use Lookout Security & Antivirus, mainly for finding my phone if lost but it doubles as a virus scanner.
Take a look at the app you are downloading. If it seems sketchy, stay away. If it asks you to install air push(AVOID!!!) not because it is a virus but because it pushes ads to your notification bar.
Google's Android Market removes malware after the fact, but Amazon's app store scans it before they let it into their shop. Not that scanning guarantees anything. Every once in a while malware slips into Apple's app store.
With a virus scanner like avast or Lookout and a bit of common sense Android is less dangerous than Windows. Especially if you root your phone and use an app like DroidWall to control what can go online and what cannot. Avast has a built-in firewall too.
Can anyone explain what procedures protect someone from getting a virus, spyware, etc. from a downloaded android app? I'm assuming Blackberry, Apple, Nokia, etc. inspect apps for security before allowing on their store. But is there similar inspection with android by say Google?
Android is kind of like the wild west of mobile computing. Even that being the case, apps in the bona fide android market are usually safe. Excepting of course things like "Hot Japanese Women Bikini Screen Saver" and the like. Who knew that people loading those were gonna get malware?
Google does monitor things to some degree and whenever malware has been discovered, it is pulled from the market and deleted from people's phones. I do look at the permissions that are being asked when I load apps. If you are unfamiliar with what those are, google them and read up on them. I went to install a game the other day, and it wanted to see my contacts list and have internet access for a game that ran exclusively on the phone. Needless to say, that one wasn't loaded because why would a game needing no data transfer need to see my contact list and have access to the internet? It pays to look at what permissions are being asked for.
4/2/2012 - My Nexus One, after 2 years and thousands of rom flashes finally gave up the ghost. RIP to the best phone I ever owned.
Sort of new to android, but somehow am finding the amount of information available to know what you are really downloading is either well hidden, purposely misleading, or just plain contradictory. If this thinking is somehow flawed please advise
From simple things like a youtube app, to the anti virus apps you want to load to protect you from malicious code and downloads that may also be loaded with malware and ads.
Tell me who wants to be tracked like a home imprisoned jailbird with an ankle bracelet by their phones software just to install an anti virus app in an attempt to avoid that exact same situation.
Sure you can read user reviews on most all apps in the Market, but just about every one I have checked so far has reviews claiming the app is great or the greatest, but also others saying that it is asking for privileges that it should not need etc.
So except for a handful of small apps like flashlight stuff etc I find I am more inclined not to install or even update existing apps and actually think about deleting them altogether due to requesting permission to access things there is no need for.
Now if some of the members who are more experienced with droid apps and security could advise if this is just paranoia created by paranoid reviewers, if it is completely founded and there is some kind of race to see just which app creator can load and track the most phones, or it the answer is some place in the middle.
Just consider the two anti virus apps I checked out today, AVG and Avast and it is obvious that there is a real need to not only be concerned about what you download, but also what you believe. Some reviewers love it, and others complain the app defines itself as a threat and wants to remove itself, and many just say to avoid due to all the permissions.
Google has a master kill switch for malicious code, and it uses it on occasion. Apps like "Addons Detector" (legitimate, despite its silly name) scan for advertising addons, allowing you to know which dubious music-downloading application is using icky Airpush.
And of course, in the world of so many options, why don't you lean towards apps with fewer security breaches? Often you'll have a choice of more than just one application in a particular category.
And of course, if you still have your doubts, go online. I have a blog about the apps that I hate, and it's received a little notice over the past few months. Heck, asking here might even be worthwhile.
Of course, you could always leave the unprotected world of Android for Apple, but those devices come with a built-in chasity belt...and if you break it you're right back to asking questions about suspicious apps in forums
IOS is not an option as the openness of Android (plus other advantages) was the attraction in the first place.
Since I left crackberry years ago for the much more open symbian I guess this is important, or to me at least.
I will try to check out your blog as I have a few others, but I think this may require a lot of research since I am not even fully trusting my current AV (AVG now but may be moving to Avast or Comodo) and am also still learning just what the OS itself is watching, tracking or whatever.
Again maybe I am letting what I have read make me a little paranoid but what good is having all the great abilities of this phone if you avoid anything that includes personal info because you can not confirm one of your programs is hacking that info?
Maybe I am getting in too deep for this thread but there has to be someway to learn or know just what is on the phone that may be a need for concern.
I am not so much concerned with location tracking as much as o am with history, form entry, and even passwords.
Well its sure that if you will download app from android market it will not have any virus. As android is open source OS and all the time there is possibility of virus affecting your system
Common sense is the only TRUE safeguard against getting a virus or malware. There have been instances where apps were found, to, be malicious, EVEN inside the Android market.
When downloading an app, read the reviews and MOST IMPORTANTLY, read the permissions the app asks for. A wallpaper app DOESN'T need to send or read your sms. I've done this and NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. EVER.
Yeah, common sense is your first safeguard. And common sense tells me that because android sales have increased, reports of malware will increase. And that the market's increase has piqued Symantec's interest so they have to create a need for their product.
It is my understanding that unlike Windows malware can not ruin your phone without root and permission. An interesting article is here: an interview with google security man. He uses nothing on his phone
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Originally Posted by mjhf
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