Is Antivirus Necessary for Android Devices?

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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