[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

I've often felt that the whole industry relies on scare tactics. Of course there are many genuine threats to some operating systems, but most are quite easy to avoid with even just a little common sense.

Common sense that is obvious to most of this forum, but sadly not the hundreds of millions of people who buy phones powered by Android.

Android is open, so its possible to run anything, and that is what people like. Its also a security concern, and like most things in life its a risk judgement. If you value your data, get a fast phone and install a good/quick AV/firewall tool

[qasdfdsaq]

It's also possible for an app you've already installed to be updated with malicious code long after you installed it...

[alanwarwic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdduk

Both Apple and Android have been hacked a couple of times and they have both removed the apps that was the calls straight away

I find most of the time its just scare tack-ticks from the papers and on the net
....

Theft of data via 'user permissions' is by far the main threat,

In a way that is even more a threat than that the ever present IOS low level code injection threat, something Android does not suffer.

[flagpole]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

I thought Android now scanned apps when they're at the install stage?

yes but it can't detect if an app is operating outside of the parameters that you as the user are expecting. permissions yes but if an app wants access to your contacts so that it can lets say search them for friends. it can't tell if server side they are going to spam them.

i'm open minded as to the need for av scanners on android. if you install apps from outside google play then it is a must. if not it's open to debate. but i can't see the downside.

and a lot of them do other things. like Lookout for example will email you a pic if someone tries to unlock your handset and gets the code wrong.