Virus Protection

[dRounse]

I just got an android phone... There is an app for AVG virus protection, I'm used to not having antivirus I do however use clamav but i was wondering is an Android really at risk for viruses?

[polardude1983]

I would probably disable the Carrier IQ that probably is enabled and installed by default on your phone.

If you have not heard of Carrier IQ it pretty much almost everything on your phone and sends it back to the carrier. Like what sites you visit and so forth. You can read more about it if you wish.

As far as viruses, I know there are some out there for android. But personally and from what i have read. Don't worry about it. Just download trustworthy apps, give as little information for any app you download. Visit trustworthy sites.

Maybe someone else can shed more light.

[dRounse]

I would probably disable the Carrier IQ that probably is enabled and installed by default on your phone.

If you have not heard of Carrier IQ it pretty much almost everything on your phone and sends it back to the carrier. Like what sites you visit and so forth. You can read more about it if you wish.

As far as viruses, I know there are some out there for android. But personally and from what i have read. Don't worry about it. Just download trustworthy apps, give as little information for any app you download. Visit trustworthy sites.

Maybe someone else can shed more light.

Thanks, I won't get it now so if I need it in the future I'll get it, and besides its free

[aysiu]

Viruses aren't a problem.

Trojans are.

And trojans don't magically install themselves. You choose to install them.

So the answer is--instead of installing "antivirus," just don't install trojans.

More details here: How to be safe, find trusted apps, & avoid viruses - A guide for those new to Android (http://androidforums.com/android-applications/36936-how-safe-find-trusted-apps-avoid-viruses-guide-those-new-android.html)

With regard to Carrier IQ, it is not on the Nexus One, Nexus S, or Galaxy Nexus. It is also not in the CyanogenMod rom (and likely not on any of the other rooted roms). If you don't have a Nexus phone and you haven't rooted your phone, you cannot disable Carrier IQ. It also doesn't necessarily send your data, but it does record it in plain text logs (including uniquely identified keystrokes, https URL strings, and the content of SMS).

I know it's long (17 minutes), but it's worth watching this entire video:
Carrier IQ Part #2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T17XQI_AYNo)

If you're really opposed to watching videos, read this instead:
CarrierIQ Part 2 (http://androidsecuritytest.com/features/logs-and-services/loggers/carrieriq/carrieriq-part2/)