Do Android phones need antivirus or internet security apps? The question that comes up several times in mind whenever there is a discussion about viruses and internet malware on Android phones and tablets. But, the core question is, do we really need to install antivirus or internet security apps on android? Are android devices capable to fight viruses like Linux and other OS? Also, can a virus created for Windows PC infect Android devices? Let’s dig out the answers.
Android phones and devices are always have been in the radar of hacking and malware attacks. Security and data breaches on the android device are common and are easy prey for attackers But, besides malware and internet spyware, the Android sandbox is pretty safe from viruses.
So, why are there tons of antivirus companies trying to sell apps for android in the bane of virus removal and internet security?
Do Android Phones Need Antivirus Apps?
No, Android phones don’t need an antivirus app at all.ou do not need antivirus for your Android phone or any other mobile phone. If you strictly install all your apps from the Play Store then you don’t need AV.
But if you install apps that are downloaded, modified, cracked from unauthorized sites to get paid apps for free, there is a high chance that your Android device will have a virus.
Besides here are some other key point to support the statement “Android doesn’t need an antivirus”.
1. Android Sandbox:
Applications are sandboxed in Android, which makes Android much safer than traditional PC systems. Even if you access the internet via a browser there is a lot less that can happen as compared to a PC system.
The technology relies on real-time interactions with the user, so you always get a prompt before installing any application.
If you read the mentioned functions in the installation details, you can see all the hardware and software permissions that are specifically needed.
No application can be installed on Android devices without the consent and acceptance of the user.
If you have ever used an antivirus, you will notice all those that show how many junk files you have, how much RAM is occupied, what is the current temperature of your phone, etc.
2. App Review:
If any app is suspicious then it would get noticed by other people and rated badly in Play Store, in the worst cases it would be removed from Play Store by Google, so there is less chance of the user installing something malicious by mistake.
3. Android antivirus keeps running in the background
There would be an always-running process after installing an anti-virus. This affects both performance and battery life.
On a side note, I installed a few anti-virus applications just for checking out what they do. In my case, all they did was point to some security loopholes in my settings which I already knew and had set explicitly ( For instance, I had allowed third-party APKs to get installed).
I could be wrong about this though and anti-virus applications might be doing something useful in the background.
4. Apps are scanned by Play Protect:
The biggest threats to Android smartphones are infected apps. Infected apps can steal information from phones or deactivate them completely. Currently, there are only a few dozen infected apps that target the Droid operating system.
Android has its own security policy called Google Play protect which keeps an eye on all the apps published on the app store.
5. Built-in Security apps:
Most of the major Android manufacturers have their own dedicated security apps like KNOX and others that not only protect the device from any malicious apps but also provide extra security to the files and documents stored on the android device.
But the threat in the Mobile operating systems is a lot less, I am yet to see a mobile OS that got affected by a virus.
Android is an operating system that is based on the Linux kernel. This Linux kernel has been made such that there won’t be any effect of viruses on the android operating system. So, technically there is no chance of getting infected by viruses in android systems.
I am assuming you might have read your phone has a virus and so many vibrations while browsing that’s an affiliated advertisement of various apps. Don’t download any app from that page or even if it redirects to the Play Store for downloading apps.
How to Block Pop-up on Android Chrome, Firefox, Internet Browser
There can be some apps designed for collecting important information from your phone but this problem has a solution or can say prevention of getting affected by it.
Always download apps from the play store rather than downloading from unknown sites. If it is necessary to download from third-party websites then only download from well-known sites. Avoid downloading apps from unknown websites.
Bottom line:
Android phones are based on Linux OS and hence it is quite secure from viruses. However, malware, keylogger or spyware is definitely a threat to mobile safety and security. Alos, make sure to keep your apps update to the latest version to avoid such threats.
But, still you don’t need an antivirus app or internet security app for an android phone or tablet.
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