How bad is the malware problem on Android?

[Capitan Totti]

Android malware is quickly getting out of hand | PhoneDog

I was reading this article on PhoneDog, and I am wondering if it is really this bad as the article says...

The reason I ask is because I am about to get some new phones for me, my brother and my parents. One thing is if something like this happened to me (I am getting my brother the 9810 probably), I would know what to do and how to deal with it as I was thinking of the Amaze 4G, but my parents are absolutely clueless when it comes to anything mobile (was thinking of getting them a lower-end Android like the myTouch), and I wouldn't want them getting malware or what have you without them knowing... See my point?

Opinions?

Thanks...

[chrisy520]

Exaggerated greatly in my opinion. I never had aware nor do I personally know anyone who ever has.

Just be aware of what you download, same as on a PC.

[Karmaloop]

Haven't encountered any malware since I've started using Android.

[JD914]

I have been on Android since éclair and have never encountered any malware what so ever, don't believe everything you read.

[reeneebob]

Like anything, you need to be careful. I only downloaded apps that had a lot of downloads and good reviews, and I read the permissions of what it wants access to.


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[grahamf]

Android antivirus has been tested and almost all have a 90% failure to detect rate.
Just thought you should know.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Capitan Totti]

Originally Posted by chrisy520

Exaggerated greatly in my opinion. I never had aware nor do I personally know anyone who ever has.

Just be aware of what you download, same as on a PC.

Yes, but like I said, this is not because of me, but my parents. I wouldn't want them to download anything that might cause issues.

Originally Posted by JD914

..don't believe everything you read.

But I don't... hence why I am inquiring about it.

[dragonsamus]

Just tell your parents to read reviews before downloading apps. They'll be fine. :-)

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[howarmat]

if its your parents then they probably will only be getting apps from the google market or amazon appstore. they are not going to be visiting some chinese site giving away free premium apps that have been recompiled with a virus

[chrisy520]

Either tell them to read reviews or to not download apps. Or make sure the app has a lot of downloads.

[Capitan Totti]

Yeah... alright, thanks for the replies.

[DannyAves]

Originally Posted by howarmat

if its your parents then they probably will only be getting apps from the google market or amazon appstore. they are not going to be visiting some chinese site giving away free premium apps that have been recompiled with a virus

Anybody can submit apps to the Android Market without it being checked for content or function, and that is the problem with Android. In fact, the latest method is to submit a fully functioning app but include the malware in the upgrade and since the app originally functioned and did what it is supposed to do, people will allow the upgrade.

[tech_head]

No issues for me yet.

[Capitan Totti]

Originally Posted by DannyAves

Anybody can submit apps to the Android Market without it being checked for content or function, and that is the problem with Android. In fact, the latest method is to submit a fully functioning app but include the malware in the upgrade and since the app originally functioned and did what it is supposed to do, people will allow the upgrade.

I've read about that, and I am kinda deciding if I should try an Android or stick with BB...

[darreno1]

Like everyone says, read the reviews. No malware here and have been using Android since the original Droid.