Anti-virus and anti-malware for Android Tablet

MoRT489

MoRT489

MoRT489

Soldato
Joined
21 Aug 2006
Posts
7,512
Having recently had an unwanted exe download to my tablet (dlsecuretb_1.0.0.2.exe - no idea what it does, as can't find info online), I'm wondering if my AV is up to the task as it didn't block it or warn me.

I've been using Avast on my Nexus 7 from the start and since this incident have also installed Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Both show my device as being clean. Are there any better/other programs I should be running to protect my device?
 
Why would you be worried about an unwanted .exe on an android tablet :confused:

Android only deals with .apk's and as long as you have the "blocked Unknown sources" your be fine.
 
Because I didn't ask it to download and it downloaded 4 times, so I assumed it was a malicious file. But if this file type can't run on/harm Android devices, then no bother. I have the setting allow installation from "Unknown sources" box unchecked, so I assume they are blocked, and "Verify apps" is checked.

Still interested to know if my security programs are sufficient anyway and what others use.
 
MoRT489 said:
Because I didn't ask it to download and it downloaded 4 times, so I assumed it was a malicious file. But if this file type can't run on/harm Android devices, then no bother. I have the setting allow installation from "Unknown sources" box unchecked, so I assume they are blocked, and "Verify apps" is checked.

Still interested to know if my security programs are sufficient anyway and what others use.
Click to expand...

Very few people use any sort of anti-virus software on android phones/tablets, there's simply no need.

They're just going to hog resources for no real benefit. It would be interesting to see where the .exe download originated from, do you remember any dodgy websites which might have initiated it?
 
It's more of the browser allowing auto downloads. There's also ads which seems to insist a download and/or opening the Play store app.

Been using Dolphin with the adblock addon, and that's been stopping these pesky downloads from happening. I've also set Dolphin to always ask me when a download happens, so I can cancel it if I didn't start it. Firefox with the Bluhell addon (I notice ABP is too bloated for the mobile version) works just as well.
 
MoRT489 said:
Because I didn't ask it to download and it downloaded 4 times, so I assumed it was a malicious file. But if this file type can't run on/harm Android devices, then no bother.
Click to expand...

Are you using Chrome?

This is the default behaviour. I can't find a way to disable it. :/

MoRT489 said:
I have the setting allow installation from "Unknown sources" box unchecked, so I assume they are blocked, and "Verify apps" is checked.
Click to expand...

Good. Not rooting your device, along with the above, are things you should do if you wish to remain as secure as possible.

MoRT489 said:
Still interested to know if my security programs are sufficient anyway and what others use.
Click to expand...

They're a waste of time.
 
Yes using Chrome, no ad blocker seems to be available.

Waste of time because they miss things or because there simply aren't (m)any attacks on Android devices?
 
Never felt compelled to use any kind of anti-virus or anti-malware apps on my Android devices. Always astonishes me when I see how many downloads the likes of Avast and AVG have on the Play Store; no doubt the same people who moan about their phones and tablets feeling sluggish to use.
 
Had Avast running on my Nexus 7 since day one so hard to say if it has affected speed but I certainly have never thought it felt sluggish.
 
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