A Cell Phone Question

[Log Catcher]

My wife is trying to drag me in to the 21st century. She finally talked me in to getting new I phones for both of us instead of flip phones. I don't have them activated for internet use yet. Since they are basically a hand held computer this is my stupid question. Do they need anti virus protection like a computer does or not? So far with what little I have worked with it I am ready to go back to my flip phone. Any thought or ideas is appreciated. These are from Tracfone.

[bulldog1935]

I vote for Malwarebytes, and use on my Android phone.  
Also on home computer with great results.  

[Deephaven]

Phones don't need them if you apply any sense in your behavior.

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, Deephaven said:

Phones don't need them if you apply any sense in your behavior.

I've had smart-phones for a number of years now (Galaxy S-4 for 6 years - upgraded to a Galaxy A-51 last year) and never installed any anti-virus software. As my local compatriot says - be sensible in your use and it's a non-issue.

[huZZah]

I don’t have anti virus on my iPhone, but I don’t visit sites or download anything that would make me need it. Phone OS has built in more than computer due to cell network vulnerability. 

[Jigfishn10]

I’ve had an iPhone since the 4 came out, never had antivirus installed

[Scott F]

Generally speaking, Apple products as a whole don’t need virus protection software. I’ve been using nothing but Apples for over 30 years and have never used any virus protection and have never had a virus. Just be careful and don’t click on links that show up in spam emails and stay off questionable web sites.

[Chris at Tech]

Not needed for iPhones.  Apple generally prevents viruses via the way they manage their App Store

[huZZah]

3 hours ago, Scott F said:

Generally speaking, Apple products as a whole don’t need virus protection software.

This was a common “misinterpretation” in the past. Windows machines got way more viruses. Well yes, windows machines outsold apple by so much that most of the worlds data was in windows machines. Therefore, windows machines got more viruses. But it’s a matter of quantity. It’s not like apple didn’t have viruses.
 

Now, today the world is still mostly windows/android, and apple products are still very secure. But no more secure than any other OS. In fact, the App Store had a massive data breach a while back. Just like everyone else. 
 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2020/12/05/surprisingly-a-massive-and-ongoing-apple-privacy-breach-is-thanks-to-apples-security-focus/amp/

 

Again, it’s more about where you go online. I’ve never had a problem. But I don’t visit “those” sites either. 

[Log Catcher]

Thank you to all of you for your replies. I apologize if I posted the info wrong. These are Samsung Galaxy A10e phones from Tracfone. They are not from Apple. 

 

I probably won't put anti virus on it since I won't do much more than make a call or answer a call. I am too technology challenged to try to do very much with it.

[Darren.]

I've lived/live in both worlds. Was early DOS/Windows guy, became

an Apple evangelist in the 90's, early 2000s, but over time saw Apple

become something other than what was Steve Jobs's vision. Was 

even able, as an IT Manager, to get some Apple products into an

IBM/Dell-only telecom.

 

It is now, simply a "walled garden" company returning to "not invented

here" mentality. Don't get me wrong, Apple makes fantastic products.

I no longer use iPhones. I can't see myself ever returning to the fold.

 

iMacs, MacBooks, yeah, macOS is awesome. 'Nuff said. Tho I worry

Apple's trajectory is becoming more and more closed as the years

go by.

 

As for AV, I've usually not had to use any on Android. It was on by

default on my new Galaxy S21 (which is a pretty amazing phone),

and I've left it on, though I probably wouldn't have an issue turning

off. @huZZah is right, it's no longer true that Apple is "immune"

(by quantity) to viruses/malware. As the rest have said, avoid "bad"

places, and don't click on links in emails w/o being absolutely certain

they're legit.

[Log Catcher]

I have always tried to be careful about the websites I go to on my computer to avoid problems. Just recently someone got my email address that shouldn't have. I have started getting trash and scam emails I've never had before. If I could figure out how to use internet on the phone I would be afraid to try it since this has happened.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Log Catcher said:

I have always tried to be careful about the websites I go to on my computer to avoid problems. Just recently someone got my email address that shouldn't have. I have started getting trash and scam emails I've never had before. If I could figure out how to use internet on the phone I would be afraid to try it since this has happened.

Ya, unfortunately, no matter how secure a site is - if they require an e-mail address to register/login...then someone else can peek and get it. Some sites are better protected than others, but as shown in the news over the years - no site is 'bulletproof'.

[Koz]

Yes - you do need the production. As handheld devices become more of the norm than the exception the attacks are becoming more sophisticated. It doesn't matter if you use Apple or Android, although Apple does a better job of keeping malware out of apps.

 

But it's not just apps that you have to worry about and that's why you need the protection.

[Log Catcher]

1 minute ago, Koz said:

Yes - you do need the production. As handheld devices become more of the norm than the exception the attacks are becoming more sophisticated. It doesn't matter if you use Apple or Android, although Apple does a better job of keeping malware out of apps.

 

But it's not just apps that you have to worry about and that's why you need the protection.

That is what I was thinking to begin with. Since this is all new to me me since I have always used flip phones I thought I would ask. I was surprised at how many said it wasn't needed.

[Deephaven]

39 minutes ago, Koz said:

Yes - you do need the production. As handheld devices become more of the norm than the exception the attacks are becoming more sophisticated. It doesn't matter if you use Apple or Android, although Apple does a better job of keeping malware out of apps.

 

But it's not just apps that you have to worry about and that's why you need the protection.

Protection from what?  What have you seen that shows it to be necessary?

[Koz]

45 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

Protection from what?  What have you seen that shows it to be necessary?

Malware. For example, phishing text messages for a supposed UPS delivery that are actually links to malware.

1 hour ago, Log Catcher said:

That is what I was thinking to begin with. Since this is all new to me me since I have always used flip phones I thought I would ask. I was surprised at how many said it wasn't needed.

The malware you have to worry about most is the malware code that hasn't been written yet. It's coming.

[Deephaven]

Meh.  Not needed.  You've been misled.  I thought you would come back with some real examples or experience not regurgitating some fear mongering from the web.

[slonezp]

9 hours ago, Koz said:

Malware. For example, phishing text messages for a supposed UPS delivery that are actually links to malware.

The malware you have to worry about most is the malware code that hasn't been written yet. It's coming.

I get those texts all the time. I just don't open them.

[12poundbass]

26 minutes ago, slonezp said:

I get those texts all the time. I just don't open them.

Your vehicles extended warranty is about to expire! Just thought I’d let you know. 
 

@A-Jay your vehicles extended warranty is about to expire on your 4 week old truck. Those calls are coming your way too! ?

[A-Jay]

2 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Your vehicles extended warranty is about to expire! Just thought I’d let you know. 
 

@A-Jay your vehicles extended warranty is about to expire on your 4 week old truck. Those calls are coming your way too! ?

 

Oh No ~ !

btw . . .

?

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, 12poundbass said:

Your vehicles extended warranty is about to expire! Just thought I’d let you know. 

I get phone calls on that for mine and I laugh. Bought it used back in '16 and even then it was 15 years old...I think the warranty expired a long time ago.

[Boomstick]

On 3/20/2021 at 10:50 AM, Deephaven said:

Phones don't need them if you apply any sense in your behavior.

Same can be said for computers, only if your phone is an Android well they basically accept anything in the store. I always joke with some friends let's make a phone version of Super Mario Brothers and put in a backdoor that sends me anything that looks like a credit card number because they would approve it and leave it there. In short, be careful what you download.

 

That said, I'm not sure what virus scan is worth running on a phone and wouldn't noticeably slow it down and eat battery life.

 

BTW your social security number expired in the state of Texas.

[Koz]

On 3/21/2021 at 9:14 PM, Deephaven said:

Meh.  Not needed.  You've been misled.  I thought you would come back with some real examples or experience not regurgitating some fear mongering from the web.

I used to write apps for a living. Trust me - Google does not have a thorough process in vetting code. There are numerous articles and papers on it.

 

https://www.zdnet.com/article/mobile-malware-attacks-are-booming-in-2019-these-are-the-most-common-threats/

 

https://usa.kaspersky.com/resource-center/threats/mobile-malware

 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167739X18331601

 

 

[huZZah]

12 hours ago, Boomstick said:

BTW your social security number expired in the state of Texas.

? ? ?