Does My Tablet Need Antivirus?
A Reader Writes In With A Good Question…
Q: I think I know what your answer is going to be, but I thought I would confirm. This week I bought a Galaxy Tab tablet and I am wondering if it needs antivirus like a regular computer does. Thanks.
Carol B.
A: Carol,
Congratulations on your new Android tablet computer. Let me answer your question with a question: does your Tab connect to the Internet?
I have stated here before, and will repeat; criminals (aka “hackers”) and hostile governments/orgs have made the Internet a dangerous place to visit, and I recommend that any device which connects to the web have security installed – and that means an “antivirus”.
Tablets and smart phones are not “immune” from “rogue” applications, spyware, etc.. No digital device is.
I do not yet own a tablet, but a quick look in the Galaxy Tab user’s forum suggests an equal split with folks recommending AVG Mobile (free) and Lookout Mobile (free) to their fellow Tab users. (Also, you may want to refer to 15 Mobile Security Tools.)
{note: If you have been using an Android tablet PC, and have an antivirus you’d care to recommend (or, infection story), please share it with us by leaving a Comment. Thanks!}
Something like over 10 million Americans had their identities stolen last year (and the year before) (and the year before) (and the year before). I’m glad you wrote in.
Today’s quote: “The world is in a constant conspiracy against the brave. It’s the age-old struggle: the roar of the crowd on the one side, and the voice of your conscience on the other.” ~ Douglas MacArthur
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<
18 Comments »
Leave a reply to techpaul Cancel reply
• About Tech Paul
I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.
I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.
Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.
-
Say "thank you!" Buy Tech Paul a cup of coffee (and keep T4E ad free).
-
-
McAfee® Cybersafety Resource Portal, an online help center designed to assist victims of computer crime and provide information on how to avoid becoming a victim.
-
Subscribe to Tech--for Everyone by EmailRecent Comments
-
-
-
-
Also:
-
-
Tech - for Everyone 
TechPaul,
It is great that you bringing this to the forefront… I own an Android Tablet and what I am finding is that the cart has been put in front of the horse. These tablets are arriving on the market like wildfire; but, there is very little being made known about security and protection. As you indicated, the internet is a dangerous place and the cybercriminal will take advantage of this. Really does have me concerned… In terms of what protection to go with in terms of software? I do not know.
Rick
LikeLike
Rick,
I think at this point in time, most, if not all, the security product vendors have a “mobile” version. (I am currently testing Norton on my HTC smartphone..) But you’re right — as the number of devices expands, so does hacker interest; and they are well aware that most people do not think phones and tablets (and Apples) need antivirus.
Even though they do banking…
A fertile ground for foul play…
As always, I want to express my appreciation for your support here, and to say I hope all is “groovy” with you and yours!
LikeLike
Thank you for this post! I hadn’t even thought about it, sadly. I do have LookOut on my Android phone, but don’t know a lot about antivirus/protection software for Apple products. Do you know of any that are available for iPad?
LikeLike
Samantha,
I am not an expert in things Apple; but, my admittedly limited understanding is that – unless you “jailbreak” your iDevice (in which case, all bets are off) – you can only get apps from the iStore, and I further understand that there are no AV’s available. (And it can be argued that at this moment in time [104/2011] they are not needed.)
I think VirusBarrier (from Intego) may work on an iPad, and I think AVG may be coming out with an app…
Again, I am not expert in this area, but I think iPad users can – at this point in time – only really apply the best antivirus of them all -> the one between your ears. Be wary of “phishing”: anything asking for credit card information, personal details (aka “identity”), and trying to vacuum up your Contact list.. etc..
So.. not much of an answer. Sorry.
LikeLike
That’s okay. I understand that it seems to not be a big topic right now like antivirus is for computers. I honestly think that one of the best antiviruses is indeed the one between your ears: for awhile I lived on no antivirus and didn’t get many, by just not clicking things you shouldn’t, etc. That was before I found out about Microsoft’s free virus protection however.
Thank you either way :D
LikeLike
Samantha,
It’s more like.. Apple hasn’t “approved” (made available) any AV’s through the App store.
Their thinking is two-fold: (Um.. my interpretation of it) 1) the sandboxing feature inherent in the iPad makes it virus proof, and 2) there are no known viruses attacking the iPad anyway.
Oops. Forgot. There’s a third factor. They think by the system being closed (aka you can only get apps through their portal) you won’t have a chance to install any bad actors.
Which would be true.. if Apple actually vetted the apps that make it into their store/portal/”market” for malicious code.
(But they vet for compatibility and does-it-work.)
LikeLike
Top Google Employee Calls Tablet Antivirus Software Vendors Scammers and Charlatans
By Animesh Bhatti in Tablet Apps
November 18th, 2011
http://www.puretablet.com/top-google-employee-calls-tablet-antivirus-software-vendors-scammers/
LikeLike
Ken,
If you feel that you do not need AV on your tablet, you are certainly free to go that way. But my preference & policy is to have AV on any Internet-connected device (that has an OS). There are good ones available free for Android devices, and so that is what I will use.
(Last I checked, none were available for the iPad. Apple is keeping them out of the store, (insisting they aren’t necessary) is the way I hear it.)
You may find this interesting: http://www.securitynewsdaily.com/infected-smartphone-apps-next-wave-malware-0580/
[Update: I believe the excellent Lookout now works on iPads and iPhones. https://www.mylookout.com/.]
LikeLike
Which one do u suggest? I have a galaxy tab. Thanks
LikeLike
Sir or Ms,
As I said in the article, I do not (yet) own a tablet. And as I said in the article, Galaxy Tab owners seem equally split between those who like the AVG, and those who like Lookout.
I use Lookout on my ‘droid smartphone, and it did not slow it down any. But other than that, all I can offer you is my “general policy” which goes: I don’t care which one you use, just use one (and keep it up-to-date).
LikeLike
if looking for a free anti virus for tablet pc i would recommend AVG Mobile . i have a android tablet pc and use it . i also use AVG on my net book and my desktop pc at home and work. it is good . and the price is right-FREE!!
LikeLike
Mark Wilson,
I have only one ‘droid device, and I have not yet tried AVG on it. But I know several who are using AVG and like it.
(I have tried Lookout and DrWeb. And I moved away from AVG on the PC some years ago now.)
To me, it is a little less important which AV you use, than it is that you use (a reputable) one, and keep it up-to-date.
Folks, I recently posted an article discussing an independent lab’s testing results of Android AV products, but you can review their results in a PDF. You can get the detailed test report here.
LikeLike
I have used AVG Free on my desktop and laptop for many years with no problems. So when I recently bought a tablet I downloaded AVG for Android and it seems to work fine. But with all of these things only time will tell.
LikeLike
les bell,
Thanks for sharing your “real life” experience. I have not yet tried the mobile version of AVG.
I do not have a whole lot of experience with “mobile malware”, but what I have seen gibes with what is printed — that most requires a certain User behavior, and if you do not “root” your device, and only download from trusted sources, you greatly reduce your chances of infection.
That said, I have long said, if it (a device) connects to the Internet, it needs an antivirus. (Recent headlines make that point quite clearly…)
LikeLike
sir this i want to know which tablate oc is used for office stuff? i want to know does the normal tablate pc have microsoft office and power point as normal laptop has? could you please recommend which tablate pc would be better for office stuff? i am looking for micromax or karbon.
LikeLike
parikshit,
Tablets are for consuming (viewing), not producing. They are not replacements for real PC’s.
Microsoft Office is not available – yet, that may soon change – for any tablet operating system. But I believe they all have some kind of basic word processor (or, an “app” is available for download), but none have Office (or PowerPoint) though most all are probably capable of opening (viewing) Office documents & slideshows. (Perhaps the Windows 8 tablet PC’s will have Office when they get here..?).
I would hate to try to produce even the simplest document unless the tablet was propped in a keyboard-equipped docking station.
I guess, I really cannot “recommend” a tablet for you, except to say you might want to look at the Windows Tablets (Microsoft’s
Slate‘Surface’). Me? I’d look at an ultrabook.LikeLike
I keep getting viruses on my tablet
LikeLike
Yvette Judkins,
I’m not sure how to respond to your statement.. Except to say, we (generally speaking) get viruses due to our actions; whether that be visiting naughty websites, opening email attachments sent from strangers, downloading “Torrents”, or whatnot, and I suggest you stop doing whatever it is you’ve been doing.
LikeLike