Mobile Antivirus: Don't Believe the Hype

A few months ago I wrote a blog about the need, or lack thereof, for an Antivirus solution for Android and iOS and that users should instead search for a good Application Manager. You can read this post here if you like.

Today, I am ecstatic that someone more reputable and with more clout than I is finally speaking up. Chris DiBona the Google Open Source Program Manager, unleashing a complete rant about the lack of a need for an Anti-Virus program for Android and iOS.  The Manager went as far as calling companies pushing this technology, “Charlatans and Scammers. You can read his comments here.

Let me be very clear. I am not saying, “There are no threats to data loss or privacy on mobile devices. I agree that there are many malicious or shady applications found on the Google Market, and even in iTunes that will steal your information, spy on you, incur data or voice charges, etc. But calling these applications “viruses is a serious misnomer and is just a ploy by the “Scammers and Charlatans to get your money.

These rogue/shady applications do not infect your device; these applications don’t “magically appear on your phone by opening an infected attachment or visiting a malicious website; these applications only get on your device by you, the owner of the device, selecting to download and install them. If a user does not choose to download and install these apps, they will never get on their phone. 

My suggestion: Don’t run out and drop money on an anti-virus solution that is really just taking up space on your SD card and sucking your battery life