AV for Kindle Fire?

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I apologize if this is in the wrong place, and no, it’s not about Windows. But if anyone has some good info, I’d sure appreciate it. 🙂

Recently, my daughter purchased a Kindle Fire and is now thinking she needs an AV. I don’t have an eReader of any kind, so am clueless about all this. Can anyone recommend a good product?

Thanks ahead of time!

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I wasn’t aware that a Kindle needed an AV. I’m sure she’ll be alright without it.

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I did put an AV on my Nook Color, but only after I added a 16 GB MicroSD card with Android Gingerbread 2.3.4 and dual booted with my Nook. I can access the Android Market so in this case it seemed a good precaution as with my Android phone. I also have a AV on my phone. If I were just using the Nook to connect to Barnes and Noble, I probably would not have an AV. I would think Kindle is similar. I do not know what OS Kindle Fire tablet uses. Is it able to connect with say the Android Market or similar? If so an AV would be good. There are numerous AV apps available on the Android Market, many free.

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Thanks to both of you. 🙂 I’ll let her know! 🙂

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She should be fine as long as she doesn’t jailbrake or otherwise hack the device.

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I do not know what OS Kindle Fire tablet uses.

Gingerbread, the same as Nook Tablet, but I’m thinking the version numbers are going to be a bit different. B&N’s last update closed off the ability to side load apps from the Android store. 🙁

She should be fine as long as she doesn’t jailbrake or otherwise hack the device.

I agree. I thought about rooting my Nook Tablet but after using it for a month I found I really have all I want/need/have time for from the Nook store. Keeping it simple has really been a pleasure.

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Chuck, I did not root my tablet. N2A Cardsoffers a MicroSD card with Gingerbread installed that allows me to dual boot either to Nook 1.4 or Gingerbread 2.3.4. Using this card allows the use of Android without voiding the Nook waranty. Al I need to do is pull the MicroSD card and back to original Nook. I do not believe Kindle allows the additional storage space as Nook does. if Kindle does use Android and can go to the Android Market, I would suggest a good AV. There are several fine, free AV products listed. Just search AV on the Market.

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You have to pull the card to boot back to the factory Nook? Really? Ted, you just illustrated my point. Dual booting, especially in this fashion just makes it more complex, not to mention more expensive. However that is a LOT easier than rooting it altogether. All I want to do is read, play a game or two, and have quick, basic access to the Internet when I’m near WiFi. I haven’t found anything I can’t do with the Nook that would make want to run an unlocked version of Android. If I need more, then I really need my netbook or my laptop.

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No I do not have to pull the card to dual boot. What I said was by pulling the card I am back to original Nook. To dual boot all I have to do is reboot. I have 5 seconds to select whether to boot to Nook or Android. I generally choose to boot to Android as it is much more flexible than the Nook OS. The original Nook OS, although better now than the original version 1.0 (I bought my Nook Color right after they were released. I had to wait for mine. In fact I bought 2 for my wife and I) is very tethered by Nook. It is not capable of so much that a real tablet can do. That’s why I looked into rooting (this was not my first choice as it does invalidate the waranty) and looking at MicroSD cards I could add to dual boot with. I could not get the cards to work that I attempted to load myself, but the N2D cards work great (have 2 now). I am very pleasantly surprised at how well this card works.

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It is not capable of so much that a real tablet can do.

Not sure what a “real” tablet is that would be so much more capable of the “stock” Nook or Fire other than having more apps available. To me, advertising that there are 500k plus apps available is a bit like touting that the latest and greatest camera has more megapixels than the last model. At some point it becomes meaningless and offers no real gain other than being an advertising gimmick.

That’s why I looked into rooting (this was not my first choice as it does invalidate the waranty) and looking at MicroSD cards I could add to dual boot with. I could not get the cards to work that I attempted to load myself, but the N2D cards work great (have 2 now). I am very pleasantly surprised at how well this card works.

Good to know. I have a friend who wants to get one for his wife, but would like to root it right away. But he too is leery of voiding the warranty. This card sounds like a nice alternative.

With the card, can you access B&N content off the on board storage? Or are you simply downloading any B&N EPUB books from your web account. If so, how well does the B&N Nook Android app work?

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There is a Nook Reader app in Android Market that you download. You then connect directly to your B&N account as with the Nook Color OS and either download your books in their entirety or just download the book you are presently reading. I find the text format has more options and works just like the Nook OS reader. I suspect the Nook OS Reader is a version of the Android App. These cards makes it so much easier than rooting that it does not make sense to root.

Basically a real tablet allows you to choose the apps you wish to use. You can do about everything you can with a Android phone, except make calls, and DrWho believes he has found a way to place internet calls using his tablet (I believe he has an Android tablet) These cards can turn the Nook into a full fledged tablet with all the capabilities of any other Android tablet. The Nook OS (I do have version 1.4) goes a ways toward this but is prevented from achieving all a full tablet can do by the OS. Gingerbread sort of sets it free if you will IMHO.

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What is rooting? Why does it invalidate the warranty?

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Chatman, Welcome to the Lounge as a new poster.

Rooting is replacing the manufacturers software with a totally different software. It wipes out the original software, thus invalidating the warranty. Dual booting means I can boot to either OS.

I can set my Nook this way because it allows the addition of an extra MicroSD memory card onto which the secondary OS has been installed.

You can read a lot of info about rooting by doing a Google search. just be very careful. You might brick your new tablet or phone. There are ways to reload the original OS, but it is complicated.

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Rooting does not necessarily involve wiping original software. It merely means getting root access to the device in question.

For example, I have an Android phone that I have rooted. It is still running the exact same OS it came with, complete with all of the carrier and manufacturer specific modifications.

The only difference is that I have root access to the file system.

That allows me to do numerous things such as do full system backups, control everything down to the smallest detail through scripting, and install low level security programs that cannot be removed through a hard reset or “factory defaults” reset.

As for AV on an Android device, the best around is Avast, even if you do not have a rooted device. Not only is it free, but it covers all your bases from protecting you from malicious apps to web based exploits, to privacy concerns in marketplace apps. On a rooted device, it also offers outstanding anti-theft components.

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Rooting does not necessarily involve wiping original software. It merely means getting root access to the device in question.

So does that mean it does not invalidate the warranty?

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I recommend getting anti-virus for Android tablets. I have a Lenovo Ideapad running Android 2.3.4. I got a notification that I needed to install and update. I should have been warned off by the poor English. When I installed it, the device would not boot. (It was “bricked.”) Fortunately it was still on warranty, and I sent it off and got it back restored to its factory condition. I did not have any data on it that was not backed up, so all I need to do is reinstall a few apps. But be warned, Androids are indeed subject to viruses.

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So does that mean it does not invalidate the warranty?

If you monkey with the software on your device, expect to invalidate the warranty. Thats what both my phone and Nook manufacturers stated directly to me. Whether you totally replace the OS or just change the OS, rooting will do that.

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What if you install apps? Does that count as monkeying with the software? I hope not.

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So does that mean it does not invalidate the warranty?

It probably does, however your mileage may vary as to whether or not your device manufacturer voids your warranty. If, for example, the hardware completely fails you might be able to get warranty service, but if the software gets corrupted you may be on your own.

Of course, there are often ways to “unroot” your device if necessary for warranty service.

That being said, I certainly do not recommend rooting just for the sake of rooting or because of what might be possible. If there is something that is already possible with your device if it is rooted, and you know you want to be able to do that, then go for it. But don’t root it just to be able to say you have a rooted device.

C

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Hi Ted and Doc Brown,

I came across this discussion and have 2 cents to offer. I have a Nook Color that I have recently returned to factory specs. I gave up trying to use it as a tablet. I tried running Gingerbread from a SDHC card and discovered that it was dog slow in loading and running. It was like a computer that had to go to the hard drive for every command. It might have been the card I was using, but I quit at that point.

The main reason that the Nook Color will never be a “real” tablet is hardware. It lacks a GPS, compass, cameras and a microphone. You might think you can get along without these, but many apps require them to function. I mostly missed the mic, because I wanted to run SKYPE and could not figure a work-around. A camera is not just for taking pictures. All the apps that scan things and do recognition of any kind use the camera.

In any case, I gave up and decided to use it for just a reader, a job it does well.

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I have a 3G Kindle which in the experimental section has browser access, although at present not very reliable or easy to use. I must admit I had not thought about anti-virus on it but perhaps I should. Personally I don’t know what OS the Kindle runs or whether there is any anti-virus support available for it. I will contact Kindle support and see what they say about the matter.

If not accessing the internet but only using the Kindle store then I would think anti-virus is not necessary.

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Hi all, I have a Kindle Fire and it does not connect to the Android Market. You can go to Amazon’s Appstore, where the apps have been cleared by Amazon to be free of viruses and malware. You may, however, “sideload” an app, which may or may not be virus free. So far, all apps I have came from Amazon, so no problem. P.S. The Fire uses Gingerbread, but a modified version. Hope this helps.

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Some of you interested in Huskermania’s videos/links for rooting/unrooting Cyanogen Mod 7 in the NOOK Color

:

http://www.anamardoll.com/2011/07/ereader-running-cm7-on-nook-color-from.html]

Huskermania’s website contains a variety of instructional videos related to software installation/removal; I plan to try the root my current version the NOOK Color, but just haven’t had time to get around to that yet. Following are several links to software mentioned by this author to root the NOOK [note, the link to the Win32Imaging software mentioned by Huskermania is not where indicated; however, the link mentioned by Ana Mardoll to another WinImager does work as she described.]

Uploaded by huskermania on Apr 8, 2011
[Please read this] Mac Version here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v… This video will demonstrate how to install CM7 onto your Nook Color. This is the *BEST* ROM I’ve used on the Nook Color to date, so I’d highly recommend that everyone updates to this. Enjoy! 🙂

Download Links:

ClockworkMod Recovery: http://legacyschool.us.to/nook…

CM7 & Google Apps Pack: http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/t……

7Zip: http://download.cnet.com/7-Zip…

Win32DiskImager: http://launchpad.net/win32-ima……

Following, are videos describing these processes for the pc:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

[h=4][/h]

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Please see the following reply from Amazon regarding a Kindle 3G

I understand your concern regarding the risk of virus in Kindle device through 3G network.

Please note that, there is no need for any built-in or external security software as there is no way to download/install software from the Internet to your Kindle.

There won’t be viruses specifically for the Kindle, but a Kindle could become infected by a virus on your computer which could get into the Kindle while you transfer the music and other files to the device. The way to protect it is to be very careful about the antivirus on your computer.

Hope this helps.

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I have had no trouble connecting to Android Market with Kindle Fire .Free AV available at both Amazon and android sites

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I’m going to add my $.02 also. I have the Amazon Kindle, not the Fire, I started with the origina and now have the Touch. I never thought to use it as a tablet, I don’t (yet anyway) see a need for one. I have PC at home, a PC at work, and an Android phone on me all the time While the bigger screen may be nice, I read on my reader, look up impulse things on my phone, and that only at times when I am away from home or office. (which in my busy life is not so much) While it seems like a good idea at times, I still think I would get one and end up using it for “Angry Birds” and not much else. Maybe one day, (never anything by Apple), but not today. Like I said, just my $.02 fwiw.
Joel

Joel

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Hi Ted and Doc Brown,

The main reason that the Nook Color will never be a “real” tablet is hardware. It lacks a GPS, compass, cameras and a microphone.

Sound a bit like the original iPad. Was that also not a “real” tablet? Its a bit like saying a Ford Fiesta is not a real car because it can’t do 0-60 in 4.0 seconds, or have a sport tuned suspension.

You might think you can get along without these, but many apps require them to function. I mostly missed the mic, because I wanted to run SKYPE and could not figure a work-around. A camera is not just for taking pictures. All the apps that scan things and do recognition of any kind use the camera.

I get along just fine with these hardware additions. Not really sure what I “need” these things for. If I really want/need to Skype, I have a nice laptop to do so, alternatively I can use my netbook if I’m traveling. Not that I ever want to Skype. There is no need for me to ever do so. I have a dedicated Garmin Nuvi GPS which is nice and compact. Why would I ever want to mount a 7″ screen in front of me while I’m driving?

You are right, the Nook Tablet is first and foremost a reader. That is its primary function. but it is indeed a tablet. Albeit, low end. Not unlike an economy car vs a high performance luxury car. You can’t realistically compare the two and expect the same results.

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Cthorpe, Welcome to the Lounge. It’s nice to see a new poster here.

I have stated that I am new to this Android game. In all the experiences I have had with rooting (not many I will admit) the native OS was replaced with the new OS. In both cases I have since returned the devices to original using Odin. I much prefer the dual boot method.

TraderGeorge, Also welcome to the Lounge as a new poster.

Mine is just as quick with the N2A card as with using the Nook Color OS. I agree that a tablet will not replace a phone, but using Gingerbread on my Nook Color gives me considerable more capabilities. It’s definitely not a phone, or a GPS enabled device, but then again many other tablets are not as well. I just like the option. If I want to use a camera, I will use my phone, or my very nice digital SLR camera. If I want to use Skype I will use my laptop.

I do not believe there is any one device that does it all, at least not in my price range. I just want to get as much out of my Nook as I can. The dual boot option gives me more alternatives that I would not have otherwise.

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I agree that a tablet will not replace a phone, but using Gingerbread on my Nook Color gives me considerable more capabilities. It’s definitely not a phone, or a GPS enabled device, but then again many other tablets are not as well. I just like the option. If I want to use a camera, I will use my phone, or my very nice digital SLR camera. If I want to use Skype I will use my laptop.

Hi Ted, I believe this is another of those “your mileage may vary” situations. I have several tablets and have found that they make you better able to use more of the more sophisticated apps by having the extra hardware. I had mu Nook Color rooted for quite a while and it just didn’t work for me, especially when I saw what the other tablets are capable of. Also, if you watch the specials at “WOOT”, Amazon and others, tablet bargains come along all the time. I bought a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 for $350 and a Toshiba Thrive for $319. (Yeah, I know, I am a gadget junky)

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No, apps do not change the underlying OS software. Just as with Windows, adding apps adds to the software, but does not change the underlying OS. Rooting actually changes or totally elliminates the underlying software to allow much more user control, control beyond what the manufacturer wants. For example my Samsung phone has Android Gingerbread 2.3.4 installed by Samsung. If I root the phone, I can change to allow me more finite control of what the OS can do, and allow me to use those apps that will only work with rooted phones, but Samsung and / or the Carrier (I use Sprint) will not touch the phone if something stops working. You are on your own. However I can add all the apps I wish from the Android Market to allow me to use my phone in different ways. I just can not touch the underlying Android Gingerbread 2.3.4 OS. I can accept Android updates that are pushed from Samsung without problems, I just can’t do it myself.

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Be very careful when using the info in post #26. Unless you are technically orientated this does get pretty involved, and does NOT always work properly. It’s important to know that rooting is not for the faint of heart. Again, be very careful!

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“Rooting” or “jailbraking” is a form of hack performed on a device’s software in order to open it up or otherwise remove
the limitations put in place by it’s maker. It is perfectly legal in most instances.

Jailbraking is a term used more often when referring to an apple device or software.
The upside to doing any of this is obvious to many who do it, if it isn’t obvious to you then you should probably refrain.

One of the downsides to Rooting or jailbraking is that you will potentially leave yourself open to a wide range of infections
that have emerged along side this growing and popular trend.
Another downside to this, as others here have mentioned, if you are within your warrenty period you will void it.

Placing an Antivirus app on such a simple device also has the potential to slow it down.

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Getting back to the original post, it appears that Apps can be downloaded or sideloaded onto the Kindle without really hacking or jailbreaking. Apps themselves can come from the Android Marketplace, which is fairly safe and reasonably spyware-free. So as long as that is the extent of your downloading of software, you probably do not need special AV protections.

But if you jailbreak, dual-boot, or add Android capabilities to the Kindle, all bets are off. The Android OS, when installed in this fashion, does have vulnerabilities which some AV vendors have been addressing lately.

The original question does not involve jailbreaking, so the answer is that no additional protections are needed in this limited situation.

-- rc primak

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As Kindle Fire is an Android Linux-based OS. It won’t need an anti-virus or anti-malware app to protect it.

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