Do I need a mobile security app on my phone?

Topic

New Reply

Hello,

I have a Moto G Stylus 5G phone that is about 6 months old. I use it mainly for calls and texts. I just saw that Norton is offering a 1 year subscription to their Mobile Security for Android protection for $9.99 and started to wonder if that is something I should have on my phone.

I do connect to my home wifi and use it for web browsing and email, but not for anything sensitive like banking or shopping – and only while on my home wifi.

I almost never connect to a public wifi, except for a few provided by a couple of stores where I shop or the doctor’s office – which needs a password to access. I very rarely use my data connection.

So – would that Norton plan be something I’d need or should consider?

Thanks!

Reply | Quote

Replies

Hi, LHiggins.

The most likely things that would ‘infect’ the android phone would be apps you install, especially if you try to side-load something without going through the Play Store.  In the past, Google did not effectively prevent potentially malicious apps from being offered through the Play Store,  either.

And with a quick web search, I discovered that most android phones that come preinstalled with malware were purchased through amazon as cheaper phones. You are safer with a known brand like Google Pixel or Samsung.

I would hesitate to buy Norton’s phone app, but it tests well: https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/mobile-devices/.  What makes it worth a look is the call blocker to silence unknown callers and the website protection.  It doesn’t have an adblocker, though.  Nor does it offer the VPN for public wi-fi, according to the testing site.

I personally use an iPhone with NextDNS set up with adblockers (you have to choose those in the DNS settings webpage) and turn on malicious website protection. It works.  Plus, I use Norton adblocker separately along with Hyperweb.  Why?  Sometimes NextDNS doesn’t catch all the advertisments.  Free. Instead of public wifi, I depend upon my own cellular connection while traveling and do not connect to the less-secure doctors’ or shopping wifi networks.

1 user thanked author for this post.

LHiggins

Reply | Quote

Thanks so much for the reply and link. I will take a look at the review, though I am thinking maybe I don’t really need the Norton program. I got this phone through QVC – it’s a Tracfone and I haven’t had issues, that I know of with any preinstalled malware. I guess the only concern might be the public wifi, but I think that I do need a password or a sign in for those that I do try to access – stores, etc.

Thanks again – I’ll take another look at it all and decide.

Reply | Quote

I can block callers without having to use Norton – it’s built in.

Web site protection is also built in because you use Chrome – assuming you update it. I clean out all browsing data regularly to keep the ads at bay.

And I use it on public wifi, but only when absolutely required.

cheers, Paul

1 user thanked author for this post.

LHiggins

Reply | Quote

Hi Paul,

Yes, I can block callers on this phone, too, so I probably don’t need that feature.

I do use Chrome as my main browser on the phone, but I admit I don’t update it regularly or clear the data, so I can look into doing those things more often.

Thanks for the reply. I guess I really may not need that Norton protection – the price was enticing, but maybe not something that I need, given how I use the phone.

Reply | Quote

Pre-installed malware is only one issue of many.

Backup your phone data regularly to an external resource.

Use a VPN for public Wifi sites.

Set up Chrome to clear data when it’s closed, and to update automatically.

Scan your phone regularly with a passive malware scanner such as Malwarebytes (free).

 

 

1 user thanked author for this post.

LHiggins

Reply | Quote

OldGuyForum wrote:

Set up Chrome to clear data when it’s closed, and to update automatically.

Can’t do that on a phone.
Chrome doesn’t “close”, it runs all the time.
Updates on Android are either all apps automatically, or manually. I use the manual method.

cheers, Paul

2 users thanked author for this post.

LHiggins, OldGuyForum

Reply | Quote