Virus Protection for Smartphones Unnecessary - Right? Antivirus

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Virus Protection for Smartphones Unnecessary - Right? Antivirus


Android devices in particular are popular targets for criminals. Google's own protection app, Play Protect, is not very reliable. The most important protection lies in the behaviour of the user.

It's almost like a question of faith: some say that a protection program against viruses, phishing and other rip-offs should be on the smartphone. The others consider this to be completely unnecessary. What speaks for and what against security apps?


At this point, we apologize for the fact that the text is a little longer. But there are many aspects and arguments on this subject.

Some also say that security apps are unnecessary for the following reasons:


If you only install apps from the official store, you can be sure not to catch any viruses. At Apple, installation from other sources is not even possible - unless you manipulate your iPhone or iPad (so-called jailbreak). Google now uses "Play Protect" to examine every app in its Play Store before installing it on a smartphone or tablet. Users can also set the tool so that all of their installed apps (including those from other sources) are scanned by "Play Protect". And yet dangerous apps still make it from the Play Store to user devices. In a study by Stiftung Warentest at the end of 2018, Google's own protective function was rated "poor". Overall, "Play Protect" cut

If you don't follow links in emails and only open "clean" pages on the Internet, you hardly have to worry about anything even without a security app. Many browsers also offer a warning of phishing sites on their own. Phishing warnings are activated by default in the iPhone and iPad browser, for example. But: Heise Security provides examples that simply calling up a website can paralyze the cell phone.

Security apps also advertise additional functions that Android, iOS and WindowsPhone sometimes already offer by themselves: free location and locking of the device, for example. However, this function must first be set up. More on this in the article Locate your cell phone.

In addition, there is data protection: As a rule, security apps want full access to everything that the range of permissions allows. It's kind of logical because that's the only way they can work completely and, for example, delete all your data remotely if the cell phone was stolen. But with this you also allow the app manufacturers to access all information from your device. We will go into this in more detail below.

Why Apple Users Are Quite Safe

With iOS, installations are only possible via the App Store if the operating system has not been manipulated by a jailbreak. Because Apple checks all apps before publication, users are quite safe.


Things are a little different with Android: Around 90 per cent of all smartphones in the world have this operating system. Apps can be installed from the official Play Store, but also from other (unsafe) sources. Developers can smuggle malicious apps into the Play Store, which are then subsequently removed by Google. Tip: Don't install new apps right away, but rather wait a few weeks and read user reviews.


Important to know: Malware and Trojans always have to be installed first. So they get onto the device through "dirty" apps (files with the extension . APK) or manipulated websites/advertising banners and can then do their mischief. It is therefore particularly important to pay attention to important things when using the mobile phone (see below.

Some free apps access too much data

In its 2018 study, Stiftung Warentest found that many security apps send more user data to the manufacturer or even marketing companies than is necessary for operation. Just like us, the testers see it critically - "even if it is comparatively harmless with most apps," says the review. This is not very sensitive information, but it is not necessary for the apps to function."


You are the Best Virus Protection!

Conclusion: What the security apps deliver, many Android smartphones already have onboard themselves - e.g. from version 5.1 an activation lock. It firmly links the device to the owner's user account. Even if it is reset to the factory settings, it cannot initially be used again without its Google access data. The apps on Android and iOS run in what is known as a sandbox: This is an isolated area within which every measure has no effect on the external environment. Only if you allow it to affect other areas (keyword: app permissions), that happens too. It is therefore important to know exactly what apps want to access and for what reasons. With Android from version 6 (Marshmallow), you can grant and revoke individual rights in the system settings. For example, if you do not want the app of a social network to continuously determine your location, deactivate this right. If it doesn't work after that, it may be worth looking for an alternative.


Also, it never hurts to make a backup every now and then. So regularly back up the files on your smartphone on a PC or (if there are not that many) a USB stick. Depending on how much you do with your device, such a backup once a month can be enough. So you can play your files back on your mobile phone in an emergency, in case you have to "wipe it out completely" due to malware.


Set up Used Smartphones Again!

Anyone who receives a used device should reset it to the factory settings before using it for the first time. For example, the previous owner could have installed surveillance that spies on your behaviour without you noticing. It would be removed with the so-called reset.

You Should Generally Keep This in Mind When Using Your Smartphone

  • Install apps and updates only from the official app stores!
  • In the Android settings under "Security" deactivate the item "Unknown sources" or "Install unknown apps".
  • Don't be blinded by emails that claim to provide an update for certain apps as an attachment. 
  • Update messages for apps from the official stores are not sent by email!
  • Read through what rights the apps want to have. We explain more about app rights here .
  • Protect your smartphone with a secure locking method.
  • Keep the version of the operating system up to date, as the updates often contain security improvements.
  • Have the use of chargeable SMS services ("premium services") blocked by your mobile network provider. Keyword: third party blocking. Then you can no longer make a mess with it.

Virus protection with antivirus to safe your smartphone. 

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