Re: [Dorset] Nexus 7 virus software, any problems?
On Monday 31 Dec 2012 21:04:59 Clive A Wills wrote: Now I know some of you have the Nexus 7 and would like to know if there are any problems with virus' and if a virus programme is required. Also how pleased/good is it; reviews have all been good. (£199 in PC World and £189 in Argos) I have the Nexus 7 and it's a great machine. You can't beat its quality in that price range. I bought it when it came out (July) and in 6 months of heavy use, I have not had any issue with viruses (and I have installed a lot of apps). I do not have an anti-virus app. Only issue I have had with it is once, the battery ran out while the device was on and the tablet seemed unresponsive when I charged it. It actually got charged and then booted, but the led indicating it was charging didn't come on so I wasn't actually sure it was charging properly. Re: viruses on Android in general, those are spreads via fake free apps, with offers such as get X app for free sent in an email or SMS, when said X app isn't free on Google Play and is a very popular one (very often, a game). With basic common sense, you can avoid viruses on Android. -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-01-08 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
Re: [Dorset] Nexus 7 virus software, any problems?
I strongly believe (feel free to correct me please!) that most (if not all) the AV software you get for Linux (and android?) is just using the same signature databases as the main windows versions and thus all you are doing is ensuring you don't download any windows viruses. As I say, please prove me wrong :) I also use Avast (on my windows boxes) and am indeed happy with it - but AV s/w for Linux and android - show me some proof that they actually do something (and don't tell me they are root-checkers please!). Andy On Tuesday 01 January 2013 09:24:48 Terry Coles wrote: On Monday 31 Dec 2012 21:04:59 Clive A Wills wrote: Now I know some of you have the Nexus 7 and would like to know if there are any problems with virus' and if a virus programme is required. Also how pleased/good is it; reviews have all been good. (£199 in PC World and £189 in Argos) PC World staff get a commission if they sell 'add-ons' with any computer. I have no idea how much PC World charge for Norton for Android, but the online price is £29.99, which makes a big difference when the device itself is less than £200. I don't have a Nexus 7, but I do own an Android phone; there isn't really any difference as you point out. Android *is* vulnerable to viruses (as is Linux if they are targeted to it). It is also a single user OS, where the owner has root privileges, so, as with Windows, any viruses don't have to overcome basic security to get installed. Unlike Linux, (or rather the Linux we are all familiar with, since Android is a Linux distribution), it has a very large user base which is growing every day. This means that there is much more incentive to attack it than Linux, so it doesn't hurt to take some precautions. As you say, you still have to agree to install the software, so there are no 'drive by' vulnerabilities. I would be surprised if the virus count for Android ever got to be anything like Windows. What you don't need to do is pay through the nose for Norton Antivirus. There are several free ones and some have a paid-for Premium version. I-- calendar use Lookout: https://www.lookout.com/. The Premium version offers some useful additional features for $29.99 per year, but if all you need is anti-virus, the free version works fine. My wife uses the Avast offering: http://www.avast.com/en-gb/free-mobile-security. We have used Avast on our Windows machines for around 10 years now and the only time we got a virus was when my son turned it off. Both Apps are available from the Google Play Store once you have your device. The chances are, if the user is careful about what he or she installs, then they will never get a virus on Android. So the story is nowhere near as bad as on Windows, which is almost guaranteed a virus if you don't run a scanner. I mainly installed Lookout for the peace of mind and the location service, which will allow me to locate the phone if it is lost or stolen. In the end, it's up to the user whether they bother. There aren't many viruses reported for Android, so the chances are there will never be a problem. -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-01-08 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
Re: [Dorset] Nexus 7 virus software, any problems?
On Tuesday 01 Jan 2013 13:38:43 Andrew R Paterson wrote: I strongly believe (feel free to correct me please!) that most (if not all) the AV software you get for Linux (and android?) is just using the same signature databases as the main windows versions and thus all you are doing is ensuring you don't download any windows viruses. Certainly, on desktop Linux, there are far more virus signatures in the virus database than there are known viruses that attack Linux. I would agree that the main reason for running a virus scanner on a 'pure' Linux machine is to avoid inadvertently passing on Windows viruses to Windows users that I communicate with. As I say, please prove me wrong :) AFAIK, there are viruses that attack Android (ref Natalie's earlier post). It may be that the virus databases also include Windows viruses for the same reason as above, but I'm not aware of this. You must acknowledge that even a pure Linux machine is not invulnerable, although social engineering seems to be the only successful attack vector. Android is slightly more vulnerable than a pure Linux machine since the users generally have full root privileges, plus it is a more attractive target, so I would be very surprised to hear that there are no Android viruses. I also use Avast (on my windows boxes) and am indeed happy with it - but AV s/w for Linux and android - show me some proof that they actually do something (and don't tell me they are root-checkers please!). I can't show proof, so until someone does, I'll continue to use the tools available. -- Terry Coles 64 bit computing with Kubuntu Linux -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-01-08 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
Re: [Dorset] Nexus 7 virus software, any problems?
Personally i never buy anything from pcworld and always recommend others not to either. Its all sell sell sell just like from dixons - heck dixons are now currys cos they have just horrible service Yes the apps for android arent as tighly scanned as for apple and a few malware baring apps grt through. Do the av scanners spot them.. Not seen any independant tests either way Have a look at the Galaxy tab 2 7.0 8gb mid with a 32gb sdcard extra in it. The display is better imho and adding in the sd card still works out cheaper than the nexus. Martin On Tuesday, 1 January 2013, Terry Coles wrote: On Tuesday 01 Jan 2013 13:38:43 Andrew R Paterson wrote: I strongly believe (feel free to correct me please!) that most (if not all) the AV software you get for Linux (and android?) is just using the same signature databases as the main windows versions and thus all you are doing is ensuring you don't download any windows viruses. Certainly, on desktop Linux, there are far more virus signatures in the virus database than there are known viruses that attack Linux. I would agree that the main reason for running a virus scanner on a 'pure' Linux machine is to avoid inadvertently passing on Windows viruses to Windows users that I communicate with. As I say, please prove me wrong :) AFAIK, there are viruses that attack Android (ref Natalie's earlier post). It may be that the virus databases also include Windows viruses for the same reason as above, but I'm not aware of this. You must acknowledge that even a pure Linux machine is not invulnerable, although social engineering seems to be the only successful attack vector. Android is slightly more vulnerable than a pure Linux machine since the users generally have full root privileges, plus it is a more attractive target, so I would be very surprised to hear that there are no Android viruses. I also use Avast (on my windows boxes) and am indeed happy with it - but AV s/w for Linux and android - show me some proof that they actually do something (and don't tell me they are root-checkers please!). I can't show proof, so until someone does, I'll continue to use the tools available. -- Terry Coles 64 bit computing with Kubuntu Linux -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-01-08 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.ukjavascript:; How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue -- -- Martin Hepworth, CISSP Oxford, UK -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-01-08 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
Re: [Dorset] Nexus 7 virus software, any problems?
On 01/01/13 14:34, Martin Hepworth wrote: Personally i never buy anything from pcworld and always recommend others not to either. Same here: I normally come out of PC World shaking my fist in rage and frustration at the ridiculous prices! Also, once or twice I have been tempted to intervene having overheard sales people talking utter bollocks, but have always managed to bite my lip. However, this Christmas my son was able to purchase a decent new branded graphics card from PC World for the same price that it was available ebuyer and Amazon - that was a first! Sean -- music, film, comics, books, rants and drivel: www.funkygibbins.me.uk -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-01-08 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
Re: [Dorset] Nexus 7 virus software, any problems?
On Tuesday 01 Jan 2013 14:44:43 Sean Gibbins wrote: However, this Christmas my son was able to purchase a decent new branded graphics card from PC World for the same price that it was available ebuyer and Amazon - that was a first! My Samsung Chromebook was the same price at PC World as everywhere else, so I bought it there for convenience. For once the salesperson was not totally clueless (he claimed to have a Chromebook himself), but that was pretty irrelevant because I knew what I wanted. I do buy from them when it makes sense, but I wouldn't rely on their advice. I remember taking my mother there to get her a Dell Mini 10 Netbook when they were available with Ubuntu. However, PC World didn't do the Ubuntu version and the sales guy was busy telling my mother that Linux was too difficult when she mentioned that she'd been using a Linux Netbook for two years and found it much simpler than Windows! I'm still not sure if he believed her. -- Terry Coles 64 bit computing with Kubuntu Linux -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-01-08 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
Re: [Dorset] Nexus 7 virus software, any problems?
On 01/01/2013 15:00, Terry Coles wrote: On Tuesday 01 Jan 2013 14:44:43 Sean Gibbins wrote: However, this Christmas my son was able to purchase a decent new branded graphics card from PC World for the same price that it was available ebuyer and Amazon - that was a first! My Samsung Chromebook was the same price at PC World as everywhere else, so I bought it there for convenience. For once the salesperson was not totally clueless (he claimed to have a Chromebook himself), but that was pretty irrelevant because I knew what I wanted. I do buy from them when it makes sense, but I wouldn't rely on their advice. I remember taking my mother there to get her a Dell Mini 10 Netbook when they were available with Ubuntu. However, PC World didn't do the Ubuntu version and the sales guy was busy telling my mother that Linux was too difficult when she mentioned that she'd been using a Linux Netbook for two years and found it much simpler than Windows! I'm still not sure if he believed her. I have always used Comodo IS (firewalls and AV) for my Win pc's and have found it excellent. It is much less mem intensive than Norton, McAfee or Kaspersky and friendlier to use and has found threats that the paid for products didn't. There is a Linux version available, but not yet Android. As an aside, I also use Kaspersky TDS killer ( a standalone) and ComboFix. Be careful with the latter. -- P.Lane CEO Lectrics Ltd Poole Dorset -- Next meeting: Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2013-01-08 20:00 Meets, Mailing list, IRC, LinkedIn, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread on mailing list: mailto:dorset@mailman.lug.org.uk How to Report Bugs Effectively: http://goo.gl/4Xue
