Android has been around for several years now and yet the topic of security continues to be the source of some argument. On the one hand you have the idea that Android is not susceptible to virus threats and, provided you are careful about what you download, there is no real need for antivirus software.
Fundamentally all Linux-based distributions are immune to any viruses. Android has no exception. Android is just yet another Linux-based mobile operating system. So, the answer to your question is NO! Android phones do need not any antivirus .
A mobile antivirus does an excellent job of protecting your device against malware threats. Antivirus for Android makes up for the security weaknesses of the Android device. Besides, an Antivirus also keeps you safe from the latest online threats.
One of the next things we wondered was; what is the Best Antivirus for Android phones?
If you need an antivirus on Android, AV-Comparatives, which is an independent organization that tests anti-virus products for different platforms, recommends the likes of Bitdefender, Trend Micro, AVG, and Kaspersky. Don’t just install any antivirus from Google Play — most of them don’t actually do anything.
Although antivirus products on Android have come a long way, even the antivirus products from renowned companies will still consume 3 to 8 percent of your battery as well as other system resources. So there’s no point installing something that’s going to be of no use to you and also hogs vital aspects of your phone.
Should you install an antivirus on your Android phone or tablet?
While there may be a lot of Android malware in the wild, a look at Android’s protections and studies from antivirus companies reveals that you’re probably safe if you follow some basic precautions. Android itself has some built-in antivirus features.
Very few apps (only apps that interact with SMS messages) need this permissions to function. If you only install apps from Google Play, you shouldn’t need an antivirus. However, if you regularly sideload apps from outside Google Play, you should probably install an antivirus app just to be safe .
Does Android have anti-malware protection?
Prior to Android 4.2, the majority of Android’s anti-malware features weren’t actually found on Android devices themselves – the protection was found in Google Play. This means that users who download apps from outside the Google Play store and sideload them are more at risk.