Getting a virus? - Droid Forum

rockcrawler304 · #1 11-18-2009, 09:49 PM

Since the droid uses Google for the operating system (something like that I think) and Google is an open application service, what are the chances of getting a virus on the phone?

administrator · #2 11-19-2009, 12:29 PM

This was posted on another forum and I thought it would be good to repost here:

Quote:

Let me sort of squash this notion of a virus on Android platform.. it IS a possibility, yes.. but highly unlikely. First, their are only two ways a virus could get into your phone. One is via an OS update.. and that would mean that the google team themselves bundled their OS/Android platform with the virus in it. Since they are extremely specific on what goes into this, I seriously doubt this will ever happen. The other way would be installing and running an app that has some sort of native code in it that can introduce a virus at the linux kernel level of android devices. I see this as a more probable way of it happening, but still pretty unlikely.

As for downloading an android app that adds a virus to the system.. as each android app runs in its own JVM and can only access programatic pieces of other apps by specifying them in their app, the only way I see an app becoming a potential virus is if a service is running and it can intercept data from other apps.

HOWEVER, to be fair, java byte code is easily revesible. Anyone can grab the .apk file from their phone, or from a site that allows you to download the .apk files. Reverse it, put in some java code (or native code possibly), rebundle it and host it or put it up on the store. I do think tho, that google will monitor and quickly squash duplicate apps from different vendors. That is why we developers have to be a developer ID and while I haven't uploaded an app yet, I would guess that the name + my specific ID and such will keep it unique. I don't know if it's possible for different vendors to have the identical app name put up on the store. If not, then this route will be much less of a worry for viruses.

As for getting a virus via email... I would highly doubt that is possible on these devices. Unlike windows and outlook and such that allow executable apps to be run when you so much as open an email (although usually its clicking on attachments), I don't believe there is any way to run an attachment from an email on your phone. It may open up another app to read it, for example.. clicking on a pdf attachment.. and I don't even know if these phones can do that.

rockcrawler304 · #3 11-19-2009, 09:36 PM

Thanks!! That is the info I was looking for

harry zamora · #4 02-14-2010, 10:11 AM

HI, I just wanted to know if a black screen may be caused by a virus. My wife just purchased the Motorola Droid through Verizon and within two months the phone is dead. The store told her that she got a virus and it destroyed the phone. They also said there is no manufacturers warranty because she downloaded a Trojan virus. Is that true and are these phones easily infected and destroyed. She only checks emails and texts. Any information and/or suggstions would be appreciated.

Harry Zamora

administrator · #5 02-14-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry zamora

HI, I just wanted to know if a black screen may be caused by a virus. My wife just purchased the Motorola Droid through Verizon and within two months the phone is dead. The store told her that she got a virus and it destroyed the phone. They also said there is no manufacturers warranty because she downloaded a Trojan virus. Is that true and are these phones easily infected and destroyed. She only checks emails and texts. Any information and/or suggstions would be appreciated.

Harry Zamora

I think what they have told her is a bunch of crap. Have you tried restoring the phone back to factory defaults or does it not power on at all? You should really be calling Verizon customer service and never go back to that store again other than to get the name of the moron who gave you such a lame excuse...

sabres fan · #6 02-14-2010, 06:11 PM

I had the same problem with the screen going to black and not turning on. I fixed it by taking out the battery for about a minute and then letting it reboot.

harry zamora · #7 02-14-2010, 07:19 PM

Thanks to all who responded to my post. I have tried rebooting, taking battery out etc. I will just have to try to convince verizon the administrator is correct and try to get them to fix it.

Brennanleroy · #8 02-16-2010, 08:15 PM

We experienced the same problem with our phone after 6 weeks. We removed the battery and it fixed the issue

administrator · #9 05-13-2011, 07:46 PM

AVG anti-virus is now available in the Android Market so this might be a good solution for any virus issues that might pop up. I've been trying it out for a couple of days on my Droid X and I haven't had any issues with it yet, nor has it affected the speed of my phone in any way.

Redleg · #10 05-22-2011, 08:30 PM

Also, be sure to enable the phone to always pick up on local wifi service even if you think you're in a strong signal area for your provider. Whatever coffee shop you're at will probably be giving out a stronger signal, saving some battery power for network searching. You may also benefite from whatever firewall and protection the WIFI host is utilizing. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Don