MalwareBytes for Android

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:58 pm

All the AV apps for Android are overly bloated and do (or claim to do) more than I want. I don't want a background scanner, I don't want cloud backup, I don't want a way to remotely reset or find my phone. I also don't want to have to setup an account and log into it to scan my device. I just want a simple malware scanner to be able to occasionally scan my phone for malware and then shut down the program and not have it bogging down the device.

MalwareBytes has a free app that does the job. HOWEVER, let me warn you that they do a couple of misleading things to try to convince you to pay for the full version.

When you install it, it will imply you need to activate "Real time protection". This is the paid version. You can click on "Skip" to get past that.

When you open it, it always "Checks the device for issues" and it will always find one issue: That issue is that "Real time protection is turned off" because you haven't paid for the full version. Ignore this. Don't "Fix Now".

You have to click on the Dashboard button and select "Scanner" and start the manual scan from there. The first time you run it the scan will run automatically and it will probably say that the "Scan is in Progress". You can click on that to see the scan in progress.

Scan takes a while. It rigorously scans the whole device and the SD Card, if there is one. It took 18 minutes to scan my Moto-X. My tablet took a LOT longer (big SD Card).

Only complaints I've heard about, other than some crashing issues after an update back in November which it looks like they fixed, is that if you have a REALLY nasty rootkit, MalwareBytes will detect it, but may not be able to remove it unless you root your phone. But at least you'll know there's something nasty in there and you can try doing a factory reset.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... ware&hl=en

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 12:20 pm

I use the freebie on my PCs as a backup to Kaspersky, and I've notice recently that you have to manually select what scan you want in order for it to scan everything.

DaMaN · Post by **DaMaN** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 1:00 pm

Just installed on my Droid Turbo. took about 15 minutes and I have no issues to speak of. Thanks for sharing!

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 1:21 pm

I have the ESET AV the paid version since it was a discount because I already use their AV for my desktop and laptops. I haven't noticed any slowdowns since it runs in the background. At this time, I don't know if I will pay for it again when it comes due. It depends on the price.
It has: AV, Anti Theft, SMS and Call Filter, Anti phishing, and Security Audit.