Is it possible to get a virus on droid

[Khiraji]

I still think back to that paper outlining a technique to hide malicious code in a C compiler that can detect when it is compiling itself and re-inject the bad code in the result. These days if you are clever enough, most anything is possible.

Now that's a brilliant idea. Insidious, but brilliant.

 

[event121]

Let's say in a worst case scenario - the phone gets infected with spyware, a virus, or any other possibility that leads to "crap we don't want to have happen to our device" ...
Options are:
*.sbf ?
factory reset ?
restore a backup ?
lock phone in safe and run because it's gonna blow ?

 

[hookbill]

It's much harder to write an actual virus for a linux system then it is for windows. Macs haven't had a Virus in years. People write viruses for Windows because it's still the most popular OS on the planet, though Lord knows why, and when they launch one they want to get as many people as possible.

Oh the part I said about writing the virus? This is from several of the 1000 threads already existing from this subject. I have a hard enough time writing my name on a check let alone write a virus.

 

[0082]

First, I assume you mean malware or anything that carry "malicious payload". Computer virus is a specific term refers to a computer program that is capable to self-popagating. Virus is uncommon nowaday, most of the "bad things" you see out there are worms, trojans, system vulnerability attacks at network layers.

Yes, it is possible to get infected by a malware on Android. If you go wild on the Internet, expecially those torrent, porn sites. There is a good chance you will pick up a few malwares.

Traditionally, Linux is fairly safe because of the small population and there are so many variants of Linux, it is hard to write a malware that works on multiple platforms. But Android as a single platform (and Mac too) is growing too fast and make a perfect warm bed for hackers. So expect more security alerts in the coming months. Geinimi is just one example (google Geinimi if you have not heard of it). It is scary to see the amount of apps from Market that requires full Internet access, SD access, and full phone access (combine together, the app can basically take over your phone without your notice). I definitely won't use my Android for online banking.

Is it possible to get a virus on the droid 2 and if so how possible

 

[FoxKat]

Deleted...

 

[pyro6128]

Computer virus is a specific term refers to a computer program that is capable to self-popagating.

:icon_eek:

OK, I'll overlook the grammatical errors as they may be due to a language translation issue/barrier, but don't you mean self-replicating (i.e. making copies of itself - hence the term "virus")?

its a typo, the word he meant was self-propagate/ing

 

[FoxKat]

Deleted...

 

[pyro6128]

yea I'm willing to bet he didnt think there would be a test on this. I'm sure next time hell just say "make a butt load of itself" :icon_eek:

 

[FoxKat]

yea I'm willing to bet he didnt think there would be a test on this. I'm sure next time hell just say "make a butt load of itself" :icon_eek:

Fair enough. I have removed my comments.

 

[zero7404]

i think the risk gets amplified for rooted users. if the market is not locked down, then thats google's can of worms. its like microsoft selling you viruses in software you buy.

i dont like apple, but i admire some of thier procedures because it keeps things in check. google should do the same with the market.

sent via wireless device

 

[hookbill]

i think the risk gets amplified for rooted users. if the market is not locked down, then thats google's can of worms. its like microsoft selling you viruses in software you buy.

i dont like apple, but i admire some of thier procedures because it keeps things in check. google should do the same with the market.

sent via wireless device

This post doesn't make sense at all. Why would rooted users be more at risk? If anything someone who has rooted a phone should be more aware of what he's downloading into the phone. Further, within the community itself applications for rooted owners are pretty well scrutinized.

Please don't try to compare anything about Android with Microsoft. The platforms are entirely different and delivering a virus is not as easy to do as it is with Microsoft.

And the second paragraph says you don't like apple but you want a market like apple. How could you not like something you admire?

 

[zero7404]

in some cases a non-pro will wind up asking a pro to root their phone for them. hence the non-pro does something silly like downloads a malicious app ...

all OS platforms are prone to exploitation in one way or another, it's just a matter of popularity, security and the right exploit. android is pretty secure because it's linux based, but even linux is not immune to a trojan or exploit.

microsoft, apple, linux they are all in the same boat ...

my admiration comes from the guidelines to enforce a common software architecture and user experience that results in trouble-free and smooth operation. not liking apple's business practices doesn't necessitate that i have to hate everything about what they do -- people who are absolute like that may do so at their own desire: i don't like apple but i like itunes. i don't like microsoft but i like windows 7, etc .... i'm not an absolutist or slant in only one direction. i'll use tools at my disposal to serve my needs ....

 

[furbearingmammal]

Why would rooted users be more at risk? If anything someone who has rooted a phone should be more aware of what he's downloading into the phone. Further, within the community itself applications for rooted owners are pretty well scrutinized.

Root access of a phone allows any app access to the base software on the phone. As such, being rooted increases the risk to the phone. However, your next point is very true. Therefore rooted phones are more at risk but your average rooted user is far less likely to engage in risky behavior. Now, there are dunces on both sides of the fence, but overall I'd bank on rooted users on the whole being safer Droiders.

 

[harrellj]

i dont like apple, but i admire some of thier procedures because it keeps things in check. google should do the same with the market.

However, there's enough stories of items getting through Apple's "protections". The most recently being an app that gives different ways to roll a joint, but there is that one flashlight app that after doing a certain combo, would allow tethering.


Yeah, yeah.. I'm on my phone. So?

 

[joeybarclay]

Why would rooted users be more at risk? If anything someone who has rooted a phone should be more aware of what he's downloading into the phone. Further, within the community itself applications for rooted owners are pretty well scrutinized.

Root access of a phone allows any app access to the base software on the phone. As such, being rooted increases the risk to the phone. However, your next point is very true. Therefore rooted phones are more at risk but your average rooted user is far less likely to engage in risky behavior. Now, there are dunces on both sides of the fence, but overall I'd bank on rooted users on the whole being safer Droiders.

I disagree if I download fakemediaplayertrojan.apk I am totally gonna give it superuser permissions.