Antivirus is up to you!
I've read some posts here and there, it really is a good question, in fact it's the most problematic question concerning smartphones - let me explain:
Antivirus, as we all know, is a software that is intended to protect our private data to keep them private & possibly to protects our PC (when we want the PC we want it fully functional) - in a general definition.
Antivirus got so popular because of Microsoft "coding monkeys" making stupid security gaps in the most (unfortunately) popular operation system (that is Windows of curse) widely used - will now you know how much I like Microsoft.
Maybe some users are unfamiliar with Linux distros (like Ubuntu, Fedora ...), but these operation system actually don't need any antiviral protection since the teams working behind these OSes are really (really!!) called developers! They always work hard to fix these OSes (operations systems) and make them more secure with their daily updates (and we don't pay them a $, surely not like the amount of $ spent on Microsoft) because they care about us and as they want to feel free filling their computers with private data they want us to feel free too.
The thing is, lots of people have Windows installed as their OS, and they know that antivirus is a must!! (and it's really a must - if you don't have an antivirus in your Windows, then your like Alice in Wonderland, have no idea about whats going on!), that is why when buying a smartphone (smartphone has a continuous internet connection - the "distribution center" of the viruses) they automatically feel the need for an antivirus, and maybe they are right, I bet that there are at least 20 private photos and 2 private movies and God knows what types of email and messages you send via your new smartphone! And that's not including those who actually integrate their phones as a part of their work (they are forced by law to keep any work documents in a safe places).
So, your phones are probably your life! And you need to keep your life safe!
Android is Linux based (thank God it's not Windows), you should be in a real safe hands, and I might add, that the contribution of Google to Android (and Linux) project was a Big Bang for these projects, so the acceleration in their development increased greatly - But be sure to get the updates!
I personally don't use any antivirus software, but this is because I'm deep into the ocean and I know where the sharks are hidden.
Lookout Mobile Security in “Lookout mobile threat report,” August, 2011 said:
85% of smartphones do not employ antivirus protection.
15% of smartphone users that did employ antivirus
protection, 1 in 5 had reported being infected by mobile malware
There ARE malwares (viruses) for smartphones, don't think they don't exist, but they can't actually do a thing in Android. They are helpless, unless you give them the power to execute as they should, and by this I mean root privileges! All the rooted phones must be aware of the app they download and install in their devices, before installing an app (even if it is from Google Play Store), you should check the list of permissions carefully!! And try not to download any apps from unknown sources. And last but not least, don't EVER give any root permissions to unknown apps.
I am sure that if you follow these directions, you won't be needing any antivirus app in your smartphones, but if you suspect that your going to miss something, and you feel pretty protective for you data and smartphone, I suggest you don't take the risk and apply the needed (and proved!) protection for your device - but expect for some battery drains for it isn't a perfect solution for mobile devices.
