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  • Lookout Mobile Security looking to scare you again about Android "malware"

Lookout Mobile Security looking to scare you again about Android "malware"

Posted: , by Michael H.

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Lookout Mobile Security looking to scare you again about Android
Lookout Mobile Security is a company that makes its money by providing software to "protect" your mobile device from malicious software, so right off the bat, let's keep in mind that the company isn't exactly an independent and unbiased source of information on the so-called "malware" threat on Android. For Lookout and other companies, it is in their interest to scare you about potential malware and virus threats, so we want to put the newest claim in its proper perspective.

Lookout Mobile Security has announced that it is predicting 18 million Android devices to be hit by "malware" next year. First of all, Android is expected to sell 600 million devices in 2013, which could very well put the total number of Android devices around 1 billion by the end of the year. Given that, 18 million
Lookout Mobile Security looking to scare you again about Android "malware"
devices being infected would only represent 1.8% of all devices being infected with some sort of malware. Second, "malware" is a blanket term that could mean anything from an "aggressive ad network" to an app that could legitimately steal information or harm your device, so even if you are in that 1.8%, only a proportion of you will even get infected with something malicious. 

Of course, the Lookout report does have one very good bit of info to keep in mind, which is a heat map of where users are most likely to be infected by malware (which is undoubtedly connected to how often people in those regions get apps outside of the Google Play Store.) Russia has the highest threat at a 34.7% chance of infection, while the US comes in at a 0.4% chance. Though, we were surprised to see the UK and Italy as spots with threat rates over 1%. 

So, as always, be careful with how and where you get your apps. If you live in an area where you can't rely on the Play Store, or in one of the other high risk areas, certainly try to protect yourself with software like Lookout. But, if you live in the US and exclusively use the Play Store, don't worry so much, and keep things in perspective. 

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1. Mxyzptlk posted on 14 Dec 2012, 16:49 8 2

Better to be safe than sorry.

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4. blingblingthing posted on 14 Dec 2012, 16:55 1

Yes. Be safe and get your apps straight from the play store.

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10. nnaatthhaannx2 posted on 14 Dec 2012, 18:27

Exactly. Just download the popular apps and don't be stupid.
If it seems supicious, there's probably a reason why.

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22. loyals posted on 15 Dec 2012, 10:09

no bro. they are not completely safe . you should see the app permissions before downloading or have norton mobile security . it has been detected like 3 apps in mine which are with unusual permissions and i use hardly 12-15 apps due to my rom limitations. it does have malware , in very play store !! n fcourse google is taking efforts to detect them though!
check ur app permissions if possible from settings !! if u r a blind google fan , cant really help u !!

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5. MichaelHeller posted on 14 Dec 2012, 17:07 3

Definitely, but perspective on the issue is always better than being blindly scared.

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24. DomSanity posted on 15 Dec 2012, 11:37

could you pls make an article about the effectivity of an Antivirus and which is the best out there?

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3. Mxyzptlk posted on 14 Dec 2012, 16:53 7 5

Nothing wrong with a little security.

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13. networkdood posted on 14 Dec 2012, 20:17 1 1

that is funny coming from an iphone lover

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23. loyals posted on 15 Dec 2012, 10:10

iphone doesnt need one though right eh ?!! :P

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6. someones4 posted on 14 Dec 2012, 17:41

installed lookout but detected exactly zero malware in my phone. installed avast and detected and ad spammy thing.
I used to be paranoid about these stuff but i felt that they are somewhat redundant.

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14. networkdood posted on 14 Dec 2012, 20:17

yep, just use adaway...

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7. Edmund posted on 14 Dec 2012, 17:59

phone arena to the rescue (androids rescue that is)

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8. SleepingOz posted on 14 Dec 2012, 18:02 1 1

Avast all the way!

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26. blingblingthing posted on 16 Dec 2012, 21:33

I hate that antivirus.

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9. .MISTER.H. (banned) posted on 14 Dec 2012, 18:25

I've just renewed mine for £20

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15. networkdood posted on 14 Dec 2012, 20:18 1

you got ripped off for believing the hype....

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11. Samsomesh posted on 14 Dec 2012, 19:14

Avast.!!!

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12. nyamo posted on 14 Dec 2012, 19:40 2

i've never liked how these companies advertise themselves, but as an XDA user, i don't find the need to use any "malware" crappola they spout my way

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16. networkdood posted on 14 Dec 2012, 20:18

Been on XDA since 2008 and never had any malware on any of my smartphones....

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17. Jay..Apple4Ever posted on 14 Dec 2012, 22:00 1 1

i bet they wake up and look in the mirror and get scared too :P

Its simple..Download directly from google play..Check ratings and reviews first, if you got questions like the say google is your friend..

#They won't scare anyone with Android's Malware..Its Android's Dominance that have them going nuts.

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18. rusticguy posted on 14 Dec 2012, 22:17

"Lookout" and "Outlook" does it ring anything fishy now that Balmerrrr's androidrage failed ?
I am least bothered about such scaremongering ... these security companies make money by doing exactly this.

I am a big fan of AVG both on desktop and on phone.

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19. iDroidWin posted on 15 Dec 2012, 02:14

Good piece of reporting by PhoneArena.

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20. iDroidWin posted on 15 Dec 2012, 02:15

And android users, please start buying apps from play store, rather than black market (until and unless they are not available on playstore). Help the devs in supporting their work and preferring other platforms over android.

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21. brycdavis posted on 15 Dec 2012, 09:23 1

All Lookout does is cause problems. Chews through data, delays text messaging, periodic blocks web access. What a joke! Don't use malware software on your android phone! Its built in! 3rd party apps like this will only cause system issues.

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25. hanapupu posted on 15 Dec 2012, 12:27

Avast all the way..!

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