New to Android. Please help

[mickie]

Im new to android having had an iPhone from its launch. I'm confused about virus protection. Do I need virus protection/checker. Also, what is a task killer and do I need it.

I'm very new to android and would appreciate any advice on how to run my xperia z1 safely.

[Fahim715]

Antivirus and task killer are optional. You maybe want to use antivirus if you download many thing using your phone. The bad thing is it will slow down your phone a little bit. Task killer is not recommended. It maybe kill some important app that your phone need it but if you want to use it go ahead If you want to kill app for faster phone you will need it

[djsat21 · Accepted solution]

As a seasoned Andriod user I've never had the need for anti virus software, and in my opinion, for the average user, it's just a gimmick and **bleep** up the performance of your device.  Because of Google's open policy with apps on Android it means that you can side-load apps without the Google Play store if you so desire, i'd imagine this is where the need for anti virus has come from as most Play store apps are filtered or at least scanned by Google for naughty code.

As for the task killer, again not really needed, maybe only if you run dozens and dozens of apps and notice a performance issue.  The latest versions of Android are pretty good at killing and suspending apps on their own without intervention.

[alirj121]

MDID

[mickie]

Many thanks for advice. Alleviated many of my concerns.

[Bob5376]

Hi,

I am new to Android phones, Ive only had my Sony Z1 for a couple of months... today I had a messgae coming up saying I had a virus??? Eeeck I'm not amazing with things like this I have downloaded the AVG app and run a scan and it's saying its all fine but I'm still having messages come up about the virus. Any suggestions?

[_alexdon_]

It could have been just an ad from an app,you could not have anything.Did you tap on the ad?