Symantec may work on Android software

12 June 2009 by Shane McGlaun

Worth Reading?

Yes

+2 [4 votes]

One of the things that go along with being online is viruses and trojans. Windows is the most targeted operating system because it is also the most widely used OS. Even Apple’s Mac OS has its share of nefarious software targeting its users.

With Android making such a big push into areas like netbooks, at some point there will likely be viruses and trojans that are aimed at the Linux-based OS. Symantec is one of the larger companies in the anti-virus software realm and the company has announced that it will “evaluate” working with Google Android.

Symantec says that it will continue to monitor the progress of Android and may offer software to protect the operating system from viruses in the future, but Windows will remain its priority for now. One challenge for software makers like Symantec in the netbook market is to make software that offers robust protection but doesn’t need much in resources to operate.

[via CNN Money]

Join the Discussion (21 comments)

mr.black

06-12-2009 12:03 PM

"One challenge for software makers like Symantec in the netbook market is to make software that offers robust protection but doesn�t need much in resources to operate."

This makes it impossible for symantec, 1 word comes to mind when i hear of those guys BLOATWARE the product is midly efficient with a t-rex size footprint. I would be way excited it trend micro or kaspersky labs got on board for 'droid AV.
Student

06-12-2009 12:04 PM

I Don't Think We'll Ever Get Virus Unless We Download Third Party .Apks Or Other Things.
androidmaddy

06-12-2009 12:16 PM

Noooo! Symantec software is the worst thing you could do to a windows computer to begin with. And they want to ruin my awesomely secure linux based operating system as well? NO WAY!
Student

06-12-2009 12:19 PM

Yeah Virus "Protection" Just Give You Virus Then They "Protect" You From Them.
JaceMan

06-12-2009 12:21 PM

Unfortunately, it's a necessary evil. An operating system cannot gain market share in the home PC arena without "virus protection." People have been nurtured by the Microsoft age and will not accept an operating system on their desktops and laptops without "virus protection."
Student

06-12-2009 12:24 PM

I Haven't Had Virus Protection On My Laptop For 4 Years And I've Never Gotten A Virus And I Modify My Gadgets ALOT And My Computer ALOT So What's The Point Of It?
JaceMan

06-12-2009 12:26 PM

Read my post again, and you will figure it out.

And just in case you can't...

Perception!
Student

06-12-2009 12:32 PM

Oh Okay Now I Feel Dumb.
storm14k

06-12-2009 12:48 PM

They can keep that garbage to themselves. The Linux community in my opinion has better ways of dealing with the malware problem than reactive solutions like virus scanning. One is the software repository system like the App Market. Then you have systems like SELinux that stop applications from doing things they shouldn't. This is just an early scare tactic to try and get people interested in malware prevention solutions that are unnecessary.
JaceMan

06-12-2009 01:09 PM

You can't have an "early" scare tactic some 14 years after Windows 95.
VValdo

06-12-2009 10:21 PM

That's hilarious! Will Symantec be providing protection for my Ubuntu box as well?

Even Apple�s Mac OS has its share of nefarious software targeting its users.

Oh please! OS X has a very tiny number of trojans floating around that you have to really go out of your way to find, download, install, and run. I don't know anyone using a Mac who's gotten a virus. Do you?

It's true anti-viral software for OS X and Linux does exist. But it's mostly to keep WINDOWS viruses (and Microsfot Office macro viruses) from being passed along. OS X, like Linux and Android (and unlike Windows), has had security in mind from its initial design.

I think I'll run the free "hello world" app that comes with the SDK. It'll be as effective.

W
JaceMan

06-12-2009 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VValdo

That's hilarious! Will Symantec be providing protection for my Ubuntu box as well?

Uhm, I don't know how to break this to you, but they already do.

konzern

06-12-2009 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheStudent

I Haven't Had Virus Protection On My Laptop For 4 Years And I've Never Gotten A Virus And I Modify My Gadgets ALOT And My Computer ALOT So What's The Point Of It?

well i dont know about u but I DO USE spyware and virus protection but i use spyware doctor with antivirus protection. its amazing its caught so many trojans im happy with the product

VValdo

06-13-2009 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaceMan

Uhm, I don't know how to break this to you, but they already do.

Yeah.. that's why I said "It's true anti-viral software for OS X and Linux does exist."... but while they may offer it, but what does it actually protect you from?

W
crazythunder

06-13-2009 09:24 PM

god help us all! symantec is a memory hog on pc's. i can only imagine what it would do to the g1.
JaceMan

06-14-2009 12:16 AM

Where the heck did my last reply go? Did the server go down and come back up? I'm missing a post in this thread.
The Maestro

06-14-2009 12:24 AM

As long as they can make us think we'll get viruses, they'll sell virus software.
johnkzin

06-14-2009 01:59 AM

Someone should talk to the ClamAV people about making a scanner for Android.
webrun

06-15-2009 09:25 AM

Symantec, stay away from my Android! I don't let you near my Windows XP machines. So you think you're getting near my Android? No Way No How!
storm14k

06-15-2009 10:16 AM

Quote:

Someone should talk to the ClamAV people about making a scanner for Android.

ClamAV scans for Windows viruses....not Linux. It is used on Linux machines running as file servers or to scan mail so that the Windows clients don't get viruses.

While its possible to have viruses on Linux/Unix Windows style virus protection is not the way to stop them. Strict permissions on what applications are allowed to do is probably the better way to go.
Scythe

06-15-2009 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnkzin

Someone should talk to the ClamAV people about making a scanner for Android.

Yeah, anything but Symantec. Since ClamAV is written for Linux, it should be an easy port. I think it'll be a long while until Android is a target for anyone.