Smartphone Security

[Hopkirk]

Please excuse my ignorance, I am late to the smartphone era.

On computers we use security programs like Norton, Avast etc, but I don't see them on smartphones.

Do I need to put some sort of security in place?

Also I don't see options for disc clean up or defragment. Is it automatic?

[Gizmonster]

What OS are you using, 'cos I know for Android, there's AVG and Malwarebytes available to download to your phone ??

Not sure about the disc clean up ... etc .... not sure if it's necessary or not ....

[Buenchico]

In the absence of any other information, I'll assume that you're using an Android device.

There are plenty of security companies who would like you to believe that you need their products in order to keep your phone (or tablet or whatever) secure. However the risks are far lower with the Android operating system than with Windows. That's because apps are 'sandboxed' so that something dodgy with one of them can't affect one of the others. (Well, that's the theory anyway!).

This page covers it all quite well. (Avast Mobile Security is mentioned there and is extremely popular):
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/top-android-security-apps/

However, as with Windows, some basic common sense is at least as important as using any security software, as explained here:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/android-app-security-basics/

[Hopkirk]

Thanks, that looks interesting.

I do indeed have an Android phone.
It's a Motorola Moto G (obsolete model, so a very good price)

[Old_Geezer]

Check the Play Store. Search for anti virus or similar. There are plenty. Including AVG as it happens.

You ain't going to have a disk on a mobile. I don't think flash needs a defrag as much, but confess I've not looked for an app that offers it.

[murraymints]

I have AVG download from play store

[alavahalf]

If you want to' clean your disk' ...

Go into .. settings .. apps ... and then just ... Clean cache ..
If you go through every individual app and do this, your phone will be more responsive.

[Hopkirk]

Thanks for your help, it all looks a bit clearer now.

As I don't use t'internet on my phone for anything other than major trustworthy sites, I don't think I will bother with a security app.

[ivor4781]

CC Cleaner is available for android too from google play store