It is rare that a computer user does not have an anti-virus program installed. The safety of using the system often depends on its presence. Malicious programs appear almost every day, so it is very important to protect yourself from their influence. A tablet is the same computer, only in a more compact form. And an increasing number of mobile device owners store confidential information in his memory. This can be financial information, business correspondence, or just copies of important documents that are always at hand. Naturally, cybercriminals also do not sit idly by and try in every possible way to take over your data. Therefore, a very logical question arises - is it necessary?
Some experts argue that you cannot do without it, and this is supported by a huge number of downloads of various antiviruses in application stores. Others say that if you use the device carefully, installing an antivirus is an unnecessary and useless step. Which one is right? Do I need to install an antivirus on my tablet? Does the operating system being used play a role? We will provide answers to these questions in today's material. Consider whether there is a real need to use antivirus software on tablets on Android base, iOS and Windows.
Android
Built-in system security measures
Despite the fact that more and more news has appeared in the media recently regarding a huge number of Android vulnerabilities, the operating system has a fairly powerful built-in security system. Here are its capabilities even without installing an antivirus:
- Automatic check of downloads in Play Application Market... The service has a fairly powerful virus scanning module, with which absolutely all published software is checked. A special simulator is used in order to make sure that the software does not harm a single device. Any deviations from the norm are recorded and are the reason for refusal to publish the product.
- Remote uninstallation of an infected product. For example, you installed a program or game, but later, as a result of checking, it was found that it has malicious code... This product will be removed from the app store, and even without your intervention, it will be uninstalled from the tablet.
- Checking applications installed from third-party sources. It is enough to confirm the corresponding request during installation. True, devices starting from Android 4.2 have this opportunity. But hardly tablets with more old version Android is so big that they spoil statistics.
- Automatic blocking of background sending of SMS-messages to short numbers. This is a very useful feature, considering that most of the various malware works on the principle of sending SMS to paid numbers. The cost per message can be very high. Therefore, if any installed program will try to send a message to the number of such a service without your knowledge, you will see a security notification.
- Each application has a whole system of permissions for accessing various functions of the device. True, in most cases you will not be able to manage a single permission, but only agree with all or refuse them completely. In any case, you will be able to see that if the application requires access to unusual functions, you can cancel the installation. By the way, dangerous permissions for paid functions are marked in orange or red. Some firmware, for example, MIUI, used in Xiaomi devices, as well Android version starting with 6.0 allow you to manage each resolution separately. Agree, this is a huge trump card in the fight for safe use.
How a virus can get into the system
If you use only the official website to install applications Google play Market, you have almost nothing to fear since the apps are protected by Google. However, read user comments when installing a new app. If the page contains screenshots of questionable quality, the number of downloads is insignificant, and user comments are mostly negative, it is best to refrain and look for better quality alternatives.
If from time to time you download installation files from third-party resources, then in this case there is a risk of infection with malicious files. According to leading researchers, in most cases such software is equipped with an identity theft module. In addition, attackers skillfully disguise their creations as well-known software. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not download games and applications from anywhere. It is best, if the need arises, to trust trusted resources, for example, w3bsit3-dns.com or F-Secure.
A typical example of a virus hit is an unverified program requesting access to SMS and calls It is also quite easy to get infected by going to a site with malicious scripts. Since the system is very popular, there are also a lot of viruses for it. The principle of operation of the Android system is that one application uses the components of another. This is often used by cybercriminals.
How third-party antiviruses work
How antivirus software works on mobile Android device the same as on a computer. The application runs in the background, receives antivirus database updates, scans installed programs and games, and filters Internet traffic. Therefore, when you visit a suspicious resource or install a program or game with a virus module, you will receive a notification, and the installation will be blocked. In addition, many antiviruses contain a whole package of additional features, including cleaning up system junk and speeding up work, which at times can have a positive effect on device performance.
Is everything not as good as it seems at first glance? If you have enough powerful tablet, you will hardly feel the impact of antivirus on performance. If random access memory 1 gigabyte or less, you will definitely see device performance degrade noticeably. In this case, if you decide to stop using the antivirus, take a more careful and thorough approach to the issue of security of use.
Verdict
Do you need an antivirus for an Android tablet? If you use applications only from the official Play Store and do not visit unverified sites, you will not need an antivirus, especially if your tablet is not too powerful. Firstly, you will save memory resources, and secondly, the battery will last significantly longer. in the case when you install applications not from the official store and often use questionable web resources.
iOS
Are there viruses on iOS
Apple devices running on operating system iOS are a tidbit for virus software creators. iPad and iPhone are far from cheap devices, and in many countries only wealthy people can afford them. The aim of the cybercriminals is to infect a device and force it to perform paid actions by sending an SMS to a short number or to steal stored financial data. But do viruses for iOS really exist?
Apple claims that their product is completely virus-free. Even if you specifically search for information about the real harm of viruses, it turns out that there are not many mentions of them, and most of them existed during the old versions of the operating system. Now the shortcomings have been corrected. In addition, almost any virus is designed to iOS device jailbreak received.
What is the reason for the fact that for so many years only a few mentions of viruses for iOS can be found? This situation is mainly due to the closed nature of the operating system. On the one hand, this may seem like a significant limitation of the users' capabilities, but, on the other hand, it becomes an insurmountable barrier for virus programs. First, you won't be able to install any software downloaded outside of the Apple App Store. App Store... Secondly, Apple very closely monitors the content of the App Store, so the possibility of malicious development getting there is practically excluded. Thirdly, the system is designed in such a way that each application works autonomously and absolutely does not affect the work of other components in any way.
What kind of protection do third-party antiviruses provide?
The short answer is none. Even if you come across information about a new iPad virus on a completely reputable resource, you can most likely be sure that this is a common informational stuff. Years of practice have proven that if you follow the simplest security measures, it is almost impossible to infect an iPad. By and large, all viruses were created in laboratory conditions. Naturally, the developers of antivirus systems lose a solid chunk of their profits, because often, if a person can afford to spend several hundred dollars on a tablet, he will not waste a few hundred rubles on trifles, refusing to install an antivirus if such a need really exists.
What are the so-called antivirus applications that can be downloaded from the App Store do? In the usual sense, anti-viruses do not exist as such, because none of the products presented in the app store has a built-in anti-virus database. You will be offered the opportunity to secure your passwords, hide important files and some other functions, but not in any way protection against viruses in the usual sense.
Verdict
The conclusion suggests itself - antiviruses for iOS do not exist in the usual sense, so you do not need to install them. and sleep well.
Windows 10
How secure is a Windows tablet
Why did we choose Windows 10? In the past few years, an increasing number of convertible tablets and laptops have begun to appear, running on this version of the operating system. Microsoft developers have done a very good job on the convenience for touch screens. By and large, by purchasing a Windows 10 tablet, you get an almost full-fledged laptop with a detachable external keyboard. You can continue to use the programs you are used to, and the performance of even budget models is at a pretty decent level.
But apart from the advantages, Windows 10 also adopted the disadvantages. previous versions... The main disadvantage is the huge number of viruses developed for this operating system. Moreover, the language does not really turn to blame the developers for a poorly thought out system, since Windows is the most popular OS in the world. It is installed on about 90% of computers and laptops worldwide. Naturally, the more users there are, the greater the interest of hackers and other attackers in the development of virus programs. Plus, the peculiarities of work and not the best security make it more vulnerable.
A new feature of Windows 10 is a built-in app store like the Apple App Store. But the implementation of the idea is lame, and it is difficult to call it complete. The fact is that from the Windows Store you can download and install programs developed specifically for Windows 10 in a special format for use on a touch screen. Habitual computer versions programs are not there. Therefore, you have to download software from various resources on the Internet. As a result, it is very easy to catch a virus, since few users can accurately identify the official website of the program.
In addition, there are various libraries of free software where you can download the software instead of looking for the official page. Not all of them are safe, so you can easily pick up some nasty stuff. A very popular option is to embed a bunch of additional software that clogs the system and gets into it during installation. free software... Such a fee for free. Be very careful!
Since it is not customary in our latitudes to pay for software, the most popular way to use a licensed program is to download a hacked version. If you download from unreliable resources, it is also very easy to pick up some kind of infection on your tablet.
Are the security utilities available in Windows 10 sufficient?
Despite the many risks, it is quite safe to use Windows 10 as it has several security features built into the system. There is a lot of discussion about their safety and whether to install a third-party product. Let's take a closer look at each of them.
- Windows Defender... Built-in antivirus, formerly known as Microsoft Security Essentials. Tests have always shown a rather low efficiency of this solution. However Microsoft slightly modified the product, adding cloud protection to it and slightly improving the algorithm for detecting virus threats. The anti-virus works invisibly for the user, does not load the system and does not bother with pop-up windows and advertisements of a more advanced version. The developers claim that their goal is to identify real threats, and not to optimize for passing tests. You can be sure that if you do not use dangerous software and visit only reliable resources, its protection will be quite enough.
- Firewall... It takes care of your safety by protecting against network attacks and controlling the network traffic of each application. Again, if you are careful, it should be enough.
- System blocking the launch of suspicious programs. It has several levels of protection settings and works regardless of the antivirus used. Allows in most cases to avoid unauthorized launch malware.
- Google Safe Browsing... Security system built into the most popular browsers. Its main purpose is to block access to infected sites and resources from a weak security system.
Which means of protection to choose
If, nevertheless, you decide for yourself that the built-in capabilities of Windows are not enough for you, opt for the scheme: good free antivirus+ good free firewall. We can recommend as an antivirus 360 Total Security and the firewall is Comodo Firewall... Both of them have proven themselves to be the best, providing a reliable level of protection absolutely free. An additional benefit of 360 Total Security is the support for several anti-virus engines, including Avira AntiVir and Bitdefender AntiVir.
From time to time, you can additionally scan your tablet using free antivirus scanners such as Doctor Web CureIt or Kaspersky Security Scan. This will allow you to timely identify hidden malicious files that have entered your system.
Verdict
Do I need to install an antivirus on my tablet if it works on Windows 10? To summarize, we can say that antivirus protection is essential for such a device. Fortunately, it's already built in, but if that's not enough for you, take advantage of a quality free third-party solution.
How to protect your tablet from harmful influences
If you use even the most advanced antivirus without following basic security measures, even the most expensive product will not protect you from all threats. Regardless of which operating system you use on your tablet, you should keep the following in mind:
- Do not install applications from untrusted sources, consider all security warnings during installation;
- If you are using Android or iOS, do not rush to get superuser rights and hack the system. Do this only when absolutely necessary, as a jailbroken device is at greater risk;
- If you go to a site and see a pop-up window, notifying you of the need to update some component of your system, leave it immediately, as this is 100% deception, and if you follow the link, be sure to infect your device;
- Never visit websites with strange URLs, or click on suspicious links in social networks and emails;
- If you are not sure whether to install a program or download it from some resource, first read all the reviews.
Conclusion
We hope we helped you decide if you need to install an antivirus on your tablet. In the comments, we ask you to tell us what security measures you use to protect your device.
Articles and Life Hacks
The owner of a computer device needs to know how to download an antivirus on a tablet - a program that prevents various viruses from negatively affecting its performance.
To download this program to the tablet, you should use methods that allow you to download any other program.
Basic ways
- Method 1 is as simple and hassle-free as possible. Today, almost all tablets work on the Android platform. You just need to find this application on the Internet, go to it, and the program will automatically install on the tablet.
- The 2nd method is also not very difficult. The applications used come with the same extension, which is perfectly recognized by the tablet computer.
- First you need to download from the Internet to your tablet (with via USB-cable) antivirus file with the required extension, and then find
- it in the file manager on the device.
Next, the tablet will complete the antivirus download process.
- The 3rd method is the most difficult of the above methods, since this way considered more cumbersome. It involves installing an antivirus via a personal computer.
- First, you need to download the InstallAPK application to your PC, and then connect it to your tablet computer.
- After selecting the required anti-virus file, click the mouse, and the installation of the required application will start on the PC automatically.
Loading features
In principle, each user can easily use any of the above methods. These methods are quite simple and will not raise any questions from the owner.
For the application of other existing methods certain skills of working with such devices will be required. An antivirus program is required for a tablet, any laptop or PC OS.
Modern tablets, which are released on the basis of the Android OS, have practically no viruses. But, according to analysts, the facts of infection of "minicomputers" are registered almost every day.
Antivirus vendors take care of creating mobile versions software. For example, Kaspersky is a powerful antivirus program that is ideal for many tablet devices.
In addition, it allows you to remotely destroy all information about the owner if the tablet is lost and block calls.
Having installed an antivirus program on the tablet, after the expiration date, the user must change the antivirus and uninstall the current application without fail.
How long does it take to download antivirus to my tablet? A tablet is no different from a personal computer or laptop. He can also be susceptible to attacks. Viruses do not spare anyone. But if in PCs or laptops the incubation period lasts from 2-14 days, then on the tablet the virus immediately makes itself felt. On the one hand, this is bad, on the other hand, it is good. You can remove the virus immediately and quickly, but it will make a lot of noise. Therefore, an antivirus is also necessary for a tablet. In general, there cannot be viruses on tablets as such. Of course, because they are created on the basis of the Linux operating system, and there are no viruses in it, and cannot be. But small units are very popular with both buyers and scammers.
How to download antivirus to your tablet for more security
You also need to split the threat into two parts: from an Internet resource or external device... In relation to Internet resources, you can also sum up two headers: infected files from the World Wide Web, malicious sites. Of course, the latter options are the most common, but there are cases of infection this device by connecting to a computer via USB. Therefore, antivirus is a must, but not everyone knows how to install it. How do I download antivirus to my tablet?
There are a lot of ways to install an antivirus program:
- With the help of the built-in "... Market" there are a lot of them and they come in the basic configuration with every tablet. You just find the antivirus program you need and click the "Install" button;
- Manual installation ".apk". You download a file from an Internet resource, then just run the downloaded file, and wait for the end of the installation of the selected antivirus.
- Installing an antivirus program via a computer using special program(InstallAPK). We connect the tablet to the PC via USB, select the path in the InstallAPK program and install the antivirus.
How to copy the application from computer to smartphone and install it? Do I have to go to Google Play (Market)? The answers to these questions are in our article.
What to do if traffic is on mobile internet very little, but you urgently need to download and install the application on mobile device with OS Android? It would probably be nice to load a program or game on a regular Personal Computer, and then just copy it to your smartphone and launch it there.
We will give several convenient ways to install applications on Android from a computer.
We will provide a couple of convenient ways to install applications on Android from a computer.
Method 1. Putting everything on
After you download this handy utility to your PC, you will have an enviable opportunity to install applications on Android devices directly from your computer. This software is perfectly compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8.
All you need is to launch the program and connect your phone or tablet via USB. In the smartphone settings menu, go to the "Security" section ("Applications" for older OS versions), where we put a tick in front of "Unknown sources".
In English: Settings - Application Settings (Security) - Unknown Sources.
Next, double-click on the * .apk file previously downloaded to your computer, after which the installation will be performed.
If after that the installation has not occurred, enter the settings of the smartphone, select the item "For Developers" and put a tick in front of "Debugging via USB".
For the program to work, you may sometimes need to install special drivers, which you can download for free from the developer's website.
By the way, you can download an application for Android, which a priori comes with such an extension, not only on Google market... You can find popular games and programs for smartphones based on the above operating system on our website.
The only drawback is that this program does not work with all phone models. And if your device turned out to be in a small number of such unlucky smartphones, then another method will suit you, revealing how to install programs on Android from a computer.
Method 2. Installing the application through the built-in browser
In order for method number three to function, we need to install a file manager. We choose ES Explorer, but you can install any other one.
Why do we say "for the next way to work"? Due to the fact that for permanent use this method is too long and inconvenient, and having installed the proposed application, everything will be done in a few clicks.
So, we connect the device to the computer and copy the apk file to the root of the memory card. Next, disconnect the cord, launch the browser and enter content in the address bar: //com.android.htmlfileprovider/sdcard/ApplicationName.apk or
file: ///sdcard/ApplicationName.apk (depending on your OS version).
Method 3. Work for ES Explorer
For this method, we need a useful program. This is a file manager that allows you to view all the folders on your smartphone or tablet. But the main thing is that it can be used to copy or move files from the communicator's memory to an SD card and vice versa, as well as install games and programs on an Android tablet or smartphone.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
1.install the ES Explorer program on the smartphone;
2. we connect the smartphone to the PC and copy the desired apk file from the computer to the smartphone's memory;
3. disconnect the device from the computer and launch ES Explorer in the smartphone itself, find the apk-file and double-click on it to install the program.
Method 4: Gmail doesn't just receive mail
This is a very convenient and original way of how to install a program on Android, which only a few users know about, but judging by its complexity, we can say that it is outrageously easy.
So, we send a message to our gmail mail by attaching the apk file to the letter. Having opened it through the Gmail application, we will see that the “Install” button appeared next to the attached file (the application automatically detects the file).
Clicking on the button will download and install the application.
Important
Note that if you are installing applications other than GooglePlay, a window will appear on the smartphone screen: "Installation is locked".
The fact is that for security reasons, the installation of applications from unknown sources is prohibited on the device. In this case, we do the same as at the beginning of the first method.
Choose: Settings - Personal (Security) - Unknown sources. After that, such an operation as installing a game on Android from a computer or other methods will become quite available.
When buying a tablet, we dream that the new device will serve as long as possible, delighting the opportunity at any time, even far from civilization, to communicate with friends on social networks, view mail, watch movies and work. Each tablet owner must make a decision: is it necessary to protect the tablet from viruses or is it an extra precaution, because operating system Android is proclaimed the most reliable. In addition, no malware can be installed on the tablet without the owner's knowledge, so why overload the system with antivirus?
Before deciding whether your tablet needs an antivirus, analyze how you use your device. For example, when downloading new programs, do you pay attention to how safe they are? Unverified programs can harm the operating system, so it is better to download from reliable sources or still protect the tablet with an antivirus. If there is a possibility that other people, especially children, are using your tablet, then you should take care of installing an antivirus. This program will prevent viruses from entering and interfering with the operation of your tablet. Also, the antivirus provides powerful protection against spam, which is important.
By taking care of protecting your tablet from malware, we are extending its useful life. Your confidential data, important information will not be lost if a reliable antivirus is on guard.