AVG Security Suite will scam your Windows Phone for malware in pictures and music

September 7, 2011 | By Surur

AVG has released a free application which will supposedly protect Windows Phone 7 users from malicious malware. This of course presents two problems – 1) Windows Phone is not Android and 2) Windows Phone is not Android.

Regarding the first issue, there is no viruses or other malware for Windows Phone 7 (unlike the festering hellhole which is Android) and secondly, 3rd party applications like AVG Security Suite does not have the deep access to scan other applications on Windows Phone 7 in any case, meaning even if their was viruses the app could not find them.

In fact the app goes about scanning music and pictures, not really well-known vectors for malware on Windows Phone 7.

Which brings us to the title, which is not a typo – sounds a bit like a scam, doesn’t it?

At least its free, and if having a useless application on your phone rocks your boat it can be downloaded from Marketplace here.

Thanks Chirag for the tip.

About Surur

Site Admin and Windows Phone enthusiast, he has been using Windows Mobile devices since before they were called PocketPC’s. He is currently sporting a HTC 7 Trophy.

Tagged app, security, software, windows phone 7

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jason-Boyd/576666141 Jason Boyd

It will scam my computer? lol not sure If i wanna download it now…

Anonymous

LOL, first thing I noticed, too. Surur, I think you meant “scan?”

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=662972403 David Gordon

You need to read the article… it’s intentional.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=715591433 Barry Allott

Lol, article READ fail!….. read the article before posting guys

Anonymous

Well you’re half right, he did intend to write “scam,” but this is not a scam. There *is* such a thing as viruses that exist in content which third party apps can access (and in this case, scan). Furthermore, it is sometimes possible for Microsoft to allow 3rd party apps to access more than other apps with certain exceptions. It could be that Microsoft made an exception in this particular case.

AVG is well know. I doubt they would ruin their reputation with some sort of scam.

So it is kind of strong and somewhat absurd accusation, which is probably why I didn’t read the rest of this article (no offense).

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KTAHVKS2RNDWTQPHQEJALLRNEQ Adam Paris

Its just bullshit what you are saying. All you do is defend AVG.
AVG is a company who makes money. Thats all
Simba Chinawah

as much as i hate a lot of the fanboy flavored articles here, he’s exactly right and you’re dead wrong. a malware scanning app that doesn’t have native access to the phone, let alone access to other apps is absolutely useless.

it’d be like having a mall security guard that could only patrol the food court, but absolutely nowhere else. does that make any sense to you?
Anonymous

withinrafael looked at the binary and data transferred, and found it only scanned for 2 text strings, EICAR and ????? . That is the full extent of its virus definition file.
http://www.withinwindows.com/2011/09/07/the-only-time-youll-see-avg-security-suite-warn-you-about-malware-on-windows-phone-7/

Seems pretty scammy to me.
http://twitter.com/efjay01 Ef Jay

Its a scam, pure and simple.
Anonymous

Actually you are HALF right. It’s not a scam because it’s free. However it is useless!

http://www.searingarrow.com AlienSix

Virus scam time
Anonymous

AVG(or whoever developed this) must have thought:
Hey its WINDOWS Phone! —> Windows is quite prone to viruses and its where we make most of our money —> It needs an antivirus! Like ours!
At least they know Windows Phone exists….
Meekermoloko

I installed it just to try it. It didn’t even work right. It kept booting me out of the app during each “scan.” Uninstalled a minute later.

I used to like AVG a couple years back too.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Milad-Bazzaz/100000479683479 Milad Bazzaz

thanks but no thanks.
http://twitter.com/mik3_R2 Mike

Great…. just what we need. An antivirus for a Windows based platform (which ATM doesnt need) I bet it will do wonders for its already awesome reputation #sarcasmI love WP7 and Mango but seeing this will further turn people away from th platform since most people will think it it filled with malware like #nomention
Anonymous

Don’t know why theres so many articles on this app. If people realise theres an AVG app for WP, the general public might start thinking WP has virus’ like the desktop OS when actually it doesn’t. Microsoft should never have allowed it through as this is bad publicity imo.

http://twitter.com/efjay01 Ef Jay

Agreed. This is one instance where MS should have looked at the app and weighed whether it brings any benefit to the platform. The app only scans for 2 ancient viruses, doesnt have native access or access to other applications and the only way to get music and pictures onto your device is through Zune on your pc where you are already likely to have a (non AVG) antivirus solution this app obviously is hoping to rely on creating FUD about WP7 due to its name. Should be removed immediately.
http://twitter.com/efjay01 Ef Jay

Agreed. This is one instance where MS should have looked at the app and weighed whether it brings any benefit to the platform. The app only scans for 2 ancient viruses, doesnt have native access or access to other applications and the only way to get music and pictures onto your device is through Zune on your pc where you are already likely to have a (non AVG) antivirus solution this app obviously is hoping to rely on creating FUD about WP7 due to its name. Should be removed immediately.

Anonymous

Agree with others on the post…Personally, when I see AV apps in a marketplace, I get the impression that the app review process is very poor – how else would malicious apps get into your marketplace? Microsoft, of all companies, should be reviewing apps to the degree that they can detect malintent by 3rd parties, and should reject said apps; thus, no reason to even have any AV apps at all.

At the very least, Microsoft could just implement a mobile version of Security Essentials, thus rendering 3rd party AV apps unnecessary!
http://twitter.com/fganser Nando Ganser

This people are just giving WP a bad fame, they are continuing to put the name VIRUS in relation to any Windows device in order to sell their products. Ms should remove this app.