Q. It is recommended to run virus protection on your computer. What about smart phones and tablets? If so, is your recommended software for computers also good for those devices?—Bradley Chewning, Harrisonburg, VA
A. We don’t think that virus protection is as important on mobile devices, as long as you download apps only from the approved app marketplaces run by Apple, Google, and Microsoft. More important is your ability to prevent theft of your personal information stored on the device if it is lost or stolen. That is being addressed by apps such as Lookout and built-in functions such as Find My iPhone and Android’s Device Manager, as well as the move by vendors to include a “kill switch” that can prevent the use of a stolen device.
Smart phone thefts rose to 3.1 million last year. Readour special report to learn more about how industry solutions falls short. Plus, find out how data thieves are after your most private info when you use Wi-Fi, store files in the cloud, and shop online. FInally, get tips and advice to help you stay safe on the Web.
Send questions to ConsumerReports.org/askourexperts.
This article also appeared in the October 2014 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
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