Hi,
I am new to e/OS, just getting Fairphone 6 with e/OS to replace my Razor22 where the second screen got busted at the hinge and fed up with that.
I always wanted to get de-googled system. I am not paranoid but I believe in antivirus protection.
What is the best antivirus, or at least malware protection software compatible with e/OS ?
If You can recommend I will be greatful!
Thanks!
I donât use anything on my phone (for years) and have no issues. Make sure you install things from reputable sources. Always have you data backed up as best as possible and if you think something is up format (reset) the phone, same holds true for a PC.
But what do I know maybe others can recommend virus scanners for Android.
Thanks Joe, I must admit, however on windows PC I get very random warnings from my antivirus when searching for things on different websites, I donât think I had any on my android phone with the same Avast protection in place ever. I get it that e/OS might be safe as well, but I like that little re-assurance from having some app in place to guard my device. Sometimes I might be âadventurousâ when browsing the net 
True enough the net can be dangerous.
I havenât really had any issues on smartdevices.
Despite that I use a layered defence that Iâm used to elsewhere. On Firefox I used no script for example and at the moment Iâve got a package deal for f-secure.
Thanks Jowomu! Do You use part of that package on e/OS succesfully, without software problems?
Thank You AnotherElk, in fact I have seen your post in that conversation and followed the link. Unfortunately it was a general recommendation without any focus on e/OS and experience on this system using any particular product. I am more after e/OS usersâ personal experience with any antivirus/antimalware app on their phone which they can recommend. But thanks for the helpful link!
I only use the virusscanner part in /e/os. In the beginning I have tried to set up the browser protection, but it expects the Android browser so that didnât really work out and I only use the browser sparingly on trusted sites so I donât think I need it.
The virusscanner works fine and usually also scans app packages Iâm about to install or update. Inconsistencies are due to incompatibility with the app lounge I think, but mostly it functions. I had to reinstall it once with the upgrade to Android 15 to get it working again.
Thank You, that is helpful!
What about Hypatia?
Thanks, I have seen it in some topic conversation, but it happens to be a dead project - no more updates and software not managed anymore by Divest. So, I donât find it a good choice anymore I am afraidâŚ
The original Hypatia was from DivestOS and is no longer maintained indeed. But the link I provided is for a new fork, last updated in Feb 2026. There is also LoveLaceAV from axpos which is another fork of Hypatia but it was last updated in july 2025. Not sure if that one is still maintained but the AV files still get updated.
Thanks Kilou, I will have a look at both. Cheers!
⌠I had a look and You are right, I missed the fact the link was to a new fork of Hypatia, also the other one, LoveLaceAV seems to be derived from Hypatia. Much appreciated
P.S. Both, Hypatia (new) and LoveLaceAV are designed to use the other oneâs database of signatures if you wishâŚ
yes but it seems the AXP.OS signatures (i.e. the default ones in LoveLaceAV) are more recent than those in the Hypatia fork. But as you mentionned you can use the Hypatia fork with the AXP.OS signatures.
Not sure how much this app improves security in practice though⌠It can potentially flag a malicious app running on your phone or a malicious apk that was downloaded (if it finds it in the signatures) but thatâs it I guess. Could still be worth it but it seems to me that the risks have shifted towards phishing etc against which Hypatia (like any other basic AV) cannot do anything. So donât rely on it to get a false sense of security.
Yes, thatâs right what You say. From what I have managed to read about those itâs just âflaggingâ.
Thanks!
I wonder whatâs your device behaviour, how many commercial apps you run, if you install any games, or install apks from about any source. If youâre get sent many links from half-aquaintances or in a job role.
Not falling victim to scams, âshock callsâ / social engineering is probably the bigger risk?
Keeping your browser updated might be the most sensible thing.
.. that the built-in Browser has intentionally disabled because it needs Google infra and signaling to work. But if you want it, Brave browser and others do support it. It would warn you of some malicious link youâre about to click.. but then youâd need to be vulnerable to just about that. What are the chances?
Thankâs Mate! Each helpful tip is welcome and I appreciate your thoughts a lot.
I get it that not using the internet on the phone, or the phone at all might be safest. But, saying (not you) antivirus or antimalware software is waste of time if you are careful is like saying I am such a good driver I do not need bumpers on my car or to wear a seatbelt etc.
It is just yet another precaution which may help once in a couple of years but that could be that most important moment to protect your data. I am not paranoid at all but still buy insurance for my dog and my motorbike (the latter one compulsory though).
I just wonder if e/OS users have any proven, good experience with an established protection software. I used Avast on my android phone, officially they do not support e/OS as a custom one.
Iâm no expert in the field. I just believe that using an antivirus is not a bad thing (I guess) as long as it doesnât provide a false sense of security. But I think there are other ways to improve security with much more impact. For example, using separate user profile for sensitive apps etc.
You could still use e.g Hypatia on the profile on which you install most things/use most frequently. But then one downside of Hypatia is that, for some reason, it doesnât auto update the signatures, which is inconvenient. Other AV do auto update but they also tax the battery a lot more. Personally I prefer no AV but use a separate user profile for sensitive apps etc and a DNS service.
Yes, you cannot get AV and get just careless. However, I do not want 2 profiles as I need to know how to classify those apps then and my assumption is supposed to replace the AV?
It is like not using contraception and being careful instead⌠you may end up with plenty of kids to look after 
Not that kids arenât nice, but You get my driftâŚ