Are these Android antivirus apps (Security Master, Virus Cleaner) unsafe?

Logical0z · Nov 11, 2019

So, according to vpnpros websites reserach - most well known antiviruses (free ones) clean master, 360 security and so on, are not that safe as they claim to be :O whaaat? even forbes have article about it.
Main Research
Forbes Article

Security Master, Virus Cleaner, Antivirus, Cleaner (MAX Security), and Clean Master are three free antivirus apps you can find on Google Play. But that’s not the only thing they have in common: these apps are also amazingly popular and potentially dangerous.

That’s because they’re asking users to give them a lot of dangerous permissions that they don’t seem to need. Permissions like knowing where you are at all times, being able to use your camera, and even using your phone without your knowledge.

These apps have been downloaded more than 2 billion times by users all around the world, users putting themselves and all the precious data on their phones at risk. For example, by giving Virus Cleaner permission to upload files to your system, you could be allowing it to add more malware to your device [pdf] that you’ll have to pay to remove. Security Master and Clean Master will launch apps automatically if you give them the right permissions.

What do you think guys? Is it a real threat?

Cortex · Nov 11, 2019

I don't use any of the apps but most users who are click here click there click anywhere give permissions for none security apps that are certainly not needed each & everyday. Most don't even look, & then I hear the words 'my Facebook was hacked' - Usually by their own behavior though, most AV solutions know an awful lot about you - if all apps were investigated the results would be interesting.

Threadripper · Nov 11, 2019

Clean Master is owned by Cheetah Mobile who are, at best, shady:

Cheetah Mobile is accused of committing Ad Fraud in several apps
Why do people still trust Cheetah Mobile?
Google Play-promoted Android apps are using scammy ad practices
Defence Ministry to Indian armed forces: Uninstall these Chinese apps immediately

upnorth · Nov 11, 2019

Cheetah, I get a very sour taste from just hearing about. Previous fell for them because of av-test.org results and tested on a tablet but, uninstalled as the crap almost bricked the device. I'm more then happy and especially today, as I never tested there software on my phone but instead went with a serious and good vendor/company.

The reports that still keep coming in even this year 2019, should be more then enough warning signs but, sadly most of us know it ain't.