My DD has a Kindle fire .. question

14 years ago

my Daughter has a kindle fire tablet ( I think that's what it called ) any way I have a few questions:

1) is there a chance she can get a virus

2) can she install MSE on it

3) can she run a file cleaner like TFC or CCcleaner on it

4) does it get updates

5) can Malwarebites run it

As you can tell I am concerned that she may get a virus etc when she is connected to our internet. Thanks

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Comments (4)

grandms
14 years ago
Yes, it is possible, although not probably that she could get a virus. None of the applications for a PC will work on mobile devices. However, look in the apps available for the Kindle Fire, and there might be an app for virus protection. I know there are for Android devices, but I'm not that familiar with Kindle apps. If there are AV apps, they should be listed among the apps for Kindle devices.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
you can not run any programs that are for windows because it is not windows it is a version of linux running on the fire.

she will need to look in the amazon app store for apps for the fire, there are some good antivirus ones if she choses to get one. One of the best is lookout
Lookout Logo
I have not messed with a fire but know it does have an altered version of android Gingerbread 2.3 on it so not sure if the regular android apps work or not.
she needs to look for kindle fire apps do a google search
The Best Kindle Fire Apps: A Starter Kit

and then she can try sideloading if she finds an app she really wants to try.
How To Sideload Android Apps on the Amazon Kindle Fire in 3 Steps
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mike_kaiser_gw
14 years ago
The Kindle Fire runs a modified version of the Android O/S which is based on Linux. While viruses do exist, they are still relatively uncommon. There is anti-virus software for Android but I don't know if it would run on a Kindle. Frankly, I wouldn't spend a lot of time worrying about it.

There have been a few instances of infected apps making there way into the Android Marketplace, which is policed nowhere nearly as carefully has Apple's App Store. While I haven't researched those specific apps, I wouldn't surprise me if they were the kind of apps someone might download if they were looking to circumvent "the system" (perhaps I should say getting something for free that they should have been playing for).

I also don't know if the Kindle Fire has access to the Android Marketplace or just the Amazon Marketplace. Based on the previous post it appears there is a way to "sideload" apps on a Kindle. Sideloading is a term that refers to installing an application that doesn't come from an "approved" source. This doesn't mean the application is "bad" just not where the vendor wants you to get it from. For for example, I have an Android phone and the "official" source of apps is the Android Marketplace. As it turns out, Amazon gives away a free app every day. I can download, for example, a perfectly legitimate (and free) version of Angry Birds. To get it onto my phone, I have to "sideload" it.

The software you mention are all for Windows based machines and would not run on Android.

Any updates will come from Amazon and likely be pushed to the device.
big_al_41
Original Author
14 years ago
thanks everyone

My DD has a Kindle fire .. question

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grandms

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

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My DD has a Kindle fire .. question

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grandms

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

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