Security Systems for the Bionic

[rduckwor]

5 free Android security apps: Keep your smartphone safe - Computerworld

I loaded the Avast package up on my Bionic to try.

Anyone have experience or advice on any of these?

Thanks,

RMD

 

[aaf709]

I used Lookout with my OG Droid. I thought it was odd that it would scan an app after it was installed, rather than before. It also gave me a weekly email on what it had found, but never told me what it was or where it came from. Just said something like "Found 18 threats and took care of same." That's it, where they from emails or apps? Might've been nice to know so I could deal with it.

The one thing the article said was to turn off allowing outside installs. While that's fine, that prevents you from installing anything from Amazon. Just saying.

 

[rduckwor]

" The one thing the article said was to turn off allowing outside installs. While that's fine, that prevents you from installing anything from Amazon. Just saying. "

Yeah, I'm not going to do that either. I will just install from trusted outlets.

RMD

 

[Hodor]

I used Avast for awhile. It seemed to work Ok, but I found that it has one or two huge (in my opinion) security flaws, mainly that it uses the same password to access (and remove) the app, that you also use when you send txt messages to your phone to activate or use the remote features. It's fairly easy for someone who knows what they are doing, we'll say in the case of your phone being stolen, to put their simm card in your stolen phone, which then notifies you of said act, at which point it is assumed you will txt your phone some kind of command like "lost" or lock or wipe, etc. But in the meanwhile, if the thief puts his simm card back in his phone, and leaves your's off, he should get your attempts to txt your phone free and clear (including your password), at which point he can use it to remove the app and poof that's all folks lol Of course you could argue that the thief would have to know that you have avast installed on your phone to do this, but the nice bright orange avast icon on your pull down bar pretty much assures that. Also these programs kinda scare me, especially avast since it takes advantage of you being rooted. You are basically turning over the whole keys to your house to them, because of the nature of what they do, they have access to pretty much ANYTHING on your phone. And there's been reports that several "phone home" whenever they want, and really, who knows what they are sending?

 

[rduckwor]

I share those concerns. Thought I would try it for a while to see if it was worth the (perceived) risk.

RMD

 

[DunDun]

I tried Norton, no threats found so far.

 

[coldhardtruth]

AVG works great. Don't really care where the garbage comes from, just as long as it detects it and gets rid of it. It also Has zero impact on resources/battery. HIGHLY recommend

Sent from my Iced Bionic

 

[aaf709]

I tried Norton, no threats found so far.

Is there a charge for Norton? Lookout has a free and a premium ($2.99/mo or $29/year) version. WaveSecure is also subscription.

Take a look at Protect Your Android Phone With Security Apps | PCWorld for some thoughts on each.

UPDATE: Norton looks to be about $14/year.