Security Apps For Android Smart Phones

In a previous post, I made some suggestions for inexpensive security apps for our friends who have iPhones.  Now it's time to help all of you people with Android-based SmartPhones.  Very little attention is being paid to the fact that the new #1 targets for Malware developers are portables and SmartPhones.  The reason portables are number one is precisely because they have been so badly neglected in the area of security.  Don't get caught with your apps down!

McAfee WaveSecure by McAfee          Price: Free

McAfee's WaveSecure app doesn't have any of the virus scans or firewall protection that the company is famous for, but it does have some important features such as the ability to remotely lock your phone and to wipe key data from it, the ability to back up and restore wiped data after a device has been secured, and the ability to track and map your device using GPS.  There is a professional version that has more features available at a reasonable price as well.

mSecure! Password Manager by MSeven Software          Price: $4.99

This app specializes in encrypting and storing important information and passwords, including bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, e-mail log-in passwords and more. The app utilizes 256-bit Blowfish encryption and has a password protection "hint" feature that asks you questions to help remember passwords. The app also features an automatic password generator that will help you create strong and secure passwords.

AppScan Beta by Aegislab           Price: Free

 Aegislab's AppScan Beta is designed to stop you from ever downloading malware.  The app scans other apps on the Android Market and identifies any spyware or malware they may have on them by flagging them as "suspicious." It can also scan apps for any unwanted advertisements.

Antivirus Free by Creative Apps           Price: Free

This is a popular antivirus application that has been downloaded more than 500,000 times.  It received an average rating of four-and-a-half stars from more than 12,000 users. which is pretty good.   It scans applications that you've already installed on your device and checks them with its own list of known malicious apps.

Titanium Backup PRO Key by Matrixrewriter           Price: $6.16

Titanium Backup aims to back up data for just about every application you have. You'll also be able to use this app for encryption, batch verification and application freezing. There's even an experimental "Bloatware Melter" that's designed to cut down programs that take up too much space and memory.

Avast! Mobile Security           Price: Free

As a genuinely free app for the Android platform, Avast! Mobile Security offers an impressive range of tools. It has antivirus protection, it scans your apps to provide details on what they are doing, and it has a Web shield that scans URLs for malware.

There are various additional tools in the package and the best of the bunch is the anti-theft component. An anti-theft feature is hidden and allows you to remotely control your smartphone using SMS. So if you lose your phone, you can remotely lock it, locate it, or wipe it. You can make it play a siren sound, lock down the SIM card, and prevent USB debugging as well.

Lookout Security & Antivirus           Price: Free

As one of the earliest entries into the Android security field Lookout has an impressive user base. There is a completely free version which offers antivirus and scheduled scanning. There is also a locate function for lost or stolen devices, the ability to activate an alarm, and the option to track your phone online via the Lookout website.  Another handy feature that Lookout provides is the ability to backup contacts online and restore them to your existing device or a new one.

TrustGo Antivirus & Mobile Security           Price: Free

Here’s a really comprehensive Android security solution that’s available for free. It has a standard security scanner for on-demand or scheduled scans to uncover and remove malware. It also supports secure Web browsing to protect you from dodgy downloads and phishing scams. The list goes on with a system manager to help you manage data, memory, and battery usage, so you can improve your device’s performance.

One of the most innovative features is the secure app search. The vast majority of malware problems are related to users downloading and installing dubious apps or updates. The secure app search protects against this, even if you do go outside the Play Store to find apps. There’s also a privacy guard, a backup option, and anti-theft tools for locating a missing phone and remotely wiping it.

As in past reviews, there are many other apps available but I’ve tried to highlight free or very inexpensive alternatives.  For a full list of quality apps regardless of price, I recommend reading Laptop Magazines latest app reviews for 2013. http://blog.laptopmag.com/best-android-security-apps?slide=4

Sources for some of these security recommendations:  DIGITALTRENDS.COM and CIO.COM and Laptopmag.com

 

If you're a business leader in the need of a good portable devices security plan or need help securing your employee-owned devices that connect to your network contact one of our security specialists at ACT.  Call 847-639-7000 or e-mail security@act4networks.com