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Found 36 articles

Dec

Avast Launches Mobile Security App With Root Functions, Firewall, Free Theft Aware Integration, And More - A Strong Contender For The Best Overall Security App On Android

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Applications, News

Avast has just launched its Mobile Security app for Android, integrating the pure power of Theft Aware (see our review) with some amazing new features. If you remember, Avast swallowed up ITAgents, the small company behind Theft Aware, back in September and promised to integrate it with its upcoming software. Even in its beta state, Avast's Mobile Security looks to be a very strong contender among the dozens of other security apps floating around in the Android Market. I dare say it has the potential to overshadow just about all of the apps in our Mobile Security App Shootout.

Nov

[Mobile Security App Shootout, Final Roundup] Out Of A Sea Of Apps, Just One Emerges As A Clear Winner In Keeping Your Device Safe

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Applications, Mobile Security App Shootout

Last Updated: November 29th, 2011

In the past couple of months, I've covered more than a dozen mobile security apps, carefully weighing the pros and cons of each, and determining their relative values. I've spent time with 17 apps in all, and it's about time to wrap up the series, and tell you, the end user, which apps are your best bet for protecting your Android device(s).

Before I get to the nitty-gritty of which app is best, I think it'd be helpful to review what we've covered so far, to get a clear grasp on each of the solutions we've covered. To save your eyes from pages upon pages of analysis, I've made the following handy table, outlining the various features we've covered, and which apps have what you need.

Nov

Google's Chris DiBona Lashes Out Against Mobile Antivirus Developers, Calls Them 'Charlatans And Scammers'

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Android OS, News

What happens when Google's open-source program manager Chris DiBona reads one too many false claims about the nature of open source software? He takes to his soapbox on Google+ to put everyone in check.

That's exactly what happened a couple of days ago after DiBona read yet another article pounding the nature of open source, citing that it's "inherently insecure." Like any advocate for a cause would do, DiBona immediately set out to uncover the truth about security in an open source environment, paying particular attention to mobile operating systems, including Android and iOS.

No major cell phone has a 'virus' problem in the traditional sense that Windows and some Mac machines have seen.

Nov

[Mobile Security App Shootout, Part 17] NetQin Security Pro Focuses On Anti-Virus Protection Over Anti-Theft, Still Makes A Capable Solution

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Applications, Mobile Security App Shootout

Last Updated: November 21st, 2011

Coming in at number seventeen in our shootout, NetQin Security Pro is a security app that offers a lot more than your average anti-theft protection, even if that means skimping a little on features that may help you recover your lost device.

At A Glance

First, I want to comment on NetQin's design. The app's overall appearance is clean, and relatively well thought out. The main screen gives you access to all the app's main features, and the layout makes it virtually impossible to misstep. Speaking of features, NetQin has plenty of them, including anti-virus, privacy protection, traffic management, and anti-theft options.

Oct

Lookout Security Updated, Now Includes Honeycomb And Ice Cream Sandwich Support

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Applications, News

Lookout, one of my favorite mobile security apps, received an update today that brings a feature I've wanted since I got my Tab 10.1: tablet support (which, in this case, also includes support for ICS devices). Aside from the malware scanner and backup functionality, one of the most alluring features of Lookout is its find-my-device capability -- a highly useful feature if your device is ever lost or stolen, and a must-have on any tablet.

Since this update was designed with tablet support baked in, it will work on both Wi-Fi only devices and those with cellular data connectivity, providing complete protection regardless of which type of device you own.

Sep

Be Careful Where You Stick Your Camera - Some QR Codes Are Dirty

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Android OS, News

According to Kaspersky, seller of the $10 Kaspersky antivirus app for Android, Android viruses are getting worse. Well, not really worse, just different. The latest attack vector comes in the form of malicious QR Codes. When you scan a QR code, your phone turns those funky squares into a URL. Just like any other form of URL obfuscation (eg, shorteners), that URL can go to a naughty place. Said naughty place could give you a virus.

Oh, I'm sorry, are you used to a little more hyperbole in your Android virus stories? ZDNet can help with that: "Hackers using QR codes to push Android malware ...

Sep

ITAgents, Creator Of Theft Aware, Bought Out By Avast - Updated Android App Coming Soon

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Applications, News

If you've never heard of Theft Aware, then you're missing out on one of the best anti-loss/theft solutions available for Android. It embeds itself deep into root, hides itself from the app tray, utilizes device administration privileges to the fullest, and basically makes itself undetectable, unremovable, indestructible, and unstoppable. Like I said, it's probably the most solid security app that we've ever seen.

In a blog post today, the makers of Theft Aware, ITAgents, announced that it has been been purchased by popular antivirus software company Avast. Upon first hearing the news, I was extremely worried about Theft Aware's future (we all know what happened to Wave Secure after it was bought my McAfee :S) but after hearing some reassuring words from the one of the devs of the Theft Aware project, I feel much more at ease.

Sep

[Mobile Security App Shootout, Part 12] Webroot Mobile Security Pairs Useful, Unexpected Features With Functional, Reliable Controls

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Applications, Mobile Security App Shootout

Webroot Software Inc. are the developers behind the popular security solution of the same name for desktops, and have brought the same protection to Android users with Webroot Mobile Security. This app, unlike its desktop counterpart, has features specifically for lost or stolen devices, giving the user the ability to track, lock, and wipe the device remotely from the handy online console.

At A Glance

Webroot Mobile Security has a free version and a paid version coming in at $14.99. The free version is only different in that its features list is more constrained than in the full version. I go back and forth on whether this app is worth the price -- on the one hand there are free apps that do much more for lost and stolen devices; on the other hand, Webroot is a trusted name, and the app comes with antivirus/malware protection and a handful of other features that I haven't seen combined with a security app yet.

Aug

[Mobile Security App Shootout, Part 10] Anti-Virus From AVG Mobilation Can Handle Loss, Theft, And Malware With Ease

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Mobile Security App Shootout

Looking to protect your mobile devices as well as it protects your computer, AVG has cooked up Anti-virus, available in free version, or a Pro offering for a one-time payment of $9.99. It's an app that not only helps you locate your lost device, but also protects your phone or tablet in real time by scanning apps, web pages, and settings to be sure you're safe.

At A Glance

AVG's anti-virus/security app comes in a small package but packs a lot of features. It installs easily and goes right to work scanning your apps for malware.

You can easily register your device for remote control and in seconds you'll receive an email with a link to the online console, which is exceedingly easy to use and has a total of just 7 buttons which do everything you could want security-wise.

Aug

[Mobile Security App Shootout, Part 9] Lookout Security & Antivirus Offers Robust Protection, Comforting Green Checkmarks.

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Mobile Security App Shootout

Lookout Mobile Security, developers of Lookout Security & Antivirus (more commonly known as Lookout) look to stand out in the lineup of Android Security apps, offering a great set of security features that not only find (and control) your phone once it is lost, but protect against apps and web pages that seek to harm your phone from the inside.

At a Glance:

At first blush Lookout already seems impressive. A quick look at its page in the Android market reveals that it is “the #1 Security & Antivirus App for Android,” and that it falls into the “10 million to 50 million downloads” category, meaning the developers must be doing something right.