Hey there, I want to secure myself in case I get robbed, so that I can get back my phone.
What are the best apps out there? Preferably something free, and for non-root phones (which is my case)...
Also, is any app able to track where my phone is with it turned off for example? Because if the thief's smart enough, I think the first thing he will do will be to turn it off...
The one I've always gone with is Lookout Security & Antivirus. No Root Required. A lot of features even on the free app. Has the MISSING Device Locator.
Related
Hi,
I installed Amazon App Store app to get one of the free app of the days. But now, it keeps running in the background. Probably collecting info.
I added the app to the Auto-End list (where it SHOULD kill the app after 2 minutes of screen off). The Amazon app seems to start when phone boots up. It also someone resurrects itself. I've made sure to not use it, and at some point during the day I checked running tasks and there it is.
If I kill it manually, it eventually shows up again some time during the day.
There are other apps that turn on by themselves on startup, but don't resurrect themselves. On windows, it's easy to manage auto-startup services. It's in the administrative tool. Is there the equivalent of this on Android?
Amazon is annoying like that; it does the same thing with me. Its really not hurting your battery or phone but just looking at it can be annoying so i understand. If it really bothers you that much get "titanium backup" from the market and freeze it when you aren't using it. Also your phone is smart enough to close apps/end processes on its own, moto just put the task killer there as it really serves no purpose. Also auto killing apps isnt smart; your phone probably uses more battery when it has to open up a new process everytime you open an app since you autokill and dont let it manage process/apps on its own. Android likes to let apps that aren't being used rest in memory in the background...id suggest you stop auto killing apps and do some research for yourself on how the android linux kernel works.
Thanks.
I did read into Android developer's way of thinking about how apps on a smart phone should behave, and their philosophy regarding memory management.
However, this philosophy opens up the possibility for abuse by app developers (Amazon). Programs that I use maybe once a month really don't need to be running (especially on startup), regardless of how little memory they use up, or how awesome Android's memory management scheme is.
I don't intend on micromanaging every process. Just those that are obvious wastes.
coachclass said:
Thanks.
I did read into Android developer's way of thinking about how apps on a smart phone should behave, and their philosophy regarding memory management.
However, this philosophy opens up the possibility for abuse by app developers (Amazon). Programs that I use maybe once a month really don't need to be running (especially on startup), regardless of how little memory they use up, or how awesome Android's memory management scheme is.
I don't intend on micromanaging every process. Just those that are obvious wastes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you. Try out bloatware freezer or other apps in the market that blk apps from starting up when the phone turns on. Android definitely needs to get small issues like this fixed in future builds for sure.
Like do I need virus scanning apps or stuff?
I was thinking of getting the following:
PDroid - Blocking apps from accessing various data from my phone.
Titanium Backup PRO (£4.49) - Automate my backups.
FolderSync (£1.49) - To keep my backups and files synced to Box.com.
Where's My Droid? - To find my android if I loose it or destroy it so no one can see my personal data!
Tasker (£3.99) - Automate tasks (like on/off wifi and on/off gps for maps really), I like how massive a functionality it has!
So a total of £10 and it should hopefully cover my backups and keep my data safe. My main worry was is it worth getting any anti-virus/malware software?
Also do any of those 4 apps use up too much battery juice? And would there be a less battery leeching alternative?
Just want some advice if I should use differents apps or whatnot. Thanks!
So
PDroid is the best for private data. But only Android version 2.2 and 2.3.
Titanium Backup is good, maybe Rom Toolbox Pro as an alternative.
FolderSync is not the best choice but ok. The newest box.net app is better and has 50gb storage.
I dont use where is my android. My favorite is andoirdlost.
Tasker is your best choice. Ram is about 9mb... even better is brain.apk
hey guys a new nice friendly android antivirus is Avast for Android fully free dependable autoupdatable search from market downlod and instal it then restart your phone.
I like lookout personally. Doesnt take up much space. Check it out.
I have been flashing and modding for four years and have modded over 20 different types of android phones and have never used a antivirus app. I read and learned early on that there arent any virsus or such on android to date. They are just bbattery hogs and pointless, the only thing to be careful of is watching permission on app esp. If you are side loading them.
My suggestions for battery is to use a battery calibrater on the market first then use better battery to see whats eating up the power and use either easy battery saver or juice defender extreme they both automate your phone to smartly use wifi and mobiledata such as turning them off when the screen is off and such. Thank if i helped anything else let me know
Sent from my myTouch 4G Slide using Tapatalk
a clear mind while you're downloading is a really good bet, permissions are you're best bet
I doubt it matters but, I have an Evo 3D.
Lots of articles out there on Antivirus apps for phones and their (mostly personal blogs) opinions on them.
Thing is, I am not too worried about viruses, I mostly just install apps from the Google or Amazon appstore, and sometimes sideload from XDA, so my vector for viruses is pretty small.
I am more interested in remote access to find my phone if it gets lost and stolen, and I figured since many antivirus apps now support this feature too, I might as well get both in one package (although I am usually weary of "Jack of all trades, master of none").
So yeah, not hard to see that Lookout and Avast are the two most popular. While I don't care about the other features that Lookout gives you such as phishing protection, backing up contacts (Dosen't Google already do this with your G-mail account?) and call history, etc. It does have one feature I do care about.... remote lock. I wouldn't mind buying Lookout... but you cannot, its a monthly (or yearly) fee instead.
I don't mind paying for the best (although $3 a month for a phone seems kinda excessive for me) but I don't know what the "best" is, especially since everybody grades them on their antivirus features while its the lost/stolen phone features that I care about. Avast has nearly all of Lookout's features (at least the ones I care about) for free though, except for the recently added "Signal Flare" feature that I thought was a pretty good idea.
Which would you recommend if I purely care about the phone tracking features and the security is just a bonus?
P.S. Is there any way Avast can be remotely controlled through some PC client or web interface instead of SMS?
Also, any idea if once I root my phone, I can reinstall Avast with superuser permissions?
I read that Avast can survive even a hard reset if installed on a rooted device.
The only "security" app anyone should ever invest in is Cerberus Anti Theft. Nuff said.
Cyber Akuma said:
Also, any idea if once I root my phone, I can reinstall Avast with superuser permissions?
I read that Avast can survive even a hard reset if installed on a rooted device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can survive only avast anti theft but not avast anti virus
Sent from my GT-S5660
---------- Post added at 05:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:44 AM ----------
Cyber Akuma said:
I doubt it matters but, I have an Evo 3D.
Lots of articles out there on Antivirus apps for phones and their (mostly personal blogs) opinions on them.
Thing is, I am not too worried about viruses, I mostly just install apps from the Google or Amazon appstore, and sometimes sideload from XDA, so my vector for viruses is pretty small.
I am more interested in remote access to find my phone if it gets lost and stolen, and I figured since many antivirus apps now support this feature too, I might as well get both in one package (although I am usually weary of "Jack of all trades, master of none").
So yeah, not hard to see that Lookout and Avast are the two most popular. While I don't care about the other features that Lookout gives you such as phishing protection, backing up contacts (Dosen't Google already do this with your G-mail account?) and call history, etc. It does have one feature I do care about.... remote lock. I wouldn't mind buying Lookout... but you cannot, its a monthly (or yearly) fee instead.
I don't mind paying for the best (although $3 a month for a phone seems kinda excessive for me) but I don't know what the "best" is, especially since everybody grades them on their antivirus features while its the lost/stolen phone features that I care about. Avast has nearly all of Lookout's features (at least the ones I care about) for free though, except for the recently added "Signal Flare" feature that I thought was a pretty good idea.
Which would you recommend if I purely care about the phone tracking features and the security is just a bonus?
P.S. Is there any way Avast can be remotely controlled through some PC client or web interface instead of SMS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah
http://my.avast.com
But you need avast anti theft
After instal anti theft you can remove avast anti virus and instal other av protection. Avast anti theft still will be there in system partition to protect your phone/remote control
Sent from my GT-S5660
look at the price
Both products have a ton of features. But with Avast you get all the "extra" features for free. With Lookout, you need to pay to get all the features. And Avast *does* have a web interface for remote control (it didn't used to, but it does now).
And yes, Avast can even survive hard resets when installed on a rooted device.
droidnoid15 said:
Both products have a ton of features. But with Avast you get all the "extra" features for free. With Lookout, you need to pay to get all the features. And Avast *does* have a web interface for remote control (it didn't used to, but it does now).
And yes, Avast can even survive hard resets when installed on a rooted device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If Avast is anything like the PC version, you can shut down 8 out of 10 (or whatever the number is) shields, firewall, etc. with virtually no compromise. They are all over kill. You just need a file scanner that runs when an file or script is executed or copied to the device.
So on Avast for Android, can you turn off everything except Anti-Theft and the most primary/basic scanning function to minimize overhead and battery usage?
Does anyone know if avast anti theft features can be removed by doing a factory reset? I know cerberus can still wipe the phone as long as another rom isn't installed.
shiboby said:
Does anyone know if avast anti theft features can be removed by doing a factory reset? I know cerberus can still wipe the phone as long as another rom isn't installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No they cannot be removed even with a factory rest if you have installed the Root version of Avast Anti Theft. This version goes in your system partition and is not deleted in a factory reset.
But if the ROM is changed or a Nandroid backup is restored which does not have your Avast Anti Theft installed then all features and control is lost.
Regards,
RaHBeR
I am looking for some sort of elevated app that cannot be turned off or disabled without a password. The idea behind this is I loan out phones this would allow me to force wake turn on data, track set off alarm etc. Basically looking for a way to do a combo of avg and android device manager commands, but the phone user still be able to use it as if it was their own phone but shall things go south and they not fulfill their obligation then be able to force wake device and use the avg features etc. I remember back in the day avg was not uninstallable without entering a password and you could not remove it as a device administration with out password. Any how and suggestions?
With the way things are there is no fool proof way. Even Google's security setup has proven to be pointless. Rent a center tried it as well and we have a way around their locks as well.
My phone was serviced "reprogrammed" and when it came back I keep getting ads. I tried resetting the phone but it still keeps getting adware silently installed. Is there any way to fix this?
You are not alone. Bought this phone for my mom since she likes a bigger screen to do social media stuff. The malware popped in after the last ota. The official wirelessupdate app included on the phone silently installs random apks that pushes full screen ads and impersonates clicks even if the the phone is not being used. This is common with generic android phones coming from CHINA
I haven't figured out a way to root the phone as most rooting methods will fail(because of the sucky spreadtrum SOC which makes it difficult to root the phone).SADLY, rooting is the only way to disable/uninstall the wirelessupdate app.
However, here's a workaround I found that works.
1) restrict your network to limit background data usage (Found in settings).
2) **uninstall the malware app: finding the app may be difficult as It normally disguises itself as a system app with names like radio, settings, wifi or some application name that doesn't even make sense. It uses a lot of data and is always active. You'll know its the fake app if it poses as a system app but you have the option to uninstall it(System apps cannot be uninstalled without root/Su access).
Buttt....
The wireless update will probably install another malware app after uninstalling the current one.
3)disable notification of the app so it doesnt send fake notifications to you that opens ad based webpages as it also fakes notification, posing as a fake notif from FB, whatsapp
4) force stop it and stop the services from settings so it doesn't load or push apps while you use your phone
Restarting the phone will make the app run again
5) Remove the app's permission. By default its granted access to location, settings, storage and sometimes camera or mic. The wireless app doesnt detect this and wont turn those permission back on
6) lastly, you can contact firefly support AND PRAY TO THE GOOD LORD they know know what they're doing. Because I did and they were completely clueless on the troubleshooting or on the issue itself and even blamed the problem on the user. Ridiculously stupid.
I haven't really tried ADB yet because i don't have the time and the phone lacks resources online to restore it in case I brick it. Frankly, this phone is not worth investing time fixing especially with the quality of support it has from Firefly and the price it asked for.