TrustGo

Hey all!

We're developing a new mobile security app, along with a trusted app search engine. We'll be launching the download link in a couple of weeks, but in the meantime are looking to build up a beta tester network, composed of both developers / tech-oriented folks (like the people here on AF!) as well as ordinary users.

If you're interested, you can check out the product information and sign-up form at http://www.trustgo.com/security.

Looking forward to getting your thoughts!

Best,
The TrustGo team

bws

Tons of questions:
1) How far is the search engine away from going live? (I kept getting http 500 errors)

2) Please don't take this as sarcastic, but what criteria will you be using to "certify" an application as safe?

3) How are you going to emphasize the dangers of certain applications to non-technical users?

bws

TrustGo

Hi bws,

Thanks for your reply! Here are some answers to start:

1) The search engine is continuously undergoing improvement both in terms of the results we return, as well as stability and performance. Like the security-focused features of the mobile client, we're nearing beta quality and still have some distance to go. If you're still consistently getting HTTP500 errors, I'd love to get the repro steps. A reply here, PM, or email to beta@trustgo.com would all be greatly appreciated in that event.

2) Apps will be certified based on the presence of malicious code in their APKs, as determined by our security lab. We have several people onboard who have worked at notable PC security companies, so you can expect that some of the criteria there will be similar. Apps which require a slew of permissions to be installed will also be flagged as potentially needing more scrutiny by our team.

3) Right now, the mobile client (the one which we'll be releasing in this beta trial) will provide an individual report on each application which has at least some low level of risk. Most importantly, the reports will emphasize which features of your phone the suspicious app has access to, and thus which data might be at risk.

If you're signed up for the beta, we'd really appreciate any feedback on (3) once the download link is out. If you think we could be doing a better job in any area, we're all ears at beta@trustgo.com.

Thanks!
John (on behalf of the TrustGo team)