What are the best security apps for Android?

KENNECTED said:

Why are people installing "security" apps on their devices??

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That's a very good question...

KENNECTED said:

Why are people installing "security" apps on their devices??

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Anti theft/phone location capabilities

KENNECTED said:

Why are people installing "security" apps on their devices??

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Crashdamage said:

That's a very good question...

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Why?

EarlyMon said:

Check out "Trustable by Bluebox"

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bluebox.trust

It's not what you think, it's not an AV app - and you'll be surprised at just how much you've been guessing at security.

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So why? Because you may say what you will about judicious use, but if you don't know what your platform is doing, judicious use can involve a lot of guessing.

Everyone connects to everyone and everything - that makes security everyone's business.

I use an ipchains firewall and a comprehensive etc/hosts list - that's security too, and the apps to maintain them are security apps, regardless of the name of the rose.

Does it smell any sweeter?

I just disagree about this. It's not my job to lock your doors, nor is it your job to lock my doors. You might guard your house with cameras and an alarm, I might guard my house with dogs.

We each have the right to do such things our own way even if we are connected by living in the same neighborhood.

I run SE Linux and ipchains at home. I take security fairly seriously. But, though I realize I'm probably gonna be proven wrong, I feel rooting a phone breaks the designed security too much. I know, rooting allows locking it down with a firewall, etc but I don't like the trade-off, especially when the extra work is factored in.

We'll have to agree to disagree.

Android is obviously already using SELinux, root is no different than sudo access, and you might use that to keep security up to date at home. I don't think that it can be substantiated that root in and of itself breaks the security model - beyond changing the governing entity to oneself.

Similarly, I've used root access to block or fix vulnerabilities without worrying about supplier updates that come later after being released from committee.

Security is everyone's business does mean banding together against the the bad guys - and as I've said before, it does include me looking out for you so that I don't irresponsibly pass something along.

But it also means that I don't trust your dogs or anyone else's measures.

But that's just me and these are just my opinions.

I like dogs

I like dogs, bbq heilongjiang style

In theory, the SuperuserSU app controls root access. You can set it up to deny root during boot, to ask permission before granting root to an app, to give toast notification when a previously-approved app accesses root. You can view the logs to see which apps are using root. When you do grant an app root, you are giving away the keys (regardless of what limited permissions the app has on its manifest, it can do almost anything with root). so most root users are very judicious in limiting root access to a very few apps which they have investigated carefully. With these precautions, it seems root is very safe.

On the other hand, when it comes to security, you don't know what you don't know. Did chainfire provide a backdoor. Maybe an app that we trust with root is trustworthy, but poorly coded so that another app might somehow request its services to bypass a restriction. I'd have to agree there may be some unquantifiable risk involved in rooting associated with these unknown aspects (maybe they are less unknown to others). Whether it is balanced by security gains probably depends on user (I'm sure advanced users can use root tools very effectively to restrict and check things effectively). For me, I use root primarily not for security reasons (although I do have some security tools using root), but because I like some of the conveniences it offers. Root along with secure settings brings Tasker to a whole new level. AFwall is lightweight/great (I understand there may be non-root alternatives). Xposed let's me pick and choose what features I want on my phone individually (like custom rom but better because I choose features individually rather than in bulk and easier because there's no flashing).

Sorry for the tangent. That seems to be the way these threads go. While it is often said that there are no viruses on Android and no need for anti-virus app, that doesn't mean security is not important. The problem is there is not one single thing or app that solves all security concerns. There are many aspects and many layers which most of us don't get to (I for sure don't). And different preferences. Some like Earlymon may want a proactive strategy to watch what is going on in his phone and what it's trying to connect to. Here's a link to sticky at top of the forum on the subject with input from a lot of smart people:
http://androidforums.com/threads/an...ned-security-tips-and-avoiding-malware.36936/

funkylogik said:

I like dogs

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I like dogs too. Like them so much I worked with them for a few years in the Air Force. As much as I liked them I could hardly ever trust anyone else's dog. Just beacause they worked well with them didn't mean they wouldn't tear you a new one. That being said....

Get a Dog anyway. It will work well with you but not maybe someone else.

Like EarlyMon mentioned BlueBox provides a fair assessment of permissions and a nice looking meter of trustworthiness, might make you think twice about security

But dogs! Loving the doggy talk!

I have an ADT alarm system and 2 dogs. When the friggin' contract is up on the alarm, it's leaving.

The dogs are staying. Best alarm system ever.

Breed?

Not yet, I'm still single.

Can we get back on topic? ROTFLMAO.

funkylogik said:

Breed?

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Purebred Pound Puppies. The best breed.

I don't use antivirus/anti maleware but I do use AFWall, which I believe uses root. I also use TWRP on this device and just make a backup. I reinstall my OS so much that in itself is a defense.

I don't even install stuff on the polling list

OldCode said:

I don't use antivirus/anti maleware but I do use AFWall, which I believe uses root. I also use TWRP on this device and just make a backup. I reinstall my OS so much that in itself is a defense.

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Remember that restoring a twrp backup will also restore any malware that's installed.
Even if you just restore /system, there could be malware in there made its way there through root access

singleastronaut said:

I don't even install stuff on the polling list

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Lmao!

What about McAfee? I think with my current subscription I can bring my cell into the fold for free. Anyone have any experience mobile-wise with it?

I'm using 360 Security. I think it is nice.