Best Security App(s)

[snapcase]

I've been using Lookout since I first got my Original Droid. I like the AV part, and I like that I can use it to track my phone should it ever get lost. I don't particularly care about backup features since there are apps that do that much better. There are a couple of other features that are nice with it, but only for the paid version... and I don't really wanna buy it.

What I'm wondering, is what is the best overall security app out there, or failing that, what apps together give the best overall security for your device. Note, I am rooted. Features I'd be looking for include:

Antivirus/Antimalware
Missing Device assistance (lots of features can be covered by this beyond just tracking)
Firewall (a real firewall for managing what has access to the net and what they're accessing)
Permissions Management (such as managing what can run at device boot up)
Whatever you think is important that I missed.

I don't really expect to find ALL of those in one single app, but would love to find out what's really the best at doing those things. For the Firewall, I've heard Droidwall is pretty good, but they stopped posting change logs.. which I, along with many others judging by the comments on the app, think is a bad practice for an app with root access. I vaguely remember hearing about an app that let you manage all app permissions, but that was a long time ago and I don't even remember what it was called. Free apps would be a bonus, but if it's good enough, I would pay.

EDIT: Bah, meant to have a question mark at the end of that thread title.

 

[snapcase]

Any suggestions?

 

[mcgoo44]

i use avast mobile security, I think it does all you ask and it's free

 

[curvefan]

Do you really need a security app on these Android phones?

Are they a definite necessity or do they slow the phone down?

I like Avast but I'm still on the fence as to whether I need it on my phone.

Wadda ya think????

 

[jerofld]

For some of those features, you will need root.

I use LBE Privacy Guard, but it doesn't track or scan for malware. After reading ALP's thread, I've been successful in avoiding malware.

http://androidforums.com/android-ap...explained-security-tips-avoiding-malware.html

 

[aysiu]

Do you really need a security app on these Android phones?

If by "security app," you mean antivirus, then, definitely no.

Are they a definite necessity or do they slow the phone down?

They don't slow the phone down, but they're wholly unnecessary.

I like Avast but I'm still on the fence as to whether I need it on my phone.

Wadda ya think????

I think this is all the security you need:
http://androidforums.com/android-ap...explained-security-tips-avoiding-malware.html

 

[rab1412000]

When I checked out lbe in the market it had too many permissions which I felt were intrusive.
It needs exactly the same kinds of permissions that it's supposed to block. That seems wholly unnecessary and seems a little fishy to me.

 

[curvefan]

If by "security app," you mean antivirus, then, definitely no.

They don't slow the phone down, but they're wholly unnecessary.

I think this is all the security you need:
http://androidforums.com/android-ap...explained-security-tips-avoiding-malware.html

Thank you.

 

[Riche101]

+1 for Avast its better than lookout etc and its free and a very good feature for rooted users

 

[melly mel]

I was running Avast on my EVO Design but was having issues with the remote locate feature. Ended up switching to Lookout mainly for that purpose.

Read an article just this morning as I, too, was questioning the need for AV on my phone. I'll let you make your own decision but the article does list a few AV apps. Hope it helps.

http://thehackernews.com/2012/01/your-android-really-needs-antivirus.html?m=1

Since we're on the subject, does anyone know if there is an app available that will password protect the device on pc connecntion? I for one, have not been able to find one. I do have a screen lock but when connected to the pc via usb it's pretty much open season on the device.

 

[claus1953]

If by "security app," you mean antivirus, then, definitely no.

They don't slow the phone down, but they're wholly unnecessary.

I think this is all the security you need:
http://androidforums.com/android-ap...explained-security-tips-avoiding-malware.html

This is totally true but...
A lot of apps as simple as a screen capture, backup apps, tweaking apps etc need root sccess to do their work. By granting superuser or root access to an app, the permissions are of no value, as in this case the app has access to do everything on your phone. You have always the choice of not using such apps, but some of them are really super and sometimes by being too paranoid, you can miss a lot.
Also some apps use some kind of push ads, which appear on the notification bar or in some cases even in the middle of your screen, sometimes disguised as a harmless ad, but are malware. Here you can use Addons Detector to check what apps install what kind of things, and remove those fishy apps.
One useful part of such security apps is the Antitheft device, more if you store sensitive data on your phone.

 

[itsallgood]

I've been using Lookout since I first got my Original Droid. I like the AV part, and I like that I can use it to track my phone should it ever get lost. I don't particularly care about backup features since there are apps that do that much better. There are a couple of other features that are nice with it, but only for the paid version... and I don't really wanna buy it.

What I'm wondering, is what is the best overall security app out there, or failing that, what apps together give the best overall security for your device. Note, I am rooted. Features I'd be looking for include:

Antivirus/Antimalware
Missing Device assistance (lots of features can be covered by this beyond just tracking)
Firewall (a real firewall for managing what has access to the net and what they're accessing)
Permissions Management (such as managing what can run at device boot up)
Whatever you think is important that I missed.

I don't really expect to find ALL of those in one single app, but would love to find out what's really the best at doing those things. For the Firewall, I've heard Droidwall is pretty good, but they stopped posting change logs.. which I, along with many others judging by the comments on the app, think is a bad practice for an app with root access. I vaguely remember hearing about an app that let you manage all app permissions, but that was a long time ago and I don't even remember what it was called. Free apps would be a bonus, but if it's good enough, I would pay.

EDIT: Bah, meant to have a question mark at the end of that thread title.

Yes you do. Even when checking permissions for downloaded apps from a trusted source. (Remember these hackers are smarter then most of us, the average user.) My phone stores a lot of my personal data, as I'm sure others here are using there phones this way as well. We continue to see articles, news reports all over the web and TV, but yet chose to not accept the reality that the theats are real.

 

[itsallgood]

I was running Avast on my EVO Design but was having issues with the remote locate feature. Ended up switching to Lookout mainly for that purpose.

Read an article just this morning as I, too, was questioning the need for AV on my phone. I'll let you make your own decision but the article does list a few AV apps. Hope it helps.

The Hacker News [ THN ] - Providing Information & Updates to Security Experts and Hackers: Your Android really needs Antivirus Security ?

Since we're on the subject, does anyone know if there is an app available that will password protect the device on pc connecntion? I for one, have not been able to find one. I do have a screen lock but when connected to the pc via usb it's pretty much open season on the device.

Thanks. This is a really good article.

 

[Riche101]

avast! Free Mobile Security


check out the comparison tab

 

[tcat007]

I use "Zoner" on my phone, but really don't think it's necessary. I just like seeing "x-app is clean" when I download something. Only adds maybe 1-2 seconds.

On my Galaxy Player I decided I don't need AV, but I do use: Android Lost - Android app on AppBrain It does a lot of nice stuff "just in case".

 

[jaypeecee]

Interesting thread!

I use Lookout but can't understand why it never seems to update the malware database. I've been using it for a few weeks and never once been made aware that this database has been updated. Am I missing a trick?

JPC

 

[Gekko]

i like Lookout for the "find my phone" feature. also - i like the spyware/malware detector. i tested it and it caught "SMS Replicator". i like that.

also - Lookout is an American company. others are non-US companies and i don't trust that characteristic for a security app.

 

[itsallgood]

Interesting thread!

I use Lookout but can't understand why it never seems to update the malware database. I've been using it for a few weeks and never once been made aware that this database has been updated. Am I missing a trick?

JPC

Read this from Lookout home page.

https://www.mylookout.com/mobile-threat-network