Yesterday, we mentioned that the Android should be very secure because it's based on the Linux kernel. Today, we're reviewing an app from an up-and-coming software security company that focuses on mobile operating systems: Lookout Security & Anti-Virus.
We came across Lookout from this article regarding Android malware threats from CNN Tech. When the time came to add an Anti-Virus to our Android test unit, we chose Lookout because of dissatisfaction with AVG in our use of AVG on Windows systems. Plus, given the fact that Lookout seems to be an emerging expert in the field of Android security, we took a shot at installing and using the software.
Overview:
The app is very straightforward, with 5 buttons which serve as simple choices for controls:
- Security -- Where you can perform a complete scan of your system, or activate the app to secure your system in the background.
- Privacy Advisor -- A Premium function, this will let you scan for apps that send personal, private data to servers.
- Safe Browsing -- Protects your system from phishing sites.
- Backup -- A function to backup your data regularly.
- Missing Device -- Allows you to Locate, Lock, Wipe your device when it's lost or stolen, and even Scream so you can find it if the loss is recent and you believe you're still within the area of the device.
Great Things About The App:
What we love about this Anti-Virus app is that it scans the device thoroughly, and covers all the bases of mobile device security, including an actual loss. When it's been turned on, it also scans any and every download that comes from the Android Market before it gets installed on your device. It also comes with a 14-day trial of the Premium features, so you'll get to see if it's worth buying the Premium version or not.
The Privacy Advisor alone seems to be a feature worthy of a Premium License purchase, so trying it out could be both a good and a bad thing: a good thing because you'll have an extra measure of protection, a bad thing because you'll be shelling out money for an extra feature. Either way, if you value your data and privacy, this function seems to be worth $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year. For PayPal users, sadly, Lookout accepts only credit cards for now.
Bad Things About The App:
If you're on a low-spec Android, you may find that it slows down other processes, like games. We ran Lookout at a time when we were reinstalling apps on the Android after an upgrade from Eclair to Froyo, so the added load on the processes slowed the phone down. If you're running Android on specs higher than 256MB RAM/600MHz CPU/512MB ROM, then we guess you'll have a smoother time with Lookout in the background. Otherwise, if you're running a resource-hog app like a game, you may want to disable Lookout during that time.
Verdict:
We have yet to try the Android version of AVG, but on the whole, we're very happy with Lookout. We especially love that you can scan for data-mining apps and how it scans every single app you download and install from the Android Market. Perfect for protecting yourself against them exploitative Badware!
Rating:
5/5 Stars.
Photo Credits: Lookout Premium Page
It's slick, it's Unix, it's based on Linux, it's made by Google. It's the Android.
It's more than cool. It's top of the line. Bleeding Edge technology. Kicks royal Nokia Symbian Anna butt, that's for sure.
So when you use your Android, you flash it. You show the people around you exactly what they're missing.
And you happily add and approve new Android Apps every hour, on the hour. You're on an Android! It's VERY secure!
Think again.
Just last July, Google had to remove 26 apps from the Android Marketplace and suspended six developer accounts because the apps contained the "DroidDream Light" which is a data-mining software: it collects the Android user's personal data and uploads them to a remote server.
While there aren't any statistics of identity theft from Android users yet, there are cases of people being unwittingly signed onto premium services, thereby sapping their credits or increasing their mobile service bills. Thus, it seems that the malware is used more for consumer targeting rather than identity theft.
So what's a hapless Droid user ought to do, with this security vulnerabilities that the Android has? Tear his hair, toss the Android and switch back to a Blackberry or iPhone and wear a surly face?
Well, you can start running antivirus apps on your Android, that's one.
What?! Antivirus on my Android?!
Stuff the pride. You need the anti-virus. Malicious programmers, or to put it bluntly, hackers, know the potential of the growing Android consumer base, that is why they're targeting the platform. It is relatively easier to get a foot in the door at the moment, because the Android Market is a free-for-all for developers. Unlike the Apple Store's closed system, the Android Market allows too much freedom, too much ease for renegade apps to worm their way in, pun intended. Thus, to protect yourself as an Android user, better work on these practices:
1. Find and install a reliable Android Antivirus. Lookout is an up and coming company that's working hard to ensure Android users' safety. AVG is a trusted Windows antivirus. If you must try the others, go by the star rating below the apps.
2. Research and look for reviews for apps before you install them. This is a good way to check whether the app could be malware in disguise.
3. If the app prompts for access to premium services or anything that may cause your mobile provider to charge you for data transmitted, skip it and delete the app.
4. Be wary of PDF attachments that you didn't request. Both Android and the iOS have reported vulnerabilities with PDF attachments.
Watch out for your battery draining too fast compared to when you first bought it, or for unidentified or strange text messages from out of nowhere. The battery drain may be caused by the malware running batt-draining processes in the background, and the text messages are a clue that you may have signed up for a premium service unwittingly.
No platform is totally secure from malware attacks. Even Apple routinely issues patches for the iOS because of security loopholes. However, as we mentioned, the iOS and the Blackberry are closed-system, therefore quality control and malware checks are more tightly imposed.
Since the Android ecosystem is as wild and free as it is yet, better practice safe mobile computing.
You've been warned.
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