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I am new to Android. Just got my Vibrant. I want to protect this phone so that in case it is lost or stolen I can recover it. Could you tell me what are some of the best apps for this?
Here is a list of names I know about for now:
Where's My Droid - This is currently installed, but required me to send a text to my phone to activate the GPS and even then it won't keep the GPS active long enough to get a precise location. Furthermore, it can alert the would be robber.
Glympse - well, this is not for stolen phones
Wavesecure - couldn't find any good threads on this. Seems to have an annual subscription fee of $19. I don't want that. Just want a standalone tracker.
Remote security - Not clear that this is a good app.
TheftAlarm - Again, developed in foreign language and I don't know how good it is
MobileDefense - Maybe this is the best app, but it is still in beta and no more users are accepted. I already filled out a request.
Find My Android - Was suggested in this thread, but it doesn't seem to be different from Where's My Droid, except the notification when SIM is replaced.
Lookout Mobile Security - Doesn't seem bad, but it doesn't lock your phone remotely. Can easily uninstall the program. I also found out that I better use a different email address than the one my phone gets otherwise the phone gets an email with "location" of the phone when you look it up online. This is better than Where's My Droid since you can do it more discreetly online, without sending texts (but have to make sure the email you use is not managed by the phone).
Am I missing something? I really want to protect this phone and it is frustrating that among so many apps, we seem to be missing good anti-theft solutions. Preferably I want something that can lock the phone remotely and allow me to do things without interruptions from the thief or at least discreetly. What would you recommend?
Also, I have a rooted (stock) Vibrant.
Thanks.
Where's My Droid isn't exactly very subtle about sending out replies, the author basically said there's nothing he can do.
Most of the other options include AntiVirus and other nonsense, and are expensive or questionable.
Tasker can automatically upload GPS, respond to an email or SMS to do so.. If you send it the right command it could take pictures periodically, make an outgoing call, whatever... It's extremely flexible in what it can do.
khaytsus said:
Where's My Droid isn't exactly very subtle about sending out replies, the author basically said there's nothing he can do.
Most of the other options include AntiVirus and other nonsense, and are expensive or questionable.
Tasker can automatically upload GPS, respond to an email or SMS to do so.. If you send it the right command it could take pictures periodically, make an outgoing call, whatever... It's extremely flexible in what it can do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW! Ok, but the question is - 1.can it lock the phone remotely? 2.What happens if the thief uninstalls Tracker or changes the SIM (can you password protect it)? Finally, 3.can it take picture AND email them remotely? Otherwise, I don't see much use to this feature if the phone is gone.
Lookout seems rather good, but I have not tested it personally. I'd add a link, but I'm a new user. Should be easy to find with a Google/Market search, though.
Well that (un installing tasker)may be the case with any tech anti theft, if the thief is smart and careful they will wipe/reset/format whatever they took, rendering a soft lo jack useless
I would just get tasker and lookup findmyandroid on lifehacker, its the best current option
Captiv
Yeah, I found out about LookOut on Android forums. I have installed it. It doesn't allow you to lock the phone remotely and can easily be uninstalled.
As for Find My Android, I don't see how is it different from Where's My Droid., maybe except the part where you're notified if the SIM card is replaced.
I updated the original post.
Find my android isn't the name of the app, its what the lifehacker post is tagged as (#findmyandroid)
The program is tasker, and its more customizable and it can turn on gps
Captiv
Sure, Lookout can be uninstalled, as can any other app. But really, you should have some sort of password on your device. With pattern unlock, there's really no reason not to do so.
According to one of the devs on their forums, remote locking as well as "other features" will be coming to Lookout "very soon".
https://lookout.zendesk.com/entries/24881-remote-lock
In the meanwhile, I use WaveSecure for locking my phone and Lookout for tracking, as its mechanism seems much better.
If you want to prevent Lookout from being uninstalled, just move the apk to /system/app (assuming your phone is rooted).
I have had Wave Secure since the Beta (it is free to beta testers) and love it. I can understand not wanting to pay, but it really is a great app. They have a zip file that you can flash in recovery if you are rooted. That will prevent the app from being erased if the phone is factory reset. I have also been using an app lately called "Tasker". It can track your phone, although I have not used it for this. Here is a link to the Wiki.
http://tasker.wikidot.com/locatephone
GPS Tracker by Instamapper is the one I use most. With a text message, it will return its location via Google maps. It will continually do so for as long as you have it set up for. Every 10 Seconds, Every 2 minutes, Every half hour, etc. I used it to track my stolen phone with the laptop in the car. This app saved me from buying a new phone.
stickerbob said:
I have had Wave Secure since the Beta (it is free to beta testers) and love it. I can understand not wanting to pay, but it really is a great app. They have a zip file that you can flash in recovery if you are rooted. That will prevent the app from being erased if the phone is factory reset. I have also been using an app lately called "Tasker". It can track your phone, although I have not used it for this. Here is a link to the Wiki.
http://tasker.wikidot.com/locatephone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Glad I got it while it was still a beta!
I just wanted to share with all of you a fantastic app called Glympse.
It is free and very useful.
It allows you to send a link to a map that tracks your location. You choose how long the link is active for and whether it displays your speed.
So, for example, if you are on your way to a friends and they txt you asking where you are and when you'll arrive... you can send them a link that is only active for 30 min (or how ever long you wish) and they can track you on their computer or smartphone.
This is better then Latitude because it works with all phones, all addresses (email or sms), and is temporary. Check out their website for a better explanation of the app.
I love it... you might too. Give it a shot and support a great dev.
http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.glympse.android.glympse
http://www.glympse.com
pretty neat, thanks for sharing
Hate to bump up a super old thread however I think this needs some re-hashing on how great this app is.
I've been fighting to find a decent real time GPS tracker for quite a while. Each one I find has some sort of obnoxious limitation that drives me insane. Google Latitude was one of the ones I thought for sure would be a home run, except.. it wasn't. I mean, it works great, don't get me wrong... but it's a little ridiculous that I have ZERO configurable options to enable GPS to run even in the background. Nearly every other app I've used does. Not even the option to have GPS "check in" every 10 minutes? Really?
That said, I moved on, and now have been using Glympse. Super handy, super accurate, and doesn't require a specific kind of email address. Makes it that much more cross-compatible and less of a headache. "Oh, you need a Gmail address, just go register for one quick." None of that.
Overall, it's a must to at least have installed. I find it much easier to just Glympse a family member my location so they know when I'm getting home. Recently I would have had a huge use for this as we got hit with some nasty floods. I was driving for many hours to find other roads that were not closed. It would have been nice to have had this just so family members knew I was still on the move and still on my way home.
Anyway, check it out. I'm a fan.
Hi,
Does anyone know if there's any GPS Tracking software which can send httppost data (or other form of data transfer) to a custom website?
I want it to send the regular gps data, such as Date/Time, Longitude, Latitude, Height, Speed and Heading (or whatever is available).
I can write my own web software in php/mysql - but I haven't got a clue about how to write my own android app.
I don't want any fancy maps displayed, I just want the software to acquire gps fix, and send it at user set intervals (example every 1 minute) to my own custom web application.
I had previously been using software on my old Nokia 5800 which sent it to a 3rd party server and I could import the data via xml (see here: http://madstu.net/tracker/ ) but I haven't found any such solutions for Android yet.
Any help would be appreciated
Stu.
You could probably do this very simply with one service and an activity to set the interval and some status. You should look at some android tutorials and you can probably do it in less than an hour.
thanks, yes this is what I've been learning. I created a hello world app by following a tutorial, but I'm afraid that might just be my limit!
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You can use Run.gps for your job.
You can customize it to send data to custom server. In section 6.2.1 in the manual explains how you do it.
Regards
Thanks, I've been trying this since this morning and it seems to work on and off, I will continue to trial it though until I find something better/simpler
Never heard of run.gps, but I do this exact thing in Tasker. I am a long time user of TrackMe, a Windows Mobile tracking client, however I didn't really use the client that much but I've made extensive use out of the web server that went along with it. Data goes into it from several possible sources, and I have several things that extra data out of it (Google Earth to visualize, even geotagging photographs, etc).
I have a long outstanding "offline mode" that's missing from its functionality, ie: you don't want to upload, or it fails to upload so it stores the data for later and uploads it when it can. I really want to put this in some day, but it's semi-complicated and honestly editing complex tasks on my phone is tedious Otherwise it's fully functional and for me works great. Let me know if you're interested.
Yes I'd be very interested in this, please.
Like you said, the "offline mode" would be awesome too, I'd previously used Viewranger on my old Nokia 5800 which had this offline option and worked well.
Cheers
MadStu said:
Yes I'd be very interested in this, please.
Like you said, the "offline mode" would be awesome too, I'd previously used Viewranger on my old Nokia 5800 which had this offline option and worked well.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using the TrackMe web server? Otherwise, what I have won't be of all that much use.
khaytsus said:
Are you using the TrackMe web server? Otherwise, what I have won't be of all that much use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, But I have my own server. How is the data sent? I can customise my web software to receive whichever variables are sent.
MadStu said:
No, But I have my own server. How is the data sent? I can customise my web software to receive whichever variables are sent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fairly straightforward, API calls.. Not really documented anywhere I'm aware of, but here's an example.. But it could be easier to adapt the Tasker profile rather than your softwae?
/trackme/requests.php?a=upload&u=user&p=password&lat=dd.ddddddd&long=dd.ddddddd&do=2011-02-06%2009:10:00&tn=Tripname_Date&sp=0.0&alt=279.0&ang=0&db=8&comments=Optional%20Comments&bs=98
So while it's not difficult, I'd say if you already have a POST/GET type API there, it's probably easier to adapt the Tasker profiles. If you're still interested, I'll export and sanitize and put 'em here.
Yeah I could just edit to match mine. I'm very interested in your sanitized profile(s) though. I've been playing with it and can't get it to work.
Thanks
After some more playing I've done it
Thanks for letting me know about this. Works well and I've got to start automatically when I open up the awesome MM Tracker app
For those who spend a lot of time looking at a computer, and can't be bothered to look at their phone very often, Sand Studio has introduced AirDroid, an app that allows users to control their Android Phone from a computer via WiFi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WfNnQxpw7Uw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfXRhSIm-m0
The great thing about AirDroid is that it works - it's easy to start up, and functions flawlessly (in my experience). The interface is also very polished - mimicking a desktop launcher complete with moveable icons, a task bar, and controls that allow you to do just about anything.
One of the most impressive features is the ability to access SMS messages, manage them, and send messages right from a web browser. Users can also manage contacts, uninstall/backup apps (AirDroid will download your apps as apk files), browse files, access the Android Market, and manage music and ringtones, in addition to the ability to look at phone information from CPU status to battery level and beyond.
Best of all, AirDroid is completely free from the Android Market. With all the powerful features it offers, this app is certainly worth checking out.
ITS FREE
DOWNLOAD
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sand.airdroid&feature=search_result
the market is blocked my country
can someone put mirror please
mehdi.moha said:
the market is blocked my country
can someone put mirror please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
befarmain
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AURZDHQ2
wish i could send and recieve whatsapp messages from it...
edit: just installed the app..sometimes the app makes the phone go crazy!! i have to logout fro the browser or turn off wifi for the phone to become normal.
This is without a doubt 'the best' app for controlling your phone from your browser. I've installed and played with many and this one tops the lot in my opinion.
It's clean, easy to use, great interface (both on the phone and PC).
Side note: This thread would probably be much better off in General Android Apps and Themes forum - http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=530. The app isn't specific an LG Optimus.
---------- Post added at 12:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:07 PM ----------
mehdi.moha said:
the market is blocked my country
can someone put mirror please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's also available on the official website: http://www.airdroid.com/apk/airdroid_1127.apk
saw this in a google search, was just about to post in the GNote forum....
Anyone else used this? Am very tempted, but concerned of legitimacy of app (never heard of devs and truly paranoid about security )
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SpyderTracks said:
Anyone else used this? Am very tempted, but concerned of legitimacy of app (never heard of devs and truly paranoid about security )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a little hesitant to try out apps like this as well but they have nothing but good feedback on the market and a good following on both Facebook and Google+, as well as having their own website, so I was happy to give it ago.
@smackdownn Yeah I am with you on the whatsapp, this app is brilliant.
@Nucleotide & SpyderTracks Seriously? Whats the issue with privacy? Scared these devs are going to email or sms your gf while you are out? Either that or learn to hide your porn somewhere that is not your phone. I have said this before on so many occasions, when you were using a nokia/winmo/other NON android phone, they sneakily NEVER asked for permissions, but you installed apps that could pretty much do anything on your phone anyway
This app is by far the best solution I have tried in this regard, it just works and damn well too
@Cornelha
Lol.... I get what you're saying, but I think it's a little naive... the information we hold on smartphones these days compared to "our old nokias" means security is vital. After years of dodgy torrents, malware and hacked accounts, I've learnt to take it a bit more seriously, albeit probably to the extreme
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This app is fantastic. We were the first to review it:
http://www.androidstatic.com/must-have-air-droid-lets-you-control-your-phone-from-your-browser
SpyderTracks said:
Lol.... I get what you're saying, but I think it's a little naive... the information we hold on smartphones these days compared to "our old nokias" means security is vital. After years of dodgy torrents, malware and hacked accounts, I've learnt to take it a bit more seriously, albeit probably to the extreme
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I don't have anything I would call "sensitive data" on my phone but I do have a lot of contact information such as names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and other information which although not really sensitive, I still don't want other people to have - especially if I don't know about it. Not only that but apps can track your location, the buttons you press on your phone, numbers dialed, text messages sent, websites you visited, and the list goes on.
With that in mind I take caution when installing any app. I check for things like the amount of reviews on the market, the quality of the reviews (good vs. bad), does the developer have a website, a Facebook page with a good following, and so on.
one of the best app i ever know
good job mate
slow files transfers but great app !
have been using it for about 2 days and I have to say it is great...downloading files takes a very long to though
-love the SMS from desktop feature and comes very handy for different ROM users when putting files on devices
Love this app
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA
i love this app!!!! i wish it would have a feature like an android simulator as well so we can open certain apps like whatsapp via mac/pc...
I have been using Lazy Droid but after using this for couple of days, I have uninstalled Lazy Droid. Nice app. thanks
I love AirDroid!!! It helps me to transfer photos and files from my phone to my PC wirelessly. I don't need to carry my cable anywhere with me. It's a great app. Nice job!
what do you have to install on the PC? if you want to link a PC to smartphone, for example
FASAR said:
what do you have to install on the PC? if you want to link a PC to smartphone, for example
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to install on the PC. You just need to open the browser and visit web.airdroid.com to log in. Then you can manage you phone on the web. Easy, right?
What is the best protection for Galaxy Note in a case of theft? I am referring to the following features:
1) SMS message to the predefined number that contains the number of the new SIM card when it is insterted by the thief/third person;
2) possibility to remotely delete all personal data (contacts, messages, passwords for applications, schedule, notes);
3) GPS location of the phone without the possibility to turn off the GPS by the thief/third person;
4) possibility to lock the phone and make it unusable (unlock it with a password only known to the owner);
5) software protection that cannot be overridden by a factory reset or connecting the phone to a computer;
6) privacy of the owner (not being tracked all the time but only when the phone is reported as stolen).
I am aware of the following options but I am unsure which ones have the features above:
1) stock Android protection;
2) Samsung Dive;
3) Norton Internet Security (free on Samsung Apps);
4) Kaspersky Internet Security (free on Samsung Apps);
5) NetQuin (free on Google Play);
6) Avast (free on free on Google Play).
Are there any other options that meet the mentioned criteria?
What is the best option?
there is lookout as well
I use Avast.
Use android lost...Best app ever!
i use cerberus. it has the option u looking for. im useing it.
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I am using Avast and Androidlost both...
Best and Free
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after long search
after long search i ll try one of them
1- gotya
2-phone locator pro
3-avast
as they have full option
remote wipe ,call ,photo of thief , every thing
Seekdroid Is Awesome!
Cerberus
Jack143 said:
i use cerberus. it has the option u looking for. im useing it.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, you can flash it to the system to, and it will keep giving you information even if someones wipes the data of your phone.
I've tried them all and Cerberus is the best IMHO. Also takes pictures and send them to your email if someone puts the wrong password in or you can do it and everything you described through the web interface.
That's all fine if the guys who steals the phone, tries to use it as is. but you know now a days they have well set up team, they simply put it to download mode & flash a clean ROM (i hope so). Around twenty days back i lost my Galaxy i9003. the incident was so shocking. Two guys, one from behind my slow moving car (at a signal during peek hours) diverted my attention by hitting the car with hand & when i turned back the othr guy flicked my phone through window. phone was kept at speedo meter compartment (window shutter was open with my arm resting on it). i had installed phone locator pro. Nothing happend till date.
So be carefull guys. Since our Gnote is large enough for anybody to pull it from hand & run away if u r walking & talking in busy places. Remember, there r lots of people watching you...
So Cerberus has all the features I listed in the first post? Is it the best then?
Does anyone have actual experience with these apps after their Android phone had been stolen?
Anyone?
Cerberus can be installed to system partition so it survives hard reset. Also there are disguised versions with System Framework app name without icon to make it stealth.
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Do any of these apps need a rooted phone or does it make a difference?
Nice thnx
Cerberus is the best one!
You guys also have samsungdive service, many samsung users don't even know about this...
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So does this mean that Cerberus is even better than Samsung Dive?
Absolutely best is Android lost........ Have all points you want except #5,that you will find in NO app.....
But android lost have more then 10 useful functions more.....
Can Make photos of the thief, audio recording, hide the app complete.....
If the thief change the simcard, you will get the new tel Nr., in the same moment and can control phone continously........
All actions would NOT be seen by the thief.....
You can write "fake error" messages, like "read error in lineb#FF12E" and if he press on "ok", a photo (without shutter sound) is taken of him.......
And very much more functions, look on "www.androidlost.com", the best thing is, that android lost works with a Google message service, so you're not need the sim to do commands......
Orders can get over every Internet browser or over Sms to ya phone.....
I test the emergency with my friend, and it works fantastic, after 30minutes I got 10 pics of him, have his voice, catched all phone numbers, he dial, all messages also, get all 2minutes his new location, got the complete phone state, so I have a good chance to find the thief in the first one or two hours.......
It's a shame, that you can't protect your phone by yourself against flashing roms, but every guy, (if he not knows how to flash a note exactly) have first to look for the roms, how to flash and so on, and this gives you 2 hours or more to locate him.......
Don't count on the police! In Germany, they will do nothing, also if you have the imei and they have technical stuff to locate a phone on every login, but they don't do, just in "special causes". That's a joke, so it's better to locate it by your self
Rock
Sts
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