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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 ppl in the xda hood
I just write to let you know that ChompSMS has now been flagged as malware, both on 2 phone here locally with Avast as scanner, and subsequently by upload to Virustotal, and flagged by some of the major names too.
This concerns both the 5.30 and the update from tonight to v5.31
As Im new, I cannot post urls, but you can dump the apk from both versions, upload for a scan, and have a look at the report yourself from virustotal dot com
XDA must decide if its worth it alarming the community, but better safe than sorry, right?
I guess it could be a false positive, and I do know things should not be rushed about accusations of malware developing, but seeing that several of the major scanners is flagging it both before and after the update, certainly raises my concerns.
I hope those of you who knows your way around decompiling and analyzing code will look into this, so that we can get more eyes on it than "just" the AV companies reports.
Sincerely, Omnius
After a bit of micro-investigating I have so far found these domains in the code, so if you do HAVE to use ChompSMS, (I do) you can ad them to your HOST file, just for the sake of it.
I dont know when or why they will be used but as they are in the code, there is a potential connection lurking in it. Decide for yourself, untill further ppl have a close look than mine.
Im not a dev of any sort, but I do know how to poke around to learn. Therfore please do not just take my words for granted until more competent ppl here have their say.
I do know that a few of these is for "normal" android app ads, and analytics and so on, but these are my finding so far, so filter our what you like it to connect to yourself. If you dont mind ads connections in-app, serve your wish, so to speak.
millennialmedia.com
gateway.textfreek.com
report.bitesms.com
nexage.com
inapp.chompsms.com
adserver.com
greystripe.com
smsgateway.chompsms.com
m.advc.us
cvt.mydas.mobi
rest.starttalking.com
mobileads.google.com
I used to love chompsms... now i guess I'm using GoSMS...
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
All of them appear to be valid to the program. Half are ad for ads, the other half are for functionality in ChompSMS.
I would be careful on using go SMS as well.
Antivirus apps will pick up any app that by passes any normal OS use. This always has been and always will be the case.
Anything with ads will always be flagged as it connects to an unknown server.
zelendel said:
I would be careful on using go SMS as well.
Antivirus apps will pick up any app that by passes any normal OS use. This always has been and always will be the case.
Anything with ads will always be flagged as it connects to an unknown server.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
chomp was never flagged before the 5.30 update a few days ago...
really bothers me, i love chomp. i donated to remove the ads. i'm hoping they fixed it with 5.31 and the virus scanners are just still reporting it as a false positive. until it's sorted out though, i uninstalled...
Update : avg doesn't detect anything wrong with the newest version, 5.31.
Lemme tell you...
I noticed the new permissions requested in 5.30 (special access to browser history/bookmarks), and kinda shrugged it off. Dumb move on my part. Immediately upon launching 5.30, I get a notification from ADWLauncher that it cannot fit a new shortcut on my desktop (because the main page was full). So I'm naturally all like WTF... so I flip through my desktop pages to notice that ChompSMS had made itself a shortcut to searchmobileonline.com.
I also heard that it replaces your default browser home page and search method with the same. I use xScope exclusively, so I haven't been able to check that yet.
Delicious, Inc. has really crossed the line with this latest stunt. What were they thinking!? ChompSMS was the best Android messaging app IMHO. Why jeopardize such a great reputation? If it's money they were after, I'd imagine they could've raked in a nice bundle of cash for selling the product to another company.
Does anyone have a copy of this apk that I could take a look at?
kyokeun1234 said:
I used to love chompsms... now i guess I'm using GoSMS...
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GoSMS is a security risk
Sent from Narnia
xHausx said:
Does anyone have a copy of this apk that I could take a look at?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this is a old thread but better than starting a new one.
I would like to ask if there is any news on this. I love chomp SMS, imo the best messanger for my taste. I have bought the pro version, to stay away from ads and unnecessary internet data. I have chomp on a brand new phone, no sim card, no messages, just activated chomp and my firewall instantly found chomp active on internet. I watched this for some time and really chomp was trying to do something even I did nothing with it.
important note: there is no data mining in any of their terms. Or at least I did not find anything.
So I contacted chomp about the behavior and they said that "they never seen this before" and suggested reinstall. I did, didn't help.
On the second try, they told me that it is connecting because of ads, but I had the pro version (and they knew it). So no luck.
After the third attempt, they said that chomp is sending once a day info that it is installed so they know how many installs they have.
This sucks a lot. Security concerns appears instantly.
I think it would be worthy to literally sniff a bit around this, since so many people is using chomp.
This is my first app (long time java dev, first time android dev) so I'm excited to get some XDA feedback =c) Hope I'm posting correctly. Also apparently I can't do links yet so sorry about that.
Why?
I got sick of composing a new email every time I wanted to send myself a note. I looked around, but couldn't find anything that did everything I wanted (at most I found one that used intents to pre-populate the "to" field). So I wrote mynderMail.
?id=com.uxiomatic.mynderMail
Elevator Pitch
The app will let you **send an email to yourself** as soon as you can type it out! First line of the message will become the subject of the email, and the rest will become the body.
**Material-ish Design!** I tried. I'm sure I didn't hit every guideline, but I feel like I got close.
There are **no ads** (though I am planning on a Pro version next year). This app is currently in beta - so let me know if you encounter any issues.
Demo Video is on Google Play - my first try at this kind of video (or any kind really.)
Demo Music Track: “Reckless” (by Azureflux), available on SoundCloud
----------------------------------FAQ-------------------------------------
Q: So all this does is send an email to myself? Can’t I just do it myself through my email app?
A: Yes and yes. But if you’re like me and you send yourself notes all the time, time savings of 50% make this app very useful. Sending from your email takes longer because you need to:
Open the email app (which takes longer to launch).
You have to hit compose.
Select yourself as recipient.
Type the subject.
Type the body.
Tap Send
Where as with mynderMail you just:
Open mynderMail.
Type your whole note in one textarea (including the subject).
Tap Send
Q: Can't I just use Evernote, Google Keep, Google Now, <insert your note taking app>...
A: You could. If you always go back and check your notes, sure. But sometimes you just need to get something somewhere where you know you'll see it and then sort it into the appropriate app. Some things end up in Evernote, or in an issue tracker (work or personal), sometimes it's a phone call, sometimes it's a follow up email, etc... Think of it as sticking a quick post it on your front door or somewhere else where you'll be sure to see it vs writing out a note and filing properly.
Q: I have an idea for a feature. Can you have the app do X?
A: Probably, though the Free version is fairly complete. Most of the new features will be added to the Pro version when it is released. You can send/post suggestions to me, and if it’s not already on the list and the suggestion makes it into the app, I’ll gift you a Pro version.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uxiomatic.mynderMail
Thanks much android404
A Suggestion
The app is great. Makes sense and works perfectly. But I think the app would benefit immensely from a widget wherein I can type the text directly and hit send. That way I dont even have to open the app. Can do it right from the lockcreen/homescreen. Alternatively, a permanent notification can also serve the same purpose, but I prefer the widget.
Makes me think of BlitzMail. Maybe that one will give you inspiration for new features, who knows, have a look: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.grobox.blitzmail.lite
hzshak said:
The app is great. Makes sense and works perfectly. But I think the app would benefit immensely from a widget wherein I can type the text directly and hit send. That way I dont even have to open the app. Can do it right from the lockcreen/homescreen. Alternatively, a permanent notification can also serve the same purpose, but I prefer the widget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With a widget, I'd still have to open up some sort of activity since you can't type directly on the home screen, and since the app closes itself after send it amount to the same thing.
As far as a notification, I'm definitely considering it (also considering having a floating overlay a la "Snowball"/"Sloth Launcher" if i can figure out how to do it.) Currently I have it set up in my "Notification Toggle" which works out well
ltGuillaume said:
Makes me think of BlitzMail. Maybe that one will give you inspiration for new features, who knows, have a look:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh, missed this one when doing my research, thanks. Looks like with this one though you have to enter your own mail server which is a bit of a barrier for entry.
The mail queue is a good idea that I already had on my list, as is sharing with the app.
hzshak said:
The app is great. Makes sense and works perfectly. But I think the app would benefit immensely from a widget wherein I can type the text directly and hit send. That way I dont even have to open the app. Can do it right from the lockcreen/homescreen. Alternatively, a permanent notification can also serve the same purpose, but I prefer the widget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've since added an option for permanent notifications, as well as an option to share with the app (you can set it to send automatically or allow editing of the text before sending).
I have several outdated android smartphones laying around and would like to re-purpose one for an 8 year old.
The thing is, I cannot trust him not to install tons of adware and games on it and play it during school hours which will just cause trouble for everybody. What I'm thinking:
I need the ability to remotely enable/disable lock/unlock the phone and/or turn the phone on or off and/or time periods during which device is automatically locked or unlocked.
I need either a locked down modified cyanogen ROM (or equivalent) or I need to somehow setup everything from scratch.
GPS tracking (realtime constant monitoring isn't necessary but I'd like to be able to ping his location if I'm worried about him and maybe have some sort of perimeter alert system in case he strays into a dangerous neighborhood/gets kidnapped/whatever)
I also need to lockdown which contacts can be called/SMSed/telegramed/IMed/emailed
This kid is sharp, so if there is a way to circumvent these measures, he'll probably figure it out. But I'd like you're ideas and I'll try anyway. How would you go about this? If you're going to tell me I'm a horrible person for tracking my child, I know already.
wow your asking for alot OP. lol eaither this is a really dangours kid, or your extremely protective lol
eaither way il try and help as best as i can. for tracking you can use "wheres my android" app. its gps tracking after you text it a certain phrase, it gives the location to the phone you texted.
you can try cnmod and just install wa app passwors to lock the settings, so the kid wont change anything
Thanks for the reply. He isn't dangerous, he is more of the absent minded genius type. I'm more afraid a stranger will say "lets go to my place to build model rockets" and he won't be able to resist.
What do you mean "wa app passwords"?
You sort of addressed the tracking and locking down apps. Any ideas for contact control so he doesn't just use up all of the minutes calling buddies and 900 numbers?
Hello, what phone are you going to give your child?? What I'm thinking is putting custom rom on the device and use the multi user option if the rom supports it. Then maybe, (maybe) you'll be able to omit which things can see/use and disable some of the things you're asking for.
Good luck.
Sent from my 1+1
go0 said:
Thanks for the reply. He isn't dangerous, he is more of the absent minded genius type. I'm more afraid a stranger will say "lets go to my place to build model rockets" and he won't be able to resist.
What do you mean "wa app passwords"?
You sort of addressed the tracking and locking down apps. Any ideas for contact control so he doesn't just use up all of the minutes calling buddies and 900 numbers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We use MMGuardian Does everything you want and more and it's pretty cheap. I just assume you know a thing or two about Android so I'll tell you this, mmguardian is amazing, the only thing is you have to turn off persistent notifications for the app. I get why they don't have that built in, but just do that and hide that app and your as good as gold. You can add 'key words' that when come up in a text, IM, email or search, it will send you and alert on your phone. You get transcripts of their texts, im and email (which I was happy for, now I just find creepy and intrusive to my childs privacy) but it's pretty sold service OP