Android smart phone question

Google quietly rolled out a device locater feature a couple of months ago. It's available to all Android devices right now for free without installing anything.

One downside to it: if your device is out of range, turned off or in airplane mode it won't locate it. It doesn't keep a "last known location". It would be nice if this capability were opt-in, but I suspect they're trying to avoid bad privacy press by omitting it.

Very nice feature I do say...

:)

I'm currently using the Free TrustGo for my Android phones. It rated high in independent tests, and has some handy security and management features. For instance, you can track and set monthly data limits, and track app battery usage. You can also GPS locate, lock, wipe data, and sound an alert from directly from the TrustGo website.

One interesting feature uses the smartphone's camera to take a picture of an offending person who attempts to unlock the phone, after 3 unsuccessful attempts. The person's photo along with the mobile device's current location displayed on Google maps is automatically emailed. You can see how the candid camera feature works on this YouTube video.

An example: We recently had a smartphone snatched unbenounced while visiting our zoo in DC. The alleged perpetrator apparently couldn't unlock the phone, and a Google map location of the smartphone with a photo of the guilty party was sent by email. To view the email and photo of the alleged thief(unobscured), just click the above image, or here. :W

I have AVG on my Android phone. It is free and has other features besides being a virus protection. It does scan all new apps that are installed. It has not bogged down the phone and does not drain the battery. My phone came with Lookout but Lookout is a lot more intrusive on the phone and system and I do not use it. With AVG you can turn on and off features to customize it to your needs - and it is free with no ads.

M GO BLUE wrote:
LOOKOUT

X2. They have a free version and a more extensive $ version. If you use Norton they also allow you to cover smartphones on your account. Others may do that too.

2oldman wrote:
I'm sure somebody will be willing to sell you AV for your phone, whether you need it or not.

Free apps. AVAST is just one free one available. Many more free anti virus. Many of the same companies that supply free anti virus for home computers. Like Norton, Kapersky, McCafee. All free apps:S

Any antivirus ap is just going to wear your battery down quick.Always running.
Avast and lookout is the worst too.

camperdave wrote:
I installed Lookout on my DroidX when I first got it (around 2 years ago). Ironically, that very software bogged down the phone so bad I ended up uninstalling it! :S I've been running it naked ever since, no problems. I don't keep anything important in there though, so if I lose it or something it's not the end of the world.

Mine came with Lookout. I enabled it and yes, bogged down the phone and ate up the battery. I removed it, had to root the phone because it came with it. Lookout wouldn't go away once I set it up, kept coming back. My phone is a phone, I don't use it for banking, etc. so I don't use anything.

shadows4 wrote:
New smart phone user here. Is virus protection needed with a smart phone? If so any recommendations? Thanks, John

You might want to take a look at this to help you decide.

Android has the least security protection and is hacked the most often and easily.

http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-f......../slideshows/10-dangers-of-mobile-banking

Number 7 of the 10 dangers
7. Currently, the majority of mobile malware viruses are written for Android devices. “In the fourth quarter of 2012, 97 percent of all of the malware released into the mobile environment was targeted against Android,”

Conroy says. “The Android app store is more open for developers to go out there and publish something.” Other brands are not immune to viruses, she says. Android is just currently “the bad guys’ favorite."

Made me change my mind of switching to Android.

My Android came with 'lookout" installed. I'd say it's not a bad idea to have something to protect the phone.