Security on mobile phones

Wammer

Posted this on the Mobile Phones board, but as it's a techie question posting it here as well.

It has just occurred to me, do mobile phones need a firewall and anti-virus seeing as they can access the internet?

If so, any recommendations for one that would be suitable?

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Yes they can. Depending on what mobile your using then check the app store of the particular handset maker for one.

Sublime_2

I suppose it depends what you do with yours. I prefer to use a blacklist application, which blocks calls from spam/unauthorised numbers. I paid for mine, but it was worth every penny to stop calls from Somalia, etc, where i know nobody.

mbrownish

I use Lookout Mobile Security on Android (also available on Blackberry and Windows Mobile). It's free, and pretty good. There are others of course.

One thing to bear in mind is that standard viruses and malware for Windows etc generally won't work on smartphones (well maybe on Windows Mobile). There are ones targeting smartphones, but not so many - the biggest threat is downloading a dodgy smartphone app, rather than loading a dodgy website.

sho_me_da_money

I had lookout and it is good but there is a better app giving you the same features plus more - SMRTGUARD.

Antivirus - self explanatory.

Remote Backup - backs up your contacts, logs, emails, files on a daily or weekly schedule

Remote Ping - If your phone is on silent and missing, you can ping the device from your PC and it will emit a loud noise

Remote Lock - If your device goes missing, you can remote lock it using your pc

Remote Wipe - If your device goes missing, you can remote wipe using your pc

Panic Button - When held down for 7 seconds (default), it will simultaneously call, email, SMS and Twitter the nominated users you set. The message your selected users will receive is preconfigured by you for e.g. "Help, I am in urgent trouble, please contact the police with my current location" - users will be given a Google map link of your location.

Sim Guard - When installing the application for the first time, it will detect and register your SIM card as the authorised user of the handset. If however someone robs your phone and/or it goes missing. The moment somebody places a new SIM into the device, it will SMS a number (you preconfigure this - mine is my wifes) and it will tell them that a new SIM has been entered into the device and here is the new number. Simply call the police and tell them the new number and your sorted.

Wammer

Thanks for the suggestions. Will have a look at them tonight.

Wammer

I installed SMRTGUARD. However it says you have a 30 day trial for their Pro version. I have not activated the email sent as I can't see whether you have to actively cancel the trial after the 30 day period.

I don't want it to automatically charge me as nowhere does it say how much the Pro version is in the T&Cs