security apps?

[lexluthor]

you can blame SeekDroid's inability to do anything during a call, due to Verizon's network being limited by not allowing you to "surf the net" and be on a voice call at the same time.

That's what I was going to say.

I think seek droid is communicating via the data network, so there's no way it can get data to the phone while a call is in process.

Anyone test the same thing on AT&T or T-Mobile?

 

[mahers]

Where are you looking? Appbrain appears to be behind. Official Market is showing it at $1.99 for me.

https://market.android.com/details?id=org.gtmedia.seekdroid

Hmmm, interesting. I just downloaded AntiVirus Free - NetQin to check it out. One thing I'm not big on is the text it sends to another phone to report the SIM card has been swapped. The X doesn't have one! No big deal, but I figure I will try this one out since it's free. Got good reviews.
Antivirus Free - NetQin - Android app on AppBrain

Update 1: On second thought, I don't know if I like it. It's all SMS based commands. I can't remember all that crap!

Update 2: I tried Webroot. It is purely text based, so again, you need to remember the commands. I don't know about you guys, but when my phone is gone, I'll probably be freaking out and won't exactly recall what the hell I'm supposed to text to lock it. (Speaking of which, really, if you have the stock lock on there, is another lock really needed? I suppose there is no "limit" to how many times you can attempt an unlock, so a really persistent thief can eventually get it, but it could take forever!!) I am liking Seek Droid more and more, but the ideal app would allow BOTH texts and web based commands!!

 

[mruno]

i don't have a text plan so seekdroid works for me

 

[Trooper]

i don't have a text plan so seekdroid works for me

Is it better than Lookout?

 

[mruno]

imo, yes. the interface is more simple and I can remote wipe without paying a subscription.

 

[Trooper]

imo, yes. the interface is more simple and I can remote wipe without paying a subscription.

It does not have antivirus though correct? Which I guess is not needed in the first place imho.

 

[mahers]

It does not have antivirus though correct? Which I guess is not needed in the first place imho.

It doesn't list it as a feature, but like you said, do we really need it? You can always keep Lookout for that part and use Seek Droid to wipe without the $30/yr price tag! I think I'm gonna take the whopping $2 plunge

 

[mahers]

BTW, it dropped back to 99cents! Done deal!
http://market.android.com/details?id=org.gtmedia.seekdroid

 

[lexluthor]

BTW, it dropped back to 99cents! Done deal!
http://market.android.com/details?id=org.gtmedia.seekdroid

Thanks. I'm in for $.99 too then.

 

[Trooper]

It doesn't list it as a feature, but like you said, do we really need it? You can always keep Lookout for that part and use Seek Droid to wipe without the $30/yr price tag! I think I'm gonna take the whopping $2 plunge

Let me know how it compares to Lookout. Though I wonder if its ok to run both of these apps? I guess so since SeekDroid does not have av. I just don't like having redundant apps on my phone. Let me know what you think of it compared to lookout.

BTW, it dropped back to 99cents! Done deal!
http://market.android.com/details?id=org.gtmedia.seekdroid

Thanks! Will get for 99cents!

Thanks. I'm in for $.99 too then.

Ditto, I'm in!

 

[mahers]

Yeah, even if it sucks, what's a buck these days?!? Also, I was messing with the locate feature and I saw my GPS turn on. I don't think Lookout does that, but I'm too lazy to test it.

 

[lexluthor]

I'm still a little scared to activate the wipe memory and wipe sd card options in seek droid. I guess it'd be pretty tough to do it on accident and someone would need your userid/code to do it maliciously, but who knows if a piece of code could ever get screwed up and if the option is enabled, might be more of a risk.

On the other hand, if your phone does fall into the wrong hands, that'd be pretty nice to be able to do.

 

[nycebo]

Yeah, even if it sucks, what's a buck these days?!? Also, I was messing with the locate feature and I saw my GPS turn on. I don't think Lookout does that, but I'm too lazy to test it.

Lookout turns on GPS remotely.

 

[Trooper]

I'm still a little scared to activate the wipe memory and wipe sd card options in seek droid. I guess it'd be pretty tough to do it on accident and someone would need your userid/code to do it maliciously, but who knows if a piece of code could ever get screwed up and if the option is enabled, might be more of a risk.

On the other hand, if your phone does fall into the wrong hands, that'd be pretty nice to be able to do.

Agreed. I just purchased the app myself. Now to set it up.

Lookout turns on GPS remotely.

This. I've tested this out and it works like a champ. So same for both apps mahers.

EDIT: What's with the secret code? Is it a password? Or like a four digit code a la debit card?

 

[mahers]

On the other hand, if your phone does fall into the wrong hands, that'd be pretty nice to be able to do.

This is the ONLY reason I got this app. Lookout does everything else, but I just didn't want to pay the annual fee for wiping. I just lost my wife's dumbphone and have no way to wipe any of the crap off of it. If we ever lose our Droids, now I can! (I got her the Droid Pro cuz she insisted on a physical keyboard, but MAN, after using my X, I need a magnifying glass to read her screen! LOL!)

 

[nycebo]

Agreed. I just purchased the app myself. Now to set it up.



This. I've tested this out and it works like a champ. So same for both apps mahers.

EDIT: What's with the secret code? Is it a password? Or like a four digit code a la debit card?

It is a passcode that you enter so that when you find the phone, you can disable the lock, or the siren of you activated the latter. ;-)

 

[Trooper]

It is a passcode that you enter so that when you find the phone, you can disable the lock, or the siren of you activated the latter. ;-)

Thanks brother. I ended up creating a password and it worked like a champ. I have to say that in my testing so far, that Seek Droid found and sent an alarm to my phone faster than Lookout.

I wonder, do you think I should uninstall Lookout to avoid any conflicts and/or redundancy?

 

[mahers]

I wonder, do you think I should uninstall Lookout to avoid any conflicts and/or redundancy?

While they do have similar features, I would say they also have enough differences to warrant keeping both:
Lookout (free): Locate, Alarm, Virus Scan, Backup of calls, contacts & pictures
SeekDroid ($1.99 one time): Locate, Alarm, Backup calls only, Remote Lock and Wipe (phone & SD) and the ability to Hide the App!

I plan to keep both so Lookout can do the virus scan (may or may not be useless) and back up my photos, while SeekDroid can do the remote lock and wipe if I ever need it.

One thing I noticed when testing last night, is that both apps allow the alarm to be turned off by tapping a button, so trying to scare a thief is pointless. He may get startled, but it won't last long!

 

[lexluthor]

Has anyone tried hiding the seek droid? You do it on the website and then what happens? The icon disappears from your launcher? Is it still in the applications lines (where you uninstall) or is it gone from there too? What about the market link? Can you uninstall it from there?

Then you just go back to the website and unhide it and it all comes back?

 

[mahers]

I just "hid" it and it is no longer in my app drawer or on the list of apps to hide in LauncherProPlus. It IS however in the Uninstall list and in the AppBrain list, so while it's not in the obvious places, it can still be found and uninstalled. They should make it so you need your code to uninstall it!!

 

[lexluthor]

I just "hid" it and it is no longer in my app drawer or on the list of apps to hide in LauncherProPlus. It IS however in the Uninstall list and in the AppBrain list, so while it's not in the obvious places, it can still be found and uninstalled. They should make it so you need your code to uninstall it!!

I think you might, no?

Doesn't it say that you have to deactivate it before you can uninstall? To deactivate it, you have to first log into the app on your phone.

Not sure what happens if you try to uninstall without deactivating first.

There's a lot here that I don't really want to fool around with, for obvious reasons.

 

[Deleted User]

I just tried to uninstall it and it said "Uninstall not successful." It will uninstall if you open the app and de-register the device. As an added protection, I use App Protector to limited access to my Droid's Settings (need password to uninstall anything).

 

[byteware]

This is a follow up to the info from Maher above...."I read the Market comments about Seek Droid and it says the following, which doens't seem all that great: Be careful though - the remote lock feature basically just adds a standard lock screen to your phone. It won't take effect while the phone is in use."

FYI for those not familiar with Seek Droid: After logging into www.seekdroid.com with your username and secret code, you chose Lock (obviously, right!). You're prompted to enter a new lock code. A brief message appears: "Attempting to lock device". It then changes to "Sending message to Google, please wait." A Google map appears on most of the screen. If your phone already has a lock code (pattern lock or numeric), it will change it to the new code. If you don't have a lock, it will apply one. Interestingly, Seek Droid does not immediately include a message on your computer that the code was applied successfully. I've sent a command to change the code and it changed within 2 mins, but the "Sending message to Google" popup remained for 5+ minutes after it actually locked. Eventually, "Device Locked" appeared. Also, the Google Map does not change or adjust to the phone's location using the lock command. You must click the Locate button to change the map.

Based on the info from Maher, I tested 2 scenarios: (1) phone is on and unlocked (screen is on...I'm navigating through the phone and opening/closing apps...not letting the phone lock), and (2) during a call. In the first cases, Seek Droid changed the code. As I was playing with the phone, the screen went blank...when I woke it up, the new lock code was required.

In the second case, I connected a call and stayed connected for 5 mins. The phone never received or accepted the command to change the code.

So...it appears Seek Droid works with the phone on...but not during a call.

**UPDATE**: I originally posted that the lock command did not work even after ending a call...if the command was sent during a call. I confirmed this with 3 different tests. I recommended that you re-send the lock command over an extended period with the hope that one of the commands might reach the phone while its not on a call. After further testing, I had instances where I sent a command during a call, hung up, then 1-2 minutes later the lock command arrived and the phone locked. I did not have to re-send it like the original tests suggested.

I assume that you are using Verizon. So, this is my thoughts. The app couldn't change the code and lock the phone during a call, because the app could NOT establish a data connection while you were on the call. That internet connection must be there in order to lock your phone up.

This may not be the case if you were to use AT&T.