I cannot find useful advice on Android security. I have a N1/2.2, which is essentially a handheld computer. How should i secure it?
My main area of concern is the keyguard/lockscreen dilemma. My phone is usually on me, I access it very frequently. It looks like a low risk situation and it is tempting to disable to lockscreen entirely, maybe even to not use the keyguard at all. On the other hand, at home kids may want to play with the phone, so something should be done. Same in the office. (a simple pattern lock or short PIN would do). If the phone is forgotten/lost/stolen, then I'd feel more secure with a robust PIN. Ideally a PIN that would lock a phone under brute force attack.
AFAIK, 2.2 has disabled 3rd parties ability to enable/disable/manage the lockscreen. All I can do no is use apps to enable/disable keyguard altogether, or Tasker to manage the amount of time that has to pass between screen timeout and the activation of the lockscreen.
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There are also ways to locate/remotely wipe a lost/stolen phone. Is it worth spending money when there appears to be easy DIY solutions? (turn on latitude to locate, sync blank contacts/calendars and change all PWDs on linked apps to wipe, and so on).
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Then, there is this malware thing... Are there apps that will examine permissions and report on exposure? Apps that will monitor network usage? (somewhat like firewalls)?
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I would appreciate pointers to resources and/or suggestions
My main area of concern is the keyguard/lockscreen dilemma. My phone is usually on me, I access it very frequently. It looks like a low risk situation and it is tempting to disable to lockscreen entirely, maybe even to not use the keyguard at all. On the other hand, at home kids may want to play with the phone, so something should be done. Same in the office. (a simple pattern lock or short PIN would do). If the phone is forgotten/lost/stolen, then I'd feel more secure with a robust PIN. Ideally a PIN that would lock a phone under brute force attack.
AFAIK, 2.2 has disabled 3rd parties ability to enable/disable/manage the lockscreen. All I can do no is use apps to enable/disable keyguard altogether, or Tasker to manage the amount of time that has to pass between screen timeout and the activation of the lockscreen.
--
There are also ways to locate/remotely wipe a lost/stolen phone. Is it worth spending money when there appears to be easy DIY solutions? (turn on latitude to locate, sync blank contacts/calendars and change all PWDs on linked apps to wipe, and so on).
--
Then, there is this malware thing... Are there apps that will examine permissions and report on exposure? Apps that will monitor network usage? (somewhat like firewalls)?
--
I would appreciate pointers to resources and/or suggestions
