Feature Articles

App Attack: Securing Your Mobile Device

By Koh Wanzi - 15 Sep 2015

App Attack: Securing Your Mobile Device

Keeping Your Data Safe

We live in an age of mobility. Your smartphone is probably as indispensable, if not more so, than your laptop or desktop PC. Our phones have become repositories of vital data, and the proliferation of mobile devices makes them ripe targets for attackers looking to capitalize on the mobile wave. We bring you a few of the best security apps to guard your data against malicious attacks and physical theft:


Cerberus

Price: Free
Category: Productivity
Platforms: Google Android

Named after the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to the underworld, Cerberus offers three-pronged protection for your mobile phone. In the event of a theft, you’ll be able to remotely control your phone from both the desktop site and from another phone via SMS and wipe your device if needed.

Furthermore, the app will send you automatic email or SMS notifications to alert you to activity on your missing device, such as when a SIM card is changed. And in addition to comprehensive location tracking, it will even email you a photo of the thief if a wrong unlock code is entered!

  


360 Security

Price: Free
Category: Tools
Platforms: Google Android

360 Security is an anti-virus app that doubles as a speed booster to help optimize your background apps, memory space and junk files. It has consistently achieved one of the highest detection rates among tested security apps, and its real-time scanner works to safeguard your device from malware, spyware and other infections.

In addition, it can detect and address system vulnerabilities to beef up the security of your phone. Apps and local APK files are scanned and the installation process is monitored for any unwanted malicious activity, so you can rest easy knowing that you’ve not unwittingly opened a backdoor into your phone.

 


oneSafe

Price: S$5.98 (iOS), S$6.68 (Android), Free (Windows)
Category: Productivity
Platforms: Apple iOS / Google Android/ Windows Phone

Security experts will tell you to use a different password or pin for every account. But with so many accounts to secure, it can often be a struggle to keep track of all the usernames and passwords to your bank accounts, email and social media. oneSafe is a password manager app that aims to help you securely organize your log-in credentials.

It features AES-256 encryption to secure your data against attacks, and email and device backup functions to guard against data loss. It’s also quite intuitive to use, with ready-made categories to help you organize your information, a built-in password generator to create strong passwords, and Dropbox integration to sync across multiple devices.

 


Red Phone: Private Calls

Price: Free
Category: Communication
Platforms: Google Android

RedPhone helps secure the most basic – and perhaps most overlooked – function of your phone by giving you free, end-to-end encryption for your calls worldwide. The app is quite hassle-free as it works with your regular phone number. In addition, you can bypass voice call charges because the app works over a Wi-Fi connection or your data plan.

RedPhone uses an encryption protocol called ZRTP, and you can now place calls to anyone with the assurance that no one is listening in, provided the other party has the app installed of course.

 


AppLock

Price: Free
Category: Tools
Platforms: Google Android 

The problem with most password protections is that they follow an all-or-nothing approach. What if you wanted to share pictures of your vacation with acquaintances, but don’t want them seeing your more private photos? Enter AppLock, a privacy app that allows you to store private pictures and videos in Photo and Video Vaults.

On top of that, it protects individual apps with passwords or patterns, so individual app data remains secure from snooping eyes or the prying fingers of young children. Furthermore, you gain protection of sensitive areas of your phone’s UI like the System settings, and can even customize the password prompt screen with your background of choice.

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