Is my new smartphone secure?

[Brian Peacock]

So I got with the rest of the cool people and upgraded to a smartphone. A Samsmug Glaxily thingy. It seems not only to be an efficient and effective communication device, but also appears to be a general computing device of not inconsiderable capabilities.

Thing is, it seems to be constantly connecting to public open networks when I'm not looking - which is good for following the Twitters, accessing emails, and downloading The Guardian etc, but is a bit disquieting if one finds that it's made several connections on the way into town some of which may or may not be safe or even genuine.

Notwithstanding that the smartphone is obviously smarter than me, the fact that it's so eager to connect to the internet suggest I need some sort of firewal program an' ting. But there's a monsterously humongous list of security type apps on the Google Play site and actually discerning which one does what, how, when, and why is not so easy. One might generally go for a top brand, but reviews are distinctily patchy on Norton and AVG etc whereas some ugly-iconed Free app I've never heard of might get favourable reviews, even if it's only from 12 people.

It's a minefield of a mindfeild, so any recommendations or disrecommendations from more experienced Android operators would greatly aid my cogitations.

Is it better to get separate virus protection and firewall or go for an all in one? Freebies or payforit? Configurable or automatic? That sort of thing.



Also, which is better alternative to the Samsmug browser for the forum: Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, or something else? It's all soooooooooooooo tiny, and making it big gives me wrist ache (which funnily enough is not the first time I've typed that!).

[Rum]

I've got one too - the Galaxy 4. Amazing little machine it is too. I did read that anti-virus software isn't reliable for android phones yet, but maybe there are other views.


I tend to turn almost everything off on it that automates the sort of thing you refer to, and I wouldn't use it for banking or anything like that.

[Robert_S]

I don't know much about the security, but I don't think I'll be doing my banking on one.


The voice recognition is amazing though. It means I cas say "Rule 34 , Friendship is Magic, Skeletor" at any time and make someone wish they'd never looked over my shoulder.

[Brian Peacock]

Aye Rummy,

I've found out where to turn off wifi and data and bluetooth and GPS, all of which were the means by which my smartphone was communicating behind my back and all of which were obviously enabled for my convenience by the pubescent youth in the store.

But it seems a bit silly to have all that connectivity and to turn it off when I'm not at home, and then I'm thinking that even when I am at home, and just sitting up in bed of a morning reading The Guardian Anywhere with my usual bromide stiffened infusion, that I may still be a potential portal for malicious malignancies.

I certainly wouldn't pay a bill or do banking on it at the moment, but I find the fact that I could rather enticing. Exciting even. My bank has an "app" that can tell me how overdrawn I am, will allow me to send money to people via their phones, or get cash out of the ATM without my card after telling me where the nearest machine is etc. That does sound handy. Of course, that could backfire if the phone is stolen but I see a whole visa of opportunities opening up before me while at the same time feeling somewhat uncertain about what and were to explore.

I see from my Android manual that it is built on Linux - so does that mean it's pretty immune to hacking and similar decrepitudes, or am I just being a bit of a granddad about the modern world and am reluctant to go skinny-dipping with the youngsters because I haven't brought my trunks along?

I don't know much about the security, but I don't think I'll be doing my banking on one.


The voice recognition is amazing though. It means I cas say "Rule 34 , Friendship is Magic, Skeletor" at any time and make someone wish they'd never looked over my shoulder.

Can it recognise voices out of the box or do I need an app for that?

[rachelbean]

I keep my WiFi, GPS, and bluetooth off at all times except when I need them, and not for security but just because they are a battery drain. I wouldn't really worry too much about security with things like banking apps as the only ones I know of just give you balance and transaction information but no ability to move/withdraw funds or see any detailed information.

Do you have the Galaxy S4? Because evidently it has all sorts of safety features:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-575827 ... urity-nod/

[Robert_S]

I don't know much about the security, but I don't think I'll be doing my banking on one.


The voice recognition is amazing though. It means I cas say "Rule 34 , Friendship is Magic, Skeletor" at any time and make someone wish they'd never looked over my shoulder.

Can it recognise voices out of the box or do I need an app for that?

My cheep Virgin LG Optimus has voice built in. There's a microphone key on the keyboard.

[Brian Peacock]

I keep my WiFi, GPS, and bluetooth off at all times except when I need them, and not for security but just because they are a battery drain. I wouldn't really worry too much about security with things like banking apps as the only ones I know of just give you balance and transaction information but no ability to move/withdraw funds or see any detailed information.

Do you have the Galaxy S4? Because evidently it has all sorts of safety features:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-575827 ... urity-nod/

I got the Galaxy Fame, because I's poor.

It's very pretty, comfy, and I've tweeked the display so it's easy to read, but the case is too smooth - I mean almost frictionless. If I didn't have sticky fingers I'd probably have dropped it by now! I've ordered a case and some screen guard things from our friendly amazon affiliate . I had the choice of this or a Nokia something with windows, so I went for this one of course.

I don't know much about the security, but I don't think I'll be doing my banking on one.

The voice recognition is amazing though. It means I cas say "Rule 34 , Friendship is Magic, Skeletor" at any time and make someone wish they'd never looked over my shoulder.

Can it recognise voices out of the box or do I need an app for that?

My cheep Virgin LG Optimus has voice built in. There's a microphone key on the keyboard.

AH, I SEE IT! I'm still getting used to how the swish and hold thing works (it took me three attempts to answer a call from my mum yesterday!), but I held the little keyboard icon in the message screen and it popped up with an option for speech recognition. Haven't tried it yet, but that's going to come in really handy.

[Blind groper]

I have a galaxy tablet also. I bought a security package, but it seems to be probably not yet needed.

Malware entering a tablet or cell phone mostly gets there by riding on an app that is being downloaded. If you limit yourself to 'reputable' apps, like those recommended by Samsung, you will be pretty safe. At this point in time, you are unlikely to be infected by normal internet surfing.

[Brian Peacock]

Cheers bg. That's reassuring. My main problem is the paralysisism of choice. There is a huge list of security and privacy programs on the app stores and there's always that nagging feeling that whatever I choose will probably not be the best, most effective choice. I get the same feeling at the supermarket when I'm face with 200+ salad dressings. I like a particular brand of honey-mustard mayonnaise but is there another one I'd like even better? I can buy a different one each time I go of course, but what if I buy a bad one? So I stick with my regular brand, and even though it's lovely, I still have the feeling that I'm missing something. And you can't really try all the security apps until you find one you like the flavour of can you?

[Audley Strange]

I have a blackberry. It's shit, mostly I use it as a clock or if I'm in a pub waiting I'll surf a bit but it's clunky. I wasn't going to bother upgrading since I always forget to take my phone with me, defeating the purpose of it, but my mother just bought herself some expensive thing which I noted was as close to the idea of a handheld computer as I'd ever seen, in fact I think the CPU was similar to what I have in one of my PC's.

I must say I hadn't been paying attention but they are becoming impressive finally.

[Brian Peacock]

I think so AS. There was something in the paper yesterday about desktop and laptop sales being predicted to decline by 10% or something in the next year, with phones and phablets (tablet + phone) predicted to rise by 40% or something. Google are moving into phone manufacture as well, so it looks like the future of personal computing is very much going mobile.

I'm down this the kidz man!