App Review: App Protector
Are you concerned about the security of the information stored in, and accessed by, your mobile apps? I’m not just talking about worst case scenarios, in which your phone is stolen by a hacker who knows how to recover your banking password or your teenage kids get a hold of pictures depicting you on your knees with a beer bong. Maybe you like to show off your phone or occasionally let friends place a call, play a game, and send a text. One stray tap on your financial software’s icon and your loans, purchases, net worth, and assets could be known within a matter of seconds. That’s not too appealing to me, which is why I recently purchased App Protector Pro. Well, that, and because Will from Carrot app made me aware of this program’s existence. Check out his video demo at the end of this review.
App Protector is available in the Android Market in Trial (Free) and Pro ($0.99) versions. There’s also a Lite version floating around, but that’s just a leftover in the Market and identical in function to the Trial version. In fact, the Trial and Lite apps have the same functionality as the Pro version, except that they expire after 7 days.What separates App Protector from other similar apps on the Market is that it can protect any app you install, as opposed to the exclusive nature of other security apps, which generally focus on only one or two programs. The app allows the user to add programs to the protected list by selecting certain apps from a list of all programs and checking them off. Some apps are protected by default in order to prevent circumvention of the security. For example, Close Everything requires a password from the moment you install App Protector. This way, someone who intends to shut down App Protector in their quest for private data will be prompted for a password.
I’ve been using this app for two days now and I’m already hooked. I found myself annoyed with entering a password for certain apps – like GMail – and decided to remove them from the protected list. The data therein really isn’t sensitive anyway. But for my finance app, I expect App Protector to be a permanent sentry. And in case you want to block a lot of apps but don’t want to enter the password 1,000 times a day, you’re given an option of having all protected apps remain unlocked until you tap the “All App Unlocked” alert in the notification bar. Or, set the app to lock when the screen is off. Just hit the power button and you’re good to go.
App Protector Pro seems, to me, to be one of those critical, essential apps that you come to wonder how or why you lived without. It’s only 99 cents and that’s a great deal for peace of mind, in my book. I have yet to run into any problems, so this one gets two thumbs up from me.
![SGP Neo Hybrid for Galaxy Nexus [Video]](http://www.droiddog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/DD.png "SGP Neo Hybrid for Galaxy Nexus [Video]")
This seems like a really great app, offering awesome protection and security. And all for only 99 cents? Very cool.
Not 99 Cents anymore…1.99!
The video is not very helpful – far too fast and no sound. I like the idea of the app and the review is helpful but the video give me no idea how it works.
The only major problem I see with this application is the fact that once you unlock it, it STAYS unlocked unless you relock it manually (via status bar) or the phone times out to the blank screen. IMHO there should be an option for lock on application exit. Basically, once you exit out of an application, you have to enter the passcode to regain access. Why? Obvious enhanced security benefits for the uber paranoid “KGB is watching me poop” crowd (e.g., me). Not to mention that would also make this a GREAT application for ending accidental phone calls that plague users of touchscreen smartphones. An end to butt dialing? We're but one feature upgrade away friends. Let's hope it comes soon cause I'm tired of your arses calling me.
The only major problem I see with this application is the fact that once you unlock it, it STAYS unlocked unless you relock it manually (via status bar) or the phone times out to the blank screen. IMHO there should be an option for lock on application exit. Basically, once you exit out of an application, you have to enter the passcode to regain access. Why? Obvious enhanced security benefits for the uber paranoid “KGB is watching me poop” crowd (e.g., me). Not to mention that would also make this a GREAT application for ending accidental phone calls that plague users of touchscreen smartphones. An end to butt dialing? We're but one feature upgrade away friends. Let's hope it comes soon cause I'm tired of your arses calling me.
The only major problem I see with this application is the fact that once you unlock it, it STAYS unlocked unless you relock it manually (via status bar) or the phone times out to the blank screen. IMHO there should be an option for lock on application exit. Basically, once you exit out of an application, you have to enter the passcode to regain access. Why? Obvious enhanced security benefits for the uber paranoid “KGB is watching me poop” crowd (e.g., me). Not to mention that would also make this a GREAT application for ending accidental phone calls that plague users of touchscreen smartphones. An end to butt dialing? We're but one feature upgrade away friends. Let's hope it comes soon cause I'm tired of your arses calling me.
Really liked the app, some bugs, but worth buying. However, now after 2 months of using the app says EXPIRED – GO TO MARKET FOR UPDATE. WTF? There's no update out there. Just the option to buy it again. Not wanting to jump the gun (basically uninstalling and making the conclusion that I've been scammed) I sent an email to the developer. Waiting to hear back.
You have that problem because your app is NOT app protector! It's another app with similar function…Please contact the developer of that app…
Hi…Maybe you have a really old version…Please update. It does auto relock now…
You have that problem because your app is NOT app protector! It's another app with similar function…Please contact the developer of that app…
Hi…Maybe you have a really old version…Please update. It does auto relock now…