8 Essential Android Security Apps

http://www.cio.com/article/675084/8_Essential_Android_Security_Apps

While Android is a terrific operating system in many ways, it does pose some real risks for IT departments. Last week's revelation that Google (GOOG) had to remove around 50 malware-infected applications from its Android Market and had activated an Android app kill switch highlighted the downside of the company's "free love" approach to publishing applications where it will let anyone put their app on the market and will only take it down if alerted by a third-party user. The upside of this, of course, is that the market also offers a wide variety of quality security applications that can protect you from malicious apps. Here are eight Android applications that can help IT departments keep a better hold on employees' Android-based devices.

McAfee WaveSecure
Developer: McAfee
Price: Free
McAfee's WaveSecure app doesn't have any of the virus scans or firewall protection that the company is famous for, but it does have some important features such as the ability to remotely lock your phone and to wipe key data from it, the ability to back up and restore wiped data after a device has been secured, and the ability to track and map your device using GPS.

mSecure Password Manager
Developer: MSeven Software
Price: $4.99
This app specializes in encrypting and storing important information and passwords, including bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, e-mail log-in passwords and more. The app utilizes 256-bit Blowfish encryption and has a password protection "hint" feature that asks you questions to help remember passwords. Additionally, the app features an automatic password generator that will help you create strong, secure passwords for new or existing accounts.

AppScan Beta
Developer: Aegislab
Price: Free

While DroidDream Killer is designed to help you deal with malware after it's already been installed, Aegislab's AppScan Beta is designed to stop you from ever downloading it in the first place. The application scans other apps on the Android Market and identifies any spyware or malware they may have on them by flagging them as "suspicious." It can also scan apps for any unwanted advertisements.



Advanced Task Killer
Developer: ReChild
Price: Free


This final application isn't really a security app per se, but it's certainly something IT departments will want people using company smartphones and tablets to have since it will help them save both memory and battery life on their devices. This way fewer people will send you trouble tickets reporting poor device performance because they've unknowingly left "Angry Birds" running for three straight weeks.