Yes, you need this: mobile security • techmomogy

If you own a smart phone it’s a pretty safe bet you have a personal computer as well, right? And you protect that computer with a virus prevention software, yes? Why shouldn’t you do the same with your phone?

One of the first things you should download and install on your phone after you get it, right along with ATK, is a security app. The best one I’ve found is Lookout, an app that offers protection from not just viruses but also hackers, loss and theft. Smart phone users (except iPhone) rejoice, cause this app is available for Blackberry and Windows Mobile as well as Android.

I’m currently using the free version of Lookout. Unlike many free versions of apps, you aren’t left feeling like you’re missing out. You get anti-virus, backup of your contacts, calls, and pictures (if selected under Account when logged in on your computer, doesn’t appear to be an option on the app), and both the locator and “scream” aspect of the software…all FREE! Plus, I haven’t seen an ad pop up the whole time I’ve had the app.

The software scans every single app I download from the market. Since Android is an open source platform, developers are free to come up with a variety of different apps. And that sometimes leads to dangerous apps being installed on your phone. But with Lookout, you can rest assured everything is just fine.

The backup can be set at whatever intervals you request and can help in situations where you need to restore the information to your phone. Specifically, say you lose your phone and you have the premium version of Lookout (more on this later). You can remotely wipe all personal data from your phone while at home (or anywhere) on your computer. If you happen to find your phone, you can restore the info.

The locate aspect works very well, assuming you didn’t lose your phone in your home and just can’t find it (believe me, my husband does this all the time). Last night, a test showed an accuracy of 12 meters to my phone, that’s very good! And the scream feature is so cool. Ok, that’s not very professional of me to phrase it like that…but it IS! The alarm that’s set off sounds like a police alarm and gets increasingly louder until you turn it off. I have a 1 year old son so I turned it off before reaching max volume, but I was warned it would get extremely loud. Now obviously this is also assuming you didn’t misplace your phone with the battery dead (again, experience with my husband).