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Protector

Posted Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 6:00 am by Antonio Wells 14 Comments

User Rating3.71/5

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Protector protects any Android application with password: SMS, Gmail, e-mail, Settings, Photos, Calendar, Notepad, Chat… everything you want! Want to set PIN-code to private messages? Protect your corporate secrets? Show off your phone to others while keeping private data inaccessible? FINALLY on Android!

Price: Free, $0.99

AndroidTapp.com Android App Review:

Pros & Cons:

Pros

• Protect any Android app with PIN code password!
• Customize which apps are or are not protected
• Customize portions of app features to protect
• No workarounds to beat the protection
• Password Recovery

Features:

Protector Android App really does help protect apps and information on your Android phone by forcing correct entry of a PIN code to open. Don’t want to protect the entire app? Protect a portion of it as well. Awesome!

So my first thought was to thoroughly test this app to see if a savvy Android user could get around this app protection by using Android task management apps like TasKiller or Advanced Task Killer to stop Protector from running then access the information. Nope… stopped short as these apps are protected, therefore requesting a PIN code. You even need a PIN code to open Protector. My final test was to uninstall the app; halted there as the general Settings menu is password protected too!

You can protect any app, not just limited to native Google apps. Also convenient… say you install an app that should be on the protection list  after installing protector like TasKiller, it automatically protects those apps it feels should be in the default protection list.

Update: there was/is password recovery… see details on recovering Protector PIN code password:

What to do if I forgot my password?

Not a problem! You can specify backup email – new password will be sent there on request. Just hold OK button to get the confimation window. Otherwise, please ask me for built-in ’secret’ code that will reset password with 24 hours delay providing order number from Google Checkout to verify your identity.

Anyway, factory reset is required to remove all installed applications and the data (including Protector and all stored gmail data.)

Demo version can be always unlocked with built-in code 00137982399.

Protector Protecting

Protector List of Protected and Available Apps

Protector Protection Options

Protector Protect Specific Portions of an App

Protector Preferences Menu

Protector Window Shade Notification

Usefulness:

For the security conscious, this app in combination with Mobile Defense are must-haves!

Ease of Use:

Simply install the app and the default settings protect common apps and settings requiring it.

Other Great Use Cases are:

• Allow apps to open like SMS texts and email, however restrict reading or writing to them.
• Have trade secrets or sensitive notes in your task/to-do list apps? Have them protected with Protector.
• Enterprise IT departments can rave at this simple app.

Frequently Used:

If installed it will be in use every time start an app under protection.

AndroidTapp.com Rating

(4.5 out of 5)

Should you Download Protector? Yes! Must Buy for App and Data Protection!

Related Posts:

• App Protector
• Android Advice Part 2
• Advanced Task Killer
• Mobile Defense

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Tags: Android Apps, AndroidTapp.com App Review, Password Protect Android Apps, Protect Apps, Protector

14 Responses to “Protector”

1. Andrew says:

   March 15, 2010 at 2:42 pm

   There’s another one called App Protector with a better UI and password recovery function.

   Reply
2. Alexander Kosenkov says:

   March 15, 2010 at 3:38 pm

   Andrew,

   That apps is just a clone of my original research. And I don’t really think that it has better UI.

   My application, of course, has built-in password-recovery. But nobody ever asked for that – I beleive users are smart enough to remember several digits.

   Reply
3. Raymond says:

   April 2, 2010 at 11:20 am

   Cool concept/hack but these type of “protector” apps can be easily bypassed by booting into safe mode on any Android phone.

   Reply
4. Closure says:

   April 20, 2010 at 9:50 pm

   there’s one big flaw of this app: it says my version is expired and ask me to download an updated version from android market. but the thing is that my phone configuration & android market and loads of app are under “protections” of Protector, then it forbid me to type in the pin code!!! Not only I cannot delete this app but also unable to install the new version (only if i can manage to open the android market and download any app) so basically my phone has been hijacked by it!

   Reply
   • Android Tapp says:

     April 21, 2010 at 7:19 am

     That’s unfortunate to hear. Have you tried retrieving the password using the methods placed in this review above?

     Reply
   • Alexander Kosenkov says:

     April 21, 2010 at 7:30 am

     Closure, it’s better to contact developer directly – you will receive immediate help.

     Actually, this is not a problem – your password really works.

     Just click OK or press Back to get rid of this dialog. As usual in Android.

     Reply
5. XERXES says:

   April 22, 2010 at 9:45 pm

   Biggest flaw in this protection is when you return from the protected application there is no protection anymore during that session. Protection should be active every time you go to protected application no matter where you’re coming from. Please add this functionality, will make this 5 stars

   Reply
6. Manoj says:

   April 25, 2010 at 4:21 am

   How do I buy this software from India? I’m not able to see paid apps in India

   Reply
7. Sjaak says:

   May 15, 2010 at 4:05 am

   Great app! I’d love to have it! On my T-mobile Pulse I can’t find it at the Market??!!
   The clone: App Protector from Carrot App I can find and install but is not working on my PULSE? Any help / suggestions?

   Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

1. phone lock app??? - Page 2 - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum says:

   March 19, 2010 at 6:16 pm

   [...] Though it may not suit your requirements to prevent access to anything on the phone, the apps "Protector" and "App Protector" provide more discriminating password protection by locking individual apps. It's an excellent solution to lock access to email, messages, or the gallery, for example. Protector Android App Review by AndroidTapp.com | Android Tapp. Android App Reviews [...]

   Reply
2. I need to Block the Wifi connection on droid - Page 2 - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum says:

   March 19, 2010 at 7:29 pm

   [...] might fit the bill, let us know: Protector Android App Review by AndroidTapp.com | Android Tapp. Android App Reviews Protector protects any Android application with password: SMS, Gmail, e-mail, Settings, Photos, [...]

   Reply
3. Gmail Lock - Android Forums says:

   March 26, 2010 at 3:19 am

   [...] Gmail app. You click it and it just opens. Thanks for the help people…. Hi BoostedBalt, Try 'App Protector'. There is a lite version which I think is a 5 day trial and the paid version is $0.99. [...]

   Reply
4. can i password protect my pics/vids? - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum says:

   March 29, 2010 at 4:57 pm

   [...] There are a couple of competing apps (apparently from a falling out among a common set of developers) called "App Protector" and "Protector" that enable the user to not only password protect files but also applications, (e.g. messaging, email.) Essential for those using the Droid in a corporate environment where security of email is important. Protector Android App Review by AndroidTapp.com | Android Tapp. Android App Reviews [...]

   Reply
5. Any (best) way of locking my messages and emails. Possibly other apps too? - Android Forums says:

   May 2, 2010 at 6:52 am

   [...] I'm using 'protector'. You can choose which applications to protect and when a preson tries to use it they have to enter a pin number. It's simple and quick. Once the pin is entered once you don't need to reenter it while the phone is on. But if you press the sleep button then next time you use the application you have to re-enter the pin. See: Protector Android App Review by AndroidTapp.com | Android Tapp. Android App Reviews [...]

   Reply