Austria
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Summary
Nowadays smart phones have evolved into efficient mini-computers that have become indispensable in our day-to-day lives. Whether contacts, emails, text messages or passwords – a lot of important information is stored on these devices. It can be devastating to lose one of these phones given their high cost. Theft Aware Trial promises to give you a hand when things get rough. Can it really hold its promise?
Features & Use
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First off, I have to admit that I was a little skeptical when I came across this app. If there are already a ton of anti-theft apps out there on the market, what’s the point of yet another one? Frankly, any thief with half a brain can figure out how to uninstall an anti-theft app by looking through the main menu. Theft Aware, on the other hand, is based on radically new idea:
First, you have to download the installer. It checks to see if your phone is suitable for Theft Aware to be installed on it. After that you can assign the app a harmless name. In my test, I decided to label the app “test name”, but you can let your imagination run wild with this one.
Next, the installer downloads the actual program and installs it with the name you selected. The installer is then deleted from your phone. The application appears now on your Android device under a totally inconspicuous name that doesn’t arouse any suspicion. In contrast to other apps of its kind, Theft Aware is a major improvement in terms of security. It gets even better: strangers can’t access the app as soon as it’s configured.
You have to configure some quick things when you start the app for the first time. Here’s an overview:
- System enabled: Starts up the app. Turn on this feature after configuration only!
- Owner: Enter in your actual name.
- Access code: Enter in an access code to be used in activating the app.
- Notification 1&2: Enter in phone numbers with which you can remotely control the app.
- Phone Lock Behaviour: Select whether to lock the phone via text message or automatically after switching sim cards
- Siren When Locked: Activates siren alarm when phone is locked
- Allow SMS Commands: Select whether to allow remote SMS commands from all numbers, notification numbers or from no numbers at all
- Type of Map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps or Microsoft Bing Maps.
Enough said about the app’s main menu – let’s take a look at all the other features. After selecting System Enabled, Theft Aware runs secretly in background mode. You no longer can access it via the Android main menu under its cameo name. So how can you open the app up again? It’s really simple: enter in your access code with the dialpad and call it to start up the app. What a great idea!
Pressing the menu button while in the main menu opens a menu where you can adjust the siren sound, send a test SMS, simulate a theft or activate the license.
For the purposes of this test, I used a relative’s Android phone, but any random cell phone would work to activate the anti-theft. If you’ve set up two notification contacts then it is important to keep in mind that SMS commands can only be received from theses specific numbers (unless you’ve set up notifications from all numbers in your settings).
In order to remotely control your phone, you have to send an SMS to your own phone that looks like this: Access Code Command i.e. “2222 SIREN ON”.
Here are all the commands available:
- LOCK: Locks the phone.
- UNLOCK: Unlocks the phone.
- SIREN ON/OFF: Turns the siren on/off.
- UPDATE: Shows you current information about your stolen phone, e.g. which network your phone is currently in. In addition it sends you a link with your phone’s location using one of the three map types.
- CALL ME: The stolen phone gives you a call. This way you can tell what’s happening on the other end.
- WIPE: Deletes all files from the memory card, all text messages, all contacts, calling lists, browser histories, media files as well as calendar entries. These files CANNOT be restored!
- GET SMS: Text messages saved to your stolen phone are sent to the command phone
- GET CONTACTS: Same as above except with contacts.
As you can see, these features make Theft Aware into a great security service. All features worked perfectly.
To wrap things up, here are a couple of tips: Don’t worry about having to pay for extra charges when sending SMS with this app. Everything works using the normal SMS service. Finally, people should refrain from using this app for fun to spy on other people. It’s not only morally wrong, but also illegal.
Screen & Controls
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The app is easy to use despite the huge amount of features. The built-in help page is also very useful in helping you navigate through the app. A minor detail missing is the fact that there is no description on how to send a command SMS. This information is listed on their website, but should nonetheless be part of the help section.
Speed & Stability
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I didn’t come across any problems in terms of speed and stability. During our test the “stolen” phone responded within seconds.
Price/Performance Ratio
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Theft Aware Trial is available for free with all of its features without any ads. I’m not sure at the moment how long the trial offer is valid.
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THEFT AWARE IS NOT BEING DEVELOPED FURTHER ON AND IS UNSUPPORTED, PLEASE INSTEAD USE THE (...)
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All Test Reports
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Aug 2, 2010 2:08:15 AM
Where do you go on to allow out of market app. downloads? I can't seem to find that setting anywhere.
Aug 2, 2010 10:59:57 PM
bujin, settings- applications- then check "unknown sources". best security app out there! if they made a security system for my house and car i would be all over it.
Aug 7, 2010 6:25:31 AM
Hello, I just got the Backflip, and it doesn't have that setting under applications either... anyone know what to do? Thanks!
Aug 14, 2010 12:38:13 PM
Thanks for the response jrod. I have a Samsung Galaxy S Captivate and AT & T had Samsung remove that option, I am learning, as not to allow the users of the Captivate the ability to load out of market apps. So I am not sure where to go from here. My phone is rooted so I have the ability to side load out of market apps. Anyone have any ideas?
Nov 12, 2010 12:22:01 AM
I have lookout security on my htc, why does theft aware show up has virus when lookout scan it. Can t install?
Nov 30, 2010 9:30:50 PM
hi lookout is competition - unfair competition who tell users we are a virus, even if we are not. i promise you: this is not true. we are a serious company.
Nov 30, 2010 9:30:56 PM
As a THANK YOU to all fans of Theft Aware we are now announcing a contest: http://theftaware.blogspot.com/2010/11/ok-now-listen-to-this-theres-big-prizes.html - check it out! :-)
Jan 29, 2011 1:43:34 PM
Finally it is decided: YEAH Theft Aware is the only mobile app that won top 3 prizes in EVERY category available in the M-Days awards. 3rd place public voting award, 3rd place jury award, 2nd place Mobile Monday AppCircus award. A BIG "thank you" goes to all our supporters and to all our friends! Hurraaaay! Go party, go party... :-)
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Market Comments
, Dec 19, 2011
Innovative security app, very well implemented This is with distance the most professional security / theft protection app I have seen for android. It is simple to understand and the setup app makes it easy to install even for non-technical users. The set of features is very comprehensive and you can even extend it with your own commands. The software is free of bloat and fluff and does it's job very well. The developers take feedback very seriously. I've reported an issue in the past and this was added as a new feature in this version. Also after a major version update and takeover by another company my license is still valid. You will have to read the documentation to make most out of this powerful tool, this is not a toy :)
Kevin, Dec 13, 2011
Timothy is an idiot! You can't install a package customized for your phone without downloading from a non-market source. Know what you're talking about before you trash talk the best app for Android. This is an amazing app. Replaces other apps AND does it's job better. Best feature is piece of mind. Rooted Samsung Captivate GET THE UNBOUND LICENSE!
Zeos, Dec 13, 2011
Now included in Avast Mobile Security BETA This is one of the best Anti-Theft apps out there and now it's included in Avast Mobile Security BETA since Avast now owns it.
Raša, Nov 28, 2011
I wish to buy your app buy I can't! "This application version does not support Market billing". I've bought apps in the same way for a quite some time now and I have never seen such an error. Also, Paypal is not supported in my country, I cannot pay by bank transfer and I don't have any coupon codes... Please just fix Market purchase through Google Checkout. I always payed through G Checkout and I never saw this error message before.
Idan, Nov 25, 2011
Mad Can't buy With google checkout. Says this version is not configured for checkout and errors out. Latest version.
Sorabh, Nov 19, 2011
Worth every penny This was the first app I ever bought. Works like a charm on my rooted LG Optimus One.
xiao2c, Nov 7, 2011
Installed on all my android phones Great application and good support! Used for my Milestone, Nexus S, Atrix. Going to try on Galaxy tab 8.9 3G.
Marcus, Artie, Nov 6, 2011
Awesome. Awesome. Just wish Go SMS would change their broadcast value because this app wouldn't work with it even after changing the notification setting.
Tim, Nov 5, 2011
Want to buy Great app, but I missed the notification to buy once the trial was done. How do I buy an access code now?
jpez, Oct 17, 2011
Great app, amazing support Perfect application, does everything it says flawlessly. it has amazing support from the developer. One of the few must buy apps on the market
Dr.Ketan, Oct 17, 2011
Working perfactly ! I am using this almost 1 yr, just transfered licence to new device. Developer hav transfered without any query Works as it says
Andreas, Oct 4, 2011
Best Theft Aware for Android It works on Galaxy Tab 10.1 with Android 3.1 and on Samsung Galaxy S2 with Android 2.3.4. Very fast support (special thx to werner). All need functions are easy to use and easy to lern.
MinasMorgulsKlofrau
It's a great app! I'm looking forward to the upcoming version 2.0
one can register as beta-tester for Ver 2.0 at forum.theftaware.com