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LBE Privacy Guard - Protecting the Sanctity Of Your Phone
Tested version: 1.2.1131
Latest version: 1.2.1131
Requires Android: from 2.0
Summary
The pages and pages of permissions that you have to sign off on before installing an app on your Android phone are the source of a great degree of concern among users. There’s little room for negotiation: either you accept all of the terms or you don’t install the app. At least, those are the only official options. And despite the protests and complaints by hundreds of users, Google has failed to address the issue. Without a rooted phone the users have nothing left but to allow these permissions to be shoved down their throats.
The CyanogenMod root helps out a bit with its current “nightlies” (i.e. beta-versions): they allow you to take away permissions from an app post-installation. The problem is that CyanogenMod isn’t designed for every Android device and not every user is willing to install a custom ROM. LBE Privacy Guard seems to the much-awaited light at the end of the tunnel. Find out how it works in our review.
Features & Use
Section rating:
Test Device: Motorola Milestone 2 running Android 2.2
App: works with Android 2.0 and up
Root required!
The LBE Privacy Guard doesn’t take care of all possible permissions. It just focuses on the most important ones like:
- Permissions that will cost you money (calls, text messages)
- Permissions that use your personal data (texts, contact information, call log)
- Permissions that use your current locations (GPS and network-based information)
- Permission that access your phone’s identification info (phone numbers, SIM card ID, hardware number etc.)
- Permissions to access the internet
These are the types of permissions that can have an effect on your security and privacy. LBE Privacy Guard lets you decide on an individual basis which app can or cannot access certain things. It’s best to adjust these settings immediately after installation before any damage has been done.
Unfortunately, the customization only goes so far: you can choose between Permit (i.e. Allow in good English) and Reject for, among other things, internet access and phone ID. Here you don’t have the option of choosing something in between.
The app keeps a protocol about all successful access attempts, which means that you can see which app tried to access what at what specific time. Since this type of log can get really long, LBE Privacy Guard has a special Trusted Apps category where you can add apps that you wholeheartedly trust. All of the apps in this list do not get protocolled. The same thing goes for system apps or components.
You can always get a quick overview in your notification bar as you can see on the last screenshot: here you can see the number of blocked and allowed permissions. As soon as you install a new app, a notification appears asking you whether you’d like to customize the permissions. Just tap the notification to go directly to the appropriate screen.
Bottom Line: LBE Privacy Guard is a must for rooted Android phones. More often than not you’ll download an app without really understanding what it will have access to. With this app, you now have total control over your phone and know exactly what’s going on. That way you can relax knowing that your privacy is better protected and your phone is more secure.
Screen & Controls
Section rating:
The controls are clear and intuitive. Before you jump in, LBE Privacy Guard provides thorough explanations about how the app works and what each specific button does. As a side note, I’m sure I’m not the only one who got the impressions that these guys ripped off Vodafone in terms of color choice and design :) But that’s obviously beside the point.
Speed & Stability
Section rating:
Once installed LBE Privacy Guard has an overall smooth and stable performance. Fortunately, the app did not in any way interfere with my other installed apps.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
LBE Privacy Guard can be downloaded for free from the AndroidPIT App Center.
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Market Comments
RC, Oct 30, 2011
Must have app Love being able to control apps' access to GPS, phone ID, internet, my contacts,etc. Small footprint and doesn't seem to affect battery life.
Stefan, Oct 30, 2011
Doesn't just do everything it promises but also does it from a user friendly ui. Brilliant.
Piotrek, Oct 29, 2011
too bad , after upgrading to Gingerbread 2.3.7, cannot start service. SDK API level 10 still 2.3.3? lol
Adanedhil, Oct 29, 2011
Отлично Позволяет регулировать доступ приложений к разрешениям. Повышает приватность и безопасность.
Ben, Oct 29, 2011
Please update A great app that now no longer starts/works on any Android phone with any rom of 2.3.5 or higher Android version.
Christer, Oct 28, 2011
Meh Bummer , Unable to gain root access on Huawei U8800 running MIUI 1.9.30, even though I've granted access using superuser. (used to work though)
Ryk, Oct 28, 2011
Spying privacy guard INDISPENSABLE but creepy. Protects but exposes. Uses Localytics to spy: block it. One of the privacy features which should be in any android phones!
Chris, Oct 28, 2011
Not working I have a rooted phone running CM 7.1. Cannot get security service to run. Rebooted once and still doesn't work. Sent Dec an email
David, Oct 28, 2011
This is a pretty good app though I must keep an eye on permissions which somehow reset to allow occasionally.
St_Chin, Oct 27, 2011
Essential must-have Stop griping abt apps asking for unnecessary permissions or access. This beauty will stop them from doing things without your permission
Dickison, Oct 26, 2011
Great app Doesn't currently work on the latest CM7, but it's unfair to give it poor ratings because of a non-standard ROM. Anxiously waiting for an update.
Sohip, Oct 26, 2011
For Cyanogen Mod users serach the internet for security master beta translated which will replace lbe in the future
Amuche, Oct 25, 2011
Please Fix for CyanogenMod I used this first for a Sense-based rom, I loved it... 5 stars Now I have CM, doesn't work :( please fix this is a great app
Julian, Oct 25, 2011
This should be standard in the Android OS. Hey, Google, give this man a job! Desire 2.3.3 w root
anonymous, Oct 25, 2011
I have extensively used this app and can say it works great. I used to have this rated 5*s. But until it gets fixed for CM 7, my rating stays at one star. Come on. Its been months now.
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