Apple iOS Apps to Improve iOS Mobile Device Security

by Don Reisinger

Apple’s own Find My iPhone app is a must-have for those who want a free way to check in on their devices. The app allows users to see the location of their products, send it a sound signal to locate it if it’s nearby and remotely wipe all of its data if it’s stolen. Find My iPhone is a great app for those who have been subject to theft.

1Password provides a single repository for users to keep all of their passwords safe and sound. The app, which is available for free in Apple’s App Store, lets users store everything from account logins to bank information. The app also creates strong passwords for logins, requiring users only to remember a single login password to access their data. One other nifty feature is that 1Password works with Touch ID to add another layer of security.

If 1Password earns high marks for its features, LastPass should, as well. LastPass, also a free download from the App Store, will let users store everything from bank information to Web logins within the app. The app also supports multifactor authentication to reduce the chances of password theft. Like 1Password, LastPass creates a hard-to-determine password for all accounts and requires users to remember only their own personal key for access to those services.

Kryptos is a great app for those who are concerned that someone might be listening in on their conversations. The app, which is free, allows users to encrypt their voice communications with 256-bit AES encryption. There is a monthly fee for the Kryptos service, however, which will run customers $10 per month.

Lookout is similar to Find My iPhone in that it allows users to quickly locate a device that might be stolen or lost. The app also includes support for backing up data and can even call a missing device through a browser to help locate it. Like many other apps included in this roundup, Lookout is available at no charge.

Trend Micro has long been a big name in security, so it’s no surprise that the company is playing hard for supremacy in mobile. The free app Trend Micro Mobile Security provides a range of services, including “safe-surfing” while on the Web, tracking data usage to avoid extra charges, and constantly looking around for online threats and privacy invasions to keep devices safe. One other important feature: It has a malware scan to make sure no malicious apps are running on a device.

QR codes are convenient ways to share links with others, but they can also create worrisome phishing scams. That’s where the free Norton Snap QR Code Reader comes in. The app analyzes a QR code before it allows the browser to connect, effectively limiting the chances of a phishing attack. It’s worth having for those who often snap QR codes.

Pic Lock 3 Ultimate is another free app that helps protect data, no matter where it is on a device. For instance, the app can camouflage a home screen from prying eyes, has a decoy mode that reverses certain passcodes, and can lock everything, including photos, videos and contacts if someone is trying to access them.

Intego VirusBarrier is a 99-cent app that does exactly as its name might suggest: scan documents or other files that hit the iOS-based device and scan them to ensure they don’t include viruses or spyware. It’s not clear how successful it is at finding malware, but those seeking a cheap option to scan bad stuff might find it suitable.

Kaspersky Safe Browser is designed to filter out malicious links when users are surfing the Web. The app might prove useful for parents who want to stop kids from accessing adult content, violence, games or other content they deem inappropriate for users. The content filtering works quite well and is worth checking out.