5 Android Apps To Protect Your Phone From Criminals

 security is a major area of concern for personal as well as corporate users. Since Android powered phones occupy the largest share of the smartphone market, they are increasingly being targeted by hackers and cyber criminals. With this increase, there is an increased chance that you too will encounter malware. So, what can be done about it?

Photo by Alan Cleaver on Flickr

You can install some security apps available to prevent malware from stealing your private information and causing data loss. Here are five such free apps to help prevent malicious software from harming your Android smartphone:

1. Avast Free Mobile Security
The Avast Free Mobile Security app offers anti-malware and anti-theft features. If a malicious website is visited while surfing, this application will warn the user. This application will also identify potentially dangerous applications that may be installed on the Android device. SMS and call filtering allows users to block incoming messages and unwanted calls based on contacts and specific time of day that people call.

Avast is known for its firewall and enhanced anti-theft features. This application can perform full scans on installed apps and also on the SD card. The scans can take place manually or automatically.

2. AVG Mobilation Anti-Virus Free
AVG Mobilation Free helps to prevent viruses and malware from infecting your phone. This anti-malware software offers theft protection to protect against unexpected losses. This app also offers track and control capability that will allow consumers to find their phones if they are separated from them. The phone’s data can be locked or erased remotely.

Users can make calls, surf the web, download music and apps safely with the use of this security app. The app scans files, settings and web activity for potential malware. SMS inbox is also protected against hackers and scammers.

3. Lookout Mobile Security
Lookout Mobile Security offers free malware protection and backup for contacts. This application also provides remote locating for phones and tablets. If the account is upgraded, features such as  App Privacy manager, image backup, remote locking and remote data erase are available. Scans can be conducted on daily or weekly basis. Data may also be backed up on the Lookout servers. Most users back up call history and pictures. The most recent activity on the phone can also be seen.

4. Norton Mobile Security Lite
Norton Mobile Security Lite offers free malware protection for Android users. This application also features remote locking and remote locating. Norton Mobile Security Lite offers browser protection, remote camera control and a remote alarm .

If the phone is lost, the device data may be erased remotely. The remote functionality is initiated by SMS text commands. The application checks for virus datanase updates weekly, and it can be updated more or less frequently. The focus of the application is to provide anti-malware and anti-theft services. SIM cards are not protected with this Android security application.

5. NQ Mobile Security
NQ Mobile Security is another free anti-malware application. This security application features a firewall, contact backup and remote location functionality. The traffic monitor tracks data usage. An app optimizer ensures that applications are performing at the phone's full capability.

How to Add the Facebook "Like" Button to Blogger or WordPress

Facebook is currently the largest social media network on the Internet. Odds are your readers have a profile and can immediately start sharing your content with their friends and family. So, how can you get your readers to sing your praises without begging them to do so? Simple. Install the Facebook “Like” button on your blog.

When visitors to your blog click the "Like" button on your post, they share your content on their Facebook wall—instant advertising. You want more readers, more site traffic, and more exposure? This is a great way to do it.

Thankfully, Facebook has made adding the "Like" button to a webpage incredibly user friendly. You don’t need to be coding guru to install this!

For Blogger Users

1. Open your blog's dashboard.
2. Click on Template.
3. Click on Edit HTML.
4. Click on Proceed when a warning telling you that "Directly editing HTML may affect the way some features work and is only recommended for advanced users." is displayed.
5. Check Expand Widget Templates.
6. Find this code using your browser's find function "<div class='post-body entry-content'>"
7. Copy and paste the code given below right after it.
<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == &quot;item&quot;'><iframe allowTransparency='true' expr:src='&quot;http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=&quot; + data:post.url + &quot;&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=100&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light&quot;' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' style='border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:40px;'/></b:if>
8. Click on Save Template.

For WordPress

The three ways to add the Facebook “Like” button to your blog are:
1. Going directly to Facebook
2. Using a plugin
3. Manual coding

Going Directly to Facebook

Facebook has its own tool for creating a Like button using Extended Facebook Markup Language (XFBML). The Like button creation page can be found at Facebook's Developers page.

Benefits:

1. XFBML was developed to work specifically with Facebook so it has some great bells and whistles, including real-time reports on when users click the Like button and providing users with the ability to add comments when clicking the button.
2. The knowledge that your code will be correct.

Using a WordPress Plugin

WordPress Plugins are strings of code that have been created to expand the functionality of the software application. You can choose from hundreds of different WordPress plugins to add a Facebook Like button to your blog. The best approach is to review the documentation and user ratings of a plugin before adding it to your blog. However, keep in mind that a 3rd party plugin may limit the customization you can apply to the appearance and location of the Like button on your site. One such plugin can be found here.

Benefits:

1. Don’t have to deal with code at all.
2. Depending on the plugin you choose, the Like button could be bundled with a number of other social buttons, minimizing the amount of time and effort you have to put into tracking down buttons for each service you want to connect to.

Manual Coding

If you have experience with PHP code editing, you can manually add the Facebook Like button to your WordPress blog. If you don’t know how to enter code but would like to learn how, WPBeginner has an excellent tutorial.

Benefits:
Offers the most control and customization of how buttons/social information displays.

All bloggers should consider installing the Facebook Like button on their blog. It doesn’t take any longer than 20 minutes to install, and it provides a quick and easy way for your readers to share your content.

Killer WhatsApp Tricks That You Should Know

WhatsApp has become the best messenger for mobile platform. Not only it is available for every mobile platform but also it is the most used app in these platforms too.

The popularity of WhatsApp has grown so much popular that many WhatsApp tricks are coming to internet and many users are searching for these amazing WhatsApp hacks to use in their phone and amaze their friends.  So, here we go:

1. Disable WhatsApp Auto Image Download

Though earlier, WhatsApp plus app was required to stop automatic downloading of images, videos and audio files but now, WhatsApp has added this option to its settings. So, you can control automatic media files downloading.

Just navigate to More > Settings > Chat Settings > Media auto-download Check suitable option at ‘When using mobile data’, ‘When connected’ on Wi-Fi’ and ‘When Roaming’.

2. Hide WhatsApp Last Seen

Last seen timestamp is great feature but the feature comes out to be really very annoying because it reveals whether you’re online or not.

So, if you want to hide this “last seen at” timestamp from your WhatsApp account then just navigate to More > Settings > Chat Settings > Account > Privacy > Last seen and tap on Nobody.

Keep in mind that if you don't share your "Last seen", you won't be able to see other people's "Last seen".

3. Run Multiple WhatsApp Account on Android

This is most wanted WhatsApp trick as many users have dual-SIM support in their smartphone and they want to run separate WhatsApp account from both SIM card numbers at the same phone.

For this, install "SwitchMe Multiple Accounts" App. The app lets you to create separate use profiles on your smartphone which can have different accounts, system settings, apps and data. After installation, open SwitchMe and create a new user profile. Shift to this user profile and you can connect WhatsApp with your second SIM card number.

4. Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages

Have you accidently deleted your WhatsApp messages, or lost message while resetting of your phone? Well, no need to worry, you can still recover them.

For safer side, WhatsApp (by default) stores all your conversation in SD card. Navigate to SD Card >> WhatsApp >> Database. Here, msgstore.db.crypt contains all the message you have sent/received today and files such in the format msgstore-yyyy..dd..db.crypt contains all WhatsApp messages sent in last seven days. Simply open these files with a simple text editor, you can read/view all your messages.

5. Hide Your WhatsApp Profile Picture

Due to privacy concern, if you want to hide your WhatsApp profile picture then just navigate to More > Settings > Chat Settings > Account > Privacy > Profile photo and tap on Nobody.

6. Find Out Your WhatsApp Stats

Using WhatsApp all the time? If you want to know how much messages you have sent lifetime, today or within 7 days, navigate to Settings > Account > Network Usage. Here you will be able to see message sent/received, media bytes sent/received, message byte sent/received.

7. Deleting Your WhatsApp Account

This is another major problem from many users are suffering. They might have created WhatsApp account or abort the installation. Now, those people who have their number find them on WhatsApp, send messages and never got reply back.

Keep in mind, even if you change your SIM card, your account will not automatically gets deactivated. To delete your account permanently, navigate to Settings > Account > Delete my account. Enter your phone number and you’ll be removed from WhatsApp.

8. Change Phone Number without Losing Messages

The traditional way that most of the WhatsApp users do, to change their number is uninstalling and then re-installing WhatsApp with new number. If you do the same, you lose all your previous messages.

So, instead of using this way, change your number by navigating toSettings >> Account >> Change number. Here, type your both old and new number and hit ‘Done’. WhatsApp will send a message from your that number and it’ll get verified. Your conversations will remain intact.

9. Spy Your Friend’s WhatsApp Account

WhatsApp verifies a phone’s MAC address. If you’ll try to change it, WhatsApp will again ask you to confirm your phone number. So, we got a loop-hole. If you will be able to change your phone’s MAC address to victim’s MAC address, you’ll be able to access his/her WhatsApp account from your phone.

Follow these steps:

• Install Buysbox (for rooted device) or BusyBox Not-Rooted (for unrooted phone).
• Install Android Terminal Emulator.
• Head up to Trick #3 and know and install multiple WhatsApp account on your Android.
• Get victim’s phone for 10 minutes and locate his/her MAC address: For Android the location is Settings >> About Phone >> Status >> Wi-Fi MAC Address, For iPhone (Settings >> General >> About >> Wi-Fi Address), For Windows Phone (Settings >> About >> More Info >> Mac Address) and for Blackberry (Options >> Device >> Device and Status info >> WLAN MAC )
• Enter victim’s phone number on your WhatsApp, verify it by entering verification code received at victim’s cellphone.
• That’s all. Now, you can completely spy on victim’s WhatsApp ID.

10. Get Voice Notification For WhatsApp Activities

If you are busy in doing some other task and don’t have time to access your phone just to read useless WhatsApp notifications, instead of ignoring them, you can turn them to voice notification because, late replies to some messages could put you into trouble ;)

To do this, follow these steps:

• Install Voice for notification first and then Text-to-speech.
• Open Voice for notification. It will ask you to turn ON accessibility for the app. So navigate to Settings >> Accessibility and turn the accessibility settings for this app.
• Now, open the app again, it will have options to read notifications for WhatsApp along with Gmail, Viber and SpotBros App.

So, how many of these WhatsApp tricks you know already? Also, comment below the best trick you find among these killer WhatsApp tricks. If you find this article useful, please consider sharing it with your friends at Facebook, Twitter, Google+ etc.

Top 5 Android Apps To Track Lost Phone

If your Android device is missing or stolen, stay calm and take a breather. We’ve got 5 great anti-theft apps that can help you get your smartphone back or at least keep your sensitive data safe from identity theft.

Some of these apps have features that can help you track down your missing phone by triggering it to ring off the hook, send its GPS location to your email or when worse comes to worst, allow you to wipe your data from the missing smartphone remotely. Not enough? Snap a photo of the perpetrator or record their audio with your phone’s microphone. Yes, these apps can do that and more.

If you’ve ever had your phone lost or stolen, you’re very familiar with that cold lump that forms in the pit of your stomach. Your expensive toy is not with you and it has all of your pictures, social media accounts, and sometimes even your banking info. It’s truly scary, especially when you don’t have a contingency plan. Here are the best Android apps to help find a lost smartphone and you should install one of these today.

1. Where’s My Droid

Where’s My Droid is a powerful App to track your lost Android Device. You just need to install this App on your Phone. After that, if your Android Device lost then by using this app, you can send voice message to your phone, make it ring louder (even in silent mode) by sending text code.

Where’s My Droid is having GPS system which helps you to track the phone when you are not near enough to hear your Phone’s ringtone.

2. Lost Android

Android Lost is a very powerful Android App which lets you to control your Android Device Remotely. Whether it is lost/stolen or you forget it to your friend’s house.

It offers features like : Send/Receive SMS, Locate by GPS/Network, Erase SD Card, Start Alarm with Flashing Screen, Take Snaps with Front/Rear Camera, Get Call List, SMS Speak Command and many more.

3. Antitheft Droid

Antitheft Droid lets you to locate your Android Device from Internet or GPS, Activate WiFi Network, Audible Fire Alarm (with password to stop), Identify Exchange of Phone’s Chip and sends the location, IEMI Number of new chip. You can also Show/Hide Application from the main list remotely.

4. Prey Anti Theft

Prey Anti-Theft is an open-source app which is available for Android as well as Apple Devices. It is one of the most downloaded Anti-Theft Android App offers you all the tools that your need to track your lost android smartphone or TAB. It sends you GPS + WiFi Geo-Location and you can lock your device remotely.

After marking it as “Missing”, you can receive notice about your phone, SIM Card change, activate loud alarm, send alert message. The App is hidden and can be uninstalled only after entering password.

5. Cerberus anti theft

Cereberus Anti-Theft app lets you to recover your lost smartphone in three ways. First from Cereberus Web Account, Second, from SMS and third, it sends you alert wherever someone put unauthorized SIM card to your smartphone.

Along with simple and basic Anti-Theft Protection, this android app provides a lot of unique features like record audio from microphone, get information about network & service area, wipe internal memory & SD card and a lot more other powerful features.

However, there are a lot of another apps available at Android Store that offer you to track your lost Android devices but these Android Apps are the best, easy-to-use with lots of other supporting features.

If you are having any more powerful Tracking App for Android Devices then your suggestions are most welcome.

8 iPhone Tips & Tricks You Probably Don’t Know

We love every shiny product that Apple brings into the market especially the iPhone. Did you know that your cherished iPhone hides secrets from you? That's right, a simple nod of the noggin could shift the way you use this precious gadget.

Apple's iPhone is a revolutionary gizmo that has changed the mobile landscape forever, but even if you've had one for years, there are still a few things you probably don't know about it. Each major update that Apple rolls out brings new features and changes.

Here are just a few of the things you've likely missed along the way. You can easily learn these tricks and may even find yourself using them a lot to enhance your overall iPhone experience.

1. Save Battery Life

When your iPhone battery is running low, turning off the following settings can help make your iPhone last longer. With these off, you can still receive calls, SMS and even go online with EDGE connection.

Settings > WiFi > Off.

Settings > Bluetooth > Off.

Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Off.

Settings > General > Cellular > Enable 3G > Off.

Settings > General > Cellular > Enable LTE > Off.

Settings > Sounds > Vibrate on Ring & Silent > Off.

Settings > Brightness & Wallpaper > Auto-Brightness > Off.

Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Fetch New Data > Off.

2. Stop The Music With A Timer

Do you like to listen to music when getting into bed for the night but often doze off without switching the iPhone off? You can use a timer to help you shut down the music. To do this, tap on Clock > Timer > When Timer Ends. Scroll down and tap Stop Playing. Then, set a timer (say 30 mins) and tap Start. Now you may play any music and it will be turned off after 30 mins.

3. Delete Last Digit In Calculator App

Entered a wrong digit in the Calculator app? Instead of tapping the Clear [C] button, you can just swipe your finger to the left or right of the numbers to clear the last digit. Each swipe will remove the last digit until the number becomes zero.

4. Set An Alphanumeric Passcode

Add an extra layer of protection to your iPhone with an alphanumeric passcode. To activate it, go to Settings > General > Passcode Lock. Turn off Simple Passcode and you will be prompted to enter your alphanumeric password.

5. Use Headphone Cord To Take Photo

Shaky hands not getting you good photos? Well you can trigger a snapshot using the volume up or down buttons on your headphone.

6. Switch Shooting Directions In Panorama

Tap the arrow in Panorama mode to switch the shooting direction so you can take a panorama picture from left to right or right to left.

7. Formatting Email Content

You can format your email content while writing it on your iPhone. Just highlight the text you want to format, then tap on the option arrow to look for the "BIU" button. Tap on it and select the format you want from Bold, Italics or Underline.

8. Disable Messages Preview

Here is a simple way to prevent others from accidentally reading your incoming SMS alerts when your iPhone is left unattended. Go to Settings > Notifications > Messages > Show Preview. Tap the option and turn it off to exclude a preview of the message in alerts and banners.