The Android Mobile Operating System by Google is based on the Linux kernel. It is one of the most popular operating system for smartphones and tablet devices. But now some Android security is a growing concern these days. With any mobile device used to exchange information over a wireless network you will want to make sure you have an application installed to protect your device from malicious content contained in files and programs. Another concern with a mobile device is people accessing your personal information while “looking at” or using your phone. The following are some useful applications which can protect android phones from malicious and virus attacks.

Obfuscation:
This should be the first line of defense in any application. However it doesn’t protect against automated attacks, but it will make the initial attack more difficult by removing symbols that would easily reveal the original configuration of the compiled application. There are plenty of open source and commercial obfuscators available for Java that will work with Android application.


Afirewall:
AFirewall is the free version of Android Firewall which blocks incoming calls from numbers you specify. If you don’t wants to receive a particular call from a person then install this superb application. This application works fantastically and is a must have for anyone who wants to block incoming calls from telemarketers, bill collectors or your run of the mill harassing calls.


Droidhunter:
It is a security service for Android with inbuilt anti-virus, interruption detection, online managing service and incoming alerts. This app is similar to the traditional desktop security software except that it looks for Android specific threats. Android phone scans as “Very Clean” but user reviews report the interception of suspicious apps as well as other Android security threats. This program comes in a free version as well as a paid version which can be used to locate a lost or stolen phone.


App protector:
It is an application which allows you to lock your choice of applications on your Android phone. You can set a password, and when you try to enter a protected app, you will be asked to enter the password. Useful if your phone is stolen or if you store information on your phone you’d rather not have accessed by people you let look at your Android phone. Protect as many or as few applications as you like and remove the password lock on applications at anytime. One thing to keep in mind is you will want to protect your uninstaller application, so a person can’t simply uninstall this program to remove the password locks and then access your sensitive information. This program comes in a free time-limited trial (7 days). You can remove the password anytime, but a person can’t simply remove the password locks by uninstalling the application.

Modifying the license library is another technique you can use against mugger. This will make it difficult for an attacker to modify the disassembled code and get a positive license check. This technique protects against people trying to break your function and it also foil attacks that target your application through other applications. You will want to adjust three main areas in the license library – the core library logic, entry/exit points in the library, and the code that your application uses to raise the licensing library and handle its response. As the modern smartphone is just as powerful as desktop computers, so it needs a security update mechanism and should be confined well.

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