NQ Mobile Security is a smartphone-only app that performed decently at malware defence. It comes with a widget that sits wherever you wish on your screen, but often as not appears over the key you need on the handset’s onscreen keyboard. Visit all Security Software reviews.
Once the app activates it performs a ‘fast scan’ for viruses and trojans. This goes through your installed apps and provides a ‘safe’ star rating for each of them. See also Top ten Android apps.
Interestingly, the Android version of the BBC’s iPlayer app got only 3.5 stars while Dropbox and Daily Mail Online both had a 4.5 verdict. See also: Group test: what's the best Android antivirus?
NQ Mobile Security is primed with deadly malware-hunting capabilities: it scored above 90 percent when checking for threats in 18 out of our 19 categories it was pitted against. The remaining result – for Exploit.Lotoor – foxed many of the other solid malware scanners we recently tested too. NQ got a creditable 65 to 90 percent score in detecting this malware strain.
Its device location pinpointed our handset to the exact house within 15 seconds. A neat option lets you set a passcode up to 10 digits long, then choose a phone number of a trusted friend to be alerted when someone takes your phone and replaces its SIM card. It can back up or restore your contacts too.
We liked NQ Mobile’s optimisation tools. A fuel gauge indicates how much storage is available on the phone, lists running apps and then closes any that aren’t actively being used. An App Manager screen provides a security overview where you can have NQ diagnose and quarantine any apps that are suspect.
Finally, the Privacy Advisor lists which apps can access your contacts list (QR Droid and Twitter, in our case), track your location, access your messages and read details of your IMSI and IMEI numbers identifying your handset. Luckily, each had 4 star+ safety ratings.
Comments
Jp Flay said: I have just fallen into the same trap as described above Could you tell me please who you contacted phone email address to cancel your subscriptionThanks
Gavin Davis said: NQ mobile call blocker uses a sleazy business practice to trick you into upgrading to their premium account A pop-up will appear at random which if you agree to will automatically charge 150 to your phone bill and recurr every month unless you cancel If you press it accidentallty which is incredibly easy to do you will be charged instantly No confirmation screen to change your mind at I will not be downloading any other NQ mobile apps for this reason as currently they are refusing a refund To paraphrase one of their replies now that you have paid for it you may as well use it Pity the decision to pay for it was not made by informed decision But by in my view a strategically placed pop-up intended to result in accidental button presses by consumers so NQ mobile can take 150 from you with pretty much 0 chance of a refund