In search of an Android Firewall app
My experiences with the Amazon Appstore have brought home the fact that Android leaks like a sieve. We have no idea which app is doing what. It’s high time that I added a firewall to my Android tablets.
But it’s easier said than done. I’ve found a bunch of firewall apps, but there’s a problem. I’m not sure I want to trust my security to an app developed by some no name company. I don’t really know that I can trust them, so I am hesitant to rely on their products.
BTW, if you know of a trustworthy firewall app for android, please let me know in the comments.
So I went digging, and it turns out both Symantec and McAfee have a firewall app for Android. Unfortunately, I can’t find a retail license for just the Android app. Both companies have this app bundled into a suite of services for business customers, not consumers. Frankly, I don’t want to pay business prices for an app.
A friend recommended AndFire, which can be found for free on SlideMe. It seems to have a lot of options including blocking individual apps, phone numbers, SMS, etc. The project is also hosted on Code.Google.com, which does reassure me a little.
I’m going to use AndFire for now, but if you have an Android firewall app you like, please suggest it.
Comments
Cheryl Smith April 12, 2011 um 7:37 pm
A loyal reader here. Let us know soon how you like the app. And what is SlideMe?
Nate the great April 12, 2011 um 7:51 pm
Slideme is an appstore. Up until amazon opened their app store, Slideme was the best.
Jules May 2, 2011 um 7:53 pm
Thanks for writing this article! I was looking for a firewall for my mobile phone too. I found out my fav. firewall developer Kaspersky has developed Mobile Security for Android 1.5-2.2. Details here . I’m going do download the trial this afternoon and give it a go.
joecool May 21, 2011 um 4:55 pm
My concern with andfire is the creator appears to be Chinese.
Miztrniceguy October 6, 2011 um 9:08 pm
Nate, given how old this page is, care to update and make recommendations?
justme December 15, 2011 um 7:07 pm
Uh… DroidWall, come on… is it so hard to google for Android Firewall?
Nate Hoffelder December 15, 2011 um 7:52 pm
Apparently it is. Thanks!
Sarah January 20, 2013 um 7:42 am
Just heard of a new app called Mobiwol that looks like it is worth taking for a test drive. Doesn’t even need root access!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netspark.firewall