For the past few weeks, I have been combing through the Internet, hunting for the best security apps for the iPhone. My criteria? Usability, user-friendliness, iTunes ratings, and user comments. I present you with my Top 10 List plus 5 bonus apps that will make your life easier. You won't believe what your iPhone can do!
CONNECT IT
Pocket Cloud by Wyse Technology Inc. ($14.99)
15 bucks!? Wow, this better be good! This is the most expensive app on the list; however, it promises a secure and fast way to remotely connect, access files, pictures and applications with a simple installation, security and RDP/VNC compatibility.
114 Current iPhone Version ratings of 4.5 stars; 2,287 All iPhone Versions ratings of 4 stars.
ENCRYPT IT
WICKR by Wickr, LLC (Free)
Made by a team of security and privacy experts who believe that private communications is a universal human right, spreading their belief for free, WICKR sends self-destructing messages to other WICKR users anywhere in the world, leaving no trace. This Inspector Gadget-like app allows the sender to control the message by deciding who sees it, where and the duration of the message. It has military-grade encryption and deletes metadata while being fully integrated to send PDFs and images from Box, Dropbox, and Google Drive.
16 Current iPhone Version ratings of 4.5 stars; 431 All iPhone Versions ratings of 4.5 stars.
LOCK IT
Splash ID by SplashData ($9.99)
This will probably be the best 10 bucks you have ever spent! Besides, you probably spend that much or more every 2-3 days at Starbucks! Store and lock sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card data, account numbers, registration codes, prescriptions, etc. without the fear of a breach in privacy. This app allows the user to create unlimited, customizable records and categories. And, with strong 256-bit Blowfish encryption, backup and wireless sync, automatic password generation, anti-phisingURL icons and manual IP address synchronization, your sensitive information will be hack-free.
180 Current iPhone Version ratings of 4.5 stars; 4,020 All iPhone Versions ratings of 4 stars.
NETWORK IT
Snap by 9Bit Labs, LLC ($1.99)
Never guess again! The Snap app actually scans the network around your phone to discover nearby servers, routers, and other iPhones, displaying the manufacturer of the device, any name information available, and the device's MAC and IP addresses. This is a useful security tool to discover open ports, and at only a $1.99 price point, it's easy on the wallet!
270 Current iPhone Version ratings of 3 stars; 281 All iPhone Versions ratings of 3 stars.
PROTECT IT
WISE ID – Protect personal data. (Free)
Another freebie!WISE ID provides convenience, ease of use and encrypted storage for all your iPhone data. Safely store encrypted data such as passwords, PIN numbers, credit and loyalty cards, notes, photos, websites and other data, on your iPhone only so your data is always available...right at your fingertips! Plus, it gives you the option of face recognition, dot pattern and password authentication sure to make you feel like a private investigator or ninja!
25 Current iPhone Version ratings of 3.5 stars; 864 All iPhone Versions ratings of 3 stars.
SECURE IT
mSECURE by mSeven Software, LLC ($9.99)
This app is your 10 dollar insurance policy for your iPhone! The unimaginable has just happened. Your iPhone is lost or even worse…stolen! All your private data is stored on your iPhone including bank account numbers, social security numbers of your family and web site logins. What are you to do?! Well, if you have mSECURE on your iPhone, you're safe! This app has 256 bit blowfish encryption, auto-lock, password generator, cloud data protection, free backup utility, email attachment backup/restore, and optional self-destruct.
651 Current iPhone Version ratings of 5 stars; 7,124 All iPhone Versions ratings of 4.5 stars.
Secure FolderPRO by iDevMobile Tec. ($1.99)
This one is similar to mSECURE…and a little cheaper! Pattern lock or keypad code-lock your photos, text, videos, credit cards and passwords. Identify intruders with photo AND GPS tracking! And, you even get a secret website, bookmarks and a private navigation system…without history track from Incognito.
6 Current iPhone Version ratings of 5 stars; 449 All iPhone Versions ratings of 4.5 stars.
TRACK IT
Find My iPhone by Apple – track lost phone. (Free)
Here's a free way to find your lost iPhone, using another iOS device! Simply download this onto your iPad, iPod Touch or Mac, open it and sign in with your Apple ID. Find My iPhone will help you locate your missing device on a map, play a sound, display a message, remotely lock your iPhone or erase all your iPhone's data. Pretty slick! It's kind of like The Clapper, but much more sophisticated!
1,317 Current iPhone Version ratings of 4 stars; 57,352 All iPhone Versions ratings of 3 stars.
USE IT
Hotspot Shield VPN by AnchorFree, Inc. (Free) – VPN
This free app can actually help you save money while protecting you when using WiFi hotspots. The VPN encrypts all traffic to protect your identity, IP address and to stop unwanted tracking while your wallet breathes a sigh of relief as data usage is reduced with the Hotspot Shield's Bandwidth Compression. You are also notified and blocked from spam, phishing and rogue websites with Malware protection, but you have the freedom to unblock any blocked content and services. The secret? You can actually get Facebook, Skype, etc. using your work's WiFi on your iPhone, even if the boss has it blocked! (Shhh, I didn't tell you that!)
956 Current iPhone Version ratings of 3.5 stars; 1,994 All iPhone Versions ratings of 4 stars.
WATCH IT
Alarm.com – monitor/control security systems at home or business. (Free)
This is truly interactive security at a distance! While this free app requires a compatible system and an interactive alarm.com service plan, it allows you to monitor your home or business in real-time, from anywhere! Remotely watch live video and recorded clips from your security cameras, turn on or off your lights, set the temperature on your thermostat, and even search your complete system's event history. Plus, you can also receive email, text messages and push notifications to know exactly when the petsitter arrives, when your garage door is left open, when and if someone changes the thermostat settings, etc. Spy on your home or business anytime!
618 Current iPhone Version ratings of 4 stars; 2,121 All iPhone Versions ratings of 3.5 stars.
BONUS APPS
EXPENSE IT
Expensify by Expensify, Inc. (Free)
Wouldn't it be great to automate your entire expense reporting process? Sync this app with your credit cards and back accounts to track purchases in real-time.
Making purchases with cash or not eligible for eReceipts? This app turns your iPhone into a receipt scanner, taking the image and extracting the merchant, date and transaction amount and then creating a new cash expense report or attaches the receipt to its matching credit card purchase.
You can even add mileage expenses via GPS or odometer entry!
The app will then email a PDF copy of your report to anyone with email address approval, turning the reimbursement process into an electronic breeze!
7 Current iPhone Version ratings of 5 stars; 519 All iPhone Versions ratings of 4 stars.
PRESENT IT
Brainshark by Brainshark, Inc. (Free)
Got a few extra minutes to kill, maybe while riding the subway home from the office? Use your time wisely with Brainshark. This free app provides free access to a rich library of eLearning content from subject matter experts via a searchable library on topics like sales and marketing, tips, social media, leadership development, and management techniques, just to name a few.
Recently complete a presentation that you would like to share with others? Simply share your Brainshark link via email, and put it directly onto social media outlets like Twitter, Facebook and more.
9 Current iPhone Version ratings of 3 stars; 86 All iPhone Versions ratings of 3.5 stars.
SIGN IT
Easy Sign Mobile by Glykka LLC (Free)
Someone asking for your John Hancock? Well, this free app allows you to sign your signature or collect signatures from anyone anywhere without the hassle of printing, scanning, faxing and overnight shipping.
It's an easy, 3 step process:
- Import the document from email, Web, Dropbox, etc.
- Sign with your finger or stylus.
- Email the final document to anyone or save it back to Dropbox, Box, etc.
Paperless signatures! Not only are you saving time and money, but you're helping out the environment by going green!
238 Current iPhone Version ratings of 4.5 stars; 4,320 All iPhone Versions ratings of 4.5 stars; 120,319 All iPhone Versions ratings of 4 stars.
SOCIALIZE IT
Flipboard by Flipboard Inc. (Free)
Have the world at your fingertips for free with your very own customizable news magazine! Simply choose a few topics and your Flipboard is instantly populated, only with the news you care about.
Short on time? Use the “cover stories” tile to see the most interesting stories from all your sections.
Love social media? Use Flipboard to flip through your social networks. Add Facebook and Twitter to browse articles while Instagram and Flickr adds fun, colorful photos to your personal magazine.
It's simple! Tap a tile and start flipping!
8,249 Current iPhone Version ratings of 5 stars; 163,942 All iPhone Versions ratings of 4.5 stars.
WRITE IT
Evernote by Evernote (Free)
Never fear…Evernote is here! Stay organized, take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, and record voice reminders that are searchable from any of your devices! Sync all your notes across all computers and devices so you can access, save, or share your notes from any device anywhere at anytime!
406 Current iPhone Version ratings of 4 stars; 121,537 All iPhone Versions ratings of 4 stars.
Would enjoy and appreciate your feedback on any of the above apps!