Cerberus Android Review
Introduction
Cerberus Anti – Theft Application Review After looking at all the features and tricks, the best choice available in the market right now is Cerberus. Though some features are innovative, they are not well polished and some loopholes can just kill the whole security claim. Cerberus is an anti-theft application on steroids for Android. Its features not only make it stand out in the Android ecosystem, but also puts anti-theft applications on other platforms to shame.
I don't have any hard data that would give me an idea about the popularity of the first edition of the Asus Cerberus headset, but hey – it's Asus, and it's a gaming peripheral named after a monstrous three-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld. For your average gamer, that alone is going to be more than enough to make them whip out their wallet and spend some cash.
In case you seem to remember seeing different peripherals going by the name of 'Cerberus', other than the headset, you're not in the wrong: the Cerberus line also includes a membrane keyboard and an optical mouse.
In Asus's own words, the Cerberus V2 is the long awaited follow-up to their best-selling gaming headset, now equipped with better audio drivers - Asus calls them 'Essence drivers' - capable of digging even deeper into the lowest part of the sound spectrum. The headband is now made out of stainless steel, and the ear cushions also got some upgrades in order to improve overall comfort and durability. If you're mainly interested in the differences between the Asus Cerberus V2 and its predecessor, I directly compared the two further on in the review.
However, we're not here only for that, but also to find out if the Cerberus V2 can keep up with its competitors and live up to its $75 price tag. That's not cheap, and when you decide to spend that kind of money on a gaming headset, you have every right to set your expectations high, both in terms of sound and microphone quality and additional features.
When it comes to non-standard features, the Cerberus V2 offers two microphones: a detachable boom microphone and an in-line microphone affixed to a surprisingly stiff, braided cord that comes out of the left ear cup. Before you ask - no, the cord itself isn't detachable, which means you won't have an easy way out should you break it. The fact that the Cerberus V2 is equipped with two microphones clearly tells us that Asus would like for us to use it with PCs, consoles, and mobile devices; we should take it with us when we leave our homes. I don't find it particularly suitable for the latter, though - more on that later.
The Cerberus V2 comes in red, green, or blue to better match your personal preference or perfectly fit into your game room, in case your color scheme features one of these colors. Don't take it too literally, though - we're only talking about the color of its accents, such as the stitching on the headband, the fabric on the inner side of the ear cups, and the rings that sit between the ear cups and the cushions. In all three cases, the base color of the headset is black.
Specifications
- 53 mm dynamic driver (neodymium magnet)
- 32 Ω impedance
- 20-20,000 Hz frequency response (specified by the manufacturer)
- Closed back, over-ear design
- Detachable uni-directional boom microphone
- Omni-directional in-line microphone
- 1.2 m + 1.4 m braided cable
- Weight: 344 g
Nobody wants to think about their phone getting stolen, but the truth is that it could happen to anybody. As such, it’s always a good idea to have some sort of anti-theft app on your device.
Google offers a built-in option called Find My Device that can a missing phone, but there are also some great third-party options available. Let’s take a look.
1. Find My Device
Find My Device is Google’s native anti-theft app, and part of all Android phones. It lets you remotely lock your phone, sign out of your device, and wipe its content. You can also see your phone’s location on a map and call it via the accompanying app.
If you lock your phone remotely, you can write a lock screen message that your device will display permanently until you disable it.
The Find My Device feature is enabled by default, but it’s wise to check that you haven’t accidentally turned it off. To check the status of Find My Device, go to Settings > Google > Security and tap on Find My Device. Slide the toggle at the top of the window into the On position if the feature is not active.
There are two ways to access Find My Device features—via the Find My Device web app or smartphone app.
Download:Find My Device (Free)
2. Cerberus
Cerberus is well-established as the leading third-party anti-theft app for Android. It has a rich feature set that its competitors struggle to live up to.
The three main ways that Cerberus protects your device are remote control via the web portal, remote control via text message, and automatic alerts.
The app can locate and track your phone, lock your device, start an alarm on your phone, upload call logs, and wipe both internal and external memory.
Cerberus will also help ensure anyone who steals your phone ends up in trouble with the law. It can secretly take photos and record videos of anyone who has your device, then upload them to the cloud for you to see. You can even record audio from your phone’s mic.
The app also supports automatic actions. For example, you can make the phone lock itself if the SIM card is changed, or instantly receive a photo if someone enters the wrong PIN.
You can enjoy a seven-day free trial. After that, you need to sign up for the $5 per year pro version.
Download: Cerberus (Free trial, subscription required)
3. Anti-Theft Alarm
Cerberus Download
At the other end of the complexity scale is Anti-Theft Alarm. It’s a theft deterrent; it does not have post-theft features like phone locating and remote wiping.
As the name suggests, the app will sound a loud alarm in certain circumstances. For example, you can make it go off if someone unplugs your phone while it’s charging, if someone moves your phone from where you left it, if you drop your phone, or if someone changes the SIM card. You can also activate the alarm remotely if you realize someone has stolen it.
The alarm can sound even if your device is on silent. Once activated, the noise won’t stop without a password; changing the battery or SIM will not have any effect.
Download:Anti-Theft Alarm (Free)
4. Avast Mobile Security
Avast Mobile Security is one of the best security suites for Android6 Android Security Apps You Should Install Today6 Android Security Apps You Should Install TodayAndroid security apps - capable of blocking malware and phishing attempts - are necessary if you wish to run a safe and secure smartphone. Let's look at some of the best Android security apps currently..Read More. We’ve recommended it in the past.
However, here we’re only interested in the Avast Anti-Theft feature. It used to be a standalone app, but Avast has since bundled it into a holistic security package. The app has the usual array of alarms, maps, and remote controls, but there are a couple of features that warrant a special mention.
First is remote listening. You can make your stolen device call you on another number and listen to its surroundings. Your phone’s screen will remain black so the thief has no idea that there’s an active call.
Second, you can receive a low battery notification. This notification serves two purposes: It will give you a clue about whether someone is charging and using your device. And it lets you reduce the number of alarms, sirens, and photos you request so you can conserve energy as long as possible.
While Avast’s Android app is free, you’ll need to subscribe to get access to all the anti-theft features.
Download:Avast Mobile Security (Free, subscription available)
5. AppLock
AppLock is another basic app. It lets you password-protect any app on your phone. It’s not going to help you get your phone back if someone does steal it, but at least the app will leave you safe knowing that your data is secure if the worst happens.
AppLock can also hide videos and pictures and restrict calls. It means a thief won’t be able to see your private life or rack up massive bills on your account. The app is ad-supported.
Download:AppLock (Free, subscription available)
6. Prey
Prey is a cross-platform solution that can track phones, laptops, tablets, and all sorts of other devices.
There is a free and a premium version. The free version lets you set geo-fencing areas (and receive an alert when the perimeter is breached), see your phone’s GPS location, take photographs of thieves, and activate remote locking. This limits you to three devices per account.
The premium version—which costs $10—offers unlimited devices and adds remote data wiping and remote file retrieval. Kairosoft torrent 2013 gmc sierra.
We looked at Prey in more detail when we discussed easy ways to recover a stolen Android device.
Download:Prey (Free, premium version available)
7. Where’s My Droid
Where’s My Droid offers a free version along with two paid plans. In the free version, you can locate the device, ring it, set a passcode, and send an alert when someone changes the SIM.
The Pro plan adds more features such as taking photos, locking and wiping the device, and hiding the app icon. It costs a one-time payment of $4.
Lastly, the Elite version ($1 a month or $9 a year) includes geofencing, location history, device stats, and more.
Download:Where’s My Droid (Free, subscription version available)
Bonus: Carrier and Manufacturer Apps
Most network carriers offer an anti-theft app. In the US, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint all have their own version.
The notable downside to carrier apps is cost—you’ll typically see a small extra charge on your bill every month. On the upside, you’ll be able to call your carrier and force them to help you in case a criminal does steal your device.
Several manufacturers also offer an equivalent anti-theft app. They are often built into OEM skins; both Samsung and HTC devices have the feature. Unlike the carrier versions, the manufacturer versions are free to use.
Other Ways to Protect Your Android Device
Anti-theft apps are just one part of keeping your Android device secure.
To learn more about how to stay protected, check out Android apps that protect your privacy how to reset a forgotten Android passcode, and how to ensure your Android phone is up to dateHow to Ensure Your Android Phone Is Up-to-Date and SecureHow to Ensure Your Android Phone Is Up-to-Date and SecureIf you're not running the newest version of Android available for your device, you could be dealing with a security risk.Read More.
Explore more about: Android Apps, Identity Theft, Location Data, Smartphone Security.
can i get the source code for study and analysis purpose
THANKS
while we are uisng find my device.
it will shown the notification in the thefted mobile so that thief will be noticed that.is there any option how to stop that notification.
Thanks for the article but Anti-Theft Security app by MOSI apps is the best ;-)
I just looked at it, thanks a lot for sharing. This one with Cerberus are my 2 favorites. Too bad Anti-Theft Security can't send command over the Internet.. But it has more than 20 very interesting features (popup, selfie, video, siren etc.) and the app is more user-friendly. The price is really cheap I'm suprised: 0.99$ for a lifetime licence :) :) :).
I share the link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mosi.antitheftsecurity
Although there are so many ways an experienced thief could get into a really tightly locked down device, if the real owner was really technically savvy, they could make the device impossible to use again. This is because even if the thief was as tech savvy as the owner, the owner had access to the device before the thief, so they have more control. At the absolute most, you could potentially set-up a software fuse or (permanent) kill switch so that if the thief tried to access the bootload and reflash a custom recovery, the device could completely destroy itself, possibly by formatting the entire storage system and completely removing the bootloader and everything else. This obviously wouldn't be an ideal condition, but at least there would be no way that the thief could use the device.
Now this is a nice concept that I have been hoping OEMs will implement on their devices. Do you know any software that can do something like this?
I don't know of a specific software that could do this. It would definitely have to be something that you would do through a computer connection, because it would be a very low level system change. I know that a lot of phones have a setting that is designed to require the entry or the previous phone's account information (Google account, ICloud account, etc.) to be entered, in order to use the phone again after a factory reset. However, because of Android's openness, an experienced thief could bypass it very easily (if the phone was previously used like a normal user would). Onr thing that I think might work would be to have a password on your bootloader. I don't know how you would do this, or if any bootloaders come with this option, but having a password here, as well as on your recovery could potentially make it impossible for even the most tech savvy person to use the device without the correct password.
is these apps remains active if some one factory reset android phone .becoz in factory reset process all the apps which are installed by user removes fully with all gmail ,yahoo or other accounts.
Which phone user will track at first the phone must be determined then through other phone or computer must login the Google id of the user by going to http://www.google.com/android/devicemanager this site.
It is service of Google. Going to the device manger site of Google, user can lock the phone remotely; setting tone reset the phone and can see the location of his mobile through Google map.
Necessary things-
• Turn on internet in user mobile.
• A Google id must login user mobile.
• The device manager must on in user mobile.
• The location service of phone must on.
• User can’t see phone location if he doesn’t open map but other tasks can be done.to be continuu
Cerberus revokes its lifetime license!! Do not fall for this company's claim that it is a one time fee! I am not so sure why everyone is so upset about the lifetime license expiring. Perhaps when LSDroid offered the lifetime license, it was the lifetime of their already aging goldfish. As long as they kept 'Bubbles the goldfish' alive, the Cerberus lifetime license was in effect. Rather than complaining about this license expiring, perhaps we should be sending condolence cards to Bubbles. I can tell you that I am not going to be suckered into paying for another 'lifetime license' without knowing what LSDroid's definition of 'LIFETIME' means. I have already contacted a class action attorney, so I am not going to be letting this go. I would highly suggest that LSDroid do the right thing now, before they are served with legal papers. Being in Italy is not protection.
I am using Hangover Studios mobile anti theft it is really doing good. My phone is secured now, I can track with simple SMS. Find out the details below.
http://aapthitech.com/mobile-anti-theft-hyderabad
https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=Hangover+StudiosWatch out for Cerberus!
The folks behind Cerberus have begun expiring the so-called lifetime licenses. Think it was a one time payment for life? Think again. They waren't honoring their agreement with users.
The first round of users have received emails stating that the app makers are canceling the lifetime licenses and will be blocking all functionality within a week. Users are to purchase a new license or lose services.
The next time you need to find your phone, your Cerberus lifetime license will have been canceled, and nothing will work.
Because I can no longer rely on Cerberus to be functional, I'll be switching to one that will honor it's agreement with the users.
Nice article. Now stealing iPhone is occurred in almost everywhere. Users should be more careful. I would like to suggest you iLostFinder. Thanks anyway.
which one did you choose to your own devices Justin Dennis? I am in doubt between Lookout X PREY X CERBERUS (in free version).. which one do you think is more complete? I would not mind to pay Cerberus since is one time only.. Have problem install more than one in the same device? Thanks!
I wouldn't blame it on the review team because this review is already more than one year old.
My point is about the review about cerberus :
Many of its features are not mentionned :
1.Cerberus can be installed as a system app, and can survive a factory reset according to their website.But the host device needs to be rooted for that and you need to download a special apk of cerberus from their website in order to achieve that.
2.If a thief stole your phone, he most likely will change the SIM Card.Cerberus, allows the new inserted SIM card to send a msg to your number, letting you know which number is niw using your phone.You can set 3 numbers to which the msg will go and set cerberus to recognize a certain amount of SIM Cards..And they are many more options you can find in cerberus which can help you in can of emergency!
This article definitely has to be updated !
Thank you for sharing !Perfect. That's why Cerberus is the best nowadays.
There is a new anti-theft app called Shieldwall and looks similar to Cerberus but it is free!
I don't know how long it will last, but we can have a try
http://www.usregistrylive.comCerberus is pound for pound the most useless app I have come across, good on paper but absolutely useless for relocating your phone, check the reviews, rarely will anyone get their phone back.
Problem communicating with your device. Expect this ALOT. Forget your stolen phone, if you lose your phone in your house, while it's connected to the internet and has 100% battery, you might get lucky.
Why is linquet not on this list?
The recently launched Android Device Manager by Google is also a great anti-theft solution. No extra software to install and very low RAM requirement.
More About Android device manager
http://www.techooks.com/anti-theft-solutions-for-android-mobiles/
I lost my phone (a 2 week old Samsung Galaxy S) whilst out hill running last year. I didn't notice it was gone until I got back to my car. I had Android Lost installed so I quickly drove home, looked up where it was, drove back and jogged/wheezed straight to where my phone was lying face down in the mud. Thankfully, after a quick wipe, it was fine (although I was shattered after having to climb the hill twice in one night). It was pitch dark so it would have taken a miracle for me to find it just by retracing my steps. I made a donation to the developer through his website when I got home.
I have Cerberus (by chance got it free) and have it set up on a phone and a tablet. Fortunately never had to use it to recover a lost or stolen phone. It seems to do the job though. I occasionally get an email photo of myself unlocking the phone :-)
My Android is secured by avast antivirus along-with the anti-theft from them too which gets integrated to the antivirus interface. Being FREE, I found the features and controls very exhaustive and very happy to use it. The My Avast interface from my PC browser, let's me control practically anything of the lost phone, if required.
I'm surprised Where's My Droid didn't make it onto this list. It's a fantastic app for this purpose.
1) Why is avast antitheft left out? It lets you do most things for free that the competition only does for money.
2) A smart thief will keep your phone incommunicado until he has wiped out your anti-theft app. A factory reset will do the job, unless you root your phone to move your anti-theft app to a reset-proof piece of memory. You'd expect a site like MUO to include this option in their reviews.
3) Police leaving their donuts alone to go after phone thieves is the exception, not the rule, and the risks of going after a thief yourself are not worth the price of a phone. What are your chances of getting a stolen phone back with these apps? Are there any hard numbers on success rates, or is a remote wipe the best you can expect in most theft scenarios?
if you steal phones for living than you should definitely go to the gasoline station, shower in gasoline and lid your sadistic self up on fire. That is a feasible punishment for an asshole that does this.
A cell phone or rather a smart phone in this day and age is the absolute most intimate and personal thing that we use. A cell phone is more personal then a freaking wallet.One day Karma will come back for ya ! ! !
Wow, so I guess stealing an UNNECESSARY (yes, you read that right) piece of plastic deserves the death penalty.. Civilized much?
If you have an 'intimate' attachment to that brainwashing device, good for you, but you certainly need a lesson or two in ethics, capitalism and mind-control.Here is your lesson:
F**K OFF !!!
For what it's worth, Samsung devices have 'Find My Mobile' built in to the Samsung-specific account configuration that happens during the out of box or factory reset setup. It works with both phones and tablets.
Also, if your Android device has a free or paid Google Apps (Corporate Google, not a regular consumer one) account configured on it and the Google Device Policy App installed and approved, the Google Apps admin can remote wipe the device or the singular account off the phone.
In any event, I'm surprised that Google doesn't have this stuff built in to the generic end-user experience yet for all devices. I'm sure it's coming, but I've done the 'Find Phone' and 'Remote Wipe' dance a few times for people now and it's a little nerve-wracking.