Exploring CM Security Antivirus and AppLock (Android) – Safety First
The security of your Android device is very important and needs your attention. You can, of course, install a good antivirus app on your smartphone or tablet to help you keep your device safe. However, I have always advocated the importance of being vigilant and careful yourself. Remember you are the first line of defense against malicious software and unethical codes trying to get your data.
CM Security Antivirus and AppLock are one of the best apps out there when it comes to Android security. The app has gained a lot of praises, both from IT experts, as well as common users. Personally, I have tested the app previously for the best antivirus apps for Android list. I remember liking the one-touch interface of the app very much. Just like any other great Android app, CM Security Antivirus and AppLock tend to be on the simpler side.
Usually, when it comes to choosing an antivirus app for Android, people are a bit skeptical. Personally, I don’t use an antivirus app on my Android smartphone or tablets. I’ve never gotten a malware virus on my devices.
Related: Android Antivirus
The art of knowing a genuine link from a malicious one can be learned over time. However, if you want to keep your Android safe without being a security guard, CM Security Antivirus and AppLock will do a fine job. Let’s see what this app has to offer.
The First Run
The app took some while to download on my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 smartphone. I blame the jittery 3G connectivity I had at the moment. However, once installed the rest of the ride was smooth.
Something I really liked about CM Security Antivirus and AppLock right away was the lack of any forced logins. I despise having to give my email address to an app that, quite frankly, don’t need them
There are no tutorials to be found on the app. This is probably because CM Security Antivirus and AppLock is one of the simplest apps you’ll ever get to use on Android. There is an easy one-tap functionality available in the app.
The First Scan
The main screen of CM Security is well designed. Taking up a large part of the screen is a big bubble button that allows you to scan your device. If you are running this app for the very first time, you will see a caution mark with suspicious written next to it. Don’t be alarmed, this is the standard procedure the app follows on every device that has yet to be scanned.
Pressing the large scan button will start the scanning process. The scanning screen is a little bit flashier than I anticipated. The app took very little time to scan my device that was surprising. I know 32 GB is not that much space, but still the app took surprisingly little time to sort through everything on the phone.
Depending on your device the app will find problems that need to be resolved. In the case of my smartphone, the device found 4 potential dangers. One was a browsing history problem in Chrome, others were with the privacy settings, and the last one was an ad.
The Dirty Job
To be quite honest, none of the “dangers” are actual dangers to my device. The Chrome privacy settings are just a simple history remover. And the privacy issues with the apps were trying to promote the app locker that comes with the app.
The MMS Stage fright malware is an actual thing, and the app promises you to save your device from it. In my experience if you don’t click on any link that pops up, you will be fine.
The app also comes with a junk cleaner. This cleaner detected I had almost 1 GB of useless data on my smartphone. Because I test around 20 to 30 apps daily, this wasn’t much of a surprise. Many of the apps leave behind residual data that isn’t deleted when the app is removed.
CM Security Antivirus and AppLock cleared around 0.98 GB worth of space. This feature alone deserves a run if you decide to get the app.
CM Security Antivirus and AppLock comes with very minimal options for customization. The app also periodically downloads updated virus definitions. Downloading the updates is one of the most important things you need to do when you run the app.
The App Lock
One of the most sought after features of CM Security Antivirus and AppLock is the reliable app locker. It works flawlessly and can help you password protect important apps. The lock feature will come in handy when you have sensitive information on your smartphone or tablet.
You can activate the lock feature by bulk selecting multiple apps and choosing a unlock method.
The app also comes with a snooper catching feature. It works well and can help you know who wanted to access your information.
For example, I set the lock on my Gallery, and when someone tried to guess my password, the app captured a snapshot from the front camera.
This method works great because a user is usually looking at the screen when typing. Almost every time the face will be in focus.
I selected the numeric code as my method of securing apps. You can also use the pattern lock if you want, but I believe remembering a number is much easier.
The app successfully locked my Gallery and asked for the password whenever I tried to access it. However, to relock the apps you will need to lock the screen. Otherwise, the apps will remain open for the duration of the phone screen being unlocked.
One potential flaw I found in the app, is that when I deleted it, the app lock was no longer there. There has to be a way to failsafe against this workaround. I have emailed the developer about it and will update if I receive a reply. Otherwise, you can just hide the CM Security Antivirus and AppLock from your app drawer and call it a day.
Conclusion
CM Security Antivirus and AppLock is a nifty little app that can do a lot of things for you. From protecting your smartphone to locking apps behind a security code, it is capable of doing many wonderful things. However, one feature stood out prominently to me. The junk removing feature works extremely well and keep your internal storage space clean.
I hope this article will help you in making a sound decision about using this app.
If you have any questions or problems, feel free to share them in the comments below.
I like CM security and applock. I dont lock my apps becouse its to many moment to open them. easy to scan and clean.
lena
Hi Lena,
I am glad that you liked the apps and I don´t lock my apps either since I use them way too often. I often need fast access to them and having them locked slows me down, but many like that their apps be locked. Thanks for commenting.
Hi guys, IObit is developing a new app, which called IObit Applock, The website below is a brief introductions of IObit Applock.
https://iobitapplock.wishpond.com/landingpageb
If you really want to be a tester but do not join the G+ community, please also send your confirmation to [email protected] so that we will keep contact with you via email. Thank you very much for your great support.
thanks for the suggestion
Well Samsung apparently like CM security. They’ve integrated it into the Lollipop 5.1.1 update for the United Kingdom version of the Galaxy Note 4..so it must be good! It doesn’t have the app lock, but like the Two readers above, I didn’t use the app lock anyway
This has enabled me to uninstall the stand alone CM app, with the knowledge that my Galaxy Note 4 is protected.
Hi Kim,
I am glad that you found an Antivirus app that you are happy with and one can always sleep better when they know that they phone is safe with a good AV app. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks, You really described it well. I should be able to conclude from your writeup that this is definitely best, but please kindly let me know the effect of two antivirus application in my Android phone.
Is there anyway how I can put off all these my running applications that are eating up my data.
Hi Tomyse,
Do you mean that you are looking for a type of task killer?
Hi Tomyse,
You are most welcome for the information and I am glad that you liked it. It is not a good idea to have 2 Antivirus apps running on your phone since they will consider one another a virus and they could work against each other. I recommend choosing a good one and sticking with that one. Thanks for reading. =-)
I mistakenly forgot my cm security app lock code n can’t unlock my app . please tell me what to do because I don’t want to uninstall the app
Hi There,
Have you tried going into settings to see if you can find the forgot my password option? Hope you can find it. Please let me know if you find it. =-)
When I tried app lock in my yu yunique Android version 5.1.1 it asked about App with usage acess ..even I turned it on it was not working… Sort me out
Hi Rufus,
Can you rephrase your question, please? =-)
when i unlock any app through cm app locker no unlock sound i get…..plz help me…its a normal? or its a problem?…..
Hi Tanmoy,
But it still locks apps, right? =-)
I received a photo of my husband and it said this person was trying to snoop on your sms go pro, can I find out more info on this?
Hi Jennifer,
What is it exactly that you want to know? =-)
i found my Samsung note 4 which was lost due cm security find phone facility. now the problem is that my phone is locked and i cannot use any longer. what should i do to unlock it. help me please.
Hi Chiko,
The following link has methods that you can follow to unlock your smartphone. Please let me know if need help with anything. Thanks for commenting. =-)
https://joyofandroid.com/how-to-unlock-android-phone/
I am just curious why you need both CM lock and app Locker? That makes me a little bit nervous having to download both apps. One of the reviews I seen said that it took up a lot of space. I’m not that tech-savvy as far as that goes and I’m not sure if I want to have to download to apps of the same brand. I feel like CM lock and CM app Locker should be in the same app. So my real question is do I need both apps if I have CM lock should I also get CM app Locker? A response would be greatly appreciate it.
Hi Amanda,
It´s not necessary that you download both apps to prevent any malware from getting into your phone. The app lock is to prevent maybe kids from accidentally opening important apps and erasing important info, but if you are the only one that handles your phones, then you are good with the CM Security app only. Hope this helps. =-)
I uninstalled CM App. Locker. Thought it was draining my battery to
Fast. Now I go to Gallery or Photos and my pictures on my camera
Roll are blocked. How do I unlock them. About 4 out 30 are not, the
Rest are. Hope you can help. Do not know what could be doing that
Other than CM Locker. Tks.
Hi Wayne,
How about we start with the basic fixes since sometimes the solution is that easy and hopefully that is your case too. Have you tried clearing the cache for your phone and trying a simple reboot? When you uninstall apps they have a tendency to leave data behind and that could explain why those pictures are being locked. Hope this helps. Thanks for commenting.
I can lock up my Facebook, WhatsApp, Clash of Clans, Messenger, Gallery and other important apps which may leak your privacy with LEO Privacy. And I can also customize my lock mode which allows me to lock different apps under different circumstances. CM is also a good choice, but I think it isn’t smart enough~
Hi There,
How would you improve the app? =-)
thanks for your reply. LEO Privacy can change the theme of interface, CM can not do that, but I really like that. Because I can put my favourite picture as theme. Reallly like it.
Hi Minmin,
You are most welcome and I glad that you found an app you are happy with. Enjoy! =-)
Hi,
I have been using CM security app on my Samsung Galaxy S7 edge for a while and loved it! This is untill one night before bed time I decided to change phone unlock pattern (not just app but access to the phone!) to something that I haven’t had before and kids haven’t seen me use. Big mistake! Because in the morning after waking up I haven’t been able to recall the pattern entered hence can’t access phone. I tried to look for assistance from CM Security (CM S) directly on google but everything thst comes up is the third party talking sbout the CM S. If anyone is able to assist me with this that would be great…
Thank you.
Hi, Maya. If you’ve changed your unlock pattern to access the phone, then this problem is out of CM Security’s hands. Your best bet is to try to take it to your provider to see if they can help you unlock it and change the lock pattern.
I have downloaded cm security app lock in gionee a1..bt after restarting phone my app get unlocked..wht I do pls suggest me…thanks
Hi, Nite. Email the developers at [email protected].
How to download it
Hi Prem,
We apologize for this issue. We will update this article soon.