anti-theft apps

[swope1221]

Hey everyone, I have been reading up here and on the web about these 3 apps; mobile defense, lookout, and wave secure. While I understand the pros/cons of each, I was wondering if anyone here could provied some info on these questions, which I didn't see addressed.

1. Unless they are installed as a system app (on a rooted phone), if a thief performs a factory reset (power + x) on the phone before I lock it, that would essentially erase any of the above apps correct? Which would make remote wiping of the sd card impossible?

2. If one of the apps is installed and I use it to lock the phone (I'm not rooted), but have usb debugging enabled, can a thief get around the program? I read somewhere if usb debugging is enabled a custom recovery rom can be flashed and the phone still rooted to get personal data?

Thanks for any information. Great site.

 

[Backnblack]

I know wave secure can be installed as a system app. factory reset would not remove it.

not sure about second question.

 

[WernerW]

hi,
althogh long time has passed:

wavesecure doesnt work root-proof anymore:

WaveSecure Security Vulnerability Report

their security system was not that secure. therefor the only anti-theft App offering root-proof security is Theft Aware

 

[nathank]

From what I have seen, anything can be removed. As long as a thief has access to the boot recovery and SD card, they can install their own update.zip and wipe the phone. Luckily all of your data is safely erased, however, those apps will be gone to.
I installed several roms via SDCard and it is not hard to flash a ROM and bypass any security the apps had.