Lookout security for Android gains new anti-theft features

Android security suite Lookout has today gained some extra features designed to help you track down a lost or stolen smartphone, letting you see the face of any would-be thieves, as well as send them a personalised message.

Lock Cam, available with Lookout’s free edition, silently takes a picture using the front-facing camera on your smartphone once your password is entered incorrectly three times. The picture is then emailed to you, along with the phone’s location on Google Maps.

The Additional Lock Screen feature will let you send a personalized message to the phone’s lock screen, asking for its return or warning thieves that their location and photo have already been recorded.

These new features have been integrated into the existing app, so anyone already using Lookout won’t have to download additional files. Both worked well, although because of the front-facing camera’s angle, any photos taken look pretty incriminating – whether you’ve snapped a thief or a good Samaritan.

We tested Lookout last year, and while we weren’t able to properly put its malware detection engine through its paces, we used its remote lock, alarm and geo-location features to track down a phone we’d asked our colleagues to hide from us. The app can also back up your contacts, photos and call logs, as well as let you access them through the Lookout web interface.

With smartphones currently the number one stolen item in the UK, making up to 70% of all personal belongings taken in robberies, apps like Lookout makes it far easier for you – and the police – to track down your device.

Lock Cam is included in Lookout’s free edition, but you’ll need to subscribe to the service to gain access to Lock Screen. Android smartphone owners wanting to try Lookout’s free edition can download it through the Google Play Store Here.