CrookCatcher is an Android security app designed to protect your smartphone from theft or unauthorized access. Its primary feature is taking a photo of the person who tries to unlock your phone with the wrong password, PIN, or pattern, and then emailing the photo along with the device’s location to you. It’s a lightweight and straightforward app for users who want an extra layer of security for their mobile devices.
Key Features of CrookCatcher
Intruder Selfie:
Automatic Photo Capture: When someone enters the wrong password, CrookCatcher snaps a selfie using the phone’s front camera. This provides a clear view of the person attempting unauthorized access.
Minimal Attempts: Users can configure the number of failed attempts (1 or more) that trigger the photo capture.
Location Tracking:
In addition to capturing the intruder’s photo, the app also sends the phone’s GPS coordinates. This helps track the phone’s location in case it’s stolen or misplaced.
Email Alerts:
CrookCatcher immediately sends an email to the registered user’s account with the intruder’s selfie and the current location of the device. The email contains a Google Maps link, making it easy to view the exact location.
App Integration & Interface:
The app runs quietly in the background without affecting the device’s performance. Its interface is simple and user-friendly, allowing easy setup and customization of settings.
Low Resource Usage:
The app is designed to consume minimal system resources. It operates without draining battery life or slowing down the device.
Offline Mode:
Even if the phone is not connected to the internet at the time of the failed login attempts, CrookCatcher stores the data (photo and location) and sends it once the phone reconnects to the internet.
Pros:
- Effective Intruder Detection: The app’s primary function—taking an intruder’s photo and sending location data—works reliably. This can be crucial in case of theft or unauthorized access.
- Discreet Operation: The app runs invisibly and doesn’t alert the person trying to unlock the phone. This ensures that the intruder won’t know their photo is being taken.
- Easy to Use: Setup and customization are simple. The user-friendly interface allows even non-technical users to configure it effectively.
- Lightweight: CrookCatcher has a small file size and doesn’t heavily use system resources, making it suitable for a wide range of Android devices.
- Offline Capabilities: The ability to store data offline and send it when connected to the internet is a huge advantage for tracking stolen devices.
Cons
- Limited Features in Free Version: The free version of the app is functional but comes with ads and lacks some advanced features available in the paid version (e.g., multiple photos, real-time alerts).
- Reliability on Internet: Although CrookCatcher stores data offline, it still requires an internet connection to send alerts. If a thief disables mobile data or Wi-Fi, the app can’t transmit the location or intruder photo in real-time.
- No Remote Control: Unlike some other anti-theft apps, CrookCatcher doesn’t offer remote lock, wipe, or alarm features, which could be useful in the event of theft.
- Permissions: Since CrookCatcher requires access to the camera, location services, and email, some users may have privacy concerns about granting such permissions.
Final Verdict
CrookCatcher is a great tool for users seeking basic anti-theft protection without needing a full-fledged security suite. Its ability to take intruder selfies and send location data is effective, and it works discreetly without impacting system performance. However, for users who need a more comprehensive anti-theft solution with remote controls and more advanced tracking features, it might fall short.
Divya
My mobile
Mobile tracking