Prey

Ever wondered how to keep your smartphone, tablet, or laptop secure from prying eyes or potential theft? Meet Prey a powerful online platform designed to monitor, manage, and protect your devices. Originally developed by a Canadian company called Prey Inc. (now known as Fork Inc.), this handy tool has evolved into a must have for anyone serious about digital security.

The brains behind Prey include Tom Pollack, who previously worked on iPhone and Android operating systems. After some corporate reshuffling including the acquisition of Softies Fork took over the Android project, and Prey became a collaborative effort between Pollack and Fork. The goal was simple: create a system that monitors internet activity to flag harmful content, making browsing safer as more people embraced smartphones and tablets.

What’s cool about Prey is its versatility. It works across a range of platforms Android, iOS, Linux, BlackBerry, Symbian, Windows Mobile, and Windows CE. It doesn’t just track your web browsing through installed apps; it also logs visited sites, browser types, and even the apps and games you download or purchase. All this data is sent to the parent company, which then generates detailed reports to help you understand your device usage or, if you’re a parent or employer, to keep an eye on others’ activities.

The first version of Prey let users remotely access and manage web histories, but as mobile devices multiplied, the app had to adapt. The newer versions are not only more compatible with different devices but also significantly more secure. While the initial release was free to try, the current subscription model offers advanced features for $99 per license a small price for peace of mind in today’s connected world.