Related
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/28/new-licensing-service-replacing-existing-copy-protection-metho/
Looks like pretty soon the days of people copy and pasting apk's all over the place are coming to an end.
I hope this doesn't make theming harder.. We'll see.
From reading that article,
Seems like airplane mode or a firewall would crush all the hopes and dreams of google and app devs.
It seems that every time we open an app it needs to verify that it's been paid for by contacting a "licensing" server and retrieving a response.
I feel like that could slow down launch times, and being unable to use an app when offline would be like UBISOFT hell all over again.
I really hope google puts a lot of thought into this..
I wonder if this if already being done? Every time I try to play that golf game on my EVO on an airplane while the radios are off I get a FC when it starts. As soon as I an on the ground and turn the radios on the game works fine.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
what if you are in an area with no signal or on a plane or something? you cant open any apps???
This is already in place in a number of apps, one is IP Cam Viewer.
I paid the money for it. I transferred all my files to my wife's Evo 4G, and thought "hell I'll see if it works..." Well it didn't. When I try to open the app, it tells me that I have to purchase it from the marketplace.
I'm all for buying apps when they're good, and I understand single user licensing. Guess I was just hoping I wouldn't have to spend double the money for all the apps I use.
simplyphp said:
This is already in place in a number of apps, one is IP Cam Viewer.
I paid the money for it. I transferred all my files to my wife's Evo 4G, and thought "hell I'll see if it works..." Well it didn't. When I try to open the app, it tells me that I have to purchase it from the marketplace.
I'm all for buying apps when they're good, and I understand single user licensing. Guess I was just hoping I wouldn't have to spend double the money for all the apps I use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard of couples sharing the same email as apps get replicated on the two phone
I can confirm that they don't get replicated..
I have two evo's right now under the same email and they're definitely not replicating crap.
cahiatt said:
I wonder if this if already being done? Every time I try to play that golf game on my EVO on an airplane while the radios are off I get a FC when it starts. As soon as I an on the ground and turn the radios on the game works fine.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that's a problem I understand about paying for apps but not working when I'm in a place with no signal. I see a law suit brewing up. I paid for the app I should be able to use the app whenever I want to. Class action law suit coming real soon.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Crap....
"A limitation of copy protection is that applications using it can be installed only on compatible devices that provide a secure internal storage environment. For example, a copy-protected application cannot be downloaded from Market to a device that provides root access"
...Seriously???
EDIT - the above quote was misrepresented in the place I copied from...research shows it to be misleading. the actual bit of Google's text is posted over on page to of this thread. disregard my indignation in this post...
This is discouraging, because a lot of people like to try the full before they buy it expecting more than what full has to offer, only to be disappointed later.
willwgp said:
This is discouraging, because a lot of people like to try the full before they buy it expecting more than what full has to offer, only to be disappointed later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do get a 24 hour refund option when you buy from the market so I'm not worried about trying before you buy. I do worry about not being able to play something when I'm in the bathroom at work because I don't get a signal there.
well how many ppl do actually piracy apps??? oh my bad forgot that this is Android, for a second i though it was apple!!
Just to clarify a couple of things:
There are 2 ways to use the Licensing - one is Strict - you CAN NOT USE THE APP WITHOUT ACCESS TO MARKETPLACE. Personally, screw that.
Option 2, however, is a non-strict policy. Server managed, where the license is 'cached' to storage. You also can programmatically set how long your app can be used without any license check.
That'd be the way i go
josue85 said:
You do get a 24 hour refund option when you buy from the market so I'm not worried about trying before you buy. I do worry about not being able to play something when I'm in the bathroom at work because I don't get a signal there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That'll be up to the developer. I like this approach, as I'd be happy to do say... a 5-7 day turn around on the license check. After 7 days with no data signal, seriously, where the hell are you? LOL
Besides, if you've used a paid app for 7 days, and by that time can't decide if you need it or not - wow.
And of course, as soon as you got signal again, the license check would go through and you can use the app again, no problem.
I'm sure there will be UbiSoft and EA style implementations though - way too damn draconian for my tastes. I don't care to know every single second that someone's using my app. I would just like to know that they haven't 'copied that floppy' as it were LOL
I have no doubts this will be defeated in time, though. All it would really take is mimicking the server license response, which can be extracted from the locally cached license of an actual paid product.
People that pirate software are going to do it, regardless. Don't make the honest people pay the price of draconian DRM.
The best approach I can make as a developer, is give my customers the features they want, in a stable, good performing package, and discourage 'casual' piracy. Beyond that, it's out of the developer's control, and honestly, any more than that usually just pisses off the customer and annoys the pirates for about a day and a half.
Ok...had to read the SDK paperwork as I really wanted to know this...my previous post was incorrect and here is the update...
From Google:
Android Market Licensing is a flexible, secure mechanism for controlling access to your applications. It effectively replaces the copy-protection mechanism offered on Android Market and gives you wider distribution potential for your applications.
A limitation of the legacy copy-protection mechanism on Android Market is that applications using it can be installed only on compatible devices that provide a secure internal storage environment. For example, an application using the copy-protection mechanism cannot be downloaded from Market to a device that provides root access, and the application cannot be installed to a device's SD card.
With Android Market licensing, you can move to a license-based model in which access is not bound to the characteristics of the host device, but to your publisher account on Android Market and the licensing policy that you define. Your application can be installed and controlled on any compatible device on any storage, including SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also...there are options for the Devs to allow for apps to be used a chosen number of times before they need to check in for licenses. Strict has to check in every time....other option allows dev to choose based on times used or time since last check in.
SO...all in all I am much less worried about this now.
topdnbass said:
I can confirm that they don't get replicated..
I have two evo's right now under the same email and they're definitely not replicating crap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With licensing the dev can choose whether an app can be accessed from different phones. It is an option...
(greeked...multiple times)
Question: Does that mean we won't be able to open, modify, and resign apks? Like...to change the appearance (make a widget clear, etc).
More like bad news for paying consumers. That's who always pays for everything. Those of us who actually buy the products.
I plan on speaking with my wallet. I wont buy any app that requires I have an internet connection.
A limitation of the legacy copy-protection mechanism on Android Market is that applications using it can be installed only on compatible devices that provide a secure internal storage environment. For example, an application using the copy-protection mechanism cannot be downloaded from Market to a device that provides root access, and the application cannot be installed to a device's SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait so according to google us rooted folk couldn't download copy-protected apps before now?
Urrr, i think im missing something
This is actually a nice implementation for both the software developer and the user. Most will implement this where it only has to check-in every week or two. So the odds of getting caught in a spot where there is no connection is low.
At the end of the day, it is a pretty straightforward way to handle copy protection that really shouldn't inconvenience anyone.
Also it will bring more developers to the platform if they know they don't have to worry as much about piracy.
Piracy will still run rampant. People will find ways to circumvent this, that's just how it is. At least it will curb some piracy since copying and pasting an apk file wasn't much of a deterrent.
I am new to Android. Just got my Vibrant. I want to protect this phone so that in case it is lost or stolen I can recover it. Could you tell me what are some of the best apps for this?
Here is a list of names I know about for now:
Where's My Droid - This is currently installed, but required me to send a text to my phone to activate the GPS and even then it won't keep the GPS active long enough to get a precise location. Furthermore, it can alert the would be robber.
Glympse - well, this is not for stolen phones
Wavesecure - couldn't find any good threads on this. Seems to have an annual subscription fee of $19. I don't want that. Just want a standalone tracker.
Remote security - Not clear that this is a good app.
TheftAlarm - Again, developed in foreign language and I don't know how good it is
MobileDefense - Maybe this is the best app, but it is still in beta and no more users are accepted. I already filled out a request.
Find My Android - Was suggested in this thread, but it doesn't seem to be different from Where's My Droid, except the notification when SIM is replaced.
Lookout Mobile Security - Doesn't seem bad, but it doesn't lock your phone remotely. Can easily uninstall the program. I also found out that I better use a different email address than the one my phone gets otherwise the phone gets an email with "location" of the phone when you look it up online. This is better than Where's My Droid since you can do it more discreetly online, without sending texts (but have to make sure the email you use is not managed by the phone).
Am I missing something? I really want to protect this phone and it is frustrating that among so many apps, we seem to be missing good anti-theft solutions. Preferably I want something that can lock the phone remotely and allow me to do things without interruptions from the thief or at least discreetly. What would you recommend?
Also, I have a rooted (stock) Vibrant.
Thanks.
Where's My Droid isn't exactly very subtle about sending out replies, the author basically said there's nothing he can do.
Most of the other options include AntiVirus and other nonsense, and are expensive or questionable.
Tasker can automatically upload GPS, respond to an email or SMS to do so.. If you send it the right command it could take pictures periodically, make an outgoing call, whatever... It's extremely flexible in what it can do.
khaytsus said:
Where's My Droid isn't exactly very subtle about sending out replies, the author basically said there's nothing he can do.
Most of the other options include AntiVirus and other nonsense, and are expensive or questionable.
Tasker can automatically upload GPS, respond to an email or SMS to do so.. If you send it the right command it could take pictures periodically, make an outgoing call, whatever... It's extremely flexible in what it can do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW! Ok, but the question is - 1.can it lock the phone remotely? 2.What happens if the thief uninstalls Tracker or changes the SIM (can you password protect it)? Finally, 3.can it take picture AND email them remotely? Otherwise, I don't see much use to this feature if the phone is gone.
Lookout seems rather good, but I have not tested it personally. I'd add a link, but I'm a new user. Should be easy to find with a Google/Market search, though.
Well that (un installing tasker)may be the case with any tech anti theft, if the thief is smart and careful they will wipe/reset/format whatever they took, rendering a soft lo jack useless
I would just get tasker and lookup findmyandroid on lifehacker, its the best current option
Captiv
Yeah, I found out about LookOut on Android forums. I have installed it. It doesn't allow you to lock the phone remotely and can easily be uninstalled.
As for Find My Android, I don't see how is it different from Where's My Droid., maybe except the part where you're notified if the SIM card is replaced.
I updated the original post.
Find my android isn't the name of the app, its what the lifehacker post is tagged as (#findmyandroid)
The program is tasker, and its more customizable and it can turn on gps
Captiv
Sure, Lookout can be uninstalled, as can any other app. But really, you should have some sort of password on your device. With pattern unlock, there's really no reason not to do so.
According to one of the devs on their forums, remote locking as well as "other features" will be coming to Lookout "very soon".
https://lookout.zendesk.com/entries/24881-remote-lock
In the meanwhile, I use WaveSecure for locking my phone and Lookout for tracking, as its mechanism seems much better.
If you want to prevent Lookout from being uninstalled, just move the apk to /system/app (assuming your phone is rooted).
I have had Wave Secure since the Beta (it is free to beta testers) and love it. I can understand not wanting to pay, but it really is a great app. They have a zip file that you can flash in recovery if you are rooted. That will prevent the app from being erased if the phone is factory reset. I have also been using an app lately called "Tasker". It can track your phone, although I have not used it for this. Here is a link to the Wiki.
http://tasker.wikidot.com/locatephone
GPS Tracker by Instamapper is the one I use most. With a text message, it will return its location via Google maps. It will continually do so for as long as you have it set up for. Every 10 Seconds, Every 2 minutes, Every half hour, etc. I used it to track my stolen phone with the laptop in the car. This app saved me from buying a new phone.
stickerbob said:
I have had Wave Secure since the Beta (it is free to beta testers) and love it. I can understand not wanting to pay, but it really is a great app. They have a zip file that you can flash in recovery if you are rooted. That will prevent the app from being erased if the phone is factory reset. I have also been using an app lately called "Tasker". It can track your phone, although I have not used it for this. Here is a link to the Wiki.
http://tasker.wikidot.com/locatephone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Glad I got it while it was still a beta!
Hello world
I think android is the best system for smartphones, but its very insecure if you don't secure it and just let it on stock!
Root it, get rid of some apps, optimize it and get the necessary apps and custom it as you wish!
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Did you know that a normal app with all permissions can get all your data?
-gps location
-contacts
-logs
-screenshots
-hidden camerashots
-sms/mms
-emails
-photos
-etc
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS IS FACT !!!
There was recently a test in germany within a documentation about internet security, where a developer made a app with all the rights to do the things above and send them hidden in the backround to a specified server to that he had access. So he could read and see all the things above and it was even updating immediately after a new sms or something came in and the testuser who installed it had no clue at all and was shocked when they told it to her.
The App itself was just making photos with a black censor stripe in the eyes and it seemed that it never could do that, but all the real action is going on in the backround.
By the way, he sayd it was very easy and many apps could do that and most of them really do that.
And what I know, many of you don't know or don't care or just don't know how to be safer and spread all your information to some companys that like to have them alot. And they allways want more.
Maybe you should spread this information by quoting this post or linking to it, because many people don't like to be ripped of their information.
Or do you like it, when someone is standing close to you and listens all what you say to your friends, when you have a private conversation ? I think not!
If you have "nothing to hide" and you don't care and its ok for you that some people know ALL about you, just don't read on, close this tab/window and go update your status on facebook!
Just remember, if you are not secured, you give all your data, when do you called who, what did you wrote to who, your actual location and your next meeting points or todos and many more things.
Here are some Informations about the Topic:
• http://www.ppcgeeks.com/2011/08/24/android-now-worst-os-for-malware/
• http://blogs.wsj.com/wtk-mobile
Go here to save your privacy:
www.tinyurl.com/androidprivacy
check out my signature also.
and be safe!
All i ever say to people is use common sense, if it's questionable then don't install it!
d3t0x said:
All i ever say to people is use common sense, if it's questionable then don't install it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats right!
But does it help, when the common sense tell you it's just a app to make some stupid easy things that seems to have nothing to do with the funcionality discribed above or even when its the only app of its kind ?
And a big threat are preinstalled systemapps, that have all the rights to do that kind of stuff.
And by the while.. google likes to collect your data most of all.
So no wonder why it's so easy possible to do that kind of things.
Its like a super trojan horse in every mobile device with android..
But I found some tools/apps to protect your privacy, just check my signature, there they are listed!
at least it will help, to get rid of most of the threads and your data will be more saver then before!
common sense x2
(•.•) said:
the testuser who installed it had no clue at all and was shocked when they told it to her.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
her = no common sense. Nothing new there... ;D
mmmmhhh there are so many apps...
is there a list of really questionable ones?
too lazy to check the permissions of each I have installed....
AND PLEASE put away this flashin' rainbow - you can't read anything without coming near to epilepsy
Honestly privacy and security has gone out the window and within the past few years it has really gotten worse! These major problems aren't exclusive to phones or operating systems but everything. However there are ways to protect yourself or at least try. Common sense is a big one as others have mentioned. Ie: my mom knows ms office, ie9, and some other basic programs however she wouldn't be able to tell If she's on a scam site If it hit her on the head. Its pretty simple though some sites, or apps, just feel malicious. Good luck people!
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Common sense
maybe get permission dog free from market to see how dangerous an app can be..
and then get lbe security guard to really block the **** out of the fkn app, that wants to suck your data out of your pretty android smartphone
Just an example... why angry bird needs to have gps permissions ?
common sense will tell you, its a game and don't need that at all.
Or most apps just want to read your imei, but they don't really need that.
For example I untrusted all systemapps and I blocked all IMEI-Permissions and all GPS-Permissions, but not the one from the navigation software, but there i blocked the internet, as well as on many others in a dual way, by droidwall (iptables) and by lbe security guard (permissions).
that should give you some idea... but check it out yourself.
As I said, you will be amazed how many apps want to get your data.
(•.•) said:
maybe get permission dog free from market to see how dangerous an app can be..
and then get lbe security guard to really block the **** out of the fkn app, that wants to suck your data out of your pretty android smartphone
Just an example... why angry bird needs to have gps permissions ?
common sense will tell you, its a game and don't need that at all.
Or most apps just want to read your imei, but they don't really need that.
For example I untrusted all systemapps and I blocked all IMEI-Permissions and all GPS-Permissions, but not the one from the navigation software, but there i blocked the internet, as well as on many others in a dual way, by droidwall (iptables) and by lbe security guard (permissions).
that should give you some idea... but check it out yourself.
As I said, you will be amazed how many apps want to get your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Already had Droidwall but LBE was a nice find. Hit the thanks button earlier but thought I'd post a comment. People might also want to try Autostarts which lets you decide which apps and resources start at start-up kind like msconfig on windows. Also watchdog is a nice monitoring tool so that you can see which apps are taking precious cpu.
Question: How's LBE on battery? Hope it's not bad, I need my power
ACis0014 said:
Thanks!
...
Question: How's LBE on battery? Hope it's not bad, I need my power
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really no problem at all, in fact you will have even more battery, because those controlled apps don't activate some services in the backround anymore and that actually could drain battery from your phone, like gps or something..
I suggest you to add the link of DroidWall and the (excellent!) LBE in the OT
I personnally set GoogleMap on "prompt" for my location, it's quite impressive how often GMap ask for location...
I hate to throw this out there, but there seems to be a little bit of misinformation going on here.
1)Those apps that protect you, they very well may be the very apps that are stealing your information. Most malicious apps masquerade as security apps.
2)Google collects all your information anyway. And they are hacked a lot. If you have an android smartphone, your information is not secure anyway. But in the end, what's the big deal, really? Some extra spam for you to filter in your inbox? So what if they know where you are, are they going to pull up in an unmarked van when you are alone and kidnap you? The freedom of information is what makes android so great, and Google so effective. It makes your lives easier. If you don't like it, go to Apple. At least hey don't track you....oh, wait...
3)Apps need permissions for a variety of reasons, some not so obvious. Ad-mob, and other ad related software, needs GPS data to tailor ads to your location. Ad supported Angry Birds needs GPS to run the ad software. They aren't tracking you, they are making the annoying ads less annoying by making them relevant to you. Do you care about that great 5-star restaurant in California if you live in Maine? No. But having GPS info enabled allows them to show you that great lobster place you never would have known about, and is now your favorite place to eat. And IME? Do you not like typing, or performing any action in a game? It needs IME permissions because IME = Input Method Editor. So sure, if the game is solely based on motion controls, then having access to the IME isn't so important, and you might want to be suspicious. Otherwise, it is needed for the app to function.
Look, I'm not saying don't be wary of what apps are doing to your phone, and I'm not supporting the stealing of information. I'm just saying, I hate misinformation, and I have been seeing too much of this kind of paranoid security concerns. Do what you want, its your phone. But just remember, don't be too cautious to live a little.
If you're using it for corporate uses and have sensitive information that could actually be used for gain, then you need to get a blackberry maybe. For personal use, its just a phone and the info you put on there really shouldn't be life changing enough for someone to go through the work to get. I think sometimes our Ego tells us that someone cares enough to hack our device when in fact, no one gives a crap.
It's a serious problem!!
read on
devator22 said:
I hate to throw this out there, but there seems to be a little bit of misinformation going on here.
1)Those apps that protect you, they very well may be the very apps that are stealing your information. Most malicious apps masquerade as security apps.
2)Google collects all your information anyway. And they are hacked a lot. If you have an android smartphone, your information is not secure anyway. But in the end, what's the big deal, really? Some extra spam for you to filter in your inbox? So what if they know where you are, are they going to pull up in an unmarked van when you are alone and kidnap you? The freedom of information is what makes android so great, and Google so effective. It makes your lives easier. If you don't like it, go to Apple. At least hey don't track you....oh, wait...
3)Apps need permissions for a variety of reasons, some not so obvious. Ad-mob, and other ad related software, needs GPS data to tailor ads to your location. Ad supported Angry Birds needs GPS to run the ad software. They aren't tracking you, they are making the annoying ads less annoying by making them relevant to you. Do you care about that great 5-star restaurant in California if you live in Maine? No. But having GPS info enabled allows them to show you that great lobster place you never would have known about, and is now your favorite place to eat. And IME? Do you not like typing, or performing any action in a game? It needs IME permissions because IME = Input Method Editor. So sure, if the game is solely based on motion controls, then having access to the IME isn't so important, and you might want to be suspicious. Otherwise, it is needed for the app to function.
Look, I'm not saying don't be wary of what apps are doing to your phone, and I'm not supporting the stealing of information. I'm just saying, I hate misinformation, and I have been seeing too much of this kind of paranoid security concerns. Do what you want, its your phone. But just remember, don't be too cautious to live a little.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@devator22
You have some points, but overall the wrong point of view I think.
1. Right, security apps are a big security flaw also, many antivirus apps / security suites on your pc are the perfect tools to do all the bad things they should protect you from, but now they have the monopol to do that, if they are installed.
Better just use a sandbox tool and good firewall. I sayd a good firewall, not Zonealarm!
But LBE Security Guard isn't a bad tool at all, its opposite, really good!
And by the way you can block any internetrequest with droidwall for lbe and all other tools, so even if they would like to do some bad things, they could not get it away from your phone!!
2. Whats the big deal? That any company can come along with their "nice" app and spy your whole life out of your phone! All your really private data, like photos,passwords and stuff like this. And why should anyone get so far into your life without your permission ? Ok, yeah lol, you gave the permission when you installed the app, so you could use it, but noone would really give a permission to all the spythings some apps do..
3.
So why should give the apps on your phone some specific permissions, if you could just denie, but use the app anyway?
And why should you take the risk, when you could avoid it!?
It's not a heroic risk or a risk, that could move you forward in anyway, but it's a risk, that can make you naked and off guard in some way.
and it's not even a risk, but a fact, that they take what they can in the digital world as you should know! But only if they can take it, they will. When they can't get anything from you for their statistics and datamining tools, for profilecollecting etc. they will not have them, at least not your photos, not your passwords, not your life!
And if you choose to use Apple, you can't even choose your privacy, because they track you and all your private data anyway.
GPS, your actual position, where you actually stand with your human body.
You can have it enabled for all your apps that want to give you "some ads" to maybe find a good restaurant by mistake.. lol.
If you want to use gps to find some good restaurants your should get a specific app for that and only allow it for this app for some time and not all the time for all apps, that want to geocache (catch) your specific movement in the world and put it into profiles.
Its not IME, but IMEI = International Mobile Equipment Identity that many apps like to record/read, to identify your phone.
Ok hope you got some motivation to use the tools, I and some professional dataprotectors would recommend you to use!
Maybe I will write a "How to" to be really secured.
So now get finally some privacy and install at least lbe security guard and droidwall. and don't forget to untrust the systemapps to under app management, the 3rd tab at the bottom.
I wish you a good year and alot of fun with your smartphone.
Apps ask for YOUR permission if you allow them to access your data/information when you download. If a game asks for your Data information you will obviously be suspicious. Pre-installed bloatware/apps are safe and you should not stress out because some can look at your data. If a big carrier/google pre-installed malicious applications on the phone they would face huge problems. There's really no need to be afraid. Just look at permissions, comments, and rating of the app. I think your misleading people to think it's a bigger deal then it is. Yes there are malicious applications, but you just got to use your brain.
Feeshie said:
Apps ask for YOUR permission if you allow them to access your data/information when you download. If a game asks for your Data information you will obviously be suspicious. Pre-installed bloatware/apps are safe and you should not stress out because some can look at your data. If a big carrier/google pre-installed malicious applications on the phone they would face huge problems. There's really no need to be afraid. Just look at permissions, comments, and rating of the app. I think your misleading people to think it's a bigger deal then it is. Yes there are malicious applications, but you just got to use your brain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are wrong a little bit wrong here in some points.
The main thing is of course they ask you for permission.. but you must accept it in order to use it.
Maybe it's the best app of it's kind and you want to use it.
But they ask you for permissions you don't want to give at all ? Why should you allways give your position to the app > to the server > to the company > to some worker of the company > to some stranger ?
Do you really think, only because they are preinstalled they are safe ?
You kidding? Just look it for yourself what the pre-installed wants from you..
And Google don't need to use malicious apps etc.. they just call it sync.
AutoSync your contacts, passwords, emails, sms, calendarentrys...
Nothing else is what a trojan does, it gets your sensitive data, but the main difference is, that you have access to your data on google and on the trojan someone else has access but you don't. But doesn't it mean, that google have access too ?
They collecting as much as they can.... they have the biggest database of human activity, besides facebook!
Just don't at least give them 1 more private profile..
devator22 said:
I hate to throw this out there, but there seems to be a little bit of misinformation going on here.
1)Those apps that protect you, they very well may be the very apps that are stealing your information. Most malicious apps masquerade as security apps.
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This is a good point. While the LBE Privacy Guard seems like a nice app, there's no source and the author is some anon Chinese guy. So no auditing by third parties or myself for suspicious code added by Chinese intelligence or whoever. Doesn't inspire much confidence at all. Misidentifying the software in this thread doesn't help either, did they just change the name or was it ever called "LBE Security Guard"?
2)Google collects all your information anyway.
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If they can do that, then all is lost. But this kind of claim needs proof as well. We should have some idea from the hackers if this really is the case.
3)Apps need permissions for a variety of reasons, some not so obvious. Ad-mob, and other ad related software, needs GPS data to tailor ads to your location. Ad supported Angry Birds needs GPS to run the ad software.
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Angry Birds surely doesn't need to have your exact location down to a few feet via GPS just for ads?!? No, GPS location could be used to see who you might be playing Angry Birds or doing anything else with. Enables rather sinister overwatch don't you think? Even though they might claim to maybe offer some couples oriented ads based on this information too.
They aren't tracking you, they are making the annoying ads less annoying by making them relevant to you.
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Let's just keep in mind who we're talking about here, people who root their phones. No advertiser is going to care about a small fringe group like us. BTW, it looks like stopping network access in Angry Birds makes the ads a whole lot less annoying in that it doesn't show them at all in that case... And again, our small fringe group isn't going to kill off Rovio even if we don't see the ads.
whats that
IS it True ,, it mean our data is not save on andriod?
is there any option or software to save data.
i m really shocked about it
its a latest news for me becouse i m android smart ph user.
help me and satisfied me which option make my cell safe.
One of my Beta Team Members on XDA is having to sit things out, as some punk bee-hatch stole his Desire S in a pub last Monday.
This got me thinking about how I'd be able to make a thief's life difficult (even though I have insurance) if mine ever got stolen.
Screen lock patterns are important! I know they can be a pain, but any other security measures mentioned below are useless if a thief can simply go into your settings and delete your Google account. Most people are familiar with smartphones now.
I already have tracking ability courtesy of Lookout Mobile Security. I highly recommend this as even the free version also provides scanning of apps for malware/viruses. When installed though, it's important to go into settings, select 'Missing Device' and enable 'Better Protection'. It gives the app admin rights so that you can Lock and Wipe your phone remotely, and makes the app harder to uninstall.
If you don't have this when your phone is stolen, all is not lost yet. As quickly as you can, get to a PC and log into the Android Marketplace, and remotely install something from the same makers of Lookout Mobile Security called Plan B. This will install on your phone and provide the same tracking/locking/wiping features of Lookout. It has the added trick of e-mailing you location updates every 5 minutes in case the phone is on the move. It has gotten some very glowing reviews from people who have followed their stolen phone to a thief's house!
OK but what if your thief gets indoors before you can turn the GPS on to track it? Here is where the next app (combined with a screen lock pattern) gives you another option. I've decided it's well worth the £2. Just in case the tracking software doesn't get a decent GPS lock. The police wont want to search a 1km radius from a cell tower triangulation!
It is called GotYa! Face trap! Every time a thief makes a failed attempt at cracking my screen lock pattern, the phone takes a quiet photo with the front-facing camera, and then e-mails it to me! It works! I love it! It's the first time I've found a proper use for the front facing camera. I don't video call. If you live in an area like mine, the police are very aware of who the usual suspects are, and sending them a mug-shot is definitely worth a try. They have to go outside sooner or later (possibly to take your phone to a shop to get it wiped) and it's all extra ammo in case they (and they will) deny all knowledge of having your phone.
Lookout Mobile Security: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lookout&feature=search_result
Plan B: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lookout.labs.planb&feature=more_from_developer
GotYa! Face trap!: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.myboyfriendisageek.gotya&feature=more_from_developer
Don't forget though, it's all for nothing if someone can get into you settings in the first place! Screen Lock!
Please add any other security apps/measures that you have found successful.
Edit 11/10/11: In further scouring of the Market for more security based apps, I have come across another one that I feel deserves a mention. It is called Visidon AppLock. It is another app for locking certain areas of your phone down, but this one uses face recognition software to determine if the owner of the phone is the one holding it. It’s another nice use of the front-facing camera.
Once properly set up it is very fast at recognising your fizzog when you try to access one of the specified protected areas. The face-training part is quite well done. So far it is proving fast and reliable enough to not prove a nuisance after already having got past a lock pattern. It’s only weakness is that it will obviously require a certain amount of ambient light to tell who it is looking at. It becomes unreliable in low light, but intelligently the developers will not allow you to set the security before first choosing a manual password to bypass the camera if light levels do not allow face recognition.
In fairness it could be more use as an alternative to a lock pattern if you just don’t like the idea of entering one every time you wake the phone up, as you only need to lock down certain areas of your phone. Again, intelligently the developers of this app make the ‘Settings’ and ‘Market’ locked by default, but you should also add any file explorers, titanium backup, or any other app which would allow a thief to remove/delete files, apps or accounts. It’s then up to you if you want to lock down your e-mail/sms/gallery.
Visidon AppLock: https://market.android.com/details?id=visidon.AppLock&feature=search_result
I will try GotYa!, SSounds Interesting ..
Nice Effort Mate
Liking the sound of that GotYa app lol
Defo gonna give it a try.
Nice guide too
Thanks! Nice Guide!
But I wonder if sombody ever had a real Virus on his Android device?
I heared that in the news sometimes, but i never heared from anyone that realy had a problem with a Virus on Android?
Awesome article!
Another useful app is Android Lost which allows you to control many of your phone's functions over the internet or through SMS. It does quiet a lot and is FREE!
I like the idea of this
Maybe a good delaying tactic in GSM based phones would be some kind of bonding material to stick the sim car in but can be taken off by the owner when needed!
f0xy said:
I like the idea of this
Maybe a good delaying tactic in GSM based phones would be some kind of bonding material to stick the sim car in but can be taken off by the owner when needed!
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The Gotya! App can send a text to another phone if the sim card is swapped out.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
wnp_79 Like the sound of Gotya! have been using the paid version of Lookout for a few months now and really do like it and think it is worth the money.
EDIT Just bought Gotya! and tested it out on one of the daughters ,the lengths you go to to get a pic of your teenage daughter lmfao.
Seriuosly though this looks a really good app and also set it up to post pics to my facebook wall as well as my emails
Isn't there any app that would provide location info by triangulating off cell towers? For the indoor case.
ando roido said:
Isn't there any app that would provide location info by triangulating off cell towers? For the indoor case.
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Yes the face trap does give a cell tower location of gps is unavailable. Its not much use though. In my area it would mean hundreds of houses!
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
But it would narrow down list of villains a lot though
Nice tips but useless in 90% of the theft situations. From my experience and alot of discussions regarding this subject, FIRST thing a thief is doing afer stealing a phone is to...take out the battery and power off the phone.
No software or tracking method cand be used in this case unfortunately. The thief doesn't care about your calendar or agenda (there are some rare situations when you're a public person or something but this is not the point here), it cares about the phone itself and how to sell it quickly and make some easy money. More than that, the thiefs are usualy in a group that has at least one (or connection to) a phone "specialist", good enough to reflash your phone and install some other blank new ROM on it.
And to be honest, if I get my phone stolen, my last concern is what the thief is going to do with it....the thing that bothers me alot is that I don't have my phone anymore.
Very good information, helpful for protecting your phone when you live in dodgy areas
just tried out the vidison facelock, and it works really well and quickly, so it doesn't really bother in daily usage... definately a nice way to provide my work e-mails some added security...
Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 have Anti-Theft solution.
Remotely Block your phone if it is lost or stolen. Just send a predefined SMS to your phone and your device will be blocked and no-one will be able to access its contents. You can even choose to remotely Wipe your data.
NEW! Set a prearranged message that will be displayed on the screen if the smartphone is blocked, allowing any law-abiding citizen that finds your smartphone to return it to you.
You can locate your smartphone using GPS Find. Just send an SMS with the appropriate password to the missing device and you will receive a link to Google Maps showing the exact location of the device.
The first thing a thief normally does is to remove your smartphone’s SIM card. If the SIM is replaced, SIM Watch will immediately block the device and send you an email with the new number.
I don't know is this enough to protect phone but I also know that you can find it via police and court...
I've been using Prey on the laptop for years and it works excellent and free, I'm hoping Prey Anti Theft from the market will do the same for the phone, also free.
HTC Desire S~Tapatalk
thanks good info was looking for this for a while.
must have GotYa! great post..
for desire s owners in the philippines (preferably globe telecom) i am not sure if this can also protect you from thieves. but i've been thinking about globe's sim retention program. you can sim lock your phone and if it gets lost. just rush into any globe service center and pamper yourself with a no cost sim retention program.
just my two cents
https://market.android.com/details?...DEsImNvbS5sbWF4aS5hbnRpdGhlZnRpbnN0YWxsZXIiXQ..
I have several outdated android smartphones laying around and would like to re-purpose one for an 8 year old.
The thing is, I cannot trust him not to install tons of adware and games on it and play it during school hours which will just cause trouble for everybody. What I'm thinking:
I need the ability to remotely enable/disable lock/unlock the phone and/or turn the phone on or off and/or time periods during which device is automatically locked or unlocked.
I need either a locked down modified cyanogen ROM (or equivalent) or I need to somehow setup everything from scratch.
GPS tracking (realtime constant monitoring isn't necessary but I'd like to be able to ping his location if I'm worried about him and maybe have some sort of perimeter alert system in case he strays into a dangerous neighborhood/gets kidnapped/whatever)
I also need to lockdown which contacts can be called/SMSed/telegramed/IMed/emailed
This kid is sharp, so if there is a way to circumvent these measures, he'll probably figure it out. But I'd like you're ideas and I'll try anyway. How would you go about this? If you're going to tell me I'm a horrible person for tracking my child, I know already.
wow your asking for alot OP. lol eaither this is a really dangours kid, or your extremely protective lol
eaither way il try and help as best as i can. for tracking you can use "wheres my android" app. its gps tracking after you text it a certain phrase, it gives the location to the phone you texted.
you can try cnmod and just install wa app passwors to lock the settings, so the kid wont change anything
Thanks for the reply. He isn't dangerous, he is more of the absent minded genius type. I'm more afraid a stranger will say "lets go to my place to build model rockets" and he won't be able to resist.
What do you mean "wa app passwords"?
You sort of addressed the tracking and locking down apps. Any ideas for contact control so he doesn't just use up all of the minutes calling buddies and 900 numbers?
Hello, what phone are you going to give your child?? What I'm thinking is putting custom rom on the device and use the multi user option if the rom supports it. Then maybe, (maybe) you'll be able to omit which things can see/use and disable some of the things you're asking for.
Good luck.
Sent from my 1+1
go0 said:
Thanks for the reply. He isn't dangerous, he is more of the absent minded genius type. I'm more afraid a stranger will say "lets go to my place to build model rockets" and he won't be able to resist.
What do you mean "wa app passwords"?
You sort of addressed the tracking and locking down apps. Any ideas for contact control so he doesn't just use up all of the minutes calling buddies and 900 numbers?
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We use MMGuardian Does everything you want and more and it's pretty cheap. I just assume you know a thing or two about Android so I'll tell you this, mmguardian is amazing, the only thing is you have to turn off persistent notifications for the app. I get why they don't have that built in, but just do that and hide that app and your as good as gold. You can add 'key words' that when come up in a text, IM, email or search, it will send you and alert on your phone. You get transcripts of their texts, im and email (which I was happy for, now I just find creepy and intrusive to my childs privacy) but it's pretty sold service OP