IM+ trial, where is the configdata? - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

Hi,
here (strazzere.com » app-private) is described how apps can be manupulate.
In case of some trials, for ex.: "IM+ Trial", i suppose there leave a config file to check when it was installed. This file stay after removing the app (so i cannot use this trial period after reinstalling ). This sux. I dont want to waste my phone with unsusual files.
So, does anyone know where such files are generally leaved? I dont want to believe that this will be stored in an extra DB....
merci alex

Hi nolimits1,
IM+/IM+ Pro does not store any hidden files on your device after app removing, so it does not waste a space. The app retrieves information about previous installs from our servers.
By the way, have you tried the latest version 3.7, which comes with fixed Facebook permission button on small screen devices, disable avatars option for reducing traffic, and French and Italian localizations? Update to the new version for free, and tell us your thoughts about the new version in this thread!
Vitaly,
PR Manager
SHAPE Services

Related

[Q] Hiding an app from windowsphone.com marketplace

Hello guys,
Do you think that is possible to hide an app from being visible on queries on the windowsphone.com marketplace but keep it visible on searches trough the phone?
I am not considering the case of private/public betas
Well, there are private stores, such as the business stores and such, which are invite-only. Then there's "private" stores like the OEM stores and such, where some phones can see that store but it's not normally reachable from another phone or the website.
I don't know of any other such option. What's the use case?
Well, I don't want to get into the matter too much, since it is not a problem (and I don't want to talk about piracy)
but there is an app in the Italian marketplace developed by my carrier, which app isn't obviously available outside the Italian marketplace.
I was able to download it and install it by searching for it through the phone marketplace. But the same app isn't visible on the windowsphone.com marketplace.
When I search for it I get as a suggestion, on the auto-complete list, the name of the app. But then as soon as I open it, the page says that it couldn't find the app.
It is really intriguing.
Maybe they just opened their own exclusive store.
(But my phone is branded to another carrier, Vodafone Italy). So how does my phone get access to such marketplace?
So my Carrier's marketplace name is TIMIT
I was able to access it with Phone7Market and some trial and error
Possibly bad data
I would not rule out a small error in the database behind the Marketplace as the reason for this phenomenon.
I personally had several cases where I checked the Marketplace with IE on my PC for interesting apps among the daily new apps, and when I clicked on the link to the publisher in the app description to see who made that app and check whether that publisher made other apps as well, I got an error message "no such publisher".
I think this "small data error" theory really is as probable as some hidden Marketplace feature that so far noboby knows the details about...
Mobile Operators (MOs, or carriers) can have their own private stores just like OEMs. I actually know where the files the control this on your phone are located, and they can be modified or overwritten (my OEM Marketplace XAPs replace the OEM ones). Items from MO or OEM stores don't appear in the "public" views of the Marketplace, such as the website.
But how is it possible that I can access my MO private marketplace by using a phone branded by another carrier?
I understand that it is just a string to edit in the registry, but can they do it over the air? or the phone isn't smart enough to change it, like it changes MMS and APN settings by changing SIM card?
Thanks
Do *NOT* change the registry to do this! I'm not even sure if that would work short-term, and long-term it would mess up your phone (break the Marketplace and all apps installed from it until you hard-reset).
There are a couple of apps that will safely change the MOMarketplace. They are similar to my OEM Marketplace XAPs, except they work as actual apps that you install and then make a selection in (requires root-unlock). One of them even allows you to lock the file read-only so the phone doesn't overwrite it with its branded one.
Thanks,
I don't want to change or edit the registry.
I just wanted to know how it works:
my question was:
how is it possible that I can access my TIM ITALIA private marketplace since I am using a VODAFONE ITALY branded phone?
Apparently is not a registry key. There should be something on the SIM Card,
unless LG's app "Network configurator" changes that key according to the SIM Card insert.
Where did you read that I want to change that registry key?
GoodDayToDie said:
Do *NOT* change the registry to do this! I'm not even sure if that would work short-term, and long-term it would mess up your phone (break the Marketplace and all apps installed from it until you hard-reset).
There are a couple of apps that will safely change the MOMarketplace. They are similar to my OEM Marketplace XAPs, except they work as actual apps that you install and then make a selection in (requires root-unlock). One of them even allows you to lock the file read-only so the phone doesn't overwrite it with its branded one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not just save a copy of your prefered file, and after an updated copy that over the restricted mess ?

[Q] Block unwanted cookies files in databases

Hi!
Yeah, yeah, I know, I know, I'm a noob... Well, sort of actually coz even if it's my first public message I've been roaming this forum for quite a while. And thanks to you guys I understood how to root, how to flash a CD Rom and so on. Without disturbing anyone, ain't it nice?:good:
But now I have a question, I couldn't find the answer anywhere on the web hence this post.
I'm rooted on both my Galaxy Mini and my Galaxy Tab P6210 and I noticed that some apks leave files like webview.db, googlestats etc. on the data/data/whateverapk/databases folders.
On the Mini I found how to prevent those annoying files from polluting my system(yep, I don't like cookies and similar spying stuff) by changing the databases folder's perms to --x --- ---, or even sometimes -- --- ---. For the most stubborn apks I rwx --- --- the databases folder, then I erase all the text in the unwanted file and finally I lock the file's perms to --- --- ---. It works with most apks including Dolphin Mini and Opera Mini, cool. Only one or two resist and FC if I attempt to modify too much the perms but it's OK, I don't use then that often and I don't mind to delete the trash manually.
The problem is that on the Galaxy Tab it doesn't work on most apks, it makes them FC. I've tried all the possible perms combinations but nope, FC.
I guess, since the concerned apks are the same on my Mini and on my Tab, that it has to do with the OS, Gingerbread for the Mini, Honeycomb for the Tab. I noticed as well that some of the files on the Tab are different, on the Mini it's mostly googleanalytics.db, webview.db and webviewCache.db files, whereas on the Tab I have, apart from the above mentioned ones, some webview.db-shm, webview.db-wal, webcookieschromium.db and webcookieschromiumprivate.db files.
I guess .db has something to do with dropbox, but I don't use any dropbox, and I even deleted the (empty by the way) folder in my system. When I open those files I can see that they have something to do as well with sqlite, but I don't have any built in sqlite. I have one that has been installed by an apk in the /xbin folder but I erased it and it didn't change anything (don't worry, I put the sqlite back afterwards). It's very annoying, those files spy on us guys, they record all the web sites we visited, the email(s) or facebook accounts we use etc.
For now I have put bookmarks on my home screen and I delete manually the troublesome files just after I opened the relevant apk but hey, it's not very convenient!
Anyone knows how I can prevent them from coming back everytime I use an apk?
Thanks a lot for your help, and sorry for the long post:angel:
Already 3 days and over 50 views but no answer yet, what's wrong?
Is it that my question is of absolute no interest?
Or that the way I explained my problem was not clear?
Or that no one knows how to do it?
Or a bit of the 3?
It seems that you want to remove unnecessary garbage files that have been left out by some applications. I recommend that you use SD Maid, free is good enough, but of course PRO is better.
Anyway, SD Maid can clean File Corpses and clean the system files like the ff:
/data/log
/data/tombstones
/data/system/dropbox
/cache
Temporary Files
Log Files
Gallery Thumbnails(This one can really build up even with just the same files. I'm not exactly sure as to why it adds again and again but it saves me a lot. Like 300~600MB)
Empty Directories
LOST.DIR Directories
It can also optimize DBs. All of these are available on the free version.
As for cookies in browser, you can uncheck "accept cookies" but this might cause some websites to malfunction or not work.
Other things like cache you can use History Eraser, One Tap Cleaner and etc.
Hope I helped.
I think most don't want to delete them because they are normal caches and cookies, also some apps' settings are stored on those database files. I don't see any advantages in deleting those files (apart from saving couple of MBs storage space...) They aren't any "bad" or "spying" files.
By the way, the .db means database, not dropbox.
Sent from my GT-P6210
miksumortti said:
I think most don't want to delete them because they are normal caches and cookies, also some apps' settings are stored on those database files. I don't see any advantages in deleting those files (apart from saving couple of MBs storage space...) They aren't any "bad" or "spying" files.
By the way, the .db means database, not dropbox.
Sent from my GT-P6210
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me If I'm wrong but it is necessary to clean caches and cookies once in a while because it can hog the device. Sometimes old caches are stored even if they are of no use anymore. It's like the principle of filling up your internal storage too much that you can see a dramatic decrease in performance. These kind of files updates a lot and does not seem to overwrite existing files or at least delete those that are unnecessary. It is not needed however to clean it every after use. Just once or twice a week is good enough.
Thanks for your answer but it's not what I was meaning, let me explain more clearly.
Take any app, say a mp3 cutter. It doesn t need any internet connection to work but when one downloads it one sees that it requires internet access permission. One thinks it s ok and one downloads it. But then in the mp3 cutter databases one finds those webview.db files, and this is why I say that it spies on us coz why this mp3 cutter needs such databases? The same with offline dictionaries, or one tap cleaner (a very bad one by the way, put it through privacy blocker and you ll be amazed of all the infos it takes from you), or mp3 players etc. On browsers like dolphin it s the same story, and when one views those files one sees that they record all the sites one has been through although the apk doesn t need it (I know it for sure coz I delete the files before my browsing cession and it still works). Disabling the cookies doesn t help, it just prevents you from accessing web sites that need cookies like gmail, yahoo and the like. Apps like LBE or privacy blocker show partly what those apks do in our back, taking our IMEI number, our contacts, reading our sms and sending everything to who knows where and for who knows what purpose. But they don t show the databases leaks...
As I said in my first post another parameter is that for a same apk, with the same version, let s say dolphin 2.3, on my Galaxy Mini running GB I managed to block the perms and thus to prevent those files to pollute my system but on my Tab running HC it doesn t work and FC the apks. Plus the files are not the same, there are more of them and with different extensions on HC (again using the same apk on both GB and HC).
So the answer lies somewhere in the OS but I couldn t find where due to my limited knowledge and that s why I m here
Any hint or idea on how to eradicate those files from their source? Of course one can delete them manually and that s what I do but it would be so nice not to have to do it all the time. It s not about saving space, those files weight next to nothing, it s about privacy.
By the way I deleted most google apks and this is already a big relief. Other setting I did include blocking all the perms of the usagestats folder, of the throttle folder (well I just left r--, ---, --- otherwise it bootloops). Download testlogging and you will see for exemple of many spying stuff the google apks put on your tablet...
Anyway, back to the topic:
how can I permanently block those files? Many people on this forum and elsewhere are very concerned with their privacy, to the extend that some create privacy watching apks, but to my knowledge nobody ever bothered about those databases files although they represent a big privacy hole in our systems...
Thanks a lot for your help!
Send from my barebone Galaxy Tab P6210, 34 system apks left and counting down
Apart for some real serious stuff, apps need some way to persist information. If you prevent them to, you should expect fc when they try, no?
That's too much paranoia for me.
Enviado de meu MB525 usando o Tapatalk 2
Graffiti Exploit said:
Correct me If I'm wrong but it is necessary to clean caches and cookies once in a while because it can hog the device. Sometimes old caches are stored even if they are of no use anymore. It's like the principle of filling up your internal storage too much that you can see a dramatic decrease in performance. These kind of files updates a lot and does not seem to overwrite existing files or at least delete those that are unnecessary. It is not needed however to clean it every after use. Just once or twice a week is good enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the caches can get bloated if the app doesn't remove unnecessary things automatically. In that case a clean is ok.
Sent from my GT-P6210
@unclefab
If the mp3 cutter that you mentioned in your example has ads it needs the internet permission for them, and some ad providers make the database files automatically. They just contain some ad web address cache and only "personal" information saved is your language setting, at least from my experience.
And blocking the apps saving the information doesn't help with privacy really much because they can still access the info, they just can't save it in the databases. A malicious app can send the info without saving it too.
Sent from my GT-P6210
leodfs said:
Apart for some real serious stuff, apps need some way to persist information. If you prevent them to, you should expect fc when they try, no?
That's too much paranoia for me.
Enviado de meu MB525 usando o Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree with this one. Messing up with permissions can cause issues to certain applications and it really seems that he is paranoid.
If your concerned about such privacy, you shouldn't download the app on the first place. Although some developers get rid of such permissions because of some people's concern, this is unlikely to happen to every application. HC is a different platform from Gingerbread and so such issues that you have mentioned may occur.
Have you tried firewalls like DroidWall? I'm not sure if it really works, but it might lessen your burden from manually deleting files or privacy concerns like your data being accessed/used. Again, not sure.
Don t worry, I m not paranoid, my Tab is well protected, I have rather intricated settings between Privacy Blocker, LBE (by the way and FYI, LBE conflicts with Droidwall, both can t work together) Rom Tool Box, Logging Test and Permissions denied, so I don t think that any apk can steal any info from me!!!
Actually it s more a matter of principle, why apks like let s say Dolphin or Opera record all the sites I ve surfed, eventhough they don t need to do so (coz they still work after I deleted those files manually). And about the exemple given above, why apks which don t display adds need to have an internet permission and to put such webview.db files in the databases? Of course I m not obliged to download them, and actually I ve already erased many such apks, but for some I don t have any choice, specially for dictionaries (I travel a lot and need such stuff).
Plus it s a matter of curiosity, where the heck lies the source of those files? And why can I block those files easily on GB but not on HC? Yes, it s because the OS is different, I know, but how does it work? I don t know so much about Android OS but I like it and I want to learn more.
So back to the question, how can I tweak my system in order to prevent those files from appearing everytime use an apk? There are enough experts on thsi forum so hopefully someone knows the answer.
And BTW, when I see the difference between GB and HC, I mean more spying from the Google/Android OS, then I feel less eager to upgrade to ICS coz for sure it will get even worse, not to mention JB...
You're not saving passwords in your browsers/webview-based-apps, right?...
Do you mind explaining why webview.db databases have you concerned?
Thanks.
They are saving information from him, that's why. Nothing can save his information, I think that is the point.
Dude relax, there are spy apps, there loggers, but you are blacklisting all webview based ones.
And as some guy told before, if they want to spy you, they don't need to save anything.
But seriously, you don't need to study much on Android OS to known why what you are doing are causing fc. Take any app in any platform that have internal Conf and db files. Corrupt them and mess with permissions, you should get something similar.
Enviado de meu MB525 usando o Tapatalk 2
Thank you for explaining me why they Fc but I had understood it by myself from the very begining, I m what you call a noob but I m not brain dead:silly:
All what I want to know is what generates those files in the OS, and how to prevent it from happening, provided that it s possible.
Apart from that it s ok for me if other people don t mind having files in their databases which record their web activity, and if they don t feel uneasy to know that the more advanced the Android OS the more files there is and the more difficult it is to block them (I said already 2 times that on Ginger Bread I block all those files and that the apks don t FC, which prove that the files are not required by the apks to work normally).
Thanks
I am not calling you noob buddy, but you were trying to solve a problem with no elegance at all.
Contact developers and ask why they are using webview and that you are not comfortable with files it creates. But if you use a program that uses it you have to accept those files, simple.
A lot of details of stuff like webview are API specific so changes version to version. So access of those files may changes on each version of android, as well as file location, name or how to handle errors. So the fact that what you did worked on gb, helps you with no conclusions.
Enviado de meu MB525 usando o Tapatalk 2
I didn t mean thay you (tu) called me a noob but that you in general (vos) call newbies noobs. Sorry for the misunderstanding, it s one of the many limitations of english compated to latin or germanic languages
So it sounds like what I was asking about is impossible to do, well, well, I will see what I can do with apktool, maybe I can change something in the manifest or ressources or I don t know where. Just for info, here s what s insideone of those files when it s newly created and before it starts spying:
SQLite format 3@ 
-� g
���k �6� `���" �tablepasswordpasswordCREATE TABLE password (_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, host TEXT, username TEXT, password TEXT, UNIQUE (host, username) ON CONFLICT REPLACE)/
Cindexsqlite_autoindex_password_1password�+�)tablehttpauthhttpauth CREATE TABLE httpauth (_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, host TEXT, realm TEXT, username TEXT, password TEXT, UNIQUE (host, realm) ON CONFLICT REPLACE)/Cindexsqlite_autoindex_httpauth_1httpauth
�"�tableformdataformdataCREATE TABLE formdata (_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, urlid INTEGER, name TEXT, value TEXT, UNIQUE (urlid, name, value) ON CONFLICT IGNORE)/Cindexsqlite_autoindex_formdata_1formdataR}tableformurlformurlCREATE TABLE formurl (_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, url TEXT)J%cindexcookiesIndexcookiesCREATE INDEX cookiesIndex ON cookies (path)�� tablecookiescookiesCREATE TABLE cookies (_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, name TEXT, value TEXT, domain TEXT, path TEXT, expires INTEGER, secure INTEGER)W--ctableandroid_metadataandroid_metadataCREATE TABLE android_metadata (locale TEXT) ��en_GB
@unclefab
Even if the webview.db has always all the fields it doesn't mean they need to have a value or string. For example the "password" field is almost always emtpy.
Sent from my GT-P6210
A little old, but worth the reading:
forensicsferret.wordpress.com/2010/09/30/android-browser-forensics/
Sent from my GT-P6210 using Tapatalk 2
Why would I use such apks?
I said it already, it s because I need them. I deleted some and replaced them by similar apks more privacy friendly, but for some I don t have any choice. For exemple browser. I managed to lock the perms on opera mini and it still works but you know opera mini, on some sites it doesn t display correctly so I have to use dolphin whose perms can t be locked. Talking about it I will try boat browser, it s not as good as dolphin but if it doesn t have those files it could be a solution...
Same stories with dictionaries. I m a language teacher who lives in asia and I need far eastern languages dictionaries. Try to find a thai english or thai indonesian dictionary which can work without those files... BTW if you are interested I found a good english chinese which works without any .db garbage;-)
Thanks for the links, interesting article, some food for thoughts...

DELETE/UNINSTALL Blotweres easily

How to uninstalling system app?Uninstalling an app that you have installed on your Android device from Google Play is simple — but what if you didn’t install it? What if the app you’re trying to remove is one of thosethat came pre-installed on your device,provided by the manufacturer, your mobile network, or as a part of Android itself?Removing unwanted system apps fromAndroid can be tricky, but it is not impossible.Why You Might Want To Remove These AppsBefore you start deleting apps, however, you should spend a few moments considering just why you want to get them off your phone.
For instance, it might be that they are cluttering up your home screen. If this is the case, then long tapping and dragging to theRemovebox at the top of the screen should get them out of the way.On the other hand, these apps might be considered “bloatware” and take up valuable resources. Pre-installed games might take up space on your phone’s storage, while Internet-connected apps could be eating into your monthly allowance. Such apps might even berecording and/or uploading informationthat you would prefer they didn’t.And then there’s the impact on your battery life.Unfortunately, removing these apps isn’t as easy as it could be. It really depends upon whether your Android device is rooted or not.
Required
Okay let's go
Open Link 2 sd, Choose apps which you want to remove from your phone
Now tap on 3 Dots(Top right) and tap on Convert to user apps and ok
Now Reboot your device,Now you can uninstall that apps because now that app become user apps,Manually Via Settings-Apps or Via Link 2 sd, tap on 3 Dots(Top right) tap on uninstall. That's it easy way,In other ways like NoBloat, system app remover apps after using this apps(not link 2 sd) not affected in internal memory nor increase or decrease,Same as same link 2 sd download link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.buak.Link2SD and My wapsite link is
Link removed by moderator
sorry
extremely sorry ?Xda team for this post, I rewrite this post because My. Tk domain expired That's why I just changed the domain name, Sorry Sorry sorry
Thread re opened.
Follow the rules .
not working

Unsolved tech...

Hello guys,
I have been searching for answers to some of the tech stuff, but couldn't find them.
Here are some of those questions. Hope some of you would have answers to these. Thanks in advance!
ANDROID
1. How to share files between multi-users on Android 11?
Before Android 11, it was possible to save files inside the Android/ obb folder, and these files were visible for all users on the device. In Android 11, this is no longer working as the 'obb' folder appears to be exclusive to each user.
I know this is possible via USB OTG or a cloud service, but is there a solution without these?
2. How to copy/ backup game data for non-rooted devices?
Helium Backup doesn't seem to work. I have played a game for long on my Mediapad, and I would like to copy that game to my phone. Unfortunately, my Mediapad is not rooted and losing all that game progress has become a nightmare. I have written to the app developer to provide some sort of backup using either Google Play Games or social media integration like Facebook/ Twitter, but haven't received any response.
3. How to force apps (esp. file managers & gallery apps) to use in-app media viewer without changing system default.
For example, I may use the stock gallery app as default for viewing media. But if I am using another gallery app or a file manager that is capable of viewing media files using its own media viewer, I would rather want it use it than open the default app. Is there a way to do it?
4. Replace stock file manager (a system app) with another app from Google Play Store or other sources. Is this possible?
I am not asking how to convert a user app into system app. I know that part. I tried replacing the apk file of the stock file manager with a 3rd party apk, even renamed it, but it didn't work.
5. Extract a system app from one device and install it on another device without root. Is this possible?
I have tried it, but apk installation fails. For example, Samsung Gallery app on OnePlus phones.
iOS
1. How to install .ipa (iPhone app) on an iPhone (not jail-broken) without a laptop (iTunes)?
2. Is it possible to have SFTP server for iPhone?
All Operating Systems
1. How to provide LAN only access for non-rooted devices as well as in Windows & iOS?
For rooted devices, we have apps like AFWall+ that can do it. But is there a way to do it for devices without root, as well as for Windows and iOS?
For non-rooted devices, we have apps like Netguard that support 'Allow LAN access' whilst blocking internet access.
Are there any alternatives and solutions for other platforms?
2. How safe is it to enter login credentials in an app to allow it access to network drives?
I use several apps (on various platforms) to connect to my laptop over SMB. This requires me to provide the app with my Windows Login Credentials, which is a Microsoft account. Am I risking my account by providing this info to the app? Is it safe to enter login credentials of cloud services in file manager apps?
Just bumping this thread as it seems to have been lost/ unnoticed.
@Ultramanoid can you answer some of these?
Sridhar Ananthanarayanan said:
@Ultramanoid can you answer some of these?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't help much, sorry. As to Android, some notes :
1. Never have used an OEM / Google's version of Android, or anything other than rooted single-user systems.
2. In addition to the previous answer, I'm not a gamer.
3. I usually don't ever set defaults with some rare exceptions, so I am always given a choice of what I want to use to handle a file. It may vary depending on many things; I may want to edit an SVG file as text, or view it as an image, for instance. There are applications / services that will intercept intents to allow you to do this sort of thing as well, but I can't recommend a specific one, never use them myself.
4. Possible, but will break Android as by now the system requires it as a file picker in many instances without recognizing alternatives and developers of most applications do expect it as well and their services will not work without it. Don't do it. With recent Android storage changes, including the scoped storage debacle, this is not a viable option anymore.
5. Depends, but not likely as a general rule, specially for OEM garbage, which relies on their own proprietary modifications of Android, their libraries, frameworks, et al. You'd have to carry those over to the destination too, which may not even be possible. Use OEM-independent and not Google Services reliant applications. ( Edit : you'll find some of those applications built to install on all devices here on XDA by single developers, "SONY camera for all devices" and that sort of thing, not recommended anyway, not well supported or long-lived experiments. )
Ultramanoid said:
Can't help much, sorry. As to Android, some notes :
1. Never have used an OEM / Google's version of Android, or anything other than rooted single-user systems.
2. In addition to the previous answer, I'm not a gamer.
3. I usually don't ever set defaults with some rare exceptions, so I am always given a choice of what I want to use to handle a file. It may vary depending on many things; I may want to edit an SVG file as text, or view it as an image, for instance. There are applications / services that will intercept intents to allow you to do this sort of thing as well, but I can't recommend a specific one, never use them myself.
4. Possible, but will break Android as by now the system requires it as a file picker in many instances without recognizing alternatives and developers of most applications do expect it as well and their services will not work without it. Don't do it. With recent Android storage changes, including the scoped storage debacle, this is not a viable option anymore.
5. Depends, but not likely as a general rule, specially for OEM garbage, which relies on their own proprietary modifications of Android, their libraries, frameworks, et al. You'd have to carry those over to the destination too, which may not even be possible. Use OEM-independent and not Google Services reliant applications. ( Edit : you'll find some of those applications built to install on all devices here on XDA by single developers, "SONY camera for all devices" and that sort of thing, not recommended anyway, not well supported or long-lived experiments. )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much. But I wish you answered the last 2 questions as well.
If time permits, would you be interested in telling us how you use your phone? I mean which device, which OS and what apps you use. I would like to give that a try (on a spare device) and see if it is possible for me to live without Google.
Sridhar Ananthanarayanan said:
Thanks very much. But I wish you answered the last 2 questions as well.
If time permits, would you be interested in telling us how you use your phone? I mean which device, which OS and what apps you use. I would like to give that a try (on a spare device) and see if it is possible for me to live without Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't answer because it won't be helpful.
As to the 1st, I don't use LAN, and I don't keep data in any device or computer unless in use. External independent encrypted storage to be used wherever, whenever, independent of device, cables if needed.
As to the second, it's a matter of common sense, being informed of vulnerabilities and aware of reputation, and trust. Would you trust Chrome or Mozilla with data if you're online banking ? Seems reasonable -- but be aware of major vulnerabilities that may be going on. Would you trust an application released yesterday by a single developer for the same ? Probably not a good idea.
Finally, I doubt what I use and how I use it would be acceptable for you, or most people. In essence you could : Install latest firmware, wipe device, install latest security patched Lineage build for it, remove vendor / Lineage applications, get full root, remove anything you don't need or use which could have vulnerabilities; frameworks, libraries, binaries, etc ( Bluetooth, SMS, Android system-wide downloader, system-wide WebView, NFC, and on and on .. ), install your own binaries, fonts, hosts file, and applications where appropriate ( /bin /etc et al ), install Termux and all Linux packages required for your use, everything open source whenever possible, and stay away from any Google services / Play / applications with ANY trackers, analytics, data mining or even crash report capabilities; zero tolerance. Internet permission only for a secure web browser -- and terminal if / when needed. Half of what I do or use goes through terminal to be honest. In short, for me an Android device is a full Linux laptop replacement with added perks : Always on and on me, camera, GPS, pedometer, unlimited LTE data, and emergency calls for medics / police. ( Edit : And Japanese EEW alarm of course ! Only notification I use. We learned our lesson well in 2011. )
You can use ApkExport to extract any apk including system apks. I've transferred apks between other devices devices with it.
Never had need of doing that though with a system apk.

Android Virus Removal?

I have a Poco x3 pro with rom MiuiMix 13.0.5.0 with built in magisk.
One day the messenger app name changed to random charachters and it crashed. then a few days later 200 apps partially vanished from the phone.
App data is still in /data/data but 200 apps not appearing in installed apps.
So currently i making a copy of /data/data folder.
I'm not sure which app made that mess currently i guessing lucky patcher or a cracked version of tasker.
My questions:
1.Is there a way to scan for viruses in android?
2.Is there any system settings that i can check which help me point to a malicious app? (for example in windows if i suspect a virus infection i always check for autostarting programs in registry in task scheduler etc)
3.If not how can i make a backup which is safe, virus free?
Any other suggestions you may have thanks.
spaceship said:
I have a Poco x3 pro with rom MiuiMix 13.0.5.0 with built in magisk.
One day the messenger app name changed to random charachters and it crashed. then a few days later 200 apps partially vanished from the phone.
App data is still in /data/data but 200 apps not appearing in installed apps.
So currently i making a copy of /data/data folder.
I'm not sure which app made that mess currently i guessing lucky patcher or a cracked version of tasker.
My questions:
1.Is there a way to scan for viruses in android?
2.Is there any system settings that i can check which help me point to a malicious app? (for example in windows if i suspect a virus infection i always check for autostarting programs in registry in task scheduler etc)
3.If not how can i make a backup which is safe, virus free?
Any other suggestions you may have thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there,
In most of the cases in android malware attack, the one causing it is an 'apk' just like 'exe' in windows. So there must be a random apk in your device, may be hidden, or may be those on which you are suspicious. One way to scan the apks is 'Google play protect', but this thing points out those apks too a virus which is not installed through google play itself ( or say from third party sites), so it would not give you a perfect Idea that which of the third party app is doing this.
coming to the last question, you can only backup safely by copying internal storage files ( excluding apk bundles), and copying /data/data files of only those apks which is a trusted app, like chrome, whatsapp, or any other downloaded from play store.
spaceship said:
I have a Poco x3 pro with rom MiuiMix 13.0.5.0 with built in magisk.
One day the messenger app name changed to random charachters and it crashed. then a few days later 200 apps partially vanished from the phone.
App data is still in /data/data but 200 apps not appearing in installed apps.
So currently i making a copy of /data/data folder.
I'm not sure which app made that mess currently i guessing lucky patcher or a cracked version of tasker.
My questions:
1.Is there a way to scan for viruses in android?
2.Is there any system settings that i can check which help me point to a malicious app? (for example in windows if i suspect a virus infection i always check for autostarting programs in registry in task scheduler etc)
3.If not how can i make a backup which is safe, virus free?
Any other suggestions you may have thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On F-droid, Hypatia is available:
Hypatia | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository
A real-time malware scanner
f-droid.org
It's the only one that I know that's doesn't contain any tracker like all the others out and is also FOSS.
crack/modded apps = malware

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