Database Info

[Q] Why my application was removed from the market?

I hope this time it's the correct forum.
So long story short.
I've written an app that allows to hijack FaceBook profiles over the WiFi. So when you're connected to WiFi you can "hack" into other users profiles. It doesn't work for profiles using SSL (yes you have that option in FB). So it can be treated as a "bad app". BUT! it is not dangerous for the one using it. I am aware that this is "questionable" application, but is there any other way to tell people - "HEY! use secure connections, it is not safe to use public WIFI!". I'd bet that a lot of you don't use SSL now and after using/reading this app you will turn SSL on.
That could be the #1 reason for deleting my app.
The second one is that I've put a 'demo' app in the market with a limit to sniffing only 3 profiles. But you could buy it through paypal. And today I've found out that this also could lead to app deletion. However i've bought launcherpro through paypal so I don't see why my app was removed in less than 24 hours.
What is your opinion and what can I do to sell my app somehow (i need my 25$ back that I've paid to register in google wrr...). Is there an option I could do put it in market without google deleting it like putting a disclaimer or something? The app itself is safe for the user downloading it.
Edit: If I put a link to this app here will this thread be deleted? If so, is there an option to promote it here?
Per forum rules, link removed

bponury said:
I've written an app that allows to hijack FaceBook profiles over the WiFi
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Click to collapse
There's your answer.

JamesC_ said:
There's your answer.
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+1 on that
if it allows you to hijack fb you can steal other information from the users account so why would they allow it and put themselves into a legal bind for doing so

JamesC_ said:
There's your answer.
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Click to collapse
So if it wasn't for this app you would be safe? No, facebook is ignoring users privacy and this app is nothing more then a good way to show people what could be the cost of not using secure connections. Of course this can be used in a bad way, a lot of apps can. Like sms bombing or phone number spoofing. But they are not removed from the marked do they?

Ethics
And even worse you want to get paid for it.

wdl1908 said:
Ethics
And even worse you want to get paid for it.
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Click to collapse
Yes, I know what ethic is however we're not living in a perfect world and just believing that everyone is good and ethical so I can just leave my door open when leaving the house is not going to protect me against the reality. I believe in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_disclosure and this case is even better because FaceBook is aware of the problem and just ignore it. A few people are aware that there's an option to use SSL on facebook. In my opinion FB should just get it done right and force users to use it. It's not a problem these days right? And what is wrong in getting paid for my work. I've spent some time developing it. Security by obscurity is not working, really. Take my app for example it would take max 1h to crack it. It's not security it's just being to lazy to secure it. And hoping that no one would care to crack it.

sms bombing is not hacking someones account! you are just spamming someone with messages.
even if it is down to fb to let people know about security, the market owners can be sued for allowing such an app on the market. there are better ways of showing a person how unsecure a connection is without punishing them in such a way.
the secure connection is useful for public connections but some people may not want or need to use it at home so they have the ability to switch it on or off. apparently there are issues with some games on fb that are linked in with the use of the secure connection.

traumatism said:
sms bombing is not hacking someones account! you are just spamming someone with messages.
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People are killed for spamming in russia (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/26/russian_spammer_killed/)
And what about spoofing caller id? AFAIK that things are valid in court cases in Poland.
traumatism said:
even if it is down to fb to let people know about security, the market owners can be sued for allowing such an app on the market. there are better ways of showing a person how unsecure a connection is without punishing them in such a way.
the secure connection is useful for public connections but some people may not want or need to use it at home so they have the ability to switch it on or off. apparently there are issues with some games on fb that are linked in with the use of the secure connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how to tell people - secure yourself any other way. I know i'm devils (myself) advocate right now, but really do you think that forgetting about insecurity is a good way? I don't force anyone to use it in a bad way. But after I showed how it works in my house all my room-mates turned SSL on instantly. And they were not mad about it, shocked a bit but now they are safer now. Sure you can just tell people - hey turn ssl on and 90% of them will ignore you. But when you show them - look! i can see your messages that easily if you don't do it. Then they would listen.

haha! So, if someone got a gun and went around shooting people in cars to proove that they should actually have bullet proof windows and burst-proof tyres, that it's all ok, and not in any way shape or form, illegal?
ha. ha.
infact op ip should be reported to facebook

By nature I wouldn't go near this app. If its collecting other peoples info I could be collecting my own. Thats how I see it logically ... people always get screwed when they are doing something they shouldn't be doing.
There is a place for all apps in this world be they good or bad. You could always host a site and put it on there. I wouldn't go near it cause once again I'd be afraid of whats laced on that site.
I was just providing another point of view to the convo.

MarkusPO said:
haha! So, if someone got a gun and went around shooting people in cars to proove that they should actually have bullet proof windows and burst-proof tyres, that it's all ok, and not in any way shape or form, illegal?
ha. ha.
infact op ip should be reported to facebook
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So if you have a car that can be opened by someone who has a screwdriver wouldn't you want car manufacturer to secure your car. Buying a bulletproof car isn't exactly the same as pushing a button in a web browser isn't it? And you're comparing killing a man to posting "I'm a jackass on someones FB wall". But still, you can buy a gun right? Also pretending that there's no problem isn't fixing a problem.
And hey, this app isn't new you know, if it wasn't for this thread maybe you wouldn't know that people use this apps on PC's maybe one day you would find that all your mail is gone (yes, this app could be modified to work with other sites like this forum). And ask yourself wouldn't you be pissed if you've found out that anyone using your network could get into your bank account? Well I would. But most (all?) banks use SSL by default. Google does. Why FB doesn't?

hazard99 said:
By nature I wouldn't go near this app. If its collecting other peoples info I could be collecting my own. Thats how I see it logically ... people always get screwed when they are doing something they shouldn't be doing.
There is a place for all apps in this world be they good or bad. You could always host a site and put it on there. I wouldn't go near it cause once again I'd be afraid of whats laced on that site.
I was just providing another point of view to the convo.
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Yes, in fact it needs root to modify iptables and send raw arp messages and I know people get scared when an app needs root. If someone is interested I could write here how it's done and anyone could write it. It's actually nothing magical.
I wrote this app as a project for my mobile programming class. In the first version it also sniffed for Gadu-Gadu messages (it's a polish messenger). But I sure hope that when and if this app let's loose than FB will react and enable ssl by default. Maybe other websites will use it too. It's just that easy to protect your users, I don't understand why they don't do it?

most people who do not want their details stolen, do not use public access internet. does FB take money transactions over their site?
google does and the banks do so they will have a secure section. fb may do this using paypal or google checkout or otherwise so may not need the ssl that the banks need. sure it still renders people vulnerable to attack and theft of other information but even so that information is very limited dependant on the user of the account.

traumatism said:
most people who do not want their details stolen, do not use public access internet.
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Yes, so other people want their details stolen? You are aware of the problem 'cause your "into computers" but out of 500 milion fb users how many of them ever heard of SSL? How many know that they are unsafe?

well with the amount of messages being spread on fb already about this i think more people will know, but to let people know only by stealing their details is pathetic. sure you may have made this app for a project but why give other people the power to do this. all you are doing is providing more uses for those who like to make other peoples lives a misery. the best thing that could be done with this is to let the website provider know how unsecure their system is. especially if you are aware of the issue and are bothered by it. i know i'd do the same. if that didnt work, sure i'd tell people about it but i wouldnt sell an app on to others so they can make use of it. not even for free.

traumatism said:
well with the amount of messages being spread on fb already about this i think more people will know, but to let people know only by stealing their details is pathetic. sure you may have made this app for a project but why give other people the power to do this. all you are doing is providing more uses for those who like to make other peoples lives a misery. the best thing that could be done with this is to let the website provider know how unsecure their system is. especially if you are aware of the issue and are bothered by it. i know i'd do the same. if that didnt work, sure i'd tell people about it but i wouldnt sell an app on to others so they can make use of it. not even for free.
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Sure I could write an e-mail to facebook, but this issue is known for years! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session_hijacking I am sure FaceBook is aware of it. In fact they've enabled SSL only a month ago (maybe two months) but why it isn't enabled by default?

who knows. perhaps issues with other applications on the website, or applications made to access facebook. they may have left it so they can cater for other applications for and on the site. only they can answer that question.

anyway, he just showed the spirit of a developer and created something new
he never told anyone "hey go hack facebook profiles" or "sniff those profiles, its fun"
he just showed the possibilites of android development and did nothing wrong in my opinion
it's not his fault if facebook is unable to close a security leak known for a long time

yeah dont get me wrong blezz i understand that completely. but the argument was as to why they would remove it. legality reasons would be tne main issue. to cover their own backs as they can in fact face legal action for allowing the app to become available in their market.

I don't see anything wrong with the app.
It shows the flaws of facebook, and the fact that no one in facebook cares enough to do anything about it. But then I understand whygoogle would remove it... If facebook decided to sue for this google would be sued not YOU.
so it would be best if you released it HERE on xda rather than the market

ChompSMS flagged as malware by several AV's

Hi ppl in the xda hood
I just write to let you know that ChompSMS has now been flagged as malware, both on 2 phone here locally with Avast as scanner, and subsequently by upload to Virustotal, and flagged by some of the major names too.
This concerns both the 5.30 and the update from tonight to v5.31
As Im new, I cannot post urls, but you can dump the apk from both versions, upload for a scan, and have a look at the report yourself from virustotal dot com
XDA must decide if its worth it alarming the community, but better safe than sorry, right?
I guess it could be a false positive, and I do know things should not be rushed about accusations of malware developing, but seeing that several of the major scanners is flagging it both before and after the update, certainly raises my concerns.
I hope those of you who knows your way around decompiling and analyzing code will look into this, so that we can get more eyes on it than "just" the AV companies reports.
Sincerely, Omnius
After a bit of micro-investigating I have so far found these domains in the code, so if you do HAVE to use ChompSMS, (I do) you can ad them to your HOST file, just for the sake of it.
I dont know when or why they will be used but as they are in the code, there is a potential connection lurking in it. Decide for yourself, untill further ppl have a close look than mine.
Im not a dev of any sort, but I do know how to poke around to learn. Therfore please do not just take my words for granted until more competent ppl here have their say.
I do know that a few of these is for "normal" android app ads, and analytics and so on, but these are my finding so far, so filter our what you like it to connect to yourself. If you dont mind ads connections in-app, serve your wish, so to speak.
millennialmedia.com
gateway.textfreek.com
report.bitesms.com
nexage.com
inapp.chompsms.com
adserver.com
greystripe.com
smsgateway.chompsms.com
m.advc.us
cvt.mydas.mobi
rest.starttalking.com
mobileads.google.com

I used to love chompsms... now i guess I'm using GoSMS...
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

All of them appear to be valid to the program. Half are ad for ads, the other half are for functionality in ChompSMS.

I would be careful on using go SMS as well.
Antivirus apps will pick up any app that by passes any normal OS use. This always has been and always will be the case.
Anything with ads will always be flagged as it connects to an unknown server.

zelendel said:
I would be careful on using go SMS as well.
Antivirus apps will pick up any app that by passes any normal OS use. This always has been and always will be the case.
Anything with ads will always be flagged as it connects to an unknown server.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
chomp was never flagged before the 5.30 update a few days ago...
really bothers me, i love chomp. i donated to remove the ads. i'm hoping they fixed it with 5.31 and the virus scanners are just still reporting it as a false positive. until it's sorted out though, i uninstalled...

Update : avg doesn't detect anything wrong with the newest version, 5.31.

Lemme tell you...
I noticed the new permissions requested in 5.30 (special access to browser history/bookmarks), and kinda shrugged it off. Dumb move on my part. Immediately upon launching 5.30, I get a notification from ADWLauncher that it cannot fit a new shortcut on my desktop (because the main page was full). So I'm naturally all like WTF... so I flip through my desktop pages to notice that ChompSMS had made itself a shortcut to searchmobileonline.com.
I also heard that it replaces your default browser home page and search method with the same. I use xScope exclusively, so I haven't been able to check that yet.
Delicious, Inc. has really crossed the line with this latest stunt. What were they thinking!? ChompSMS was the best Android messaging app IMHO. Why jeopardize such a great reputation? If it's money they were after, I'd imagine they could've raked in a nice bundle of cash for selling the product to another company.

Does anyone have a copy of this apk that I could take a look at?

kyokeun1234 said:
I used to love chompsms... now i guess I'm using GoSMS...
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
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GoSMS is a security risk
Sent from Narnia

xHausx said:
Does anyone have a copy of this apk that I could take a look at?
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I know this is a old thread but better than starting a new one.
I would like to ask if there is any news on this. I love chomp SMS, imo the best messanger for my taste. I have bought the pro version, to stay away from ads and unnecessary internet data. I have chomp on a brand new phone, no sim card, no messages, just activated chomp and my firewall instantly found chomp active on internet. I watched this for some time and really chomp was trying to do something even I did nothing with it.
important note: there is no data mining in any of their terms. Or at least I did not find anything.
So I contacted chomp about the behavior and they said that "they never seen this before" and suggested reinstall. I did, didn't help.
On the second try, they told me that it is connecting because of ads, but I had the pro version (and they knew it). So no luck.
After the third attempt, they said that chomp is sending once a day info that it is installed so they know how many installs they have.
This sucks a lot. Security concerns appears instantly.
I think it would be worthy to literally sniff a bit around this, since so many people is using chomp.

App Permissions - Little Help Please

I'm still newer to Android and today realized the permissions that apps request. Before I was quick to just accept & go. I was about to install an app that is requesting a LOT of permissions. Phone calls, hardware controls (pics/vids at any time), and network communication (SMS I believe). My questions are simple.
1. Do certain custom mods, like Synergy? Do some mods already implement certain things into itself to disable some of these features? I understand this is a mod-by-mod basis if so. Does Synergy do anything to disable this crap, anybody know?
2. How worried do I have to be about this? Will the app literally take pics and send them out without my knowledge? Or is it only the pics I take it can send out? How does this work?
3. Which of the permissions that apps request do I really need to keep an eye on and watch out for? AKA, what could take info/pics that I dont want it to?
4. Is Anti-Virus software REALLY necessary since I'm all rooted and such? I read articles saying it's useful and others saying it doesn't even provide much protection, and the chance to get something is quite rare if you only use google play/android market?
Thanks in advance for any and all help. I ditched Apple and AT&T for this thing, and with it being rooted, I am unbelievably happy I made the switch to both VZW and the S3! AWESOME phone, screen size, and customization!
Edit: Posted wrong forum....Shoulda been Q&A forum. Devs plz move.

1. Not sure. I haven't played with synergy.
2. What kind of app is it? This is huge into what kkind of permissions it needs. If its a live wallpaper app it shouldn't be asking to be able to read your contacts or send SMS. You just gotta think what does this app do and why does it need this permission. A launcher app like Apex or Nova needs A LOT of permissions. To be able to make calls and send SMS and work the camera as a launcher can do all of those. Does a game need the ability to do that though? No. It may ask to read your contacts so it can share crap with your friends though. It can be hard when you look at permission apps ask for to decide it its legit or not. If you can't decide just don't download.
I try to only download hugely popular apps that I know aren't malware. If its got over 100k downloads chances are it is a safe app.
Permissions are tricky and until you realize all an app can do you wont understand why it wants to do some things. It took me a good year of downloading apps and reading about things toto get a great grip on permissions.
The biggest thing is common sense. What does the app do and why should it need this permission. An SMS app needs permission to the camera and to send SMS that cost money and read your phone book and such. But if I download a live wallpaper or a weather widget...why would they need such abilities. That should raise a HUGE red flag. Anytime you see "can send SMS that may cost you money" in permissions try to figure out why it needs that. Cause the last thing you want is to DL it and tomorrow have $600 in txt fees.
I don't believe in anti virus on my phone. Yeah you can get em and some love em. But really. If you just use common sense and don't download suspicious things you shouldn't need one. I refer back to only download trusted apps. If it has less the 1k downloads. Be wary. It may be a new app that a dev just launched. Or it could be a reason for the lack of downloads. Look at reviews ALWAYS. Yes many are from morons. But some are helpful. Also if you want a popular game go straight to the devs for it in the market. Many times bogus apps are posted that spoof popular apps like angry birds. Download the one with millions of downloads. Not the one with a thousand.
The more you use your device the more you'll understand. I download plenty of apps from XDA with very few downloads in the market and have been safe. But this comes from knowing and trusting a developer. That's why these forums rock. You can get in on an app in its infancy and help test it and make it grow.
--Sent from GlaDos baked potato

Google is eventually going to have to step in and put a stop to this, but more and more apps are requesting permissions that they have no business requesting. It is unfortunate, especially when the intrusive app is one you would like to have.
I choose to completely disregard any app that asks for permissions it is obvious it doesn't need. The exception being internet access for ads, as incorporating ads into an app can be a legitimate way for an app developer to generate revenue. (And the unsightly ads can be removed with an ad blocker like AdAway, so it's kind of a win-win).
However, if there is an app that you just "need" to download or would just like better control of your phone, you could download an app called "Permissions Denied." This app let's you decide what permissions are granted to each app.

i use LBE Privacy Guard to help manage my permissions. You can mark certain apps as trusted and deny specific permissions for other apps. Also lets you know when a specific app is trying to access certain functions. Only had it for a couple days but liking it so far.
i used to run an anti-virus, AVG to be specific, but after a while just decided to get smarter about what i install and have been going without one.

Avast or not Avast that is the question?

Hi All, Just a quickish query & any responses are appreciated. I recently moved from One M8 to Pixel XL & use Avast. My query is do I need Avast on new device ... I dont view 'adult' stuff, nor install 3rd party apps, Chrome set to protect from dangerous sites, Twitter app set to use Chrome not built in browser, I view XDA & AA on Twitter so will click links on any news that interests me, delete any email i receive in Inbox by Gmail which looks strange, Onefootball app I use and sometimes will click links to any site that a story is contained in, I do use Avast on laptop when transferring anything audio to phone prior to transfer & finally I do have my banking app on phone. Basically with this behaviour do I need Avast or can I ditch it?
Thanks in advance

PaulMr.T said:
Hi All, Just a quickish query & any responses are appreciated. I recently moved from One M8 to Pixel XL & use Avast. My query is do I need Avast on new device ... I dont view 'adult' stuff, nor install 3rd party apps, Chrome set to protect from dangerous sites, Twitter app set to use Chrome not built in browser, I view XDA & AA on Twitter so will click links on any news that interests me, delete any email i receive in Inbox by Gmail which looks strange, Onefootball app I use and sometimes will click links to any site that a story is contained in, I do use Avast on laptop when transferring anything audio to phone prior to transfer & finally I do have my banking app on phone. Basically with this behaviour do I need Avast or can I ditch it?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMO the only use case would be using Avast to detect mitm attacks on public WiFi, but it is not even close to reliable...
You should use a VPN on public WiFi's so you don't have to care about anyone sniffing/modifying traffic.
All in all I would see no point in using avast, since Antivirus systems under android are completely powerless when it comes to any attack that uses an exploit that doesn't need any user interaction (e.g Stagefright).

NeoChontrix said:
IMO the only use case would be using Avast to detect mitm attacks on public WiFi, but it is not even close to reliable...
You should use a VPN on public WiFi's so you don't have to care about anyone sniffing/modifying traffic.
All in all I would see no point in using avast, since Antivirus systems under android are completely powerless when it comes to any attack that uses an exploit that doesn't need any user interaction (e.g Stagefright).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, Thanks for the reply, I don't use Public WiFi as usually dead slow let alone secure, I have MMS not set to download automatically & I do let use WhatsApp for example so I should be good to ditch? My main concern was due to mobile banking but it's via app and not browser so would presume safe?

PaulMr.T said:
Ah, Thanks for the reply, I don't use Public WiFi as usually dead slow let alone secure, I have MMS not set to download automatically & I do let use WhatsApp for example so I should be good to ditch? My main concern was due to mobile banking but it's via app and not browser so would presume safe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not use WhatsApp I meant, for example.

NeoChontrix said:
IMO the only use case would be using Avast to detect mitm attacks on public WiFi, but it is not even close to reliable...
You should use a VPN on public WiFi's so you don't have to care about anyone sniffing/modifying traffic.
All in all I would see no point in using avast, since Antivirus systems under android are completely powerless when it comes to any attack that uses an exploit that doesn't need any user interaction (e.g Stagefright).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone else have info to add, it seems I could lose Avast and stay pretty safe?

PaulMr.T said:
Anyone else have info to add, it seems I could lose Avast and stay pretty safe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's true their antivirus is limited as only scans user apps which should normally be safe anyhow thanks to Google scanning them, though there may be times when Avast beats Google to identifying a vulnerably. But they also offer web shield, that might save you one day (depending on he browser you use). So for me I will always run something like Avast. I know some will take the piss out of me ...... but that don't brother me!

IronRoo said:
it's true their antivirus is limited as only scans user apps which should normally be safe anyhow thanks to Google scanning them, though there may be times when Avast beats Google to identifying a vulnerably. But they also offer web shield, that might save you one day (depending on he browser you use). So for me I will always run something like Avast. I know some will take the piss out of me ...... but that don't brother me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"thanks to google scanning them"???? google is a virus. just my ¢.02.
err on the side of kindness

mrrocketdog said:
"thanks to google scanning them"???? google is a virus. just my ¢.02.
err on the side of kindness
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
more like a parasite!!! Ha ha!

PaulMr.T said:
Hi All, Just a quickish query & any responses are appreciated. I recently moved from One M8 to Pixel XL & use Avast. My query is do I need Avast on new device ... I dont view 'adult' stuff, nor install 3rd party apps, Chrome set to protect from dangerous sites, Twitter app set to use Chrome not built in browser, I view XDA & AA on Twitter so will click links on any news that interests me, delete any email i receive in Inbox by Gmail which looks strange, Onefootball app I use and sometimes will click links to any site that a story is contained in, I do use Avast on laptop when transferring anything audio to phone prior to transfer & finally I do have my banking app on phone. Basically with this behaviour do I need Avast or can I ditch it?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you want security on public wifi get ArpGuard from play store , i use it .

I use avast since 2013 and I don't have any regrets. Also I use vpn network to protect my security

Things like that are like door locks. They keep the honest people honest but other then that they dont do much really.

zelendel said:
Things like that are like door locks. They keep the honest people honest but other then that they dont do much really.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The honest may stay honest.
But the criminal may seek a challenge in which case I always try to seem as defenseless as possible and it has been years since I can even remember using AV protection on Windows for anything lol.
To the OP
95% of how well your defense is against an attack is all about common sense before anything then probably the last 5% would be how much take you prefer to have on the software end....
Firewalls and VPN/anononimity software is probably the best way to steer clear from anything landing its way onto your devices that you do not want there!

@kushfighter2
What is the goal of ArpGuard ?
Could you please explain it and give us concret examples based on your experience of this application ?
Thanks in advance.

iwanttoknow said:
@kushfighter2
What is the goal of ArpGuard ?
Could you please explain it and give us concret examples based on your experience of this application ?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically it combines a simple basic app that monitors your ARP table against attack.
When it is set to non root ,it simply disconnects the Wi-Fi and informs you about the attackers IP address.
The main reason I use it is because, unlike other apps which simply close the Wi-Fi connection, it has a pro feature at an acceptable price that prevents attacks like those from harming your device
It has 3 modes, non root, recovery and invulnerability
I have explained non root
Recovery informs you and blocks the attacks
Without cutting the Wi-Fi
Invulnerability does not even suffer attacks.
I suggest you try it.
But remember, if a person is using a spoof before you connected to the Wi-Fi, you cannkt detect it.
Here's the link
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myprog.arpguard

For home use - free Avast. For corporate use a paid antivirus.

Be Aware of the Scam

Started getting this while browsing the web on my pixel. I just contacted Google support who said it's not from them. It's just an ad wanting you to download their anti-virus app. Can't wait to root my phone so I can put an ad blocker back on.

There's BILLIONS of similar scams around to that. The obvious giveaway (I mean besides how obviously fraudulent it is), is the grammar.
You can also recognize it based on the fact that the DOMAIN NAME is some kind of nonsense. Anybody can add whatever subdomain they want to any domain they have control over. For instance, if you own the domain name "stupidscammers.com", you can create a layer of subdomains that look like "www.google.com.google-security.this.is.really.google.i.really.promise.stupidscammers.com"
The only part of that that might be *slightly* convincing for an ABSOLUTE NOOB, is that it was able to identify your operating system as "Android" -- well, that is obtained from an identifier string that your web browser sends out to web servers so that the web servers can generate appropriate content that is compatible with your device. It is called the User-Agent, and it does not contain any identifying details. It just tells the server what KIND of web browser you have.
You should NOT have wasted google's time asking them about obvious scam being obvious, and frankly, it is a waste of time to create a thread about it. Before anybody ever uses the internet, they should already be aware of (and be on the lookout) for this kind of scam. And this was a very UNCONVINCING scam, made by obvious amateurs.

Droid1019 said:
Started getting this while browsing the web on my pixel. I just contacted Google support who said it's not from them. It's just an ad wanting you to download their anti-virus app. Can't wait to root my phone so I can put an ad blocker back on.
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There are apps that are available without rooting your phone. SEVENAdclear or Adguard will work without rooting your phone.

blanco82 said:
There are apps that are available without rooting your phone. SEVENAdclear or Adguard will work without rooting your phone.
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Have you used either of these in Chrome on the Pixel?

If you fall for this I have some magic beans for sale

lol, these things have been around for years, dude

mymusicathome said:
If you fall for this I have some magic beans for sale
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do they give me magic gas?

I've been using Brave Browser for over a month and love it. Just like Chrome (Chromium based) but no ads. No root needed.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Definitely a scam. I've seen it in hijack style redirects

Yea this is nothing new. Completely normal when looking at porn