Database Info

[APP] closeFeint, disable openFeint for rooted users

I hate openFeint so I made an app to disable it
https://market.android.com/details?id=benor.closeFeint
I'm still a new user here so it's not a link, if any one can edit this message and make this a link I'll thank him (and give him a free copy of this already free app )
I could debug it only on CM7 so i would like to see if it works on other roms.
The usual it might toast your device and don't blame me (It shouldn't it didn't even restarted my phone while i developed it)

Why do you have to disable adblocking, is there a way to have disable openfeint and not mess up with adblocking.

Just posting the link for convenience:
https://market.android.com/details?id=benor.closeFeint

Any chance of a direct download link or mediafire or ddopbox

ofantastic said:
Any chance of a direct download link or mediafire or ddopbox
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@benor, let me know if you want me to take this link down
http://www.mediafire.com/?bm718kq7lf3i3d4

sweet, just what i wanted

goood idea closing feint thanx

Are there any methods that will not disable ADblocker?

I'd love to know about alternatives to disable/remove Openfeint too.
The condescending vibe this developer gives off, messing with installed applications that are none of his concern, I would never touch that. I would pay for an ad-free 'premium' version, but not from this developer. Removing annoying Openfeint nag screens in exchange for other nag screens just doesn't make any sense.

Android ad blockers work by dumping entries into the hosts file. This app also does the same. To be fair to the developer, he'd have to somehow make his app run every time after an ad blocker runs to ensure OpenFeint remains blocked, which would be annoying to support.
Since AdAway (my favourite ad blocker; it's open sourced) has a blacklist option, add the following entries to it:
openfeint.com
api.openfeint.com
scoreloop.com
and OpenFeint will be blocked by AdAway as it's doing the ads. There's also "*.openfeint.com" but I'm sure that that isn't valid hosts file syntax.

dfkt_ said:
I'd love to know about alternatives to disable/remove Openfeint too.
The condescending vibe this developer gives off, messing with installed applications that are none of his concern, I would never touch that. I would pay for an ad-free 'premium' version, but not from this developer. Removing annoying Openfeint nag screens in exchange for other nag screens just doesn't make any sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a single host file. He might not believe in the blocking of ads. He makes it very clear in his description that it does not work in tandem with Adblockers and that those who use it are not his audience.
He's not being condescending. Who is anyone (not talking about you specifically) to voluntarily download his free app and then get pissy when it does exactly what he said would not work? And then to have the audacity to downrate it to 1 star because they were too stupid to read the description before installing the app?
Honestly, the comments for this app's market listing just go to further confirm that most Android app users are complete idiots with a self-importance complex and they don't think before installing an app. (Not that iOS reviewers are much better)
Based on some of the comments, you'd think that the app was being shoved down peoples' throats.

qwerty12, thank you very much for the explanation! I didn't know this just uses the regular hosts file. If this app overwrites what AdAway put there, then it seems to be rather poorly conceived.
So far I did a chmod 000 and a chown/chgrp 9999 on the Openfeint folder in /sdcard, which only solved half the issue. Will add your URLs to the hosts file.
Liquidsolstice, it's this sentence from the description in the Market that I find condescending: "It will disable you adblockers, if you are using any ad blocker you aren't my audience and i'm not planing to change this." Of course I didn't download it and then whined about it or downrated it, this was warning enough. I agree that the comments on the Market don't show much effort on the users' side. But at least the developer should give a reason *why* he disables ad blockers, instead of that snooty one-liner.

LiquidSolstice said:
It's a single host file. He might not believe in the blocking of ads. He makes it very clear in his description that it does not work in tandem with Adblockers and that those who use it are not his audience.
He's not being condescending. Who is anyone (not talking about you specifically) to voluntarily download his free app and then get pissy when it does exactly what he said would not work? And then to have the audacity to downrate it to 1 star because they were too stupid to read the description before installing the app?
Honestly, the comments for this app's market listing just go to further confirm that most Android app users are complete idiots with a self-importance complex and they don't think before installing an app. (Not that iOS reviewers are much better)
Based on some of the comments, you'd think that the app was being shoved down peoples' throats.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some things are never acceptable under any circumstances.
Openfeint is one of them.
Airpush is another.
Anyone helping others to not have to deal with this junk is doing a service to the community and it should be commended.
It is malware plain and simple (Anything that while the app isn't open puts any junk on the screen is malware).
There is so few developers with any integrity on Android. (Everything is malware or adware - these things are are frowned upon even on Windows don't get why it is ok on a mobile device (hint it is not)).
If you make something worth having (That is a game) and give away a bit (No strings) and it is good you will make allot of money selling the rest for a game. Just like the old proper shareware model.
(I only buy DRM free stuff hence I bought the humble Android bundle for 6 times the average - no interest in anything else or social anything).
Filling other peoples devices with malware to compensate for the developers inability to create a decent app is unacceptable and always will be.
(I would be less bothered if the Market was structured in a way that I could easily avoid this type of junk (i.e adware / malware / stuff that gives away your personal information in a different section).
Regardless of what it is any adware/malware is always one star from me and always will be. (Other than if it is specifically stated in the description that it is adware. (Then I just would never install it).

qwerty12 said:
Android ad blockers work by dumping entries into the hosts file. This app also does the same. To be fair to the developer, he'd have to somehow make his app run every time after an ad blocker runs to ensure OpenFeint remains blocked, which would be annoying to support.
Since AdAway (my favourite ad blocker; it's open sourced) has a blacklist option, add the following entries to it:
openfeint.com
api.openfeint.com
scoreloop.com
and OpenFeint will be blocked by AdAway as it's doing the ads. There's also "*.openfeint.com" but I'm sure that that isn't valid hosts file syntax.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works! Thanks!

[rant] Malicious ads in common Android games

Hi,
I just wanted to rant about the current state of application ads on Android.
Over the past month, I've noticed an increased occurrence of those malicious "battery upgrade" ads in my games and apps.
Back in September/October, I got a few and I complained to the domain holder (ENOM) and their server hoster. Both of them neglected to email me back, and the site still remains online.
They seemed to disappear for a while, but since around New Years, the ads have resurfaced. Almost every free game I've played over the past two weeks has had them. Angry Birds, Super Stickman Golf, Words With Friends, Air Control Lite, to name a few...
I've contacted at least three ad distribution networks over the past two weeks, JumpTap, TapJoy, and Mojiva. All three have ignored my emails.
I've tried talking to the app developers, and they seem to be responsive to my initial complaints, but acting on them seems to be another matter.
While I realize that because I'm rooted, I could just block the ads by hand, but I think the more responsible thing would be for these ad distribution networks to actually look into the things they are advertising on our devices.
If you're an app developer, I'd like to ask that if you have a choice of whose ads get displayed in your applications, take a hard though about the ads that are also being pushed to your application's users.
I'm just mad about the whole thing. If ICE/DoHS can take down any site they feel, why can't malware developers suffer the same fate?
Thanks

Hi bunder9999,
My name is Saad and I work for Tapjoy. I wanted to bring to your attention that Tapjoy had already turned off and removed the developer for "battery upgrade" about 10 days ago. Please let me know if you want to discuss anything about this. You can send me email at [email protected].
Regards
Saad

Thank you. Now that I poke through my inbox, I see that you did indeed mail me back. edit: But that doesn't change the fact that you allowed the ads to begin with.
Got two emails today (surprise, surprise.)...
Rovio: "We're trying!"
Mojiva: (In so many words... yes, they were kindof nasty about it.) "Prove it or f*** off." My response: "Pull out an android device and install the malware yourself."
While I'm here, I thought I would post some comments made by some of my fellow Android users...
"i think it is awesome that you do this type of thing and more people should... you are pretty much an internet don quixote"
"more people need to step and say this type of s*** is unacceptable, and its really only apathy that doesn't stop ad companies from really taking this s*** seriously"
"your efforts are sisyphean, though noble"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I'm just going to post this here, as proof that I'm not off my nut, as Mojiva's final stance seems to be.
http://www.virustotal.com/file-scan...8bbb35635f8c6c7a044ff2b28fcd01dfa4-1326204931
edit: rather than waste a post on something nobody seems to care about, i got another ad today, from another ad-network, inmobi.
email sent. i was a little more diplomatic in my email this time, but somehow i don't feel that they will be anymore receptive than Mojiva was.

i wish android market was a little more like Apple app store. Too many crappy apps made it into the market without any filtering.

silkshocker said:
i wish android market was a little more like Apple app store. Too many crappy apps made it into the market without any filtering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't disagree with you more. Sure, the App Store has a much higher percentage of quality apps, but I believe the filtering is preventing a lot of aspiring developers from getting their apps out there. I'm just afraid that, were I to get an iphone, the app I desperately want is being blocked by apple for one reason or another. I'd rather sift through hundreds of crappy apps and find the one I want, than sift through 50 and not get a single one that does what I need it to do.
And there is some filtering in the market. It's just not overly strict. The beauty of android is that it is OPEN!
Just a thought...

+1
mfitz8530 said:
I couldn't disagree with you more. Sure, the App Store has a much higher percentage of quality apps, but I believe the filtering is preventing a lot of aspiring developers from getting their apps out there. I'm just afraid that, were I to get an iphone, the app I desperately want is being blocked by apple for one reason or another. I'd rather sift through hundreds of crappy apps and find the one I want, than sift through 50 and not get a single one that does what I need it to do.
And there is some filtering in the market. It's just not overly strict. The beauty of android is that it is OPEN!
Just a thought...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what he said
you can easily block all the Ads, and ignore all the SPAMs
i'll suggest AVAST for Android, does a great job at that, as for Ads, there are tons of 3rd party apps to block Ads

.
Thread moved. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.

bunder9999 said:
Hi,
I just wanted to rant about the current state of application ads on Android.
Over the past month, I've noticed an increased occurrence of those malicious "battery upgrade" ads in my games and apps.
Back in September/October, I got a few and I complained to the domain holder (ENOM) and their server hoster. Both of them neglected to email me back, and the site still remains online.
They seemed to disappear for a while, but since around New Years, the ads have resurfaced. Almost every free game I've played over the past two weeks has had them. Angry Birds, Super Stickman Golf, Words With Friends, Air Control Lite, to name a few...
I've contacted at least three ad distribution networks over the past two weeks, JumpTap, TapJoy, and Mojiva. All three have ignored my emails.
I've tried talking to the app developers, and they seem to be responsive to my initial complaints, but acting on them seems to be another matter.
While I realize that because I'm rooted, I could just block the ads by hand, but I think the more responsible thing would be for these ad distribution networks to actually look into the things they are advertising on our devices.
If you're an app developer, I'd like to ask that if you have a choice of whose ads get displayed in your applications, take a hard though about the ads that are also being pushed to your application's users.
I'm just mad about the whole thing. If ICE/DoHS can take down any site they feel, why can't malware developers suffer the same fate?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also got the same feedback once but i could easily resolve this problem with my ad distributor as they block those ads for me..

"Free App: Battery upgrade" - sleazy ads
Hi all,
I found this topic, and think that it's the good one
Since some days, I have a strange ads in my notification bar, which displays: "Free App: Battery upgrade"
I launched some tools like Lookout or AVG Antivirus, but they didn't find any malware.
Does a specific tool exist to find this kind of malware, or maybe a way to find which app raised this bad ads ?
(last installed apps is Bubble level, but many apps are updated often, so I don't have any idea of which one could cause that )

Well done ,learn more

If it can help people (and it should help ), I found the solution of my problem of sleazy ads:
I installed from market Airpush detector (some other apps exists), which simply detects which apps contains ads (type Airpush), and propose to uninstall them.
At the end, it's simple. I'm very happy that these kind of tool exist, but I'm very surprised that such [email protected]\`@^ ads could be displayed in the notification bar

[Q] Is privacy enforced for apps in Marketplace?

Hi!
Tried finding the answer for this. both in Marketplace privacy terms, development guidelines etc. No luck other then very vague descriptions and guidelines.
So, hoping there might be som WP developers here, I'm wondering this:
Lets say I download and install a smart dialing app.
It has the permissions for Data services, Phone and Owner identity aswell as accessing the contacts.
Now, what stops this app from uploading all my contacts to unwanted destinations?
For example stealing information in purpose of spamming or marketing.
Is there any review of apps, behaviour or code when publishing to Marketplace?
Can I be as convinced that my privacy is respected by app developers?

All apps are reviewed (by real people, as well as by automated tools) before they are accepted to the marketplace. It's basically the same thing that Apple does, and although the list of what is and is not permitted varies a little, you can be sure that the kind of spyware you describe is firmly in the "not permitted" camp.
That said, mistakes can be made in reviewing, or things can be missed. Malware certainly could sneak past the Marketplace reviewers sometimes. Overall, though, it's rare.

Thanks for the reply! I suspected this and it's nice knowing that there are protections in place.
Of course, when one thinks twice, distribution of mal- and spyware through Marketplace would be very contraproductive to the plattform and harm it.
At the same time it would be nice finding some official info how this is enforced...

[Q] App banned on Google Play. How to get an explanation if Google refuses to answer?

Our app has been banned on Google Play and we don't understand the reason.
We are a small company that developed a rather simple application that shows the users a list of tasks and tracks completion of these tasks. Similar to JunoWallet but a different one.
The app had been released in May and everything was fine until a few days ago the app has been suspended in Google Play Market. The reason was described in the e-mail:
"This is a notification that your application, XXXXX , with package ID YYYYYY, has been removed from the Google Play Store.
REASON FOR REMOVAL: Violation of section 4.4 of the Developer Distribution Agreement.
After a regular review we have determined that your app interferes with or accesses another service or product in an unauthorised manner. This violates the provision of your agreement with Google referred to above."
We had no idea of could be possibly wrong, so we asked the Google if it might be a mistake, or result of miscommunication. In response I received this e-mail:
"We have reviewed your appeal and will not be reinstating your app. This decision is final and we will not be responding to any additional emails regarding this removal.
If your account is still in good standing and the nature of your app allows for republishing you may consider releasing a new, policy compliant version of your app to Google Play under a new package name. We are unable to comment further on the specific policy basis for this removal or provide guidance on bringing future versions of your app into policy compliance. Instead, please reference the REASON FOR REMOVAL in the initial notification email from Google Play."
Great but not really helpful. I'm not even sure where to ask or if I'm ever allowed to ask anything how to fix the app.
The list of tasks is provided by a famous global vendor that's integrated into thousands of apps, so it might not be the problem. The only idea we have regarding possible "unauthorised access" is that the app scans the list of installed packages to detect fraud with BlueStacks emulators. But this action doesn't require special authorization, and there are lots of application in the Play market that scan installed apps, even specialised ones, like "App List Backup".
We even could delete this functionality, if we were sure that it's a problem.
I'm pretty sure that we are not the only one who fell in such situation. Does anyone have any experience on how to work this out? Is it possible to approach Google and get practically useful feedback?

My was recently suspended too, for a different reason. Can you please tell me how long they took to reply to your appeal?

shararti said:
My was recently suspended too, for a different reason. Can you please tell me how long they took to reply to your appeal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure about the exact number of hours but it was certainly less than a day

I remember there is a on-line feedback in google play, you could ask questions by online phones calls, although it may be not related to the apps, but i think it`s better to be solved by voice communication rather than pale messages,
PS. we`ve met this kind of problem with Apple, as they claim we`re violating the "unauthorized" kind of problem. And we`ve done the resummit that app(revised) back and forth, it`s a quite tough experience.:crying:

Iankicksass said:
I remember there is a on-line feedback in google play, you could ask questions by online phones calls, although it may be not related to the apps, but i think it`s better to be solved by voice communication rather than pale messages,
PS. we`ve met this kind of problem with Apple, as they claim we`re violating the "unauthorized" kind of problem. And we`ve done the resummit that app(revised) back and forth, it`s a quite tough experience.:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. But I was never able to get any number or anything from them. Officially I meant. The most informative thing I get from them was this text: "Thank you for your email. At the moment we're only able to respond to the emails submitted through our contact form in the Developer Help Center." And they simply do not have the form for direct questions. They suggest to use forum and never answer there.

My app was suspended 2 times
My experience:
1. I developed my next app. I Called it "Gmail Reader", and used a gmail-like icon with additional graphics around it. Not very wise probably - but as I saw hundred another apps having gmail logo in their icon, I thought it was OK. Aaand.. Suspended.
2. I wrote a reply to the suspension notification, and I got a machine reply. Then I replied second time, and finaly a man answered:
"While we are unable to provide specifics as to how to bring your app into compliance, please understand that usage of certain app titles and images may cause confusion among users who are searching for the legitimate app from the original creator. Please visit our Policy Help Center for more information and examples on our policy regarding Intellectual Property.
If we can assist you further, please let us know."
So That was it - the icon and the title, I thought.
3. So I repackaged, renamed, changed icon (drawn it myself). Instead of Gmail in the frist place I put "XYZ for Gmail". However, I noticed later, that I forgot in my screenshots on 2 places the previous icon - so not even in the main place, just somewhere in the screenshot.
Suspended again. This time, no answer, I filed an appeal, answered in half day - no dispute, app terminated. But i RECOMMEND to file an appeal - there is a form for that - as you might get closer to the reason why. I got this:
If your account is still in good standing and the nature of your app allows for republishing you may consider releasing a new, policy compliant version of your app to Google Play under a new package name. You can learn more about why your app was suspended by reviewing our policy on impersonation. We are unable to comment further on the specific policy
I have NO idea WHO the hell I impersonated. I would really like to know.. And even more I'd like to receive a warning before suspension.
Up in the corner of developers console there is a questionmark and in certain hours if you click it, instead of EMAIL you will see LIVE CHAT. From that chat I learned, they will not and cannot give you ANY support regarding the policies.
I also learned, that a "account in good standing" means that you can still publish apps.
4. Previous app had thousand unique installs in 3 days. So of course I repackaged....etc.. everything again, now extremely carefully, no Gmail word used in title. But I'm aware now, that I cannot know everything and they can suspend for any reason I'm not aware of - I maybe used some words mattel copyrighted DD SO it is really "fun". Let's see.
That's my story until now, will post again - hopefully will get wiser without further suspensions - it is time consuming sh** !!!
BTW, I wrote a letter to Google Dev Support, so they think of creating support for policies - as there are many developers with good intentions contributing a lot, not knowing WHY they are stopped.
Best of luck to all...

Hello, we are facing same problem for one of our app which is as of now available in India only.
We are curating videos from youtube. We have not taken written permission from youtube or content owner.
We are not monetising anyhow as of now.
However, there are various app who are indexing videos from youtube similarly like us.
Please help us with this sorting it out. As this is very important to us. Also how do we contact youtube for written approval?

Malicious ads

One of your ads just redirected me to a site that told me that my Samsung Galaxy tab 3 got infected by a virus!
I didn't even click on it, I think.
The message was in my native language (german)
Pls try to fix this!
Some users could fall victim too such scams.
I guess your possibilities might be limited but maybe you can talk to your ad delivery networks to ban such ads and use better techniques to prevent such ads from appearing on their networks. (other websites have these issues as well)
This definitely wasn't a nice experience.
Sometimes ad blockers have their advantages (blocks viruses/scam/phishing) so if you don't want to loose people and get no money for showing ads you should do something about this
Regards,
Djfe

Why on earth did you click on the adverts?
I'm fairly sure most users will be more suprised by the fact that there are still people who don't use an ad blocker, especially on a tech site.
XDA doesn't individually approve each ad. Those are generated by, ususally, Google Adsense, based on your own browsing history.
Not to mention, nobody here should ever fall for 'you Android device has a virus'. This is a website for developers by developers. The fact that Android can't be infected by a virus is common knowledge to everyone here. XDA users are too tech-savvy to be fooled by something that ridiculous.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2

Its not always good to use them
ShadowLea said:
Why on earth did you click on the adverts?
I'm fairly sure most users will be more suprised by the fact that there are still people who don't use an ad blocker, especially on a tech site.
XDA doesn't individually approve each ad. Those are generated by, ususally, Google Adsense, based on your own browsing history.
Not to mention, nobody here should ever fall for 'you Android device has a virus'. This is a website for developers by developers. The fact that Android can't be infected by a virus is common knowledge to everyone here. XDA users are too tech-savvy to be fooled by something that ridiculous.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
upto some extend you are right but sometime you should allow some non-intrusive adds to get displayed. Well those people who are non rooted may face such problems. Well the websites like xda, facebook and countless more are working because of adds...i am not against the add blocker but its not always advised.

sachoosaini said:
upto some extend you are right but sometime you should allow some non-intrusive adds to get displayed. Well those people who are non rooted may face such problems. Well the websites like xda, facebook and countless more are working because of adds...i am not against the add blocker but its not always advised.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of us use Tapatalk or the XDA app when on our Android devices. Those don't show apps
I'm not rooted either. You don't need root to use Adblock Plus in Firefox, even on Android. It's just a plugin in the browser.
Most of us are more than willing to help XDA by paying (For instance for the XDA Forum app), but we refuse to have to deal with intrusive ads. (Ironic, since I'm in advertising.)
Facebook isn't working because of the ads. Facebook is working because they earn millions selling your data.

i won't go into details
ShadowLea said:
Most of us use Tapatalk or the XDA app when on our Android devices. Those don't show apps
I'm not rooted either. You don't need root to use Adblock Plus in Firefox, even on Android. It's just a plugin in the browser.
Most of us are more than willing to help XDA by paying (For instance for the XDA Forum app), but we refuse to have to deal with intrusive ads. (Ironic, since I'm in advertising.)
Facebook isn't working because of the ads. Facebook is working because they earn millions selling your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
allow some advertisements. won't gonna debate what anybody i know what all websites to...:good:

Well If I have clicked on the adverts then that was accidentally
yes most users on here are technical, but some are also noobs trying to search for roms for their devices
Android can be infected by viruses but not without the users interaction (the play store is pretty safe so you would need to download apps from suspicious sites)
Android only cannot be infected by drive-by-downloads
and no website would be able to warn you about something like that
I know that xda cannot filter adverts, but Google adsense might be able to do that if you report malicious ads to them
I'm waiting for the last promised update for my device (Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 -> Kitkat)
then I will root it/switch to a custom rom
on my rooted smartphone I'm using an adblocker (that replaces the host file)
Firefox isn't really good, the performance is very bad and it is still very buggy on some unoptimized sites
else I would use it
Chrome works the best on my devices
FF might work better on high-end devices/current devices but I don't own one at the moment (my devices are from 2011 and 2013)