Database Info

What exactly is Superuser used for?

I've searched and searched, but superuser comes up with a ton of results all buried in various rom threads. What does superuser do? In the 2 roms I tested out so far, it was in both, but I went ahead and removed it. Any benefits to keeping it? Of course knowing what it's for would help a lot lol.

Super user is used to control which applications can ask for root access.
This way nothing can hijack your device without you knowing first.

in short...it gives the apps that require root permissions (that you download) access to the file system and keeps other potentially "malicious" programs from changing your filesystem

oo. Looks like I better keep it installed from now on. Thanks guys

ive never heard of a truuuely malicious app. can i hear a story

mountaindont said:
ive never heard of a truuuely malicious app. can i hear a story
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One time....
well never mind that was a windows phone.
But...
Ahhhhhhhhhh screw it, it'll never happen.
Android/Linux FTW

SuperUser also sets your uid to 0,0 for all those rooted actions.

willy900wonka said:
SuperUser also sets your uid to 0,0 for all those rooted actions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
no virus's in android? that ironic, somehow...

mountaindont said:
+1
no virus's in android? that ironic, somehow...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
linux ftw
There might be a few out in the wild though

IIRC there's only 12 viruses in the wild for Linux based systems. Whether they'd apply to Android, idk, but they're apparently just big failures.

abcdfv said:
IIRC there's only 12 viruses in the wild for Linux based systems. Whether they'd apply to Android, idk, but they're apparently just big failures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rooting and messing with the android os isnt considered malicious...right? lol
bugs are different from malicious scareware. stuff that logs you and f*cks your system up. the only faliures i know of are bugs. but im a vista user, so thats a whole new playing field.

mountaindont said:
rooting and messing with the android os isnt considered malicious...right? lol
bugs are different from malicious scareware. stuff that logs you and f*cks your system up. the only faliures i know of are bugs. but im a vista user, so thats a whole new playing field.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Failures as in they can't do anything unless you actually give them root. (Equivalent of running virus.exe and then hitting "allow" on the UAC prompt.)

BackTrack 5 on Mesmerize

(This is a re-post from Android Hacking and General section; I developed this on a Mesmerize so I can promise it will work just fine on 2.1 and 2.2.1 stock kernels)
Requires a rooted device!
BackTrack 5 installation guides are making their way around this forum. I've tried to synthesize it all, but I've also added my own touches to help with usability and features, along with a workaround for the "ioctl LOOP_SET_FD failed" error message some people have been getting.
In theory this build is nearly universal, so if you have an Android device it should work. I've put it all in one zip file that you can download directly from my website, no hassles or wait timers.
If you are interested have a look, feel free to re-post. Credit goes to the BackTrack team and xda member anantshri (he's got skills, give him props guys), who built the base image file.
Information, download link, and installation guide at:
http://www.mattslifebytes.com/?p=456
If you like what you see help me out, hosting is expensive!
http://www.mattslifebytes.com/donate
(alternatively, you can show interest in the products and services featured on my website, if you know what I mean )
msullivan said:
If you don't know what BackTrack is, you probably don't want it
BackTrack is an operating system based on Ubuntu Linux that is used for security testing (aka hacking) and digital forensics. I'm a master's degree student in computer security, so I love this OS... it can do awesome things. Turn on your Wi-Fi and you can do advanced network scans and tests right from your phone, no laptop required. For me this is hella-useful.
But besides just being an OS for hacking ****, it's also fully Ubuntu-based, so you can run it like a desktop, including running Firefox and other Linux applications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

So maybe I'm drunk (which I am) or I'm retarded (which I am). What EXACTLY is this for?

lol...
BackTrack is an operating system based on Ubuntu Linux that is used for security testing (aka hacking) and digital forensics. I'm a master's degree student in computer security, so I love this OS... it can do awesome things. Turn on your Wi-Fi and you can do advanced network scans and tests right from your phone, no laptop required. For me this is hella-useful.
But besides just being an OS for hacking ****, it's also fully Ubuntu-based, so you can run it like a desktop, including running Firefox and ****.

msullivan said:
lol...
BackTrack is an operating system based on Ubuntu Linux that is used for security testing (aka hacking) and digital forensics. I'm a master's degree student in computer security, so I love this OS... it can do awesome things. Turn on your Wi-Fi and you can do advanced network scans and tests right from your phone, no laptop required. For me this is hella-useful.
But besides just being an OS for hacking ****, it's also fully Ubuntu-based, so you can run it like a desktop, including running Firefox and ****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt this is possible to do via a phone, but can you crack wifi networks using this?

Wait, so let me get this straight.... this is an ubuntu based os that will run on the mesmerize???
If so, HOW? Dual boot? Or complete rom replacement?
My curiosity is peaked.
EDIT: nevermind, I just followed the link and read it... i'm a little disappointed haha but I might try it out just for the hell of it.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

Pretty cool, thanks for your work.
Sent from my MIUI SCH-i500

kallell said:
I doubt this is possible to do via a phone, but can you crack wifi networks using this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming the Wi-Fi chipset supports it (and it probably does) then yes, you could, but it will take a lot longer than, say, if you had a laptop, since Wi-Fi cracking always involves cryptographic computations.

davidbruington said:
Wait, so let me get this straight.... this is an ubuntu based os that will run on the mesmerize???
If so, HOW? Dual boot? Or complete rom replacement?
My curiosity is peaked.
EDIT: nevermind, I just followed the link and read it... i'm a little disappointed haha but I might try it out just for the hell of it.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It still runs pretty nicely, especially considering you are running it on a phone And for what it's worth, having to use VNC as the GUI is often a plus; it's nice to be able to switch back and forth quickly.

Okay so I read your website, still don't get it. What is it and why do I want it.
Sent from my SCH-I500

Wyman881 said:
Okay so I read your website, still don't get it. What is it and why do I want it.
Sent from my SCH-I500
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't know what it is you probably don't want it, lol, but description has been posted on the third reply from the top.
EDIT: Also put a description in the top post.

msullivan said:
Assuming the Wi-Fi chipset supports it (and it probably does) then yes, you could, but it will take a lot longer than, say, if you had a laptop, since Wi-Fi cracking always involves cryptographic computations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Id love to give this a shot... Anyone else play around with cracking a network yet?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

Hrm... I failed when packaging the version that got put up online (sorry). I'm fixing now, will update shortly.

Wow, nice. Got a network testing fuze and now I can have bt5 on my captivate.
Sent from a super smooth captivate running andromeda

wipe?
Now i may be missing where it says it. But does this wipe your phone or does it just load it kinda like a app?

veteranmina said:
Now i may be missing where it says it. But does this wipe your phone or does it just load it kinda like a app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like an app. Specifically it uses the concept of a "chroot" to run it from inside of Android's Linux kernel. You can even switch back and forth between the two instantly.

msullivan said:
Just like an app. Specifically it uses the concept of a "chroot" to run it from inside of Android's Linux kernel. You can even switch back and forth between the two instantly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so this will not harm the android rom or and data at all correct?

veteranmina said:
so this will not harm the android rom or and data at all correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, under normal circumstances. I'm going to cover my ass here and remind you that you'll be running this stuff as root, so if you start deleting files willy nilly you can still blow away your Android system requiring a re-flashing.
But as long as you aren't an idiot you'll be just fine, lol.

Fixed version now posted at the website.
http://www.mattslifebytes.com/?p=456

Very sweet..and it's refreshing to see a fellow Cyclone about!
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

bigmike88 said:
Very sweet..and it's refreshing to see a fellow Cyclone about!
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Join IASG

Tethering?

I can't seem to get barnacle or wifitether to work on this phone. Has anyone else been successful in tethering with the infuse?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA Premium App

I just used the integrated wifi hotspot.
"Settings>>Wireless and network>>Mobile AP"
And have at it. Worked great.

lost1 said:
I just used the integrated wifi hotspot.
"Settings>>Wireless and network>>Mobile AP"
And have at it. Worked great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to have the tethering plan? Can't att ttell?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA Premium App

I've never had an issue. On the iPhone (not jailbroken) you have to call AT&T to activate. On this one, you get an information tag above the activate checkbox saying:
A Tethering/Mobile Hotspot plan is required to use this service. Please go to att.com/myWireless or dial 611 if you do not already have this service provisioned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using that on my Captivate for 7 or 8 months now, AT&T has never billed me. I'm not extravagant in my usage. The highest net data I've used is 4.5GB, but that's for both normal and tethered use. I've never been dinged.
I think if it becomes obvious, torrent or otherwise, then they may try to do something. But as far as I know, there is no way to distinguish the traffic of your phone from that of the connected devices.
My suggestion is try it for a small burst of data, note the time. Reboot your phone after. Then check your account online after a day or two and see whats listed under your data use.

You guys should try a custom apn similar to the captivate and atrix.
Sent from Desire HD or Inspire 4G or whatever this thing is called via premium XDA app.

Ok... I tried this again after I posted the message. Something seems to have changed in my account. Now I get a "Verifying" message and then a note that says tethering is not available. My guess is that we'll have to replace the IP/Stack to not request verification information from AT&T.
So, sorry, no go yet.

lost1 said:
Ok... I tried this again after I posted the message. Something seems to have changed in my account. Now I get a "Verifying" message and then a note that says tethering is not available. My guess is that we'll have to replace the IP/Stack to not request verification information from AT&T.
So, sorry, no go yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can someone else try it with an independent app such as barnancle or wifi tether to see if it works?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA Premium App

lost1 said:
I've never had an issue. On the iPhone (not jailbroken) you have to call AT&T to activate. On this one, you get an information tag above the activate checkbox saying:
I've been using that on my Captivate for 7 or 8 months now, AT&T has never billed me. I'm not extravagant in my usage. The highest net data I've used is 4.5GB, but that's for both normal and tethered use. I've never been dinged.
I think if it becomes obvious, torrent or otherwise, then they may try to do something. But as far as I know, there is no way to distinguish the traffic of your phone from that of the connected devices.
My suggestion is try it for a small burst of data, note the time. Reboot your phone after. Then check your account online after a day or two and see whats listed under your data use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I notice you said ATT, but your profile shows the Canadian flag. So are you in Canada or US with ATT.
I know some Canadian carriers have some tether included in the 3G for free at no extra charge.

jthornton71707 said:
Can someone else try it with an independent app such as barnancle or wifi tether to see if it works?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont see those apps in the marketplace. I take it you have to root?

I used EasyTether Pro. Works on my Mac fine. I have rooted the phone already, any way of getting a WiFi one now that it's rooted?

Ya you have to be rooted. Go to 4shared.com and search for barnacle.apk.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA Premium App

You guys know that there is a wifi tether for android from google development right? Just use that and you are done.

Did just that It needed a 13 character wpa key... ilovekeineken worked jussst fine!
Searched for "wifi tether" on google code. Slider earned a thanks

EDIT: Now confirmed to work, see next post!
I tried the Android Wi-fi tether and it didn't work. Can anyone confirm that it works?

lost1 said:
I tried the Android Wi-fi tether and it didn't work. Can anyone confirm that it works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
guys MOBILE AP in settings! that's native wifi teather ap stands for access point. there is an apk you need to delete or freaze to do it without the tethering plan. ill get details from captivate section and report back.

I can now confirm that Android-Wifi-Tether works.
I used Tether for Root Users 2.0.8-pre1 Wireless
I agree with Dani897, this will ultimately be a matter of replacing the AT&T Modded Wifi AP with the google stock version.

lost1 said:
I can now confirm that Android-Wifi-Tether works.
It worked for me as well with no problems
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Dani897 said:
guys MOBILE AP in settings! that's native wifi teather ap stands for access point. there is an apk you need to delete or freaze to do it without the tethering plan. ill get details from captivate section and report back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please do, waiting of your info.
Thanks.

Papi4baby said:
Please do, waiting of your info.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in titaniumbackp if you are rooted freeze ir uninstall "tetheringmanager0326.apk" should unlock it. you can also delete it from adb, rootexplorer, other root file managers as long as you mount read write in terminal emulator, or you can use terminal emulator.
i have a linux machine and use sshdroid to ssh into the phone. that's another way to do it if you get a windows application that handles ssh.

Dani897 said:
in titaniumbackp if you are rooted freeze ir uninstall "tetheringmanager0326.apk" should unlock it. you can also delete it from adb, rootexplorer, other root file managers as long as you mount read write in terminal emulator, or you can use terminal emulator.
i have a linux machine and use sshdroid to ssh into the phone. that's another way to do it if you get a windows application that handles ssh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
10-4.
I was hoping of a way around it without root. I know the Atrix had one.
Thanks anyways.

Amazon wifi only bypass

Is there a way to make the amazon app store believe that it has a wifi connection so that wifi only applications can be downloaded without needing wifi?
I have unlimited data and never use my wifi unless I am tethering
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

Considering that non-rooted phones still have to connect to a PC to side-load the darn apps, why can't we just use the "internet passthrough" feature and use our PC's broadband connection to download the wifi-only apps?!?

I am assuming you aren't Rooted? Cuz, um I don't have to connect to my PC to side load jack.
I have not been able to find an "app" that will let me bypass the wifi.

tweaked said:
I am assuming you aren't Rooted? Cuz, um I don't have to connect to my PC to side load jack.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, I'm still running the stock rom (non-rooted), but I'm getting close to my annoyance limit, heh.

tweaked said:
I am assuming you aren't Rooted? Cuz, um I don't have to connect to my PC to side load jack.
I have not been able to find an "app" that will let me bypass the wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sideload?!?!? What is sideloading? I kid I kid
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App

zuriken said:
Correct, I'm still running the stock rom (non-rooted), but I'm getting close to my annoyance limit, heh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I'm assuming you haven't received the sideloading update from at&t, correct?
(I'll never understand how, even with an official sideloading update, this continues to remain an issue for some people.)

Scott_S said:
And I'm assuming you haven't received the sideloading update from at&t, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. No update, so I continue to use the Wonder Machine instead.

zuriken said:
Correct. No update, so I continue to use the Wonder Machine instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never used it. the phone made it three whole days before I was rooted and stock rom was booted.
'Course I read the forums for about a month before I was able to upgrade per my ATT contract and had already downloaded everything I needed and had a folder full of apps. Lolz

tweaked said:
I never used it. the phone made it three whole days before I was rooted and stock rom was booted.
'Course I read the forums for about a month before I was able to upgrade per my ATT contract
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's cool. My contract had long since expired on my AT&T Tilt 1, but I was waiting for them to get something like the EVO before I got locked-in to a phone for another 2 years.

zuriken said:
Well that's cool. My contract had long since expired on my AT&T Tilt 1, but I was waiting for them to get something like the EVO before I got locked-in to a phone for another 2 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't see anything worth waiting for. Dual core is to new and not used and
3d...I'm color blind so 3d is not my thing.
By the time I can upgrade again (in 1yr 4 months) quad core will be standard.

ajdrausal said:
Is there a way to make the amazon app store believe that it has a wifi connection so that wifi only applications can be downloaded without needing wifi?
I have unlimited data and never use my wifi unless I am tethering
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any ideas on how to approach this?
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

ajdrausal said:
Any ideas on how to approach this?
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this time I am unable to find anything on bypassing the Wifi.
Google search = Nothing but ppl asking if there is one
and
forum Search = ppl asking if there is one.
I had it on my Iphone and wanted it on andriod too. but it does not seem to exist.

tweaked said:
At this time I am unable to find anything on bypassing the Wifi.
Google search = Nothing but ppl asking if there is one
and
forum Search = ppl asking if there is one.
I had it on my Iphone and wanted it on andriod too. but it does not seem to exist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that is my issue i googled hard enough

zuriken said:
Correct. No update, so I continue to use the Wonder Machine instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since apparently it hasn't updated on its own, and if you're not wanting to root, why not just call up ATT and have them push the update to your phone?
Unless there's some other reason...

Scott_S said:
Unless there's some other reason...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, there's no "other" reason. I don't mind using the Wonder Machine, since I've already got my phone connected to my PC to recharge anyway.

[MOD] Email.apk With Exchange Security Removed

Tired of having to type in a password or PIN into your phone just because your Corporate Email account requires it? I know I am.
This modified Email.apk is for the Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, and will allow you to bypass the password, and possibly other exchange security policies, simply because, when it evaluates the policy to see if it is active, it always returns that it is. And so, when it checks to see if your PIN is active, it simply thinks it is, and continues to go about it's business as normal.
To install do the following:
Code:
adb shell mount -o remount rw /system
adb push Email.apk /system/app/Email.apk
adb shell rm /system/app/Email.odex
adb reboot
YMMV, I am not responsible if you get fired for circumventing your company's Exchange Policies.
Appreciate my work? Buy Me a Beer:

didnt work for me

You can also do this with Enhanced Email available in the market. I think it works on rooted and unrooted.

mentalcase said:
You can also do this with Enhanced Email available in the market. I think it works on rooted and unrooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I picked Enhanced Email yesterday as free app of the day. Works great.
As for this not working did you delete your account and then remove Administration Password? If not PW stays on place.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

mentalcase said:
You can also do this with Enhanced Email available in the market. I think it works on rooted and unrooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that is a great app, I just like the Samsung stock Email experience better.
djarpit said:
didnt work for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read Below
Big Dawg 23 said:
I picked Enhanced Email yesterday as free app of the day. Works great.
As for this not working did you delete your account and then remove Administration Password? If not PW stays on place.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Big Dawg 23 said:
I picked Enhanced Email yesterday as free app of the day. Works great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I put in my phone number to purchase that free app and stupid Amazon simply sent me a link to download their Amazon App instead of the Enhanced Email.

Cool, but just an FYI.
If your company is using Good Mobile, you're best not to run this. Good looks for rooted/jailbroken devices and flags them/remote wipes/shuts them down.
If they're not running Good Mobile, then you're fine

just reboot your phone after the delete and re-install. It works great for me.

That sucks. Its so nice nit having to enter the code. However, I do agree with the earlier post that Stock app is better. Its nice to trigger out of office reply from my phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

I tried enhanced email (bought it) and discovered it would not sync my exchange contacts. Issue with Android according to the developer.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

Does this "Email.apk" Have the same exact features as the stock email app in the Skyrocket?

Working fine for me so far, no admins have kicked in my door just yet lol

cliff p said:
Cool, but just an FYI.
If your company is using Good Mobile, you're best not to run this. Good looks for rooted/jailbroken devices and flags them/remote wipes/shuts them down.
If they're not running Good Mobile, then you're fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am a GFE user with a rooted device and have not experienced this.
Perhaps it's a policy set by your GFE admin.
It would suck to not be able to root your phone.

I loaded the .apk onto my SD card and tried installing it via Astro file manager, but it keeps telling me 'application not installed'. Am I going about this the right way? Do I have to delete the original email.apk in order to install this one?

ccbeam said:
I am a GFE user with a rooted device and have not experienced this.
Perhaps it's a policy set by your GFE admin.
It would suck to not be able to root your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its one of the very basic functions of Good. I DO work for the gov't though so I'm sure they're a bit more active than a private company.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA App

ccbeam said:
I am a GFE user with a rooted device and have not experienced this.
Perhaps it's a policy set by your GFE admin.
It would suck to not be able to root your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, it's a policy that needs to be enabled on the server side. My company uses GFE and does not currently have a policy against jailbroken/rooted devices. I'm pretty sure it does make note of those "offending" devices though.

cliff p said:
Cool, but just an FYI.
If your company is using Good Mobile, you're best not to run this. Good looks for rooted/jailbroken devices and flags them/remote wipes/shuts them down.
If they're not running Good Mobile, then you're fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not true. If your company has a policy in place to do this through Good then sure, in your case it might be true. But certainly not in all cases.
Source: Tech who works for a (far superior) competitor to Good.

Thanks for the heads up. Guess its just our NEC-nazi group then.
Sent from my SGH-i727

Quick question:
If I root my SR and flash a custom ROM that has all the apps deodexed can I rename Email-GIIs-Skyrocket.apk to email.apk and just overwrite the original?

Added flashable zip to first post.