Security question about CM13 Browser app and Google account - Moto G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi,
I have a security related question about CM13 stock Browser app. I opened my Gmail login session detail page today, and I saw several logs indicating activity from the stock Browser app, even though I have never ever opened/used the app since installing CM13 a month ago. I only regularly use Chrome app which registers in the logs as "Browser (Chrome)", not just "Browser". The IP logged are the same, my device's, for all activities on the log. It looked like the Browser app was connecting to my Google account automatically and periodically, so I disabled the Browser app from the Settings app, and I noticed "Browser" sessions stopped logging. My app/phone usage is minimal with no promiscuous downloads, and the device is well maintained. The possibility of malware from an outside source is minimal. Sophos and Malwarebytes did not detect any known malware. I downloaded CM from the official CM wiki page, and updated using the CyanogenMod Update in Settings. I downloaded Gapps package from the official Open Gapps website.
Did anyone notice "Browser" sessions in your Gmail login session detail page, using CM13 nightlies? Is it a behavior by design? Or is my Browser app misbehaving or is it being malicious?

Related

[Q] DEV IDEA - Google Chrome Bookmarks

i would like to realize an application to synchronize google chrome bookmarks with my phone.
no problem realizing the application. the only problem is: how can i download data from google server? how can i get the list of bookmarks from google chrome server?
From what I heard, they used to have them available in the google docs website. However, they're making some changes and the synced bookmarks are not currently accessible.
I occasionally use an app called (I think) Chrome to Windows Phone which is useful for sending one link at a time - but like you say it would be great to have a complete sync like e.g. XMarks does for desktop browsers.
It might be worth contact XMarks to see if they would open their API for you to write a phone app.
otherworld said:
I occasionally use an app called (I think) Chrome to Windows Phone which is useful for sending one link at a time - but like you say it would be great to have a complete sync like e.g. XMarks does for desktop browsers.
It might be worth contact XMarks to see if they would open their API for you to write a phone app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xmark is a browser extension. i think it's possible to realize an extension, but my idea was an http request like you can do with google bookmarks.
an extension won't allow me to access data from the device anytime i want (or i can do it using a webserver)
You might want to take a look at chromepush.com as well.
Similar app
There is a similar application for Android:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.h.chromemarks&hl=ru
It will be great, if any alternative will be released for WP7!!
singhnx said:
You might want to take a look at chromepush.com as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This site is not working already. Maybe url or program name changed?
There is already an app for this called Chrome Bookmarks
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/apps/0ec0fe4d-85f6-4a48-936d-cc03b75e2402
andreacorti said:
i would like to realize an application to synchronize google chrome bookmarks with my phone.
no problem realizing the application. the only problem is: how can i download data from google server? how can i get the list of bookmarks from google chrome server?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently released an app that does that - it talks directly to Google's servers using the native Chrome sync protocol. It syncs down open Tabs, Bookmarks and recently accessed web pages. It is available in the marketplace under "Chrync" - there is an unlimited trial, and I've no problem with people using it without paying for as long as they like.
I've also released a beta of a new version, which works when you have sync encryption enabled in Chrome. It also (optionally) syncs passwords, lets you pin bookmarks and folders, and lets you search bookmarks, passwords and recent URLs. Info on the beta at chrync.com/beta1-1/
Damian
nice

AOSP browser not syncing bookmarks anymore?

I just noticed that the stock android browser hasnt synced my bookmarks with the desktop chrome for a long long time. I remember it used to do that before.
I really cant say exactly when it started not syncing anymore as I checked after a long time. I have also noticed an unusual problem that my google account would not remain signed in automatically and each time I load the browser it asks me to sign in to my google account. This also didnt used to happen before and I figure it could be the cause of the problem. I have selected the browser to "remember" passwords in the settings and it does remember my accounts of other websites.
I am running CM 10.1.3 stable. Can anyone give feeback if the stock browser is syncing their bookmarks?

[Q] This webpage is not available - with a twist...

Samsung S4, Verizon, Android 4.2.2, JDq39.GoogleEdition.I545VRUAMDK
On Wifi, everything works as expected. The problem is when I'm connected to a mobile network.
Problem: I'm only able to access *google.com* sites!
When I try anything else (www.xda-developers.com, www.reddit.com, www.theoatmeal.com, etc) I get a "This webpage is not available" message from Chrome or "Web Page Not Available" from Dolphin.
I cannot access Google Voice. I cannot access Google Play.
What is working:
- Google search results show up, but when I click on the web pages, they don't load
- Google Apps (gmail, calendar, etc work fine)
- Google's cached pages
- I can make and receive phone calls
I've tried rebooting, and installing a new browser (Dolphin) in case of a settings issue.
Any solutions? Thanks!
try a new search engine, duckduckgo?
Jrcon said:
try a new search engine, duckduckgo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried that. The problem isn't loading search results (*google.com works fine). The problem is loading webpages from the search results and even when typed manually in the address bar.
In addition to *google.com, *android.com and *youtube.com pages also load properly. Youtube app works. Google Maps works. Gmail app works. Google Play and Google+ apps do not. Uber, Twitter and my bank apps do not.
When I load those that don't work, messages say there's a data connection issue. But, that's not the case, as some of the Google apps seem to function.
I have restarted the phone.
Do you have the correct APNs installed in your phone?

Probelm: opening links within apps causes bad switch to Chrome

Running Nougat beta on Sprint.
Whenever I open a weblink within an app (such as reddit, Google Search/Now, Gmail) the link opens within the app, but as soon as it's done loading my phone switches to Chrome -- but does NOT open the link in Chrome.
To see the page I have to switch back to the original app.
This is driving me nuts.
Is there a fix for this? I tried clearing Chrome defaults, disabling/re-enabling Chrome, uninstalling Chrome updates. No dice.

annoying apps that keep starting themselves

OK the title is self explanatory but lets go a bit further
I have two apps on my phone that I want to stop but primarily Facebook, I don't want them starting when the phone boots and I don't want them restarting on their own when I kill the process or stop the apps, I believe they have processes running that don't readily identify themselves as being associated with the apps so even if I kill/force stop the apps a short time later they just start up again.
I still want to be able to use the apps I choose so I don't want to uninstall or freeze them
The apps (for starters) are Facebook and ES file Explorer, I don't think ES FE is that bad and just stopping it from running on boot would be good enough but Facebook is an entirely different matter, it is extremely annoying.
Sometimes my phone heats up like it is doing a lot of work on something and when I kill facebook it all settles down
Xperia Z1 5.1.1. rooted
Geoffxx said:
OK the title is self explanatory but lets go a bit further
I have two apps on my phone that I want to stop but primarily Facebook, I don't want them starting when the phone boots and I don't want them restarting on their own when I kill the process or stop the apps, I believe they have processes running that don't readily identify themselves as being associated with the apps so even if I kill/force stop the apps a short time later they just start up again.
I still want to be able to use the apps I choose so I don't want to uninstall or freeze them
The apps (for starters) are Facebook and ES file Explorer, I don't think ES FE is that bad and just stopping it from running on boot would be good enough but Facebook is an entirely different matter, it is extremely annoying.
Sometimes my phone heats up like it is doing a lot of work on something and when I kill facebook it all settles down
Xperia Z1 5.1.1. rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greenify should do the trick.
There's also Boot manager (if you're rooted+xposed)
Freewander10 said:
Greenify should do the trick.
There's also Boot manager (if you're rooted+xposed)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greenfly does not achieve what I am trying to do, and boot manager does not stop facebook from loading, it is still there in my apps and running no matter what I do and if I force stop it and stop the process it is back there again later without rebooting
I suspect that facebook uses and app or process that is not readily identifiable as facebook by name and then this app or process then manages the actual facebook apps that you see running as facebook, to actually stop facebook you would need to identify this app or process to totally shut it down, so if I am right - does anyone know what this app or process is so that I can stop it and take control of facebook, I rarely use it and don't see why it needs to be running 24/7 spying on me
I am pretty sure someone on these forums know the answer
Geoffxx said:
Greenfly does not achieve what I am trying to do, and boot manager does not stop facebook from loading, it is still there in my apps and running no matter what I do and if I force stop it and stop the process it is back there again later without rebooting
I suspect that facebook uses and app or process that is not readily identifiable as facebook by name and then this app or process then manages the actual facebook apps that you see running as facebook, to actually stop facebook you would need to identify this app or process to totally shut it down, so if I am right - does anyone know what this app or process is so that I can stop it and take control of facebook, I rarely use it and don't see why it needs to be running 24/7 spying on me
I am pretty sure someone on these forums know the answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any app that runs so forceably even when you try to stop it should not be on your phone.
It can be awoken by listening and reacting to any of the numerous intents on android. For example; the app could've been coded to wake up each time you open the camera/dialer/attempt to dial a number/connect to the internet and so on. Google Play Services operates in the same way.
Cutting off wake up paths in greenify should fix that. Or download 3C System Tuner and disable some of the triggering intents for the app.
Freewander10 said:
Any app that runs so forceably even when you try to stop it should not be on your phone.
It can be awoken by listening and reacting to any of the numerous intents on android. For example; the app could've been coded to wake up each time you open the camera/dialer/attempt to dial a number/connect to the internet and so on. Google Play Services operates in the same way.
Cutting off wake up paths in greenify should fix that. Or download 3C System Tuner and disable some of the triggering intents for the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok I am going to assume you hae android and facebook app installed............if not then never mind because you have nothing to contribute
if you have the facebook app installed then go ahead and look at apps and processes and try to stop it from invading your phone............good luck with that ...please report back
I have since uninstalled facebook app and will access it through my browser if and when I need to
I worked in IT all my life and I don't like facebook, in fact I don't like seeing people with their faces buried in their phones 10 hours a day, there is something very wrong going on - I love and support technology but as some experts are now saying, it is now a serious health problem and I believe them............so what does facebook have to do with this..................well by far the biggest offender, so much so that it is scary
my advice to anyone with a mobile smartphone is to uninstall the facebook app and just access it through a browser, people need to realize that while you have all these devices and various accounts apps and cookies etc etc, everything you do on every device, everything you access - everywhere you go, everything you do is being monitored and recorded.................everything and I mean EVERYTHING
you think your life is private lol
anyway I couldn't find a way to shut the facebook app down..........so I uninstalled it, not sure that will even make a difference but it is gone, no more updates every 2 days - no more overheating as FB tries to upload stuff to some cloud somewhere without my permission................it is gone
sorry for the rant
Geoffxx said:
ok I am going to assume you hae android and facebook app installed............if not then never mind because you have nothing to contribute
if you have the facebook app installed then go ahead and look at apps and processes and try to stop it from invading your phone............good luck with that ...please report back
I have since uninstalled facebook app and will access it through my browser if and when I need to
I worked in IT all my life and I don't like facebook, in fact I don't like seeing people with their faces buried in their phones 10 hours a day, there is something very wrong going on - I love and support technology but as some experts are now saying, it is now a serious health problem and I believe them............so what does facebook have to do with this..................well by far the biggest offender, so much so that it is scary
my advice to anyone with a mobile smartphone is to uninstall the facebook app and just access it through a browser, people need to realize that while you have all these devices and various accounts apps and cookies etc etc, everything you do on every device, everything you access - everywhere you go, everything you do is being monitored and recorded.................everything and I mean EVERYTHING
you think your life is private lol
anyway I couldn't find a way to shut the facebook app down..........so I uninstalled it, not sure that will even make a difference but it is gone, no more updates every 2 days - no more overheating as FB tries to upload stuff to some cloud somewhere without my permission................it is gone
sorry for the rant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Startup Manager would come in handy but it only works for 1 boot and you need to repeat each time you want to reboot
Out of curiousty isn't freezing it better than deleting it?
And yeah the browser version is better
Geoffxx said:
ok I am going to assume you hae android and facebook app installed............if not then never mind because you have nothing to contribute
if you have the facebook app installed then go ahead and look at apps and processes and try to stop it from invading your phone............good luck with that ...please report back
I have since uninstalled facebook app and will access it through my browser if and when I need to
I worked in IT all my life and I don't like facebook, in fact I don't like seeing people with their faces buried in their phones 10 hours a day, there is something very wrong going on - I love and support technology but as some experts are now saying, it is now a serious health problem and I believe them............so what does facebook have to do with this..................well by far the biggest offender, so much so that it is scary
my advice to anyone with a mobile smartphone is to uninstall the facebook app and just access it through a browser, people need to realize that while you have all these devices and various accounts apps and cookies etc etc, everything you do on every device, everything you access - everywhere you go, everything you do is being monitored and recorded.................everything and I mean EVERYTHING
you think your life is private lol
anyway I couldn't find a way to shut the facebook app down..........so I uninstalled it, not sure that will even make a difference but it is gone, no more updates every 2 days - no more overheating as FB tries to upload stuff to some cloud somewhere without my permission................it is gone
sorry for the rant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a suggestion, but you might not get notifications when you have activity on Facebook. You won't know about any Facebook activity until you actually go and check it yourself.
Here is a workaround that doesn't even involve having Facebook or Facebook Messenger installed.
Use your favorite mobile browser(I recommend Puffin Browser or Firefox, Firefox requires some setup though, explained and linked below), go to Facebook in browser, login, have it save your login info in browser.
Then, open your browser settings and find the option to add the page to your homescreen as a shortcut. Open your Facebook settings in browser, find notification settings, set it to notify you of activity via text or via email, if you choose to notify via email, use the email that you are logged into your device with. Then, open your email app, go to its settings and set it to notify you when you get an email. This setup will save battery, save space because Facebook won't be installed, have less demand on CPU and mobile data. It will also allow you to still receive your Facebook notifications without having the app installed.
A workaround for managing your Facebook messages without having Messenger installed is as follows.
When you open the Facebook shortcut that you added to homescreen, open your browser menu, tap "request desktop site", when the page reloads you can then check your messages by tapping the messenger icon at the top of the Facebook page. If you try to check messages without requesting desktop site first, it will redirect you to install messenger. An alternative to this is to use Puffin Browser or Firefox(use this to set up Firefox in automatic desktop view) or use another browser that saves login info and automatically opens pages in desktop view, this will do everything for you without having to request desktop every time you open the page, just make sure that you create the homescreen shortcut using Puffin(or whatever other browser you use that has automatic desktop site) instead of your usual browser.
All of this requires no extra apps or disabling/hibernating/greenifying any apps.
This is the setup I use for the exact same reason that you're wanting to avoid.
Does this get you anywhere close to what you're looking for?
I DO NOT PROVIDE HELP IN PM, KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
Droidriven said:
I have a suggestion, but you might not get notifications when you have activity on Facebook. You won't know about any Facebook activity until you actually go and check it yourself.
Here is a workaround that doesn't even involve having Facebook or Facebook Messenger installed.
Use your favorite mobile browser(I recommend Puffin Browser or Firefox, Firefox requires some setup though, explained and linked below), go to Facebook in browser, login, have it save your login info in browser.
Then, open your browser settings and find the option to add the page to your homescreen as a shortcut. Open your Facebook settings in browser, find notification settings, set it to notify you of activity via text or via email, if you choose to notify via email, use the email that you are logged into your device with. Then, open your email app, go to its settings and set it to notify you when you get an email. This setup will save battery, save space because Facebook won't be installed, have less demand on CPU and mobile data. It will also allow you to still receive your Facebook notifications without having the app installed.
A workaround for managing your Facebook messages without having Messenger installed is as follows.
When you open the Facebook shortcut that you added to homescreen, open your browser menu, tap "request desktop site", when the page reloads you can then check your messages by tapping the messenger icon at the top of the Facebook page. If you try to check messages without requesting desktop site first, it will redirect you to install messenger. An alternative to this is to use Puffin Browser or Firefox(use this to set up Firefox in automatic desktop view) or use another browser that saves login info and automatically opens pages in desktop view, this will do everything for you without having to request desktop every time you open the page, just make sure that you create the homescreen shortcut using Puffin(or whatever other browser you use that has automatic desktop site) instead of your usual browser.
All of this requires no extra apps or disabling/hibernating/greenifying any apps.
This is the setup I use for the exact same reason that you're wanting to avoid.
Does this get you anywhere close to what you're looking for?
I DO NOT PROVIDE HELP IN PM, KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that is what I have done, now facebook doesn't take over my device anymore lol not that I used it much in the first place
In terms of privacy google isn't much better but then they own the OS so not much can be done with that one
Geoffxx said:
Yes that is what I have done, now facebook doesn't take over my device anymore lol not that I used it much in the first place
In terms of privacy google isn't much better but then they own the OS so not much can be done with that one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible to not have Google on a device and use alternative apps with similar function. There are many members here that take their privacy very serious and uts,what they do with their devicesm
I DO NOT PROVIDE HELP IN PM, KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
just a little more feedback on this for those that area interested
After removing facebook (uninstalling the app) the difference in quite extraordinary, yes I have an xperia Z1 which is a couple of years old but it still does everything I need it too, removing the facebook app has made my phone lightening quick, I also no longer have the every other day massive updates and I can still access facebook through my browser when I feel like it, looks just the same responds just the same but without the massive overhead
seriously - do yourself a favour and dump that facebook app................it turned into a monster and there is a very easy solution
Geoffxx said:
just a little more feedback on this for those that area interested
After removing facebook (uninstalling the app) the difference in quite extraordinary, yes I have an xperia Z1 which is a couple of years old but it still does everything I need it too, removing the facebook app has made my phone lightening quick, I also no longer have the every other day massive updates and I can still access facebook through my browser when I feel like it, looks just the same responds just the same but without the massive overhead
seriously - do yourself a favour and dump that facebook app................it turned into a monster and there is a very easy solution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish I could thank this post a dozen times. I tell people to get rid of facebook all the time. People come to this forum wondering why their battery usage is outrageous and why their device is so sluggish. Then you find out that they have Facebook and messenger installed along with Snapchat, Whatsapp, etc..
People just don't realize how much demand these social media apps put on the hardware.
I DO NOT PROVIDE HELP IN PM, KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE

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