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/!\ BE AWARE OF YOUR APP, DavinciDevelopers try to steal them and sell them on the market !!
Hello guys,
Be careful, if you post an apk of your free app here, somebody will try to take the apk, remove the signature, and upload it as a paid version on the market !
The proofs : (edited to add new stolen softwares)
Llamadroid
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=10113570#post10113570
- http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-kebab-llamadroid-zzjjD.aspx
(removed today, on 5th january)
Typo clock
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=814054
- http://www.appbrain.com/app/beautiful-clock-widget-3d/com.semicuda.typoclock
Iron soldiers
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=862875
- http://www.appbrain.com/app/iron-soldiers/vuxia.ironSoldiers
(removed from market today, on 5th january, but still referenced)
Championship racing 2010
- http://www.vividgames.com/sub_game.php?id=42
- http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-vividgames-championship_racing_2010-zzxwq.aspx
(removed today, on 5th january)
Liquid wallpaper
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=878252
http://www.appbrain.com/app/liquid-physics/livewallpaper.liquid
Bluetooth Scanner
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=900923
http://www.androidzoom.com/android_games/casual/bluetooth-scanner_pvqg.html
(New !! Now, we have proof that ALL his apps are stolen)
And even Gameloft best sellers (paid games) :
http://www.androlib.com/android.app...ndroid-gand-gloftspaw-heroofsparta-zjCDi.aspx
(removed from market today, on 5th january, but still referenced)
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-gameloft-android-gand-gloftavar-avatar-zjCEx.aspx
(removed from market today, on 5th january, but still referenced)
Minigore
http://minigore.blogspot.com/2009/07/what-minigore-is.html
http://www.appbrain.com/app/minigore-hd/com.ambushgames.minigore
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-ambushgames-minigore-zzjqD.aspx
Zuma's revenge
Original
http://www.zumasrevengegame.com/
http://store.steampowered.com/app/3620/
Scammers
http://www.appbrain.com/app/zumas-revenge-hd/com.popcap.zumas_revenge
http://www.appbrain.com/app/zumas-revenge/com.fox.game.zumasrevenge
How is it possible ?
Google does not check your apk signature when you upload a software.
Even if you signed yous apk with you key, somebody else can put this on his google account.
The signature can be deleted easily if needed.
He can change the title of your app, so nobody see it, but he can't change the apk name nor the icon.
Why do we post our apk here ?
To have testers, to correct bugs, to have a perfect look and feel before put it on the market.
Because on the market people are rude, we have only one chance, so we need to avoid bugs.
And when we put our app online, we want to choose if it's paid or free (with ads or not).
What is the problem ?
If DavinciDevelopers steal and upload your app, he will lock your pak name.
2 apps can't have the same name on the market.
You may have a name like com.myname.myapp.apk
Where "myname" is the same in every app you do.
If he take that, this is a major issue for you because you will be associated to him on every search (google.com, market...).
So, you will have to change your app name and maybe your company name....
Within 1 or 2 days, the market is parsed from androlib, androidzoom, appbrain... and it's done. Google.com will see those websites, and you are trapped.
You will have your buggy app on the market, some people will pay for that, the thief will have some money, and every users will have a bad opinion of your app.
Why DavinciDevelopers does this ?
To make benefit from your work.
Because he doesn't care you are working from a long time on your app.
Because he doesn't care if your work is ruined, he will find somebody else.
How can we be protected ?
Because 2 apps can't have the same name, you should put your app on the market first.
If your app is in development stage, you can upload it as "draft", so it will not be visible on the market, but the name will be locked.
Who is DavinciDevelopers ?
Somebody that have 83 apps on the market !
Almost all of them are themes.
If you look the package name you can see for example :
com.nd.android.pandatheme.p__3d_android_theme
at :
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-nd-android-pandatheme-p__3d_android_theme-qAmiz.aspx
google search : "pandatheme", first link :
http://home.pandaapp.com:888/
So he is not a developer. He makes themes with a free online tool and sell them... nice.
And for the real apps he uploaded (about 5), they all are stolen, coming from poland, germany, and other places.
Almost every of them comes from XDA dev forums.
ps : this message should be marked as sticky in every development section.
Wow, I can't believe this
It gets even better! Check this out:
http://www.androlib.com/android.app...ndroid-gand-gloftspaw-heroofsparta-zjCDi.aspx
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-gameloft-android-gand-gloftavar-avatar-zjCEx.aspx
He released the liquid physics live wallpaper I posted on here as well.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=878252
http://www.appbrain.com/app/liquid-physics/livewallpaper.liquid
Attacking GameLoft was a bad move for this/these guy(s).
They hit somewhere they shouldn't have I think.
Khoral said:
Attacking GameLoft was a bad move for this/these guy(s).
They hit somewhere they shouldn't have I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He has ripped off Popcap as well
http://www.appbrain.com/app/zumas-revenge-hd/com.popcap.zumas_revenge
And MiniGore
http://www.appbrain.com/app/minigore-hd/com.ambushgames.minigore
So STICKY!!!
It's really funny the website slogan:
http://davincidevelopers.weebly.com/
Innovation is everything. WTF
What do you thing, does it matter to left a comment like: app is stolen,... Seller steals apps from real developers or something else in market for "his" apks?
I wrote an email to appbrain and told them about this: maybe they can at least exclude this person from appbrain???
Has anyone emailed him to let him know that we all know?
Dirtbags
Sent from your mom's phone
kiltedthrower said:
Has anyone emailed him to let him know that we all know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like they would care... they just want to make some quick money from other's work.
The only way we can solve this if somehow we contact google to do something about it.
Since yesterday, he deleted some apps from his market.
I'm the developer of iron soldiers, I had been notified yesterday by another xda forum user that he stole my app.
I emailed him and within 3 or 4 hours he removed the app.
He answered me that he is so sorry, that he shares his key with other people and he didn't know... blabla.
Anyway, he has many stolen apps so he is hard to believe.
Now I see that thanaos2042 created a new thread (thanks ) and that google already referenced it :
If you google "davincideveloppers", this post is already in the first page !
Internet has a memory, and his name will not be forgotten.
they sell a lot of apps which is 80++ but they still using free website ....what a cheapskate...
Holy ****. Mods, please sticky this!!
I sincerely hope Google kicks their ass for this. I'm not familiar with the ToS but I hope they get hit with a lawsuit and instant refunds to say the least.
Stealing from Indie Developers is simply ****ed up. Wouldn't it be funny if a massive attack was launched against this asshole's website? (wink wink)
Chalup said:
Stealing from Indie Developers is simply ****ed up. Wouldn't it be funny if a massive attack was launched against this asshole's website? (wink wink)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it wouldn't. He/they are using a free web host so that would effectively be an attack on a whole lot of innocent sites.
Terrible to steal!
stolen apps are all over the market, ive even seen the r2d2 live wallpaper from the droid, on the market for 99p,
Good to know about these flagrant ripoffs
Looks like someone took their website down. The link now shows a page that isn't published.
Edit: Looks like Google could do something about this since it appears to be a violation of the terms of service (see 11.4, 13.3 and 16)
11. Content licence from you
11.1 You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive licence to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. This licence is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the Services and may be revoked for certain Services as defined in the Additional Terms of those Services.
11.2 You agree that this licence includes a right for Google to make such Content available to other companies, organizations or individuals with whom Google has relationships for the provision of syndicated services, and to use such Content in connection with the provision of those services.
11.3 You understand that Google, in performing the required technical steps to provide the Services to our users, may (a) transmit or distribute your Content over various public networks and in various media; and (b) make such changes to your Content as are necessary to conform and adapt that Content to the technical requirements of connecting networks, devices, services or media. You agree that this licence shall permit Google to take these actions.
11.4 You confirm and warrant to Google that you have all the rights, power and authority necessary to grant the above licence.
13.3 Google may at any time, terminate its legal agreement with you if:
(A) you have breached any provision of the Terms (or have acted in manner which clearly shows that you do not intend to, or are unable to comply with the provisions of the Terms)
16. Copyright and trade mark policies
16.1 It is Google’s policy to respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement that comply with applicable international intellectual property law (including, in the United States, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act) and to terminating the accounts of repeat infringers. Details of Google’s policy can be found at http://www.google.com/dmca.html.
16.2 Google operates a trade mark complaints procedure in respect of Google’s advertising business, details of which can be found at http://www.google.com/tm_complaint.html.
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
I just received an update notification for 'Google Play'. Being the cynical type, these type of changes make me suspicious. Oddly enough, a quick search throughout XDA and the internet seems to show that people's only objections to this change revolve mainly (perhaps only ) around the name change. Most don't like the way it sounds, the icons, theme integration, etc.
I find it odd that I can find no mention of Google's probable intent in this matter beyond marketing and 'unification' of Google services. I find it beyond coincidence that Google, just a week or two ago, started sending out notification of changes to their privacy policy.
More than that, I find it odd that no one suspects that there is more behind this than a simple rebranding. After all, Google is a corporate monster whose CEO has clearly and unequivocally stated that privacy of the individual is not only of no concern, but that violation of such privacy should be a given!
A quick look at some of Eric Scmidt's public statements leaves no doubt:
http://www.stateofsearch.com/top-15-of-eric-schmidts-remarkable-quotes/
http://www.seobook.com/eric-schmidt-quotes
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/04/google-ceo-eric-schmidt-privacy_n_776924.html#s170420
No doubt at all in my mind. After all, to the contrary of what many may think, Google is not free. Google makes money (and lots of it) by collecting and selling our personal data.
I'm not sure, however, what can be done about it, other than to either root and lock down one's phone as much as is possible, whilst still retaining as much as possible of the functionality desired. One sure way is to give up my smartphone. The former is an ongoing practice here. The latter? I'm not ready for that (yet).
But does no one really see a day when smartphone tech will be used to track and control everything we do? Are we not anticipating that Government will see the value of this data collection technology and use it to their own ends, good or bad?
Another example:
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/android-photos/
Our personal data is already being mined and profited from by untrustworthy entities, but at least they only seek profit. How long can we expect profit to be the only driving force?
Paranoid? Maybe. But remember the old saying: "It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you...". To my way of thinking, if they aren't now, they soon will be.
The solution is to crate a separate system. Like diaspora. An separate market, mabe an XDA-Market. I was searching the xda app on the market, yesterday it was there, today not but only the premium. This "update" is not normal, updates are here only for fix and repair from my point of view.
Yep is odd.
Let's create an indipendent system for freedom and liberty, open sorce to improve and sharing ideas.
No country restriction. One world, one nation, one free net global wide.
Peace
Sent from my LG-P500 using XDA
As you have indirectly pointed out, one can no longer get into the Android apps market unless you agree to accept whatever Google's legal terms are for their 'Play' and 'Books' services. But I don't intend ever to use these.
I wonder how applications developers feel about this.
Google really is getting beyond the pale, presumably introducing this change on a day when they hope that attention will be focussed on whatever Apple are up to. I shall now be looking for alternate market places. A real nuisance for me as I have a new phone and had intended installing my standard set of add ons.
I think it's a nice idea to keep similir Google's apps under the same brand so it's easier to identify and ,for them , easier to put in market.
If you ever needed evidence that this makes sense then you only need to know the conversation I had with a work colleague today.
..stuff that lead up to this conversation...
Me: Yeah, the Android Market is now called Google Play Shop
Them: Really? Why have they called it that?
Me: Because Android is made by Google.
Them: Oh, I didn't know that!
Seems that Android is known as a brand of its own. I just assumed everyone (or most people) knew that.
I also think that "market" gives a bad connotation comparing to play store
Yes
Re-branding to compete, yes...
I hate it.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
privacy ...
What do you think about this statement ? (in Google Play Terms of Service)
2.4 From time to time, Google may discover a Product on Google Play that violates the Developer Distribution Agreement or other legal agreements, laws, regulations or policies. You agree that in such an instance Google retains the right to remotely remove those applications from your Device at its sole discretion.
So, if i understand right, Google have the right to delete things in my phone ??? C`mon ... isn`t this weird ??? Google Play mean that Google can play with our phone`s content ???
joyradu said:
What do you think about this statement ? (in Google Play Terms of Service)
2.4 From time to time, Google may discover a Product on Google Play that violates the Developer Distribution Agreement or other legal agreements, laws, regulations or policies. You agree that in such an instance Google retains the right to remotely remove those applications from your Device at its sole discretion.
So, if i understand right, Google have the right to delete things in my phone ??? C`mon ... isn`t this weird ??? Google Play mean that Google can play with our phone`s content ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't google retain this right with the market way before this change?
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
Google Play
CharliesTheMan said:
Didn't google retain this right with the market way before this change?
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it ? I admit i don`t remember, it was a stock-app and if there was a question about my agreement first time when I used market - well i didn`t read it because i was sure the stock-apps can`t be sooo ... malicious ?
Maybe is not the best word but how would one describe an app wich is able to delete his phone content without his permission ?
joyradu said:
Did it ? I admit i don`t remember, it was a stock-app and if there was a question about my agreement first time when I used market - well i didn`t read it because i was sure the stock-apps can`t be sooo ... malicious ?
Maybe is not the best word but how would one describe an app wich is able to delete his phone content without his permission ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's in Google's best interests to be able to do this. They're most likely only getting you to agree to it so that when you download that malware app that starts sending text messages to premium rate numbers, they can remote uninstall it when they find out. It's of benefit to both parties.
Wow - I'm normally really cynical!
It would still be nice to have the choice to decide if you want that done.
-------------------------------------
Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1533775
Leadbolt is provides ads in the notification of andoid similar to airpush. In order to opt out you go to their website where they request your mei imei id. Is it safe to provide this?
Thanks
JeffATL said:
Leadbolt is provides ads in the notification of andoid similar to airpush. In order to opt out you go to their website where they request your mei imei id. Is it safe to provide this?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, it's just a unique identifier for these networks to add to their list so those IDs never get served ads.
truste.com/developer/?p=86
cLin407 said:
Yea, it's just a unique identifier for these networks to add to their list so those IDs never get served ads.
truste.com/developer/?p=86
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. Your thanks meter just went from 0 to 1 =)
JeffATL said:
Leadbolt is provides ads in the notification of andoid similar to airpush. In order to opt out you go to their website where they request your mei imei id. Is it safe to provide this?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know who Leadbolt is, but that aside if you are wondering about whether they (or anyone for that matter) are or not. I would suggest researching about them first via third party reviews, and/or whois domaintools, wikipedia, types of resources. The reviews that are not generated by sites that do not bias their reviews due to being erm bribed for want of a better word will obviously be more accurate as to their legitimacy so sticking to well known and trusted review sites is a good start. I use WOT (web of trust ff addon) to help weed out the bad sites, it's not perfect, however it is far better than using nothing at all. This way you can get an idea if they are trustworthy or not. And if they are new new new I would be more careful as malicious groups start again with new names etc... once their old ones are burned out and no longer provide the gains they are looking for. Hope this helps
Generally speaking, you should never give out your IMEI to anyone.....especially an ad company asking for your IMEI tempting you with not receiving anymore ads? Sounds extremely fishy to me.
Unfortunately I did give my number before seeing other posts.
I do have a problem that may be a result of the foolish move or it may be unrelated. So far I see the problem with one particular website.
If I go to the a particular restaurant's website Eclipse D Luna found by google search, it is hosted by dudamobile. I believe the website is legit as it looks legit from a computer and I think dudamobile is a legit site that transform peoples websites for mobile phones. However when I navigate to the restaurants menu the page is filled with spam (i.e levitra, viagra ads) ?
Leadbolt is a notification ads provider (they also do banners and others). They use IMEI not to show you the notification ads. They are legit, you can give them your IMEI.
'ad.leadboltads.net' is Malware
JeffATL said:
Leadbolt is provides ads in the notification of andoid similar to airpush. In order to opt out you go to their website where they request your mei imei id. Is it safe to provide this?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LEADBOLTADS IS MALWARE! DO NOT GIVE THEM ANYTHING!
My browser started popping open on reboot/start up to their page with advertising.
This behaviour is known as malware.
Lookout Security & Antivirus found mine in ChargeBar Free Edition,
ChargeBar came embedded in the NottachTrix 2.3.0 ROM.
I installed it (NottachTrix) and it (ChargeBar) didn't update for 3 months, then, BANG.
I've deleted ChargeBar's update, moved it from system apps to apps, deleted it, and the browser pop open 'ad.leadboltads.net' still persists.
Lookout Security & Antivirus can not find the new location of the malware, they do not have a forum.
By the very definition and behaviour, this is malware, and, ChargeBar (Asgard Casino Apps) is involved in the distribution of malware.
Asgard Casino Apps distributes 34 apps that behave this way.
They are using Google Play Store to distribute this malware, abet, that app is benign in its origin, its a pipeline, or conduit for malware.
Sneaky F##kers aren`t they.........
#1) I would like to get this crap off my phone.
#2) I need to bring this to Google's attention, and have the developer and apps banned from the Play store.
Sooo, starting with #1,,,how do I get this crap off my phone!
NOTE:
I will be linking to this post in the NottachTrix post, I'm asking the developers to to move ChargeBar from the ROM zip.
My MBAM forum post: https://forums.malwarebytes.org/inde...06#entry764184
Hi,
The vast majority of my apps come from F-droid and Github but a few ones can only be downloaded on the Google Play Store.
I don't have Google services on my device so I'm looking for a reliable tool/website to update those apps. I know Raccoon but a PC is required and I don't have one during the week.
I found APKpure a few weeks ago. Apparently all apps have to pass a signature verification so they guarantee safe downloads. It seems legit and I did compare the SHA1 of their apk and the one downloaded from Google Play. The apk hasn't been altered. One positive result doesn't mean that we can't have negative ones though
I don't like "mirror websites". The owner of apkpure, apkupdate and apkplz seems to be the same so it's more complicated for me to trust those sources. Why do they need all these websites? I didn't find any legal information BTW...
No paid apps can be downloaded on these websites so my only suspicion is that they could add malwares into some (famous) apps. Of course, original apps can also have malwares on Google Play.
For the record, I uploaded the few apks I downloaded to VirusToral and nothing has been detected.
Last but not least, Apkpure provides a dedicated app to install and update apps, which is great even if they suggest me new versions that aren't officially available yet. (probably related to a region restriction or a delay from Google to push the app update for all countries).
What do you think about these websites? Do you know a safer way?
I don't have google apps also, using apk pure for now, everything is well.
BlankStore should work for most free apps.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1715375
Wakamatsu said:
BlankStore should work for most free apps.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1715375
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Click to collapse
Yes, I know but it uses Gmail IDs (with a connection to Google servers). Last but not least, the project is discontinued for several months.
I was going to give a try to Blankstore this weekend and it doesn't seem to be a reliable alternative in the medium term.
Primokorn said:
Yes, I know but it uses Gmail IDs (with a connection to Google servers). Last but not least, the project is discontinued for several months.
I was going to give a try to Blankstore this weekend and it doesn't seem to be a reliable alternative in the medium term.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Primokorn ,
what about its alternative.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3217616
would really be interested in your opinion (if you look into it and dont mind ).
"err on the side of kindness"
Primokorn said:
Yes, I know but it uses Gmail IDs (with a connection to Google servers).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I created a throwaway gmail account for this but I get your point.
Primokorn said:
Last but not least, the project is discontinued for several months.
I was going to give a try to Blankstore this weekend and it doesn't seem to be a reliable alternative in the medium term.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's discontinued in the sense that he will not move further with that particular project in favour of another but he will still make fixes when a Google update breaks BlankStore function. It's been "discontinued" since version 0.7.1.
I have a old device just for this purpose.
It has no info on it
Everything possible has been removed that's not needed
(Like calender and contacts etc)
All it does is connect to Wi-Fi to get apps from Google play
Even paid apps.
And I harp non stop to developers and leave feedback on apps that don't support offline use.
(Is in app purchases, online verification, etc things that can be stored on device over getting from internet every time)
I don't see the point of getting apps elsewhere when they will do the same thing to you as Google..But with less oversight.
Virus checkers are pointless when apps are Trojans..
Or have them built in.
I consider any software that mines any thing from your device, without declaring exactly what it is doing every time, nothing other than a Trojan.
Google and it's partners will always push for a proprietary distribution system claiming it will keep you secure
When I'm truth what it does is you your money going to them
When I've had to I've gotten my apks from some very unusual places.
But then you can get some very bad software from very official places.
mrrocketdog said:
@Primokorn ,
what about its alternative.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3217616
would really be interested in your opinion (if you look into it and dont mind ).
"err on the side of kindness"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use microG framework for several weeks now
Wakamatsu said:
It's discontinued in the sense that he will not move further with that particular project in favour of another but he will still make fixes when a Google update breaks BlankStore function. It's been "discontinued" since version 0.7.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know that. Thanks for the heads-up! I wanted to give a try this weekend but I had serious with my laptop I keep that in mind for the next time.
nutpants said:
I have a old device just for this purpose.
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Click to collapse
What an expensive alternative! I'm used to sell my current device to buy a new one and that's not handy IMHO.
nutpants said:
And I harp non stop to developers and leave feedback on apps that don't support offline use.
(Is in app purchases, online verification, etc things that can be stored on device over getting from internet every time)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Solutions exist for devs to not use Google Play online verification but they want to use it to punish users who download warez. Even if I can understand this point of view, we wouldn't have warez with FLOSS softwares.
nutpants said:
Google and it's partners will always push for a proprietary distribution system claiming it will keep you secure
When I'm truth what it does is you your money going to them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done some fruitful research to prepare an article about GAFAM and other big companies. In addition, Google doesn't protect our freedom of speech (I noticed this many times with 'ordinary people').
Now that I clearly know what they did/do/will do, how could I still use their services?!? My next Android work will be published under GPL v3, I already stopped any operations on Google Play and I try to push devs to offer free/libre softwares. Marcel (M66B on XDA) is the perfect example of an awesome developer :good:
Primokorn said:
I use microG framework for several weeks now
What an expensive alternative! I'm used to sell my current device to buy a new one and that's not handy IMHO.
Solutions exist for devs to not use Google Play online verification but they want to use it to punish users who download warez. Even if I can understand this point of view, we wouldn't have warez with FLOSS softwares.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rarely sell my devices, (i have 6 of 9 that I play with somewhat regularly sadly)honestly i keep the last one as a back up in case the new one has issues or a failure. And when I do think of it, it not worth the money to make it worth the time..
I still have my Windows mobile 2003 Siemens sx66
(Not that is have been turned on in years)
But really it's an investment in my security.
(And I no longer get the hottest newest devices asap anymore, that's a zero sum game that has few benefits beyond bragging rights)
My tablet dual boots between Google play only rom and everything else internet rom also.
I have yet to hear of a protection scheme that had not been broken in hours. I think bluray was the last major public disaster. If the time spent on protection was spent on quality assurance I think it would be a different landscape in the digital world.
Even with floss you have warez.. just in different forms. Mods,hacks, cracks, custom roms It all just words that describe one developer modifying others work without permission for features that are not present, either added or removed.
It's point of view.like anything.
Myself, I stand back and promote security,offline abilities and operation and open source.
It's where my money goes, my time and my vote. Every chance I get.
XDA: Focus on making independence accessible to android users!
@Primokorn: Thanks a zillion for starting this crucial discussion. I don't know how often i pointed out these issues.
Of course, i also have some aesthetic preferences. But diving through endless reefs of startup animation replacements, battery monitor alternatives and half-baked theme studies is not what i expected xda-developers.com to end up, 12 years after i started being around.
In my eyes, the whole aftermarket ado should be concentrated on maintaining the independency of the most popular mobile operating system of the universe by it's users. Crucial topics be
Liberating the app distribution architecture
Optimizing the permission restriction system
There are great approaches like the Aroma Installer, that have been employed to supply user friendly means for debloating and debranding. Have a look at the Screenshots of stockymod.
@nutpants:
And I harp non stop to developers and leave feedback on apps that don't support offline use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do the same thing to official institutions when they release apps. If i wasn't in that hyper-busy age around 40, i'd start a little riot about publicly funded software that ends up being published behind the wellknown golden cages exclusively. The necessity to change this in a grassroot movement is obvious.
Apkmirror.com
Did not know these existed, going to check this out!