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I am getting a password requested when I boot up my phone.
This has been bothering me over the last several days.
It turns out it is forced by an exchange account I have set to synchronize with my phone.
Is there any way to force this password request to be ignored?
It is not the exchange ID password, rather it is a new password that exchange requires to be entered on phone boot-up in order to enforce security on my phone.
I already use pattern lock, so this is redundant... not to mention annoying.
I don't know if it can be bypassed. I'd like to know too, because although convenient for me, I will not put my work email on my device if I am forced to password protect my screen, as was the case with my Samsung Epix. I'd prefer to be forced to enter my credentials each time I were to check my work email than to enter a pass to unlock my screen.
a_fuegon said:
I don't know if it can be bypassed. I'd like to know too, because although convenient for me, I will not put my work email on my device if I am forced to password protect my screen, as was the case with my Samsung Epix. I'd prefer to be forced to enter my credentials each time I were to check my work email than to enter a pass to unlock my screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think that the pattern lock would satisfy any need for protecting my email from unauthorized use... a 4 digit numeric code is less secure than the pattern lock, which has 9 points and who knows how many possible combinations.
There have been quite a few discussions about this. Lockpicker seems to work but the developer states only for the HTC Sense.
I'm sure IT managers aren't going through any effort to change their security policies and endure all that's involved to change something they feel is currently effective, regardless of the users sentiments. It's up to us the users to find a way to circumvent or deal with it.
a_fuegon said:
There have been quite a few discussions about this. Lockpicker seems to work but the developer states only for the HTC Sense.
I'm sure IT managers aren't going through any effort to change their security policies and endure all that's involved to change something they feel is currently effective, regardless of the users sentiments. It's up to us the users to find a way to circumvent or deal with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is frustrating, given the fact that this is a new change. For the longest time I thought it was something i did while modding my phone.
I will try the "get IT to fix it" route, but I have my doubts anything will come of it.
Otherwise, I will need to get someone to look at lockpicker.
Thanks.
joeybear23 said:
I would think that the pattern lock would satisfy any need for protecting my email from unauthorized use... a 4 digit numeric code is less secure than the pattern lock, which has 9 points and who knows how many possible combinations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem with the pattern lock is you can almost always figure out the pattern based on the screen smudge left behind by it.
This could be overcome if the lock screen didn't show up the same way every time. Either larger / smaller scale or in a differnt orientation then the last previous time (sometime upside down and sometimes landscape). Then the smudges would overlap / confuse each other a little bit atleast.
If the e-mail account is a business account and is controlled by an IT group that isn't you, they're protecting their business. They don't want devices out there with no password and an open line to their systems. If you want your phone to sync with their e-mail account, then you have to accept their security requirements. I don't know why everyone thinks that they should be able to bypass an IT groups security requirements simply because they're inconvenienced by a passcode. A middle ground would be a passcode just to read that e-mail account, but I don't think any of the mobile devices offer such a feature. The simplest solution is still simply to not sync that e-mail account or check it as an IMAP account if you can.
Remove IT Security.
There is a way to get rid of this prompt but you will need a SQLDB editor like SQLite and Root explorer or something similar.
if you open up root explorer then go to DBDATA\DATABASES and then browse down to com.android.providers.settings then open settings.db
you will see a list of items, if you go under "system" then scroll 3/4 of the way down you will see the section for ITsecurity policy. [this is what the exchange services enforced on your phone.
if you change the section "devicelock_itpolicy_enabled" from a 1 to a 0 this will obviously disable this policy.
once the change is done you will need to restart your phone and you will notice upon the restart that it does not ask you for the password again.
problem with this is that its a remote policy however and the phone WILL be pushed this information again. [probably after only a day or two of use]
someone could probably write a MCR script to take care of this easily.
I've found the best way for me ot make the change is to copy the settings.db to another folder [like on my SD card] then make the change I need there.. and whenever there is a repush of the policy, I just overwrite the one settings.db with the other.
this is a temporary solution.. but it does get rid of the password policy.
another option maybe setting the timeout value listed below that.. some exchange policy will only check for the "password enabled" portion to be checked. but the default timeout maybe adjusted to something crazy..
default for my org is 40 minutes. [IE 2400 seconds] so adjusting it to 4000 minutes may just make me not worry about this value as much
l7777 said:
If the e-mail account is a business account and is controlled by an IT group that isn't you, they're protecting their business. They don't want devices out there with no password and an open line to their systems. If you want your phone to sync with their e-mail account, then you have to accept their security requirements. I don't know why everyone thinks that they should be able to bypass an IT groups security requirements simply because they're inconvenienced by a passcode. A middle ground would be a passcode just to read that e-mail account, but I don't think any of the mobile devices offer such a feature. The simplest solution is still simply to not sync that e-mail account or check it as an IMAP account if you can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct. They are protecting their interests and spend lots of money doing it.
Now, I did sense a bit of anger or frustration in your post. If so, calm down. These companies have every right to ensure that they deliver their info as securely as possible. Seeing as we do live in a free country, if somone decides they want to circumvent some established policies, then so be it. It'll be them that will have to suffer the consequences of their actions, not you. I for one am annoyed by those security features. Hence the absence of my company email from MY device.
If it bothers you, you do have the right to skip this thread and move on to the next one.
a_fuegon said:
You are correct. They are protecting their interests and spend lots of money doing it.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is funny is the fact that requiring a 4-digit password at boot up does very little to keep unwanted eyes looking at email on a phone.
How often do thieves steal a powered-off phone... Plus it takes only seconds to hack through that anyway.
It's like gun laws: it only creates another hoop to jump through for the people playing by the rules.
joeybear23 said:
What is funny is the fact that requiring a 4-digit password at boot up does very little to keep unwanted eyes looking at email on a phone.
How often do thieves steal a powered-off phone... Plus it takes only seconds to hack through that anyway.
It's like gun laws: it only creates another hoop to jump through for the people playing by the rules.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree - the idea here is to protect data for certain amount of time - it is a barrier, but not made to be foolproof.
Do you leave your house door unlocked? It takes seconds to smash a window or pry a door, so why lock it? You have an alarm? I can turn off the power and cut the phone line from outside - so i just easily circumvented this too. I can shoot or poison the dog, so that is not perfect either.
I like the PIN Lock, and I wish i could add one to my phone. If you lose your phone, you don't want people getting to your stuff before you can wipe it. The PIN does that it, gives you time.
And it is not that easy to bypass unless you keep your phone in USB Debug mode, and even then Android should prompt for the PIN before mounting drives or granting ADB access - if it doesn't then Android has a major security flaw.
The pattern lock is a joke - as mentioned, i can usually see someones pattern. That coupled with the idea, that although there are 9 starting points, the next point is only one of 3 adjacent points, and so on for the next. If it is really complex it becomes hard to remember - unlike numbers which can be many digits long and easy to remember.
I for one am happy to comply with a PIN lock - it keeps people i know from picking up my phone and rooting around.
alphadog00 said:
...
I for one am happy to comply with a PIN lock - it keeps people i know from picking up my phone and rooting around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you power down your phone after every use?
Because this PIN lock only comes up at boot up...
and the numbers are visible when you type them in.
a_fuegon said:
There have been quite a few discussions about this. Lockpicker seems to work but the developer states only for the HTC Sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't work on my captivate, and as I understand it, it shouldn't work on any captivate because it changes Sense-specific settings.
I didn't really read through this thread, but if this is indeed a corporate exchange account, then there is no way around it.
joeybear23 said:
So you power down your phone after every use?
Because this PIN lock only comes up at boot up...
and the numbers are visible when you type them in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my Samsung Captivate it is requiring it everytime the screen goes blank. With HTC WM phone i was able to set this to 24 hours so it would only ask once a day or on power off then back on. If I could make it prompt just a little less I would be fine with it.
mreevimus said:
On my Samsung Captivate it is requiring it everytime the screen goes blank. With HTC WM phone i was able to set this to 24 hours so it would only ask once a day or on power off then back on. If I could make it prompt just a little less I would be fine with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Everytime the phone wakes is a big pain. I set my winmo phone for 2 hours.
I also work from a company that does this. Using the standard email app connection to exchange server, it requires the pin unlock when coming out of standby after a certain number of minutes. VERY annoying.
The best way around it will cost you $20. Using Touchdown, the pin unlock is in the app only. It will only prompt you for it when you actually use the app (again after a certain number of minutes).
hi,
I'm thinking about buying WaveSecure...
But I'm almost positive that each one of the developers here, or even some smart kid can uninstall it or change the rom without much problem...
Or am I wrong...
How hard is it to remove WaveSecure? thinking as a thief...
p.s.
Does it turn your GPS on, to send the phone location even if it was off?
Thanks
Gil
It should be fairly easy to remove WaveSecure if the phone has root access, so its a little safer when you have a phone that requires a wipe to get root, and has no on-the-fly exploits to root with.
For uninstall protection, it comes as two separate market apps, and each one will lock down the phone if the other is uninstalled. This won't work if you have ADB enabled, as the thief can use "adb uninstall" to remove both apps even under a lockdown.
If I recall correctly, Google removed the ability for applications to enable or disable the GPS in an earlier version, so WaveSecure will not be able to enable the GPS if it is disabled.
It does give you the option of using it as a "device admin" in Froyo, for things like password reset and remote wipe.
I have an account from WaveSecure back when they were given out freely, so I can test specifics if you have more questions.
So? why should I?
Thanks for the detailed reply..
From your answer I looks like it doesn't worth it...
It requires a good thief, and your WaveSecure doesn't matter...
First thing that a thief will do is remove the battery, and second thing is to wipe it.
some idiots will turn it on to see it if and how it looks like
what do you say?
pay the $20? for a maybe maybe?
Anyone use Seek Droid?
http://www.appbrain.com/app/seek-droid/org.gtmedia.seekdroid
How's it compare to lookout or prey?
Seems like it's pretty feature rich for $.99 and reviews are good, but it's always good to hear from real, live users directly.
Lifehacker liked it
http://lifehacker.com/5745207/seek-droid-is-the-simplest-way-to-find-your-lost-android-phone
I think its the best, but I'm one of the developers. PM me if you have any questions.
I'm sure you do, but I was going to get some real user reviews here.
Give it a shot, write a review. If you dont like it, email support and we'll make it right.
I'm not sure if we have many people that are on xda using the app (yet). We are a really small company, and unlike our competition, we dont a marketing department to get our name out. Just a few developers trying to put out a good lightweight product. We love to see reviews and suggestions, so let us know what you think.
I can gave you a brief snapshot [after finishing my write up I realized it wasn't so brief]. Note: I haven't lost my phone yet so I've only been able to test it. Also, I have not tested other Droid locator apps so I have no point of reference. I've tested this on a Droid X.
Setup is a breeze. The user is asked to enter a username and secret code. The app goes through a registration process. The main screen of the app (on the phone) is organized as follows: View Website; Your SeekDroid.com Login; View Help; Current Status [Registered]; Your Secret Code; Options for Enabling remote formmating of the phone and SD card; Option for retrieving call history settings; Terms of Service; and Contact Us.
At the Seek Droid website, you're asked to enter your username and secret code. A top line menu appears, as follows: Locate; Alarm; Calls; Hide; Lock; Wipe; Help; and Log Out. Locate does just what it suggests: the webpage sends out a search command and a Google map displays the location. The Alarm options prompts you to type a message to be sent to the phone. Once the message arrives, the message pops up on the phone's screen and it beeps and will continue to beep until the screen is touched. When the screen is touched, you're taken to the slide-to-unlock screen. If your phone is secured with a password, you'll be directed to the unlock screen (pattern or keypad). Calls displays a recent call list. Hide triggers your device to hide the Seek Droid app from you list of apps (in your app drawer). Reboot is required. With Lock, you're prompted to assign a new digit lock code (digits only, not a new pattern lock). Whether your device already has a lock code or pattern lock, the new code is applied. I, for example, have a pattern lock. I changed the lock code remotely with Seek Droid and it changed it to the new code I sent. With Wipe you are given a prompt to ensure that's what you want to do. I did not test this feature. I might backup my SD card and try the wipe feature for that...I'll report the results later if I do.
I've tested the app indoors and outside, with GPS on and off. It finds it every time, usually within 3 minutes. I keep Use Wireless Networks and Enable Assisted GPS activated in the Settings screen on my device. Also, I have an app protector app that locks apps on my phone (along the lines of App Protector). I have Settings locked (requires a password to access). Seek Droid is able to change the unlock code remotely with Settings protected and unprotected.
Naturally, Seek Droid does not find my phone when it's turned off or in flight mode. Seek Droid does not provide advanced user controls like deleting individual apps, turning off/on GPS, remotely turning on your phone, etc.
Locating my phone worked with Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome. Javascript must be enabled.
One final comment: I encountered an issue with one of my computers locating my phone. I contacted Seek Droid support and received a response within 1 hour. Very helpful and responsive...kudos to them. After some troubleshooting, I discovered the problem rested with my computer. Seek Droid worked well from every other computers I have access to (rather than troubleshoot the problem with the one computer, I simply won't use that one to log in to Seek Droid in an emergency). So, my advice is to test the app from various computers so you know which one to use if and when you actually lose your phone.
I recommend the app based on my limited testing. I also recommend that you use this in conjunction with a device password or pattern lock (or an app protector app to prevent removal of Seek Droid). You simply want to set up controls so another person can't easily uninstall the app or deregister the device.
Price has now gone up to $1.99 and a bit peeved as I left it until today to get it, losing out 62p in the process
Anyway, after taking an aggggggge (months on and off) trying to configure Tasker to do this unsuccessfully I've now binned that idea and got this instead; setting it up alongside Tasker to receive a specific SMS to switch all the location finding stuff on (I have mobile and wifi switched off by default).
Just liked to echo the above comment in that it is really easy to use and the location is nailed down much better than all my previous attempts with Tasker.
Well worth it.
Wow, didn't notice that. I still hadn't purchased yet either and was going to. I really don't need it, I just wanted to play around with it. I'll just pass @ $1.99 and use the free version of lookout without wipe functionality and spend the $1.99 on a game I wanted or something.
Oh well.
is there a secret code default because i donwloaded the app to my phone online but never set it up
Kicknik: After installing the app and opening for the first time, you will be prompted to enter a username and a secret code of your choosing. Then, it will go through a process of registering your device (I guess it syncs up with Seek Droid). The username and secret code are then used to login to the Seek Droid website in order to locate and lock your device remotely.
My impressions:
Bought and installed a couple days ago on my Lg Optimus One. I am very satisfied.
The program installs very easily, once installed it asks you to choose a login name and a password and to set a few options: there's a few boxes to check, like the possibility to enable or disable the remote wipe of your smartphone.
Once you are done setting up you can access the seek droid website from your phone or from any device with internet access and once you are logged in you can monitor your device position (you can remotely enable gps if gps is disabled), check the last calls that were made from your device, lock your phone or wipe it to factory settings formatting internal memory and sd (of course it asks you for confirmation on the website if you click on the wipe button).
Another useful feature that can be accessed from seek droid website is the "hide" button. Once you press it the seek droid app on your phone becomes invisible (requires reboot) thus becoming even harder to uninstall (anyway even wehn visible the program requires your password to uninstall).
I tried every feature except for the wipe one and i can say it does what it says. Position through gps is accurate and is shown on a mini google map on the seek droid site. I monitored battery consumption and it seems almost unexistent.
In conclusion i think every smart needs a security program like this, and seek droid does better than other similar apps that i had tried before.
First I was using Lookout, but I rly didn't liked that story with the chinese developer that got misunderstood with his wallpaper app because of what Lookout said. Every website was telling ppl to uninstall his app. Lookout got a lot of attention, everyone installed their app and uninstalled the poor chinese app. That wasn't nice :T
Then I went to WaveSecure, from McAfee. I think it's $20 per year.
Never worked on my phone. Tryed the support, even installed a "debug version", but couldn't make it work properly on my HTC Desire. Gave up.
I was looking for another app to replace it and then I met Seek Droid. Was very cheap, no monthly fees and such, decided to give it a try.
Dude, I'm VERY satisfied. It's easy to install, got it WORKING on 5 minutes. McAfee WaveSecure didn't worked for me, but I had no issue with Seek Droid. If I had met it before, could save the $20 I paid to get WaveSecure (I should have tested it first, but saw "McAfee" on it, guessed it works.)
Didn't noticed any abnormal battery drain, I could retrieve the latest phone calls made and received, I could lock and unlock from the website, located very fast (I was using wifi when I tested).
I think that it could report the number of the SIM card and keep the alarm message on the screen, I mean, If I just lose it, I would like to keep on screen instructions to contact me :S
Currently If you "click" on the message, it will go away.
Anyway, I'm another happy customer.
It's very cheap, everyone should give it a try!
seijimaddog said:
Anyway, I'm another happy customer.
It's very cheap, everyone should give it a try!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to hear you like it. Dont forget to review us in the Android Market.
I bought it for me (EVO) and my wife (LG Optimus S). Very reasonable price. Easy install and configuration and website control.
We also were using the new Sprint/Assurian TEP app. That has additional features--which I don't want or need (i.e., contacts backup). And, even though my wife's phone also has TEP, their app now says that the subscription has expired--which it hasn't.
I was about to cancel the TEP for her phone anyhow, and this is a nice reminder of why it's a waste for her cheap phone anyhow.
We're happy with Seekdroid and the $.99 price.
sycko,
I have Seek Droid on my Droid and my wife's Droid 2. Love the application. I was wondering if there was a way to get to get Seek Droid to work on my rooted Nook Color? There can be a general location using the WiFi instead of GPS I believe.
Thank you for your time.
How does one set this up? I bought it a while back and never got around to setting it up until today. I launch it on my EVO and it pops up a screen asking for a name and password, and anything I put in it says it's username or secret code is incorrect (obviously, since I've never set up a seekdroid account). I go to the website and it does the same thing. HOW DO I SET UP AN ACCOUNT IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Thanks.
Nevermind. Got it. (Uninstalled and reinstalled and the create account screen popped up.)
Does this work with Google Voice? I don't have text messaging, so thats the issue I have with location/alarm apps
I want to know, what if my phone got stolen and the guy instantly decides to wipe my device clean of any trackers .. will this device still be able to track after such an activity ?
Also, what if the robber doesn't wipe the device clean, but modifies/disables the internet connection on the device ? Or switches to another SIM which does NOT have internet on it ? Will this program still be helpful in any sense ?
Free today on Amazon. Don't know if this is current version, but thought I would pass that along. Clean interface, but I haven't put it through its paces yet.
Great app
I love the app. Very easy to use. I've used it to locate my phone twice.
I just installed mohan's latest ROM for the skyrocket and I am getting a message that seekdroid is not working. Any tips on how to debug. Is there a log of the failure?
I like the ROM, but consider this a must have app.
need a bit of help
sycko said:
I think its the best, but I'm one of the developers. PM me if you have any questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If seekdroid or something like that was installed on my phone. By my psycho gf. How would I totally remove it????
Hi developpers. I
My droid phone verson 4.1.2 was stolen last friday. But I was able to track the phone, confront with the thief and recover my phone two days later.
And that's why I am writing in this forum, because I want to share my experience and see if things can be done.....
The thief, stupid guy, removed all my sim cards (dual sim) and removed the memory card, but failed to do the necessary resets and did not remove my google account.
I don't want any lock screen system on my phone. And I strongly recommend everybody not to put a lock screen protection on your phone, because if there is one, the phone might just end straight into the trash bin, and you'll be left with no chance to find back your beloved Droid.
Let the thief in his beliefs it's his lucky day.... he has a nice unprotected full useable phone....
Also have Remotely locate this device enabled in the google settings, or get one of these hidden tracking apps on your phon.. Also enable allow remote lock and factory resets. The thief was so stupid he forgot to disable this feature of the phone.
Now here is my point. The Google Settings should be password protected. And it should be a shared password with the phone settings/Personal/ BACKUP AND RESET option.
At least, password protecting these two sections of the phone will avoid the thief to:
1. Disable the geo location of your phone
2. Doing a factory reset or remove any of the accounts on your phone.
Unless the thief is also a hacker, you will always be able to track your phone and get it back.
In my case, I tracked down the thief, up to 4m accuracy. I also have a Bluetooth speaker. I went to the Geo location and my Bluetooth speaker confirmed big time the phone was at this location.
Another thing to consider is to build INTO the OS itself is the option to track your phone. There are many programs on Google Play, but they can all be removed easily with a simple factory reset. This kind of software should be build in INTO the phone's OS itself.
Good luck to all of you who get your phone stolen!
oz457 said:
Hi developpers. I
My droid phone verson 4.1.2 was stolen last friday. But I was able to track the phone, confront with the thief and recover my phone two days later.
And that's why I am writing in this forum, because I want to share my experience and see if things can be done.....
The thief, stupid guy, removed all my sim cards (dual sim) and removed the memory card, but failed to do the necessary resets and did not remove my google account.
I don't want any lock screen system on my phone. And I strongly recommend everybody not to put a lock screen protection on your phone, because if there is one, the phone might just end straight into the trash bin, and you'll be left with no chance to find back your beloved Droid.
Let the thief in his beliefs it's his lucky day.... he has a nice unprotected full useable phone....
Also have Remotely locate this device enabled in the google settings, or get one of these hidden tracking apps on your phon.. Also enable allow remote lock and factory resets. The thief was so stupid he forgot to disable this feature of the phone.
Now here is my point. The Google Settings should be password protected. And it should be a shared password with the phone settings/Personal/ BACKUP AND RESET option.
At least, password protecting these two sections of the phone will avoid the thief to:
1. Disable the geo location of your phone
2. Doing a factory reset or remove any of the accounts on your phone.
Unless the thief is also a hacker, you will always be able to track your phone and get it back.
In my case, I tracked down the thief, up to 4m accuracy. I also have a Bluetooth speaker. I went to the Geo location and my Bluetooth speaker confirmed big time the phone was at this location.
Another thing to consider is to build INTO the OS itself is the option to track your phone. There are many programs on Google Play, but they can all be removed easily with a simple factory reset. This kind of software should be build in INTO the phone's OS itself.
Good luck to all of you who get your phone stolen!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why you should use Software to prevent this. There are lots of tracking/AntiThief Software available. Noone will put it to trash when its locked,
mynote said:
This is why you should use Software to prevent this. There are lots of tracking/AntiThief Software available. Noone will put it to trash when its locked,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The question is if software will really help....
You're lucky.
The thief, stupid guy. If He smart than, he can google and reboot your phone in to recovery, and he can Wipe all of your data.
And your phone will gone forever
andy-q said:
The question is if software will really help....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. It is. 9 of 10 of my customers are happy and got ist device back after stolen/lost.
Just for the statistics..
The only shortcoming with the tracking/remote lock/wipe abilities is that they can still be defeated through CWM or whatever recovery is being used. That said, in most situations involving theft the thief doesn't have this level of knowledge to consider this step.
What's interesting to me is that so many people still steal phones for personal use, but I guess the stolen ESN database isn't far reaching enough yet to make it a stolen phone worthless for use yet. There is still some cash to be made selling them off for the hardware, but grabbing someone's phone doesn't seem worth a felony IMO.
As to the OP, a lock screen isn't worthless, especially if you have a non-removable battery. Most phones with them--an active lock screen I mean--either won't allow or can be set to disallow the phone being turned off without the code/pattern/password being entered, meaning if your phone is tossed in the trash it can still be recovered. That is one feature that will always make an integrated battery a plus. Even without one, there's the chance that the thief isn't going to take the time to pull the battery once he see's there's active security anyway.
MissionImprobable said:
The only shortcoming with the tracking/remote lock/wipe abilities is that they can still be defeated through CWM or whatever recovery is being used. That said, in most situations involving theft the thief doesn't have this level of knowledge to consider this step.
What's interesting to me is that so many people still steal phones for personal use, but I guess the stolen ESN database isn't far reaching enough yet to make it a stolen phone worthless for use yet. There is still some cash to be made selling them off for the hardware, but grabbing someone's phone doesn't seem worth a felony IMO.
As to the OP, a lock screen isn't worthless, especially if you have a non-removable battery. Most phones with them--an active lock screen I mean--either won't allow or can be set to disallow the phone being turned off without the code/pattern/password being entered, meaning if your phone is tossed in the trash it can still be recovered. That is one feature that will always make an integrated battery a plus. Even without one, there's the chance that the thief isn't going to take the time to pull the battery once he see's there's active security anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, true. Anyway. Even if you are just loosing your phone instead of getting stolen..
I consider that the thief will trash the phone when there is a lockscreen. Mostly the thief will try to look for "Reset-Possibilities". If you have a good AntiThief Software you may also disable the lockscreen when you feel that its the only way to get it back.
Anyway, there is Google Android Device Manager now which can get your device back easily..
When stolen/lost phone comes back I would check it for spyware
2 stolen phones never came back to me. :'(
Grievances. RIP .
alaminok said:
2 stolen phones never came back to me. :'(
Grievances. RIP .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never got my stolen items back either but grats to the OP
This is the perfect thread for a question I've had ever since I came to the Android family from my iPhone.
On my Jailbroken iPhone I was able to download an app that took a picture with the front camera and sent it to the email of my choice every time the wrong password was entered, the photo came along with the GPS location of the phone and time.
Is there anything like this available for us
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk now Free
yoboyheartless said:
This is the perfect thread for a question I've had ever since I came to the Android family from my iPhone.
On my Jailbroken iPhone I was able to download an app that took a picture with the front camera and sent it to the email of my choice every time the wrong password was entered, the photo came along with the GPS location of the phone and time.
Is there anything like this available for us
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk now Free
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Click to collapse
Here Try Ceberus, its a paid app but worth it and you can have up to 5 devices at once, it even disguies itself as a system app you can view calls, text messages and even make the phone call any other phone track it via GPS..... a bunch of features
(Heres some features It has three ways to protect your device:
- Remote control through the website www.cerberusapp.com
- Remote control via text messages
- SIM Checker (for devices that have a SIM card): you will automatically receive alerts if someone uses your phone with an unauthorized SIM card
Remote control allows you to perform many operations on your device, like:
- Locate and track it
- Start a loud alarm, even if the device is set to silent mode
- Wipe the internal memory and the SD card
- Hide Cerberus from the app drawer
- Lock the device with a code
- Record audio from the microphone
- Get a list of last calls sent and received
- Get information about network and operator the device is connected to
- And much more!)
Link---> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lsdroid.cerberus
if thieves are smart, they would have been reading xda
but thanks
If thieves were smart, they would be educated enough to get a job and buy their own sh*t!
I use Cerberus as well on both my droids. Very neat app, and even more advanced than FindMyiPhone or whatever it's called again. Recommended with root for all features though.
Glad you got lucky and a non-tech savvy thief stole your phone.
cerberus
Cerberus celebrates 3rd birthday with free licenses for the next 30 hours
http://phandroid.com/2014/04/24/cerberus-3rd-birthday-free-license/
I had a phone lost/stolen. It is such a personal item it is like having your wallet stolen. Fortunately I never use the remember password feature for any apps, and have an encrypted password file I keep up to date and backed up.When I lost my phone I went to all the sites and changed my passwords. What a pia, but it is some peace of mind. Took many hours.
With t-mo, they have this feature available that takes a picture after 5 mis-trys and emails it along with the location, T-mo will also erase the phone and reset the lock screen pattern, It works pretty good because I have sent numerous pics of myself from fatfingerin the unlock.and checked the map to verify.
I prefer Cerberus...
oz457 said:
Hi developpers. I
My droid phone verson 4.1.2 was stolen last friday. But I was able to track the phone, confront with the thief and recover my phone two days later.
And that's why I am writing in this forum, because I want to share my experience and see if things can be done.....
The thief, stupid guy, removed all my sim cards (dual sim) and removed the memory card, but failed to do the necessary resets and did not remove my google account.
I don't want any lock screen system on my phone. And I strongly recommend everybody not to put a lock screen protection on your phone, because if there is one, the phone might just end straight into the trash bin, and you'll be left with no chance to find back your beloved Droid.
Let the thief in his beliefs it's his lucky day.... he has a nice unprotected full useable phone....
Also have Remotely locate this device enabled in the google settings, or get one of these hidden tracking apps on your phon.. Also enable allow remote lock and factory resets. The thief was so stupid he forgot to disable this feature of the phone.
Now here is my point. The Google Settings should be password protected. And it should be a shared password with the phone settings/Personal/ BACKUP AND RESET option.
At least, password protecting these two sections of the phone will avoid the thief to:
1. Disable the geo location of your phone
2. Doing a factory reset or remove any of the accounts on your phone.
Unless the thief is also a hacker, you will always be able to track your phone and get it back.
In my case, I tracked down the thief, up to 4m accuracy. I also have a Bluetooth speaker. I went to the Geo location and my Bluetooth speaker confirmed big time the phone was at this location.
Another thing to consider is to build INTO the OS itself is the option to track your phone. There are many programs on Google Play, but they can all be removed easily with a simple factory reset. This kind of software should be build in INTO the phone's OS itself.
Good luck to all of you who get your phone stolen!
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Thank you so much for all the info. My biggest concern would be confronting the thief. What did you do? Wait for them to leave their house/apartment and confront them? Or did you confront them in some other way? I guess I would struggle between wanting my beloved phone back and being worried about the thief being a crazy person who might shoot me or something.
This Was Very Helpful
This is Very Helpful, We Wish We Had Known this when we had our phone stolen, I spent endless hours trying to locate my phone to no avail, thank goodness the Police were able to recuperate the phone, but only because the thief had stolen a number of other devices in the area, if I had known this information I would have saved myself hours of frustration !! BTW, Thank You For Sharing This !
How can I remotely track my phone? Android Device Manger = useless since I have location services toggle off on phone at this time. Any other suggestions?
LG G3 is type of phone. I'm trying AndroidLost app in play store with no success. Thanks. :crying:
You would have to setup everything beforehand. Try you local police station?
Maybe you also want to let your provider to ban your SIM-card to avoid a hefty bill in case your phone wasn't... that well secured.
Also change any password stored on the phone. Especially the Google one.
well i did some detective work and tracing my track back today and luckily found it.
I used to use PhoneLocator Pro but since Play Store randomly destroyed his service I have yet to reset something else up.
Great news that you found it!
Maybe now arm yourself with a bit more security
it's impossible , even the positioning device can just give you a nearby address
it's hard
for your next phone if you have it rooted use cerberus, you then want to make it a system app with luckypatcher
stricker49 said:
for your next phone if you have it rooted use cerberus, you then want to make it a system app with luckypatcher
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I would suggest as well (if rooted) to install advanced power menu via Xposed. It disables airplane mode button when device is locked, from the power button, as well as some other anti-theft tricks such as faking powering off
For me it worked in the past. Couple of friends wanted to prank me because I forgot my phone at the pub table, they took it but hid it. Although they thought they turned it off, I could see it into my house and I pushed the "Ring" button.