I've just recetly got the sgs2, great phone, but it cost quite a bit hence I'd like to get one or more apps on it to make it completely theft proof.
What do you guys believe are the best apps out there to make your phone theftproof?
Tasker. It will make it theft proof and hundreds of other things!
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
NicholasQ said:
Tasker. It will make it theft proof and hundreds of other things!
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As good as tasker is, I don't think it's a good choice for an easy solution to security. Theft aware and Cerberus are worth a look
What do u mean theft proof? If you leave it at a restaurant and someone takes it, goes into recovery and wipes it?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
benjo1989 said:
As good as tasker is, I don't think it's a good choice for an easy solution to security. Theft aware and Cerberus are worth a look
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea it's not easy but highly customizable. Take a look at brandals guide to tasker profile for phone loss.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
firefox3 said:
What do u mean theft proof? If you leave it at a restaurant and someone takes it, goes into recovery and wipes it?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm so glad I have a Nexus One. With the newer versions of the BlackRose bootloader, you can't access recovery mode, flash anything, etc until you enter a user defined password
+1 for Theft Aware
firefox3 said:
What do u mean theft proof? If you leave it at a restaurant and someone takes it, goes into recovery and wipes it?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rather the ability to get the device back in my own hands, having my personal information secured is a plus, but I'm mostly concerned about retreiving that expensive piece of phone.
I'll look into the suggested apps, thanks a bunch allready!
Android webkey. You get complete control of your phone from any PC. If your phone is stolen and you want to lock it you get set a pattern lock, or leave a message or go into google maps and see the location. Of course the other person will see this going on so you better hope the thief has it in his pocket when you do this!
How do Tasker and other apps mentioned here help prevent theft?
I'd recommend Avast security - they have an option to install an antitheft onto your root partition so even if someone does a factory reset the app keeps running
And you can make it play a siren, send messages, and track the guy. Best of all - you can uninstall Avast once you got the security thing running.
Firstly, get some software that allows you to track it, send messages, take pictures using the camera etc.
I recommend cerberus, for a one-time-fee of €3 and a free 7 day trial.
Cerberus can also text/email if a non-authorised sim card is used.
Also, change the splash screen and the boot animation.
Changing the splash screen is difficult to do for someone not technical or into phones, so it's unlikely they'll be able to change it. Make sure it includes your name, an alternative number and an e-mail address. That way the phone is basically unsellable if stolen. If you want to sell it, just change the splash screen back.
Lastly the boot animation - also add contact details or make it something non-stock, just to again prove it's yours.
First thing a phone thief will do is removing the battery. Then he goes home and removes sim card. Hooks it up to his computer and wipes off everything.
Then you can buy your phone back on ebay. For a price off course.
Keep your phone in your pocket mate. This is the best advice you will ever get.
Just bought cerberus, and while it's features are more or less the same as theft aware, the support for it is truly amazing. I had a minor issue and emailed them and got a prompt response. Other advantages include support for 5 devices, automatic GPS enabling for rooted users and a nice flashable disguised CWM package
Also FYI, avast bought over theft aware, so look into avast, not the old software. It IS a pain to uninstall the rooted anti theft, but that's a good thing. Avast us? Ore intuitive, but I feel like like it's heavier on the system and there's no web panel, so keep that in mind.
Just try out a few, and pick the one that best fits your needs. FWIW, androidpolice had a mobile security shootout series that you may want to look at.
BEST OF LUCK!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
avgjoemomma said:
I'm so glad I have a Nexus One. With the newer versions of the BlackRose bootloader, you can't access recovery mode, flash anything, etc until you enter a user defined password
+1 for Theft Aware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but I just ran across this mention in my google searches... I am VERY interested in a bootloader password. In the two years since this post, has this idea been carried over to any other Android phones?
ZippyDan said:
Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but I just ran across this mention in my google searches... I am VERY interested in a bootloader password. In the two years since this post, has this idea been carried over to any other Android phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My need for the bootloader password back then was to add a layer of security for my data. Device encryption provided by newer versions of Android fulfill my paranoia
Related
I'm on of those who curious if my Ace got stolen/missing and wanna prevent anyone from flashing via ODIN/download mode. CWM would be a different story for me.
Is there anyway to secure it with an authentication module/additional pre-boot img? 10 key PIN would be wonderful enough to have. I guess it has something to do with creating our own bootloader?
autotomy said:
I'm on of those who curious if my Ace got stolen/missing and wanna prevent anyone from flashing via ODIN/download mode. CWM would be a different story for me.
Is there anyway to secure it with an authentication module/additional pre-boot img? 10 key PIN would be wonderful enough to have. I guess it has something to do with creating our own bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you will find that if you get your operator to block the Imei the phone will not usuable what so ever.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App
Jekle ace that's a really cool idea,,, but india the operators never take actions in case of a stolen phone, they only take action if you are VIP or something, there are hell lot of procedures like filing police complaint filling up loads of forms etc...
i think third party apps like "where's my Droid", or any other good Antivirus cum security system app could come handy in these situations
er.davinder said:
Jekle ace that's a really cool idea,,, but india the operators never take actions in case of a stolen phone, they only take action if you are VIP or something, there are hell lot of procedures like filing police complaint filling up loads of forms etc...
i think third party apps like "where's my Droid", or any other good Antivirus cum security system app could come handy in these situations
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never knew that sorry. Yeah where's my Droid is a feasible option but you will need to have GPS and data on as later versions of android aren't allowed to switch on hardware functions
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App
Where's my Droid won't be useful when your SIM is already switched out.
Jekle_Ace said:
I think you will find that if you get your operator to block the Imei the phone will not usuable what so ever.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for all the replies. I'll quote this one.
Really unusable? I didn't know that You mean black listing the IMEI?
Is it unusable after being flashed via Odin and then being inserted a new SIM from another operator? Sorry for a lot of questions.
autotomy said:
Hi, thanks for all the replies. I'll quote this one.
Really unusable? I didn't know that You mean black listing the IMEI?
Is it unusable after being flashed via Odin and then being inserted a new SIM from another operator? Sorry for a lot of questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just see how hard out is to change/repair the imei in these forums. Imei blocking is the best way to permanently block the phone from working within the country.
In the UK IPhones which have been reported lost or stolen often get sipped overseas, particularly to the USA where they will usually
work.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App
I heard about Lookout for checking CIQ on phone and saw that they have a security app. Also saw something by NetQin. I used to use BitDefender on my pc but then it got buggy.
My first smartphone and I'm paranoid. So do most people use a security/anti-virus app on their phone? If so, which do you suggest?
I've had more than my fair share of smart phones. This is my 4th one this year. As for me, I've never used a virus scanner on my phone or any of my computers. I'm just smart and make sure I don't download things I don't know what they are.
I've been using the free version of Lookout for about 3 years through an OG Droid, Droid 2, Droid X2, and now my Rezound. I've never had any issues with it. It seems to work the way it's supposed to.
Not really necessary. But it's up to you really, personal preference in this matter.
Yeah, I have read that Android doesn't propagate viruses, but seems like there would still be a chance of getting malware or spyware.
Also, does anyone worry about intrusions via bluetooth or something from another person even without using a trojan? I used to read about that ability years ago, where someone could go through your files and grab what they wanted via bluetooth. Is there a way for anyone to do that with our phones?
Heavily researched this the other day. Not sure if you're worried more about the malware side of life, or the potential of theft - but if you're looking to ID a perp for trying to gank your phone, nothing comes close to the feature set in Cerberus.
Android market link: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lsdroid.cerberus&hl=en
Android Police review: http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/1...s-a-clear-winner-in-keeping-your-device-safe/
Hadn't even heard of it before last week, but after 10 minutes of messing w/ it, I was sold. Better than anything else in the market by far in terms of what it does & I can confirm everything is working on my Rezound. Also, it's only $3 and change. Can't beat that
Also, for reference, I previously used Prey, but I like this much better.
(Favorite feature is the front cam snaps that get sent to my email, each time my pattern lock is incorrectly swiped)
feralicious said:
Yeah, I have read that Android doesn't propagate viruses, but seems like there would still be a chance of getting malware or spyware.
Also, does anyone worry about intrusions via bluetooth or something from another person even without using a trojan? I used to read about that ability years ago, where someone could go through your files and grab what they wanted via bluetooth. Is there a way for anyone to do that with our phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wrote a paper on Bluetooth for school. Those attacks were fixed with Bluetooth 2.0
platinumthomas said:
I wrote a paper on Bluetooth for school. Those attacks were fixed with Bluetooth 2.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm... how does it do that, in layman's terms?
I'm paranoid a bit since our phones are now pretty much like laptops. I have my laptop on lockdown though and this is my first smartphone so I want to be sure I'm not leaving a security hole open for some nefarious character to take advantage of.
Well, I know I already mentioned Lookout, but I'm going to mention them again. These guys seem to know what they're doing. I mean, as this article states, Google trusts them enough to tell them what to remove from the market, so I would assume that they're pretty legit. Again, I've never had an issue with anything, and I've been running Lookout for a while.
The new avast!, which bought and incorporated Theft Aware, seems like the best option on the market to me....It's what I use.
dustintheweb said:
(Favorite feature is the front cam snaps that get sent to my email, each time my pattern lock is incorrectly swiped)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice feature, I'm going to check it out just for that.
Check out Zoner
Sent from my HTC Rezound 4G using XDA premium.
I use lookout, been using it for over two years now on 4 android phones.
Sent from my rezound.
so what do folks recommend (if any) for an app to track your phone in case of loss or theft? Camera access?
three west said:
so what do folks recommend (if any) for an app to track your phone in case of loss or theft? Camera access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only one that comes to mind is Lookout. My brother lost his phone and we were able to find it through the app.
Sent from my MB870 using Tapatalk 2
I have heard some good things about Cerberus, but I personally have yet to try it.
Sent from my MB870 using XDA
Cerberus is the best. Make sure you use Titianem backup to make it a system app, so it can't be deleted.
Sent from my Cyanogen 7.2 Droid X2 using your girls computer.
I use prey
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
I want an anti-theft app that will:
1. Locate phone
2. Ring phone
3. Wipe phone
4. Lock phone
5. Order drone strike on stolen phone's location
Yes, killer app sir, killer indeed.
SeekDroid
Sent from my cm7 using XDA
I use Avast anti virus. LaserChicken, it's anti-theft settings have all of those options. I have yet to "report it as stolen" to see how it works, but I will today for sure and get back to you guys. I went with it because on top of root support options it has an option specifically for Cyanogenmod. Apparently, if you install it with that option it will "survive Cyanogenmod ROM flashes".
Cyanogenmod all day
Quick Tip: If you ever don't have your device, you can download an app like 'Where's My Droid' from the Play Store on a computer. It can send an email or text to another phone of the GPS coordinates.
This all pending the amount of juice left in your battery.
I got mugged at night and my phone had barely any battery by the time I could finally get to a computer. I kept trying the next few days, in case they charged it, but I'm sure they already took the card out by then.
I look forward to the day we reach the threshold of two days of continuous use. What a milestone!
I signed up for Cerberus when they were giving away free lifetime licenses. Its awesome.
I read a few threads here and elsewhere about stolen 3vo's and I just wanted to brainstorm some ideas and share mine. These ideas won't exactly help keep from having your phone stolen but will definitely leave traces that you are the true owner of the phone if you were to stake out craigslist for your stolen phone or whatever.
So tell me of any ideas you have and I'll add them to this post...
1) Use QPST or an equivalent program to change your carrier banner to your own full name and address possibly? This is by far the best security to get your phone back aside from having the serial numbers because when you change the banner, it is changed in the partition that ROMs don't touch so a simple factory reset will not remove it and your typical phone thief will not know anything about flashing or ROMs...
2) Copy a system app to your computer then open the apk with 7zip or equivalent and add a clear picture of yourself or your name and information in a .txt file. Then push the app back to the phone that way if you go to 'buy' your stolen phone you can hook it up to your laptop and open the apk to see if its your phone.
These are only ways that a person who buys your phone after its been stolen might be able to return it or you might be able to tell its your phone when you go to 'buy' it off craigslist, etc. ALWAYS write down your serial numbers, etc.
Let's here your ideas..!
Avast Mobile Security
Avast Mobile Security app incorporates most of the anti-theft features that were formerly in Theft Aware and it's free, so that's a pretty good alternative.
ramjet73
What ever happened to the good old HTC Sense website that let you track the phone.
I actually miss that.
I flashed Cerberus and hope that's enough.
Sent from my HTC EVO 3D GSM using xda app-developers app
bmaggot said:
I flashed Cerberus and hope that's enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, there's really no software that can prevent a stolen phone from being used if one knows how to reinitialize it, but most thieves aren't that clever.
ramjet73
The only sure fire way 2 prevent activation of a stolen phone is to call the carriers and have them blacklist the ESN and MEID
Sent from my HTC EVO 3D using the XDA-Developers Application
Good day all!
I have a bit of an odd question, my corporate IT department has switched over to a new moible phone deployment system called airwatch.
It is quite the big brother system, the list of permissions is astounding, with things like remote viewing of camera's, remote wipe, remote activation of GPS to determine location etc, etc, with the privacy issues set aside (I'm not doing anything wrong with my phone and I exceed performance goals so I'm not worried)
The one thing I cannot live with is the requirement that I cannot run any of my work apps on a rooted phone, as a matter of fact if I even try it will lock down my user account SYSTEM wide, meaning I will not be able to access my work laptop or web clients, without IT resetting my account (I learned the hard way)
My question is this, is there a way to retain root access but appear to not be rooted?
Assuming that "stealth"root is not possible, is there a process that I can root/unroot at will with any changes I have made while rooted remaining?
My needs are not too complicated, I would like to keep my custom debloated rom (jelly beans 10), further remove any unwanted apps, tweak a few settings and install my favorite mods and themes, then reroot my phone and install my work apps.
I'm very familiar with working with roms and mods, I have been doing so since the original moto droid, however if there is not a guide to follow I am lost in the woods.
Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated.
Chip
I assume that the phone was given to you by your company. If thats the case. I would give it back and use my personal phone. I dont go for that invasion of my privacy. But they can do it because its not technically your phone. Now if you use your own phone they cant (legally) do that.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
droidx2.3.3 said:
I assume that the phone was given to you by your company. If thats the case. I would give it back and use my personal phone. I dont go for that invasion of my privacy. But they can do it because its not technically your phone. Now if you use your own phone they cant (legally) do that.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They actually can do this if he chooses to use his phone with the network applications. All they have to do is say is to protect their systems and I'm assuming he's in some kind of high security job with all those monitoring so he probably agreed to in a contract before starting.
OP have you tried simply temp unrooting? The supersu app had that option or you could get ota root keeper and use it to temp unroot.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Also try voodoo ota rootkeeper. It has a root backup, unroot and restore feature.
TonikJDK said:
Also try voodoo ota rootkeeper. It has a root backup, unroot and restore feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I said that
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
kintwofan said:
I think I said that
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I won't intrude again.
TonikJDK said:
Sorry, I won't intrude again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better not!
Since you obviously take everything serious I was messing with you. Have some fun that's what this forum is for.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
kintwofan said:
Better not!
Since you obviously take everything serious I was messing with you. Have some fun that's what this forum is for.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
isnt that the truth! everbody is so uptight around here its getting a bit old. teh internets is serious biz yo!
droidstyle said:
isnt that the truth! everbody is so uptight around here its getting a bit old. teh internets is serious biz yo![/QUOT]
What's old and stale is the 4 clown act that degrades XDA.
Sent from my SCH-I605
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
universexda said:
droidstyle said:
isnt that the truth! everbody is so uptight around here its getting a bit old. teh internets is serious biz yo![/QUOT]
What's old and stale is the 4 clown act that degrades XDA.
Sent from my SCH-I605
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't used that particular suite but if it is like the others I have seen, it will alert to a changed state. I wouldn't risk it. Don't know where you work but I have seen plenty of companies hand out pink slips after a pen testing.
From an IT perspective, you are a niche when it comes to a responsible smart phone user. Most people just download every free app they find regardless of the full permissions. Throw in the ability to play cracked apps on a rooted device and it's a nightmare.
As far as byod on the network, a decent usage clause will still require you to consent to it before connecting usually.
Do you just use the device for email or do you vpn/etc?
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chipfrank said:
Good day all!
I have a bit of an odd question, my corporate IT department has switched over to a new moible phone deployment system called airwatch.
It is quite the big brother system, the list of permissions is astounding, with things like remote viewing of camera's, remote wipe, remote activation of GPS to determine location etc, etc, with the privacy issues set aside (I'm not doing anything wrong with my phone and I exceed performance goals so I'm not worried)
The one thing I cannot live with is the requirement that I cannot run any of my work apps on a rooted phone, as a matter of fact if I even try it will lock down my user account SYSTEM wide, meaning I will not be able to access my work laptop or web clients, without IT resetting my account (I learned the hard way)
My question is this, is there a way to retain root access but appear to not be rooted?
Assuming that "stealth"root is not possible, is there a process that I can root/unroot at will with any changes I have made while rooted remaining?
My needs are not too complicated, I would like to keep my custom debloated rom (jelly beans 10), further remove any unwanted apps, tweak a few settings and install my favorite mods and themes, then reroot my phone and install my work apps.
I'm very familiar with working with roms and mods, I have been doing so since the original moto droid, however if there is not a guide to follow I am lost in the woods.
Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated.
Chip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice all; here is what I found plus the info I left out
The phone is my phone, this is why I was a bit squirrely about the full set of permissions, theoretically someone could tun on the camera at any time and snap photos, since it sits on my nightstand that could be a bit akward....
The usage is primarily for exchange email, and several proprietary apps, ordering, account info, truck tracking etc etc
Temp unroot using the option in the SU does not work
Oddly enough the Vodoo OTA rootkeeper seems to accomplish the task:good:
chipfrank said:
Thanks for the advice all; here is what I found plus the info I left out
The phone is my phone, this is why I was a bit squirrely about the full set of permissions, theoretically someone could tun on the camera at any time and snap photos, since it sits on my nightstand that could be a bit akward....
The usage is primarily for exchange email, and several proprietary apps, ordering, account info, truck tracking etc etc
Temp unroot using the option in the SU does not work
Oddly enough the Vodoo OTA rootkeeper seems to accomplish the task:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the Voodoo OTA rootkeeper keep the periodic server check of the device from seeing it as rooted?