App Safety - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

how do i know if the apps i download are safe? i mean anyone can write apps these days.

ludeguy said:
how do i know if the apps i download are safe? i mean anyone can write apps these days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check reviews in the market, check that the permissions make sense (a wallpaper app doesnt need sms or call permissions for example), only download app by known devs (recognised dev in the market).
Google the app name and see what people have to say.
If it looks iffy, dont download it.
Use common sense.

does the Market take the trouble to verify the apps before putting them on?

ludeguy said:
does the Market take the trouble to verify the apps before putting them on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
You are expected to exercise common sense, not use pirated apps (huge source of crap), and generally be sensible.
The market can detect some malicious stuff, but if you steer clear of anything recently uploaded, with few users, you should be ok.
Just think of it like a pc. You don't have a nanny to hold your hand, so you use common sense

ludeguy said:
does the Market take the trouble to verify the apps before putting them on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whether they do or don't is irrelevant. Android's Market is not Apple's App Store, and probably never will be.
Veyka's advice holds true for Android/iOS and any other software, wherever you choose to place it.

B3311 said:
Whether they do or don't is irrelevant. Android's Market is not Apple's App Store, and probably never will be.
Veyka's advice holds true for Android/iOS and any other software, wherever you choose to place it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There have been cases of malware sneaking onto the IOS app store as well, so its not like its even safe in apples walled garden!

fair enough

Related

Can't disable all the ASUS apps :(

One of the main reasons I was looking forward to ICS on the Prime was the ability to disable apps without having to install TiBa, etc... turns out only some of the ASUS apps you can disable... others like "App Backup", "App Locker", MyLibrary" etc, won't let you.
Anyone else experiencing this as well?
are you rooted?
jfortier777 said:
are you rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but that's what I was hoping ICS would let me do... not have to root to disable the ASUS apps. Wonder why some you're able to and some you aren't.
otosnede said:
No, but that's what I was hoping ICS would let me do... not have to root to disable the ASUS apps. Wonder why some you're able to and some you aren't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds like you cant disable a "system" app
try to disable google maps, or the other google apps
jfortier777 said:
sounds like you cant disable a "system" app
try to disable google maps, or the other google apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps like Google Talk are baked into the ROM and that you can disable... also some things you'd consider a system app from ASUS, you can disable... I can't determine the criteria for what makes one be able to be disabled or not.
otosnede said:
Apps like Google Talk are baked into the ROM and that you can disable... also some things you'd consider a system app from ASUS, you can disable... I can't determine the criteria for what makes one be able to be disabled or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The asus apps are "baked" in as well. google apps are no more protected than any integrated apps, its standard "you need root to remove me" software

[Q] Anti-Virus?

I know that a Virus can be an issue on the nadroid phone but is a BIG issue? And if so which Anti-Virus woukd be ideal both as a free option and paid one, also taking into mind battery consumption and system footprint?
HunterKiotori said:
I know that a Virus can be an issue on the nadroid phone but is a BIG issue? And if so which Anti-Virus woukd be ideal both as a free option and paid one, also taking into mind battery consumption and system footprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
anti virus apps aint worth it.. i dont know anyone that uses them.. they deff kill ya battery..
HunterKiotori said:
I know that a Virus can be an issue on the nadroid phone but is a BIG issue? And if so which Anti-Virus woukd be ideal both as a free option and paid one, also taking into mind battery consumption and system footprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i use norton and yeah they're useful... it found 5 malware apps on my phone... and battery only uses 2 percent batt. so it doesn't eat a lot of bat.
HTC EVO LTE
Just use avg to scan New apps as they are downloaded-installed. Really the only way u can get viruses on your phone since android isn't an exe haven.
As for the active protection internet crap, it is just a battery killer. Unless u have problems clicking on viagra ads and browsing jailbaitvirusjailbreak.com... Who doesn't tho rite?
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
These security firms pad their findings and make it look worse then it is, avg released a report last year about some 200 malware apps and neglected to mention they were apps that were sideloaded because the majority had already been removed by Google. These companies thrive on ignorance and fear.
So I'm guessing that anti-virus apps are kinda useless unless I'm installing apps that are not on google play right?
That's the short story...
There are phishing schemes out there too, so antivirus can help if you click on ads on accident or on purpose.
Best thing for that though is Ad-free or Adaway. They remove all ads from your phone whether it be thru the browser or in app.
You need to be rooted to use them, but they can be found on the playstore easily.
So, if you are looking for protection from apps not downloaded from google playstore then use avg or Norton, whatever u feel is the best. Keep in mind that all you need is the virus scanner and for it to be updated regularly. All the other bells and whistles contained within the programs are unnecessary.
There are only 2 ways you can get malware on your android phone. One is thru installing apks (apps). They are the executable files (exe) to windows. Unlike windows our android phone gets an install prompt to install the app as well, so u have a warning. If u didn't initiate the install or don't recognize what it is then don't install it.
Basically, if u only download your apps from google playstore you have nothing to worry about. Google scans all of the apps before they post them on play. Sometimes things get thru, but they are usually ridiculous apps made in Russia or other foreign countries. That's not to say a great app from the US won't ever sneak a virus in, but typically it doesn't happen.
Oh, and the other way malware can affect you is by clicking on ads. They are usually on sketchy sites anyways. These will be phishing schemes. The sole purpose of them is to obtain your personal info for financial gain.
Like I mentioned above, install Adaway, or adfree. If you have rom toolbox use the ad blocker in there. Or if you are not rooted then just don't click on any ads. If you do then make an educated decision before doing so. Good "phisherman" can disguise whole websites to look exactly like your bank's. Everyone can be fooled so just use your brain my friend.
Well, hope I answered your question thoroughly. I'm off to play some vidya games. Black Friday rules for game prices btw.
Good luck.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

[Q] How do you keep the contents of your internal SD card private?

I heard that app developers can potentially access all your photos. Is this right and how can you keep them private?
ummm not that I'm aware of. where did you hear this from? :silly:
I don't know if that is true or not, but I suspected something similar reading the permissions before downloading apps as well. I noted modifying the SD card in many of them, a few included WIPING it. Now if they have that kind of power, I would be hesitant. I suppose Google has something in place that prevents that kind of abuse, but seeing how Quickpic can replace the default Gallery app, I do think it is possible. However, transmitting that data back to them may not be allowed or possible. Until I finish learning the SDK thoroughly, I cannot say yea or nay on it. I would suggest asking google about a specific app and see what they say first, and then consult someone who knows how to read the .apk files to see what they can discover.
Wallace_Brownie said:
I heard that app developers can potentially access all your photos. Is this right and how can you keep them private?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're that worried, don't store them on your device. If the DroidWall app "really" works, it should block all internet communication on apps that you select.....a wall of fire is the purpose.
Sent from my Amazon Gindle Fireoid
Mephisto_VI said:
I don't know if that is true or not, but I suspected something similar reading the permissions before downloading apps as well. I noted modifying the SD card in many of them, a few included WIPING it. Now if they have that kind of power, I would be hesitant. I suppose Google has something in place that prevents that kind of abuse, but seeing how Quickpic can replace the default Gallery app, I do think it is possible. However, transmitting that data back to them may not be allowed or possible. Until I finish learning the SDK thoroughly, I cannot say yea or nay on it. I would suggest asking google about a specific app and see what they say first, and then consult someone who knows how to read the .apk files to see what they can discover.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I rememeber correctly, the android permission to access the sd card gives full read write privileges to the app, there is no partial access. Most apps need this permission to save data, cache etc to your sd card.
If you have a linux OS running computer you can modify file permissions for write and delete as root only, while allowing all users to read. That way if you want to delete or modify the file, you'll have to use superuser permissions. Of course that requires a rooted phone then....
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using xda app-developers app
Mephisto_VI said:
but seeing how Quickpic can replace the default Gallery app, I do think it is possible. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use hide it pro from play store. It can hide pictures and videos from any gallery app.
Mephisto_VI said:
I don't know if that is true or not, but I suspected something similar reading the permissions before downloading apps as well. I noted modifying the SD card in many of them, a few included WIPING it. Now if they have that kind of power, I would be hesitant. I suppose Google has something in place that prevents that kind of abuse, but seeing how Quickpic can replace the default Gallery app, I do think it is possible. However, transmitting that data back to them may not be allowed or possible. Until I finish learning the SDK thoroughly, I cannot say yea or nay on it. I would suggest asking google about a specific app and see what they say first, and then consult someone who knows how to read the .apk files to see what they can discover.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They said that they can't, and that's why they won't put SD cards in their own line.
Since I first responded, I came across Avast! Anti-virus for Android. It has a built in firewall you can customize per app. I do believe it requires root to utilize it though. Once I nosed around the settings, I was impressed with it. Now to see how well it works before I recommend either way on it. Oh, if you are going to use it, root first then install Avast.
Sent from my (rooted) LG-P870 using xda app-developers app
I know it has been a bit since the last response. I did find a few more programs since then though. Addons Detector examines programs and their permissions and puts several lists together in an easy to read format for you. Its good for when you have forgotten which program had what permissions or didn't catch what they were when installing. It also has an extra option (paid) that I am still evaluating: a live monitor. Notifications of how many addons are added upon installing a new app. Could be beneficial for the security conscious or the, for lack of a better term, paranoid users.
Sent from my LG-P870 using xda premium
Hi - I'm new to Android (and not that well versed with WM5 yet either), but have also been concerned when I saw all these apps that require access to full network, contacts, phone ID and number, etc.
While I understand using the Avast! firewall would prevent apps accessing the internet and sending my data, would those apps then cease to run if they couldn't access what they wanted?
Thanks,
Dylan.

Frequent ads appearing on every app?

I have a problem using my apps because of the ads,they appear fullscreen on every 3 seconds,so its imposible to use my apps.i have tried a lot of apps that block advertisments, but they were useless.all of the apps are downloaded from google playstore.solution?
check your apps, fake ones act like this
There are some apps which produce ads on our mobile for that they earn money for displaying it and earn more when clicking it.
Try adblock plus which is totally free and it's not available in Playstore so you need to download it directly from your browser.
It might work :good:
izmaelzx said:
check your apps, fake ones act like this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can i know which apps are fake?
Are you rooted? How do you block ads?
Is this happen on every app on your smartphone, even the native ones? This sounds like a virus/exploit.... if your smartphone is rooted you should try to get an antivirus-app and try to use it.. or if nothing works you have to reinstall your OS
spcialx said:
Is this happen on every app on your smartphone, even the native ones? This sounds like a virus/exploit.... if your smartphone is rooted you should try to get an antivirus-app and try to use it.. or if nothing works you have to reinstall your OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It happens on every game and almost every other app.i bought the phone 4 days ago,its a samsung galaxy a7(2015 version),so i installed the same games and apps i had on my previous phone,nothing less-nothing more.as i open a game or an app the ads are appearing fullscreen on every 3-5 seconds,i click the x,but they jump right in again.so if u play a game,its imposible to win it all i can use is facebook and messenger...
Have you tried to download a antivirus-app (or similiar) and scan your smartphone for viruses/exploits?
spcialx said:
Have you tried to download a antivirus-app (or similiar) and scan your smartphone for viruses/exploits?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have cm security,the ads jump in even when i use this antivirus
Volkov_2006 said:
It happens on every game and almost every other app.i bought the phone 4 days ago,its a samsung galaxy a7(2015 version),so i installed the same games and apps i had on my previous phone,nothing less-nothing more.as i open a game or an app the ads are appearing fullscreen on every 3-5 seconds,i click the x,but they jump right in again.so if u play a game,its imposible to win it all i can use is facebook and messenger...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is abnormal (not related to a website for instance). Wipe the user data and start from scratch to identify the faulty app. Did you install apks outside the Play Store?
Volkov_2006 said:
I have cm security,the ads jump in even when i use this antivirus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's part of your problem right there. That developer is known if being terrible with putting ads everywhere. No one that knows will touch their apps.
Primokorn said:
This is abnormal (not related to a website for instance). Wipe the user data and start from scratch to identify the faulty app. Did you install apks outside the Play Store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All apps are from playstore.shoul i hard reset the phone?
Volkov_2006 said:
All apps are from playstore.shoul i hard reset the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That won't matter as long as you have apps from Cheeta apps. They are one of the most hated app developers around do to the ads. Also most of their apps really don't do anything other then placebo
zelendel said:
That won't matter as long as you have apps from Cheeta apps. They are one of the most hated app developers around do to the ads. Also most of their apps really don't do anything other then placebo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've erased cm security,but it is the same situation,the phone is new,so there is nothing much i need in it,how to reset everything in factory settings(would it be helpfull?)
Volkov_2006 said:
I've erased cm security,but it is the same situation,the phone is new,so there is nothing much i need in it,how to reset everything in factory settings(would it be helpfull?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly that depends on the device. Most Chinese devices come with adware like this built into the OS. What device do you have?
Samsung galaxy a7
Volkov_2006 said:
All apps are from playstore.shoul i hard reset the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have obviously installed crappy apps that use ads from adbuddiz, admob... We can find a lot of them on Google Play (one of the reason why F-Droid is a good alternative).
Either uninstall everything but trusted apps (then reboot) or root your device and update your hosts file with good sources (AdAway's ones for instance). If it doesn't work, you will probaly have to start from scratch.

Is OLED Saver app safe?

https://apkpure.com/oled-saver/org.js.oledsaver
I installed this one but are there any safety concerns with using this cause after all it can "see" the whole screen? It's also not on google play so that makes me awry.
Waste of time at the minimum. I would never install such junk.
I feel screen is more bearable to watch at with the dark overlay it puts over it. I have new A52s and flickering is straining on the eyes for me. It's not for the oled saving feature which more than likely is a waste of time as you say.
the_bulk said:
I feel screen is more bearable to watch at with the dark overlay it puts over it. I have new A52s and flickering is straining on the eyes for me. It's not for the oled saving feature which more than likely is a waste of time as you say.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be careful about apps you sideload from such risky sites. Make sure you disable internet access to all such apps and grant only the bare minimum permissions that is required for the purpose.
Often apps ask for way too many unnecessary permissions, and some won't work without those. I would immediately uninstall apps that refuse to work without unnecessary permissions.
TheMystic said:
You should be careful about apps you sideload from such risky sites. Make sure you disable internet access to all such apps and grant only the bare minimum permissions that is required for the purpose.
Often apps ask for way too many unnecessary permissions, and some won't work without those. I would immediately uninstall apps that refuse to work without unnecessary permissions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It gets every permission pretty much cause it acts an overlay, from accessibility and so forth. That's why I asked if maybe someone ever went through inner workings of this app.
I did scan it with that google play protect feature and it came up with nothing.
the_bulk said:
It gets every permission pretty much cause it acts an overlay, from accessibility and so forth. That's why I asked if maybe someone ever went through inner workings of this app.
I did scan it with that google play protect feature and it came up with nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would always scan APKs on VirusTotal too.
As with permissions, I don't know why it needs Accessibility permission. This permission is usually only required when an app clicks on something on the screen on behalf of the user. Not sure what other permissions it needs.
If you find alternatives on Google Play Store that perform the same function, you can check them out to see if they too ask for the same set of permissions.
Thanks for you answers, I ran it through virustotal too and some other similar sites and came up with nothing but still think I won't use it just to stay on the safe side. Developer seems to be gone so can't really ask.
Maybe it's just placebo anyway, OLEDs might not be for me.
the_bulk said:
Thanks for you answers, I ran it through virustotal too and some other similar sites and came up with nothing but still think I won't use it just to stay on the safe side. Developer seems to be gone so can't really ask.
Maybe it's just placebo anyway, OLEDs might not be for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you try this app:
Dimmer
I'm not sure if this does the same function as the one you linked.
the_bulk said:
https://apkpure.com/oled-saver/org.js.oledsaver
I installed this one but are there any safety concerns with using this cause after all it can "see" the whole screen? It's also not on google play so that makes me awry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless it's open-source, I wouldn't install it. Also, there are plenty of apps on Google Play that are scams, just because an app's on there doesn't mean it's safe.

Categories

Resources