Had a very interesting thought. Combine Prey and Droidwall? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Just looked, harder, at Prey and installed it on my dinc. Had heard about it, but never really messed with it, but upon hearing that it has SD card encryption I decided to give it a spin. Then I got to thinking. What if Prey also remotely ran Droidwall, in addition to changing the lock screen pattern? Revoke all permissions in Droidwall and hide the icon? Would basically render the phone inoperable, cutting off the data connection completely. And Droidwall doesn't advertise when it blocks a packet, you have to go into the app and look at the log to see it's activities.
So, am I pissing in the wind, or is does this sound useful?

Related

apps to locate stolen devices

i am currently searching some apps to help you locate your phone.
both ios and blackberry have free apps that lets you ring, wipe, send message, lock and locate via gps your phone. even blackberry has the added feature that will backup your data, and can even be configured to do it automatically or just over wifi.
what options do we have on android? for what i have searched there is "where's my droid" that has some basic features with sms but due to a recent android restriction it cannot turn on gps
Lookout Mobile Security
Motoblur actually has a device locator and remote wipe built in.
https://portal-blur.svcmot.com/blur-web-portal/
My only issue with that is if someone gets ahold of your phone they can wipe it really fast and than your sol. With lookout you can at least lock the phone so no one can use it
LancerV said:
My only issue with that is if someone gets ahold of your phone they can wipe it really fast and than your sol. With lookout you can at least lock the phone so no one can use it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not if you already have a lock on your phone via fingerprint scanner or pin
Wavesecure also works good.
http://preyproject.com/
Prey works quite well.
Prey..
but a very lightweight one..
TheftAlarm... is a pretty small one lol. not a lot of functions but.. it checks on anyone who puts a random sim on your phone.
Someone else mention Motoblur and I have to say this is the best option.
Combined with any type of screen lock, fingerprint scanner or the standard locks, you would be safe and sound. If someone tries and switches out the sim card, the phone goes into lockdown until your motoblur account name and password are entered.
You can track the phone and remote wipe it all from their website similar to apple's mobile me.
Prey is a good option, but not as reliable on the tracking portion I think. It does have however a nice lockdown feature.
I've always used MobileDefense but I noticed no one here even mentioned that so perhaps it's really not all that great?
MotoBLUR's tracking with Autowipe (free) from the Market is winning in my book.
Motoblur couldn't locate my phone. Just kept searching for a while and then it just stopped.
Is gps on?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
this is a cool feature.
motoblur would be perfect if it could turn on gps. Pretty sure lookout has the ability to turn on gps for you. Also has a pretty neat tool called plan b that can install and report location after your device goes missing.
As of right now I have my gps on at all times. If I eventually turn it off I will switch from motoblur to lookout.
tonman23 said:
motoblur would be perfect if it could turn on gps. Pretty sure lookout has the ability to turn on gps for you. Also has a pretty neat tool called plan b that can install and report location after your device goes missing.
As of right now I have my gps on at all times. If I eventually turn it off I will switch from motoblur to lookout.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could also use androids web store to push programs, but not sure if it would auto work or not
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
it will def. work with the "plan b" application because it is designed to be pushed out through the web store after the fact. It installs remotely and even enables gps for you. Within 10 minutes it emails your google address with the location of the phone. If it doesn't work after ten minutes you can send a text to your phone with the word "locate" to force it.
haven't tried it but I like the idea

Dev Idea / Question

Hi Guys,
I have a question/idea. Maybe its already done and you give me a hint on how to install it.
There are a bunch of apps that I really like but I dont like their security requirements like accessing Contacts, System settings, account data.
I agree that some may need it for their functionality, but some apps abuse it or have unnecessary rights.
I wonder if someone could write an app that intercepts those requests and returns dummy or empty data. For example, the app wants access to my contacts, it gets a dummy contact or an empty list returned but not my real list etc. Making the app think its is getting live data. The new app should allow to choose which app will get real and which get blank data or dummy data for sensitive things like accounts, contacts, system stuff.
That way the app would still work but my data is safe.
I guess it would almost have to work like a Rootkit hooking into system functions and figuring out the calling app.
Does this exist? Would this be something for CM7?
I read a lot of ppls reviews out there saying I am not installing this app until you remove such and such security right. This should be the best solution.
Let me know.
spacev said:
Hi Guys,
I have a question/idea. Maybe its already done and you give me a hint on how to install it.
There are a bunch of apps that I really like but I dont like their security requirements like accessing Contacts, System settings, account data.
I agree that some may need it for their functionality but some apps abuse the it or have unnecessary rights.
I wonder if someone could write an app that intercepts those requests and returns dummy or empty data. For example the app wants access to my contacts, or it gets a dummy contact or am empty list etc. Making the app think its is getting live data. The app should allow to set which app will get real and which get blank data for sensitive thing like accounts, contacts, system stuff.
That way the app would still work but my data is safe.
I guess it would almost have to work like a Rootkit hooking into system functions and figuring out the calling app.
Does this exist? Would this be something for CM7?
I read a lot of ppls reviews out there saying I am not installing this app until you remove such and such security right. This should be the best solution.
Let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This should be in Q&A.. And there is an app for this.. LBE or LBE Lite.. Also, yes it is a function of CM7. While I'm answering though, I will say that I block almost all permissions that are unnecessary and I've never had a problem with any of the 125 apps I use.
LBE vs CM7
Well, as outlined above, CM7 and LBE are the two best options. I figured I might as well outline the pros and cons of each.
CM7 Application Permission Removal:
Pros - Built-in, no popups, technically faster.
Cons - Not all-in-one interface per say, more annoying to set a large number of apps permissions.
LBE:
Pros - Available on more phones, popups allow you to decide on a situation by situation basis whether to grant permissions, all in one interface, nice looking UI.
Cons - Not built in, popups CAN be annoying, different color scheme from stock android.
P.S. I'm not sure if this happens for everyone, but it probably does just because of security system conflicts in CM7 and LBE, but LBE doesn't seem to be able to start and run on CM7, so you can't have the best of both worlds
thanks guys for the quick responses!
I am trying LBE and so far like what I am seeing
THANKS!

[Q] Android tablet security applications?

So, I've been thinking lately about how much damage someone could do if my tablet was stolen, or used while I wasn't looking. Since I use it for work, and pretty much everything else, I'm looking for ways to keep it very secure.
I know HC has built-in encryption - haven't tried it, but from what I understand, it only encrypts the tablet when the tablet is off.
First off, is Android's lock screen pretty secure? Is there a way to have the tablet data encrypted while the lock screen is up?
I'd love to hear how everybody else keeps theirs secure... particularly those who use it for work-related stuff. I use AppLocker that came with the tablet for some of the more sensitive applications. Not sure if the program actually encrypts the app's data, or if it's just a pass-through.

[Q] Popup asking for Internet Access?

I like LBE Privacy Guard, especially for its on-demand permission requests when an app asks to access my SMS Inbox or whatnot; I like that I can ensure that it never accesses it, always does without asking, or continues to ask each time.
I'm also using the firewall with mixed results; I don't like having to choose each app and whether it's allowed to access the internet via 3g/wifi ahead of time. I'd like a popup request with similar options (though I guess it would be more like a timeout rather than per-session, e.g. "yes it can access the internet over my 3g connection but only for the next 10 minutes."
Is there already an app that does this? I've checked a few firewall apps like Droid Wall (and a few similar apps) and they don't offer this on-demand (or on-app-accessing-internet, I suppose!)
I'm rooted, of course, so I'm not constrained there.
+1!!! Looking for the same thing! Trying to hunt the hog that sucks my data!
Thanks!!!
Ahri said:
I like LBE Privacy Guard, especially for its on-demand permission requests when an app asks to access my SMS Inbox or whatnot; I like that I can ensure that it never accesses it, always does without asking, or continues to ask each time.
I'm also using the firewall with mixed results; I don't like having to choose each app and whether it's allowed to access the internet via 3g/wifi ahead of time. I'd like a popup request with similar options (though I guess it would be more like a timeout rather than per-session, e.g. "yes it can access the internet over my 3g connection but only for the next 10 minutes."
Is there already an app that does this? I've checked a few firewall apps like Droid Wall (and a few similar apps) and they don't offer this on-demand (or on-app-accessing-internet, I suppose!)
I'm rooted, of course, so I'm not constrained there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Goldenmeadow said:
+1!!! Looking for the same thing! Trying to hunt the hog that sucks my data!
Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I reckon that LBE Privacy Guard should help you with that: you can switch on traffic monitoring and get a listing of how much data each app has used.
I'd advise you to do this for a week and then switch it off (after you've worked out what's costing you money), as the data monitor drains battery faster!
Thanks. I already use LBE and My Data Manager. Turning APS ON one by one I try to find the sucker
But it would be easier with pop-up type app.
Ahri said:
I reckon that LBE Privacy Guard should help you with that: you can switch on traffic monitoring and get a listing of how much data each app has used.
I'd advise you to do this for a week and then switch it off (after you've worked out what's costing you money), as the data monitor drains battery faster!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my LG-SU760 using xda app-developers app

Firefly Mobile Intense XL

My phone was serviced "reprogrammed" and when it came back I keep getting ads. I tried resetting the phone but it still keeps getting adware silently installed. Is there any way to fix this?
You are not alone. Bought this phone for my mom since she likes a bigger screen to do social media stuff. The malware popped in after the last ota. The official wirelessupdate app included on the phone silently installs random apks that pushes full screen ads and impersonates clicks even if the the phone is not being used. This is common with generic android phones coming from CHINA
I haven't figured out a way to root the phone as most rooting methods will fail(because of the sucky spreadtrum SOC which makes it difficult to root the phone).SADLY, rooting is the only way to disable/uninstall the wirelessupdate app.
However, here's a workaround I found that works.
1) restrict your network to limit background data usage (Found in settings).
2) **uninstall the malware app: finding the app may be difficult as It normally disguises itself as a system app with names like radio, settings, wifi or some application name that doesn't even make sense. It uses a lot of data and is always active. You'll know its the fake app if it poses as a system app but you have the option to uninstall it(System apps cannot be uninstalled without root/Su access).
Buttt....
The wireless update will probably install another malware app after uninstalling the current one.
3)disable notification of the app so it doesnt send fake notifications to you that opens ad based webpages as it also fakes notification, posing as a fake notif from FB, whatsapp
4) force stop it and stop the services from settings so it doesn't load or push apps while you use your phone
Restarting the phone will make the app run again
5) Remove the app's permission. By default its granted access to location, settings, storage and sometimes camera or mic. The wireless app doesnt detect this and wont turn those permission back on
6) lastly, you can contact firefly support AND PRAY TO THE GOOD LORD they know know what they're doing. Because I did and they were completely clueless on the troubleshooting or on the issue itself and even blamed the problem on the user. Ridiculously stupid.
I haven't really tried ADB yet because i don't have the time and the phone lacks resources online to restore it in case I brick it. Frankly, this phone is not worth investing time fixing especially with the quality of support it has from Firefly and the price it asked for.

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