[Q] The best anti-theft for android? - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Before purchasing the S3 I read up about it and found one called "Pray anti-theft" which was supposed to be pretty good.
I installed it onto my S3 and it seems in order to track it my phone needs to be connected to the internet with the SIM card in tact..
Who is going to find a phone and leave the SIM card in?
Can anybody recommend a better one?

There is no "anti-theft" thing.
Anyone with good knowledge of android can easily flash a new ROM in your stolen phone and factory reset it which will remove whatever you have installed there.

Avast is imo the best, it can track with gps and when the sim gets replaced you get the simcard number send to a chosen number.
Also with root they can't remove the app, go into settings, and with a factory reset it keeps active.
you can also give commands via sms to your phone.
Send from my GT-I9300 with Tapatalk

Avast antivirus integrates a module that used to be a standalone app called Theft Aware. This installs as a system app (if rooted), hides itself from the app drawer and you can only show it by dialling a PIN in the dialer. It can be set up so it will send an SMS to a trusted number when the SIM card is swapped, and from there you can control the phone by SMS commands. You can request GPS updates, make the phone call you, wipe remotely, turn on a siren... This all works through SMS - no mobile data or wifi necessary, and it works if they ditch your SIM. The recent version also added web-based tracking and control. And it's free! But of course if the thief does a firmware flash you're out of luck. The thing is, I think most petty thieves aren't android experts.

DashingGentleman said:
Avast antivirus integrates a module that used to be a standalone app called Theft Aware. This installs as a system app (if rooted), hides itself from the app drawer and you can only show it by dialling a PIN in the dialer. It can be set up so it will send an SMS to a trusted number when the SIM card is swapped, and from there you can control the phone by SMS commands. You can request GPS updates, make the phone call you, wipe remotely, turn on a siren... This all works through SMS - no mobile data or wifi necessary, and it works if they ditch your SIM. The recent version also added web-based tracking and control. And it's free! But of course if the thief does a firmware flash you're out of luck. The thing is, I think most petty thieves aren't android experts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would be very surprised if anybody in my area has even heard of rooting
you think Samsung would have some sort of security feature for the best phone on the market.. (a good one, not the one it comes with)
Thanks guys, so on a rooted device I can just install avast from the google store and it will install as a system app?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lsdroid.cerberus&hl=en

Cerberus. www.cerberusapp.com - you can install the application in the ROM if bootloader is unlocked so it will survive a factory reset (along with it's settings files).
Cerberus can remotely record audio, video and take pictures of the person using it. GPS location, remote lock and wipe. A few euros for a lifetime licence. Cerberus is the plain simple best.

Why not just use Samsung dive that is pre installed. Works perfectly, can track the phone, even on intervals. Can lock the phone, forward calls and texts, and more.
All this works even when the sim is changed.
Sent from my SGS3 on Omega v9.0 using XDA Premium

ticktime said:
There is no "anti-theft" thing.
Anyone with good knowledge of android can easily flash a new ROM in your stolen phone and factory reset it which will remove whatever you have installed there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is there, don't talk about things you don't know about :good:
---------- Post added at 08:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:02 PM ----------
UrbanDesigns said:
I would be very surprised if anybody in my area has even heard of rooting
you think Samsung would have some sort of security feature for the best phone on the market.. (a good one, not the one it comes with)
Thanks guys, so on a rooted device I can just install avast from the google store and it will install as a system app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It won't install as a system app, but it makes an file that Avast won't be removed when you factory reset the phone, the app will stay installed because of that back-up.
It also blocks usb-debugging, so you can't flash another rom, It will remain protecting your phone whatever they try do delete or modify.
They can't even get into settings
Cerberus doesn't provide that, and needs to be flashed to survive a factory reset, with Avast you aren't even allowed to do actions...
Avast is free, and if rooted it gives you the best protection possible!

I have question , i have rotoped phone and flashed cerberus, if have disabled data connections and phone isnt on wifi . Can i control and track device?
Sent from my XT910 using xda premium

Marwvek said:
I have question , i have rotoped phone and flashed cerberus, if have disabled data connections and phone isnt on wifi . Can i control and track device?
Sent from my XT910 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found this for you, which answers many questions and has contact info.
Yes. You can enable Data & Wifi via individual SMS commands.
https://www.cerberusapp.com/help.php

here use "Samsung Dive"
http://www.samsungdive.com/

Actually dont use samsung dive. It pops-out notifications when the device is being tracked, etc., so every thief will know that you are tracking him and will do factory reset.
I'm not saying that you should not set-up this. Do it, but use it as a last resort.
I suggest cerberus, its cheap, easy to hide (however I personally make it a system application using titanium backup, so that it's not shown in normal app managers), and somehow reliable. I miss for it the function to turn on data and wifi automatically after sim-change.

ticktime said:
There is no "anti-theft" thing.
Anyone with good knowledge of android can easily flash a new ROM in your stolen phone and factory reset it which will remove whatever you have installed there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about remapping the phone's physical keys so the thief will have a lot of trouble on entering the recovery mode?
It's not a 100% safe solution, but pretty decent for forcing the thief to use the phone while he can be tracked by an anti-theft app.
I'm not sure if this can be done on my rooted Galaxy Note, but if it would be possible I'd try.

brdeveloper said:
What about remapping the phone's physical keys so the thief will have a lot of trouble on entering the recovery mode?
It's not a 100% safe solution, but pretty decent for forcing the thief to use the phone while he can be tracked by an anti-theft app.
I'm not sure if this can be done on my rooted Galaxy Note, but if it would be possible I'd try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not possible

Judging from this conversation avast seems to be better than all the others. Has anyone tried using avg antivirus?

If it is only anti theft, then, Android Device Tracker Free is better than all apps in its class.
It can be used as a system app (for rooted devices, for non-rooted devices can be used as a normal app) which will not be affected even if thief wipes the data and it will send sms to your configured mobile number when he tries to change the sim.
It doesn't consume battery. Because, it acts only when sim is replaced.
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appzdevelopers.androiddevicetrackerf

GotYa best anti theft app ever>>https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myboyfriendisageek.gotya
Take pic and upload on your mail with location and time.
[email protected] when someone geeks with your phone

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

2012 edition: best anti-theft app?

Right now it looks like Cerberus is still great - or should we take a good look at Avast and Kaspersky as well?
Prey got a lot of press hype, but it seems like on android it can't take pictures of the thief? Can cerberus be forced to use the front camera?
Confirmed that Cerberus can take pictures with the front camera. I tested it when I first installed it and it works very well. It even flashes to a bright white screen for a second in case of low light conditions.
Try Androidlost.
I found it much, much better.
Romonster said:
Try Androidlost.
I found it much, much better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he said
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Romonster said:
Try Androidlost.
I found it much, much better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. So you would say this is better than Cerberus? In which ways?
1. It's absolutely free.
2. Uses your Google account, no need to create another account for app and no battery drain.
3. More features- pull last 50 messages and browse/download/delete sdcard contents remotely.
Considering I got Cerberos for free during their giveaway, it's serving me very well. I particularly like the five devices I can track with it; makes me feel better about taking both my phone and tablet into public.
How effective are anti-theft apps?
Do any of these anti-theft apps prevent a factory reset or a ROM flash?
Have any independent comparisons been published?
How does SamsungDive compare to the likes of Prey et al?
I think Avast Mobile Security is a pretty good bet, allows SMS only management, and system installation so goes to the rom.
Respect to flashing the device, I think regardless on any anti theft software (cerberus, androidlost, avast mobile security) you can start the device in Recovery mode and flash a new rom, wipe cache & data and such. That is because the recovery prevails over the operating system because loads first when demanded.
AndroidLost
Win
HairyScot said:
Do any of these anti-theft apps prevent a factory reset or a ROM flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
scandiun said:
I think Avast Mobile Security is a pretty good bet, allows SMS only management, and system installation so goes to the rom.
Respect to flashing the device, I think regardless on any anti theft software (cerberus, androidlost, avast mobile security) you can start the device in Recovery mode and flash a new rom, wipe cache & data and such. That is because the recovery prevails over the operating system because loads first when demanded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With Avast if you allow its root options you can set the phone so that it CANNOT be data reset from the phone menus or recovery. It can block USB Debugging as well so that the phone cannot be wiped and reset that way either. You can also set Anti-Theft as an app with Admin permissions so that it cannot be uninstalled, not to mention it will run in stealth mode when active so that it doesn't appear in your apps list at all. It is also separate from the Anti-virus portion so you can uninstall that and there would be no way to tell the Anti-theft is even present on the phone.
It is amazing that it's still free, but as Avast! stated they make their money off of their PC utilities and plan to keep it free.
MissionImprobable said:
With Avast if you allow its root options you can set the phone so that it CANNOT be data reset from the phone menus or recovery. It can block USB Debugging as well so that the phone cannot be wiped and reset that way either. You can also set Anti-Theft as an app with Admin permissions so that it cannot be uninstalled, not to mention it will run in stealth mode when active so that it doesn't appear in your apps list at all. It is also separate from the Anti-virus portion so you can uninstall that and there would be no way to tell the Anti-theft is even present on the phone.
It is amazing that it's still free, but as Avast! stated they make their money off of their PC utilities and plan to keep it free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean the phone won't enter on recovery holding power+volup+menu? And that there won't be the option to install update from sdcard?
MissionImprobable said:
With Avast if you allow its root options you can set the phone so that it CANNOT be data reset from the phone menus or recovery. It can block USB Debugging as well so that the phone cannot be wiped and reset that way either. You can also set Anti-Theft as an app with Admin permissions so that it cannot be uninstalled, not to mention it will run in stealth mode when active so that it doesn't appear in your apps list at all. It is also separate from the Anti-virus portion so you can uninstall that and there would be no way to tell the Anti-theft is even present on the phone.
It is amazing that it's still free, but as Avast! stated they make their money off of their PC utilities and plan to keep it free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
scandiun said:
Do you mean the phone won't enter on recovery holding power+volup+menu? And that there won't be the option to install update from sdcard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since I have paid for Avast! on my PC maybe I should use it for my Android devices.
Would be interesting to verify if it can prevent flashing etc.
HairyScot said:
Since I have paid for Avast! on my PC maybe I should use it for my Android devices.
Would be interesting to verify if it can prevent flashing etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, there is no such hardware locking ability on some devices, at least in my SGS2 there is no way to prevent flashing.
does this thing really work? just a newbie here.
You can install cerberus on to the root of your phone to gain two additional features that will result in cerberus still being installed even after a delete/wipe.
Link to cerberus q&a HERE
Just expand the "I have a rooted device. Can I get additional features?" topic and follow instructions
Remember when un-installing cerberus to uninstall it the proper way to avoid problems when flashing it to root, open the app login and disable admin then uninstall
ill have to check that out
Thing is if you lose your phone the best you can hope for is a quick lock via a website to track it down or protect your data (which will already be backed up)
As long as you can secure the phone and data then how much do you really want to catch a thief?
Will check these out though as being able to lock the phone down and ensure it has to be reflashed is good, but unless you use encryption not sure how any of these can really protect the data?
scandiun said:
Do you mean the phone won't enter on recovery holding power+volup+menu? And that there won't be the option to install update from sdcard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was still able to wipe data and cache after I sent a text to set it as lost, but once the phone restarted the Anti-theft app was still active so that aspect that is common to Cerberus still works at least. I'm about to see if it survives RSD.
Edit: Alrighty. As stated Anti-theft survived wipe/reset so that part holds true, and RSD is unable to function so it is preventing USB debugging access. The only thing that shows that anything out of the ordinary is going on is that you have the option to set one app as admin and it does not appear with the rest of your apps in the app drawer, but as you can name it anything that you want only someone very familiar with Avast/Cerberus would have any reason to suspect that it's an anti-theft app.
One thing that may give it away that the phone is being tracked is that an SMS goes to the device saying that it has been marked lost and depending on your network and when the thief powers off the phone it still may show up in the inbox and they could see it. Considering that many thieves may switch SIMs as soon as they get the phone though, this should be a non-issue and is covered by the forwarding and SIM-tracking portions of the App.
I would like to play with all this further, but as of now it appears that Avast pretty much performs as promised and your phone will still be trackable even if someone does a battery pull and reset. You will have to send an additional Lost SMS if you wish to lock the phone again, but you can send your other commands: SIREN ON, LOCATE, etc and it the phone will react appropriately. The LOCATE command will give you the owner name, Cell ID, Carrier, and new ID. If they change SIM cards the new SIM info will be forwarded to the two numbers you chose as friends during setup. You can do a test to make sure they'll get the message, but I would like to actually try this but my phone is CDMA only so I can't vet that out.
Declaring lost does Automatically power WIFI, GPS, and Data back on as promised. I apparently misspoke about being able to prevent access to recovery. When locked it is impossible to access the system menus on the phone, but as noted it can be wiped and reset from recovery though Avast will survive this and it looks like Cerberus should as well since it utilizes a similar method.
Don't know how much more to ask for from an anti-theft app, especially a free one. The only nice addition would be being able to lock recovery the way you can BIOS, though this may make a savvy thief more likely to toss the phone so maybe it's a good thing that they would be able to flash a new Rom via SD and the phone could still be tracked with them none the wiser.
---------- Post added at 03:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:14 AM ----------
Doallyn said:
Thing is if you lose your phone the best you can hope for is a quick lock via a website to track it down or protect your data (which will already be backed up)
As long as you can secure the phone and data then how much do you really want to catch a thief?
Will check these out though as being able to lock the phone down and ensure it has to be reflashed is good, but unless you use encryption not sure how any of these can really protect the data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All my important data is backed up so that I'm not worried about. As to the thief bit, this app is great. When it becomes clear to thieves that stealing a phone will at best result in them getting a GPS tracker that they need to toss and at worse give them something that actually lands them in jail then thefts will certainly drop off. Apps like this and Cerberus will make phone theft something that's benefits certainly do not outweigh the potential costs.
The reason Avast and Cerberus (or just any other system app) survives a wipe/factory reset is because they are in the System folder... all those apps aren't deleted when you perform a wipe...
But sure enough, if the thief flashes a new ROM from recovery then all apps are gone, nothing will survive that!
Anyway, Avast seems to be the way to go since is free ;-)

Security idea?

Hi people;
I just wanna point out am idea abt security of device. Is that possibile to add an counter to pin login screen to count back unsuccessful login attempts? Actually an add-on to pin login security to enhance general device security. As been on BlackBerry devices. After an settled number of login attempts device could block it self or better to wipe device to factory settings?
Just an idea just came out from an necessity.
Thanks.
Sent from my GT-I9100
I think that's a wonderful idea. Go forth and develop it my friend. Hey, why not use Kickstarter to gain funding?
****Non of this is of any importance. Just chill the f**k out and relax****
It would take ayear or more if i do it.im a rookie
Sent from my GT-I9100
Just install programs like Cerberus, They have much better features then this.
Cerberus or other prg's made to work on after stolen. This improvement is as a first defence for data security. All other scenarios can fail after device stolen. Cerberus only takes pictures what will i do with pic.of thief after its stolen and what if thief is after my data not my device.
Sent from my GT-I9100
I saw an app in the play store can't remember the name it was in the top 60 that if you're patter unlock was entered incorrectly it would take a pic and email location and pic to you
asterius said:
Cerberus or other prg's made to work on after stolen. This improvement is as a first defence for data security. All other scenarios can fail after device stolen. Cerberus only takes pictures what will i do with pic.of thief after its stolen and what if thief is after my data not my device.
Sent from my GT-I9100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In cerberus you can set what you want even clear sdcard.
asterius said:
Cerberus or other prg's made to work on after stolen. This improvement is as a first defence for data security. All other scenarios can fail after device stolen. Cerberus only takes pictures what will i do with pic.of thief after its stolen and what if thief is after my data not my device.
Sent from my GT-I9100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, you have absolutely no idea what your talking about and obviously havent even used the app or web service or any other of the many same type apps.
You can manually OR automatically wipe data on internal or external card, lock device, get GPS location, take pictures, videos, sound recordings, display messages, send sms, make it scream. etc etc etc. You can automate these actions in various scenarios from wrong unlock codes, new sim card inserted etc. You can also hide the app or install as system app so they can uninstall even if wiped. Only way to get rid is install new rom, but majority of people who would find/steal phone wouldnt have a clue flashing roms was even possible.
Your idea is and already has been used in various security apps for long time.

Can I freeze the phone dialer?

I have a TMO Vibrant that I want to give to my 8 year old daughter so she can play games on it. There's no SIM card, but of course she can still (accidentally) call 911. I would like to just freeze the phone app, but I want to be sure that I can safely (from the phone point of view) do so. In other words, will it break the phone if I freeze the phone app? I am also hoping it will get rid of the "No sim card installed. Emergency calls only" warnings that won't go away. Secondly, if I can freeze the phone app, what exactly is the phone app called in TB? I don't see it there. I am using MIUI 20330 on kernel 2.6.35.12, android 2.3.7
MrGibbage said:
I have a TMO Vibrant that I want to give to my 8 year old daughter so she can play games on it. There's no SIM card, but of course she can still (accidentally) call 911. I would like to just freeze the phone app, but I want to be sure that I can safely (from the phone point of view) do so. In other words, will it break the phone if I freeze the phone app? I am also hoping it will get rid of the "No sim card installed. Emergency calls only" warnings that won't go away. Secondly, if I can freeze the phone app, what exactly is the phone app called in TB? I don't see it there. I am using MIUI 20330 on kernel 2.6.35.12, android 2.3.7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not too sure about the missing SIM card alert, but freezing the dialer app is very easy too do, and shouldn't cause any problems. There are also multiple ways to accomplish the task, however, I believe the most effective way would be to "manually" freeze the app. This can be done by following these steps:
Download an app like Root Explorer, if you don't already have it or don't have the money, a free alternative is Super Manager.
Go to the root of the phone, the directory being "/".
Go into the "system" folder. (Directory: "/system")
Then go into the "app" folder. (Directory: "/system/app")
Look around until you find an app called "phone.apk".
Rename it to "phone.apk.bak". This will effectively freeze the phone app.
It might also not hurt to freeze the contacts app, various email clients (gmail & email), the messaging app (mms), and other like apps using the same method mentioned in the previous steps.
Once the apps are frozen, you can even delete the file explorer app you used so that those core system files can't be accessed by your daughter.
For further monitoring of your daughter's device, you could even try an app like APP Lock. With a little bit of in app tweaking, you can block access to phone settings and even require a password to install and uninstall apps.
Another suggestion, you may also want to look into this ROM, I have a feeling it may satisfy your needs... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1566651.
If you need any help or have a question, please, don't hesitate to ask.
MrGibbage said:
I have a TMO Vibrant that I want to give to my 8 year old daughter so she can play games on it. There's no SIM card, but of course she can still (accidentally) call 911. I would like to just freeze the phone app, but I want to be sure that I can safely (from the phone point of view) do so. In other words, will it break the phone if I freeze the phone app? I am also hoping it will get rid of the "No sim card installed. Emergency calls only" warnings that won't go away. Secondly, if I can freeze the phone app, what exactly is the phone app called in TB? I don't see it there. I am using MIUI 20330 on kernel 2.6.35.12, android 2.3.7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha! For once, it's someone BEING ABLE to call 911 that's the problem. :silly:
That was really good help. Thanks. Anyone know how to make the "Emergency calls only" notification go away? There must be some app that looks for a SIM card that puts it up there. Or maybe it's baked into the kernel and it can't be disabled???
Uninstall sim tool kit or stk from titanium backup to get the notificqtion to go away
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium

[Q] Make App that stays after wipe?

Hi there,
I'm curious if it is possible to install an app so that it will be there, even if the phone is wiped (either from the phone or CWM/TWRP). I don't care if the phone must be rooted or the app needs to be pushed to system apps or integrated in the rom. It's basically because I want to make my own phone tracking software that sends me the position periodically or after SIM was changed. I heard that cerberus was capable of doing that (or at least not being uninstalled wihtout authorization).
It's not about just getting an app like that, but the fun, developing it myself. A friend of mine was robbed recently, so I got interested in that stuff...
So, is there any way to make an app stick after wipe?
Thx in advance
SKArabaeus said:
Hi there,
I'm curious if it is possible to install an app so that it will be there, even if the phone is wiped (either from the phone or CWM/TWRP). I don't care if the phone must be rooted or the app needs to be pushed to system apps or integrated in the rom. It's basically because I want to make my own phone tracking software that sends me the position periodically or after SIM was changed. I heard that cerberus was capable of doing that (or at least not being uninstalled wihtout authorization).
It's not about just getting an app like that, but the fun, developing it myself. A friend of mine was robbed recently, so I got interested in that stuff...
So, is there any way to make an app stick after wipe?
Thx in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
System apps won't be affected by a factory reset, a wipe of the system partition will obviously remove it though. This would require the phone to be rooted.Also, apps which require you to add as admin (try installing avast interface), can't be uninstalled unless that option is turned off.

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