The question is this: do we really need an antivirus?
I'm asking because i have an XT910 from may this year and I've tried different ROMs with or without an antivirus
and my conclusion is that we dont need them. Nothing has happened to my phone so far despite of what I've read on internet.
In case we need protection, can somebody explain exactly why?
Thank you
They are both a hog and needed. Read the mcafee article about malware. I redo my phone each day to stay protected
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
Of course McAfee is going to tell you that you need one, that's the business they are in. I have tried them here and there but it has never found any malware or viruses and I will put any app on my horn from any source (some shady) with no issues whatsoever! I do not have any important stuff on my horn that I can't get back if needed and not worried about someone getting phone numbers either. So my 2 cents is that, all they do is suck precious battery life and speed out of your device.
Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk
I've never had antivirus on my DROID,DROID X or my DROID RAZR and I've never any malware issues I don't think we need antivirus
Sent from my XT912
Does somebody ever found a virus then? How are they looking or manifesting?
I've used and still do some torrent apps and still no virus.
I would like to pay for them (at least for some), but no money for that
I've never had any antivirus nor any Malware Issue..
Having an antivirus would just suck up your battery unnecessarily..
Its like an year now using XT910..
No issues, Great phone !! :angel:
I've downloaded so many things on my phone, you wouldn't believe it..100+ movie's, Xbox 360 games, music, photos, apk's, windows programs, everything...and I've never had any problem with viruses or malware or anything like that...the apps are there just to make you feel like your phone is secured, and for the companies to get a little $$$ off of the suckers that pay for the full versions of antivirus apps.
Sent from my XT912 using xda app-developers app
killjoy1179 said:
I've downloaded so many things on my phone, you wouldn't believe it..100+ movie's, Xbox 360 games, music, photos, apk's, windows programs, everything...and I've never had any problem with viruses or malware or anything like that...the apps are there just to make you feel like your phone is secured, and for the companies to get a little $$$ off of the suckers that pay for the full versions of antivirus apps.
Sent from my XT912 using xda app-developers app
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+1
I wonder if those viruses really exist
I dont think we need antivirus
I have been using android for past 3 years and i can say that there was never a virus on my phone. I tried many antivirus software's but they are not really a compulsion unless you download some 3rd party .apks form xyz source. I would say that antivirus are resource hogs and they are for noobs who just download anything and everything from anywhere without verifying the source.
Related
MY PC HAD A VIRUS LAST NIGHT AND I REMOVED IT BUT I'M SCARE IF I CONNECT MY TBOLT WILL IT GET A VIRUS FROM MY PC ... OR IF MY PC ALREADY HAS ONE WILL MY TBOLT GET IT... HELP
sent from my stock tbolt using XDA app
Both devices are probably screwed bro. Your best bet at this point is to delete system 32 on the pc. Then take it to the geek squad at best buy to get it squared away. Their prices are very reasonable.
OK, your phone cannot get a Windows based virus. They are not even nearly the same OS. You're fine. Download and run these on your PC in order: combofix, malwarebytes anti-malware, superantispyware. Oh, also, CAPS LOCK IS NOT CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL!
dbisch said:
Both devices are probably screwed bro. Your best bet at this point is to delete system 32 on the pc. Then take it to the geek squad at best buy to get it squared away. Their prices are very reasonable.
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You're either an idiot or an ass. Either way, congrats.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
ProTekk said:
OK, your phone cannot get a Windows based virus. They are not even nearly the same OS. You're fine. Download and run these on your PC in order: combofix, malwarebytes anti-malware, superantispyware. Oh, also, CAPS LOCK IS NOT CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL!
You're either an idiot or an ass. Either way, congrats.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
Just an ass.
Don't feed the troll.
Just dunk it in a bowl of rubbing alcohol. That will kill any viruses.
Your android os cannot 'catch a virus' from your windows os. However, some viruses/malware have been known to be able to 'infect' storage devices (thumb drives, etc.) which are attached. Such a device could potentially 'reinfect' your windows os after it has been cleaned. Your android phone can potentially act as a such a storage device in this scenario.
Stop watching donkey porn and you wont get a virus
Thats the word on the streets
sent from my RAZR
i will second that. once i stopped watching donkey porn all my virus problems went away...
Donkey Porn is best watched on a stolen iPhone.
Anyways, now-a-days it's mostly malware that turns your PC into a bot (spam, DDoS drone, etc.) and/or steals data. And wormy stuff. And most people get malware by inadvertently allowing it to be installed (and oftentimes even granting it the privledges it needs when the UAC popup comes along). Sometimes it's attached to installers, too (like those god-damned IE toolbars, lol).
Moreover, self-replicating files that multiply by appending themselves to MS-DOS .COM/.EXE files have pretty much been eliminated by protected memory managers (and the fact that no one is using MS-DOS). Even if your "infection" were a cross-platform hybrid worm, it would be highly unlikely that it would "infect" your cell-phone.
You're more likely to get malware on your phone by downloading warez or something.
Good luck!
Whatever you do for your PC please,I repeat PLEASE, do not take it to Geek Squad. They are the absolute worst choice for computer repair. I have a computer business and every client I have that took their system to Geek Squad took it home in worse condition than they dropped it off. In addition to a complete lack of knowledge they charge outrageous prices. Broken hinges on a laptop was quoted at $400+. $15 and one day later they were happy as can be. As for he virus, hey are different operating systems. A virus written for a 32 bit Windows platform will not be able to infect an Android operating system. Just like you couldn't take Windows Media Player from your Windows PC and run it on your Android. Programs don't work that way. Your phone will be fine unless it installs on your PC to transfer itself through HTC Sync to your phone being written for Android OS. However that's about as likely as getting a virus when running Ubuntu Linux. Just get your PC cleaned up. Try Avast Antivirus or Trojan Removed trial. The main problem with viruses now-a-days is a lot of times they trash Windows networking components so removing the virus makes your system worse in a way. Data back-up, format, and re-install is the safest option for your system. And be sure to scan any data backed up as most any file type can contain a virus, including but not limited to MP3s, documents, AVIs, DLLs, and many others. Good luck my friend.
Zen
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using XDA App
Sorry to post a new thread about this but I was searching the atrix forums and could not find anything on it. Any thoughts on anti virus apps such as lookout security a necessity? Thanks.
stevehkim said:
Sorry to post a new thread about this but I was searching the atrix forums and could not find anything on it. Any thoughts on anti virus apps such as lookout security a necessity? Thanks.
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I don't think it's worth it. I've only heard of really weak Android "viruses". I hardly see the point of antivirus for Android. As long as you stay on the Market and don't download anything that seems extremely weird I think you're ok.
BravoMotorola said:
I don't think it's worth it. I've only heard of really weak Android "viruses". I hardly see the point of antivirus for Android. As long as you stay on the Market and don't download anything that seems extremely weird I think you're ok.
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+1
seems like all it would do is slow your phone down and/or decrease battery life
although i should say I don't even have antivirus on my pc
I have Lookout and just have it running in the background and doing weekly scans and backups. You don't have to see it, and it doesn't even eat battery power.
For me, better to have it than not. Just in case.
Not worth it if your a flashaholic
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
I was at the Android BBQ Cyanogen panel and someone asked this. Straight from the Master's mouth, unless you are going crazy downloading unknown sources from China you do not need it, it's ineffective.
2leaponover1 said:
I was at the Android BBQ Cyanogen panel and someone asked this. Straight from the Master's mouth, unless you are going crazy downloading unknown sources from China you do not need it, it's ineffective.
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Honestly, I think this is a bs statement for anyone to make. Any time you connect any device to a computer you risk a virus migrating/transferring/infecting that device. Any time you download anything from the internet, no matter the source, you risk a virus. Just because it came from the Market does not mean it's clean. Similarily, just because you flash a new ROM doesn't mean any virus you had will be gone. Wiping is no guarantee unless you completely wipe everything, which nobody does.
Many years ago people did not care about, or even know about, anti-virus on their home computers.......yup, big mistake! System crashes, personal information lost, important files lost/corrupted, remote management, identity theft, etc.
There is nothing wrong with employing anti-virus on your cellphone. It's an internet/wireless/network connected device, and should be treated just like any other such device.
Personally I use Lookout Premium. I have found it works well for me, and uses next to no resources. I can't speculate on other anti-virus for phones such as AVG as I haven't used them. The best offence is a good defence.
CaelanT said:
Honestly, I think this is a bs statement for anyone to make. Any time you connect any device to a computer you risk a virus migrating/transferring/infecting that device. Any time you download anything from the internet, no matter the source, you risk a virus. Just because it came from the Market does not mean it's clean. Similarily, just because you flash a new ROM doesn't mean any virus you had will be gone. Wiping is no guarantee unless you completely wipe everything, which nobody does.
Many years ago people did not care about, or even know about, anti-virus on their home computers.......yup, big mistake! System crashes, personal information lost, important files lost/corrupted, remote management, identity theft, etc.
There is nothing wrong with employing anti-virus on your cellphone. It's an internet/wireless/network connected device, and should be treated just like any other such device.
Personally I use Lookout Premium. I have found it works well for me, and uses next to no resources. I can't speculate on other anti-virus for phones such as AVG as I haven't used them. The best offence is a good defence.
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Yup Caleant is right. As a matter of fact they just recently(maybe a few months back) took down like 20 or more apps from the regular android market and some were quite popular too for being infected. I believe they were all infected with the dream virus or something like that. So that other statement that guy said about how you only need it if your installing from unknown sources or apps from china is complete BS!
android is based on linux do i have to remember you? ....
just be cautious and everything will be alright
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
Ov3rd0se said:
android is based on linux do i have to remember you? ....
just be cautious and everything will be alright
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And then the same as any Linux kernel it will be succeptible to rootkits and various other security issues - how often is the Android kernel patched? (go have a look over at exploit-db...)...also there is java on top of that Linux kernel...therefore....
Another vote for using it here - I am running Bit Defender - its uses little to no resources and no battery and it is definitely better to be safe than make assumptions
+1 for Lookout, it actually has alerted me of malicious software and aborted the installation once before. Here is a good and recent example of just how easy it is for malicious apps to be downloaded from even the Android Market.
I did not use antivirus for my other phones as they either had very slow processor (backflip) or very little ram (x10) and they did slow the phone down. However, with the atrix, I do have a antivirus (lookout) and find it useful. I mean, come on, what do you lose? Also, i tried avg once, it flagged superuser as an unsafe app and told me usb debugging is a unsafe option. It was SO annoying i uninstalled it.
Its good but personally I don't use it.All my files go to my pc get scanned and then put to my phone.I backup almost everyday for good measure and I constantly switch between ROMs for fun so for me its not really a big deal,but for others it might be very important
I use kaspersky mobile security and wouldn't feel comfortable just installing apk's without some form of check.
sk8trix said:
Its good but personally I don't use it.All my files go to my pc get scanned and then put to my phone.I backup almost everyday for good measure and I constantly switch between ROMs for fun so for me its not really a big deal,but for others it might be very important
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All downloads and all data go through your PC first? This would have to include Market downloads, web pages you navigate to through your phone browser, etc. It's impossible to run all files through your PC first.
CaelanT said:
All downloads and all data go through your PC first? This would have to include Market downloads, web pages you navigate to through your phone browser, etc. It's impossible to run all files through your PC first.
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That's what I thought too when I read his post. Just smile and nod lol.
Virus and CM7
I'm running CM7 on my Atrix. All was going very well until recently when it stopped recognizing the car dock. I am not running an antivirus yet (which will change given the above posts, regardless of the answer to this question.
Could a virus have been the culprit?
No sir, I seriously doubt that.
I use androidlost
CaelanT said:
All downloads and all data go through your PC first? This would have to include Market downloads, web pages you navigate to through your phone browser, etc. It's impossible to run all files through your PC first.
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What I meant was about apps outside of the market and most things including apps I get outside the market.....things even from this site I download to my pc and scan.as far as internet well you're on your own but unless your on some porn site or torrent or creepy forums there isn't much chance to be hacked.I'm not in anyways saying that u shuldnt use lookout or apps like it but how many people can you name or even think of the top of your head that got hacked on their android device.....not a whole lot......
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?
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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
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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)
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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.
A year and a half ago when I first got my Droid X I used Lookout Mobile Security. As far as I knew it was doing its thing just fine. I used that all the way up until I got my replacement X2 midway through last year.
So I was looking through the market for new antivirus software and I saw that Avast is out. Tried that and I liked it a lot. Has root support for rooted devices too. Custom firewall settings(works), call/SMS blocker(haven't tried yet). It also has an antitheft setting which can make everything on your phone sleep except the GPS so you can find it, set off a lost or stolen alarm, etc. It even has an option to "Survive Cyanogenmod ROM Flashes" so it will remain installed on the phone even if you flash a new version Of cyanogenmod... I'm assuming. (Antitheft only. Not entire app if I understand correctly)
Only things I don't like about it is the "Web Shield" only protects the default browser via the description. Also, I do not currently use the anti theft because it conflicts with go sms pro and that's what I use to text. :/
So the reason I posted this in q&a instead of themes and apps is because the entire time I've ever had either lookout or avast, throughout the hundreds of automatic scans and less than reputable websites (don't ask) I've gone through......my device has never encountered even a single problem. No viruses, no spyware, nothing even flagged as "potentially unwanted software."
Have you guys ever had virus/spyware issues on your phones? Has an antivirus application ever actually helped you after you received an infected file? Do you even bother using antivirus or do you consider it just 1 more app wasting battery in the background? Just curious....
Sent from my stupid smartphone
I have never used an AV program on my phone. Linux in itself is pretty resistant to viruses.
That being said, no AV program will save your ass if you're being an idiot on the internet.
AV is like a condom. Would you diddle a nasty, disease ridden person if you only had a thin layer of rubber between you?
LMAO. ^LIKE^
Sent from my MB870 using Tapatalk 2
Lmao wow I forgot this topic existed. Honestly haven't used antivirus since I started flashing different ROMs lol
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda app-developers app
A couple days ago I found an interesting app make appearance on my device by the name of "Ant"
I ignored it no big deal just more Google junk auto installing but when I checked Playstore this evening I found "Ant" had update pending.
I also found tons of reviews giving overall rating 2.5 , Some call it NSA spyware etc bad bad stuff slowing device.
That got my attention so I cleared its data freezing using titanium backup.
End result no more Spyware on board and device performance has increased tremendously.
Screen shot shows app files
Most of the ant apps I believe have to do with hardware support for ant+. It's a fitness tracking device.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
tp2215 said:
Most of the ant apps I believe have to do with hardware support for ant+. It's a fitness tracking device.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
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Yeah that's what its builders calling it.
Since it installed on my device without permission , it cant be uninstalled if your not rooted & 90% of playstore posters calling it spyware.
Thats a pretty good sign its up to no good
Don't be silly, ANT+ is just a protocol for devices to share information, an oversimplification, but compare it to Bluetooth. It allows devices (usually fitness wearables) to communicate with your phone correctly. You can uninstall it if you don't have any devices that use ANT but it's not "spyware" and it's not going to slow down your device. People posting in the Play Store are not exactly geniuses...
CitrixLemon said:
Don't be silly, ANT+ is just a protocol for devices to share information, an oversimplification, but compare it to Bluetooth. It allows devices (usually fitness wearables) to communicate with your phone correctly. You can uninstall it if you don't have any devices that use ANT but it's not "spyware" and it's not going to slow down your device. People posting in the Play Store are not exactly geniuses...
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yeah pretty silly , app that auto installs giving you no choice to deny and cant be completely uninstalled from device hmm
its good you have the inside scoop everything's dandy.
http://www.androidauthority.com/nsa-ant-328858/
sling said:
yeah pretty silly , app that auto installs giving you no choice to deny and cant be completely uninstalled from device hmm
its good you have the inside scoop everything's dandy.
http://www.androidauthority.com/nsa-ant-328858/
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There are a bunch of apps like that on the phone which deal with various wireless communications, you can't turn off the WiFi apps either. Just because the NSA happens to use the same acronym for one of their divisions doesn't mean anything. Although I guess that's what got all the people from the Play Store started. Take your tinfoil hat off...
CitrixLemon said:
There are a bunch of apps like that on the phone which deal with various wireless communications, you can't turn off the WiFi apps either. Just because the NSA happens to use the same acronym for one of their divisions doesn't mean anything. Although I guess that's what got all the people from the Play Store started. Take your tinfoil hat off...
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Dont forget those in XDA forums calling it none spyware.
Who could be right? hmm to each his own I guess believe what you will.
Ive disabled the crap & yes my device performance has improved.
sling said:
A couple days ago I found an interesting app make appearance on my device by the name of "Ant"
I ignored it no big deal just more Google junk auto installing but when I checked Playstore this evening I found "Ant" had update pending.
I also found tons of reviews giving overall rating 2.5 , Some call it NSA spyware etc bad bad stuff slowing device.
That got my attention so I cleared its data freezing using titanium backup.
End result no more Spyware on board and device performance has increased tremendously.
Screen shot shows app files
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can install all the apps you want, but if the NSA want to track you they will. As soon as you hit the Internet, privacy goes out the window for all those paranoids out there.
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
daxecutioner24 said:
You can install all the apps you want, but if the NSA want to track you they will. As soon as you hit the Internet, privacy goes out the window for all those paranoids out there.
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
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This is true but why have app on board that's not manufacture released , Not google app release , auto install on device without you knowing , Cant be fully removed without root
Anyway Developers website - http://www.thisisant.com/consumer/
Everyone needs this app on board , makes sense right?
Its spyware in my book
sling said:
This is true but why have app on board that's not manufacture released , Not google app release , auto install on device without you knowing , Cant be fully removed without root
Anyway Developers website - http://www.thisisant.com/consumer/
Everyone needs this app on board , it makes sense right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the point is that as a wireless connection standard it helps the company (ANT) if they have it preinstalled on as many devices as possible so that they are "ANT+ Ready" so to speak. Samsung's Galaxy Gear line of watches and wearables uses ANT+ so that's probably why they include it, and/or ANT paid them to do it.
CitrixLemon said:
I think the point is that as a wireless connection standard it helps the company (ANT) if they have it preinstalled on as many devices as possible so that they are "ANT+ Ready" so to speak. Samsung's Galaxy Gear line of watches and wearables uses ANT+ so that's probably why they include it, and/or ANT paid them to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the good news gear functions without it being enabled
Anyway I have no need for it , Those that need enjoy what ever it does for you,
sling said:
Yeah that's what its builders calling it.
Since it installed on my device without permission , it cant be uninstalled if your not rooted & 90% of playstore posters calling it spyware.
Thats a pretty good sign its up to no good
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Click to collapse
90% of Play Store people rate apps 2 stars when it's a user error lol
NSA ain't watching you xD
If you don't want to be snooped on, you better remove Carrier IQ from your phone too.
sling said:
Well the good news gear functions without it being enabled
Anyway I have no need for it , Those that need enjoy what ever it does for you,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lmao.......and what? You think Google isn't keeping tabs on everything you do? And you are worried about a service app like ant?
idk
Why not just run Ubuntu...
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Wow...this thread is hilarious. .
There watching you...lol..
They installed 2 gigs worth
Of crap I didn't give
them permission Too...lol
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
If the nsa put software on your phone, they wouldn't advertise it.
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
The reviews for this app are hilarious!
Damn narcissists ;]
And seems to have stopped becoming useful
Thread closed
FNSM