[Q] "always allow mms" alternative? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've been a lurker here for some time.
I'm part of the minorty who don't have a dataplan but I do want the ability to send and receive mms messages.
For this reason I have mainly used MIUI-based roms in the past. I can, with other roms, (such as CM-based ones) manually turn on and off data to grab or send the messages but I'd like something more automated.
From what I gather there are a couple alternatives and neither seem ideal.
1.) use an app - I have seen references to APNandroid though I haven't tried it.
2.) use tasker or some scripting to automate turning on and off data only when mms is sent or received
Is there anything else that can be done?
Is MIUI's method just a hardcoded implementation of #2 above?
Thanks for looking.

kmem said:
I've been a lurker here for some time.
I'm part of the minorty who don't have a dataplan but I do want the ability to send and receive mms messages.
For this reason I have mainly used MIUI-based roms in the past. I can, with other roms, (such as CM-based ones) manually turn on and off data to grab or send the messages but I'd like something more automated.
From what I gather there are a couple alternatives and neither seem ideal.
1.) use an app - I have seen references to APNandroid though I haven't tried it.
2.) use tasker or some scripting to automate turning on and off data only when mms is sent or received
Is there anything else that can be done?
Is MIUI's method just a hardcoded implementation of #2 above?
Thanks for looking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used the app droidwall
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.googlecode.droidwall.free
,,, to which i can allow 3g / and/or / wifi to apps off my choice,,,
,,, that way i can just leave 3g on for the most part
Sent from my swagger

Related

[Q] App for intercepting data connections

Hi,
I thought maybe you guys, if anyone, would know. I am looking for an app that can:
- make a log of all the other apps, including stock ones, that make attempts or actual connections to the internet, and at what time
- be able to intercept those connections
- preferably I would create a white list of apps that are allowed to connect, but others do not have permission.
Purposes include:
- saving on bandwidth in poorer countries where internet is expensive.
- making sure apps or malware doesn't try to send off my data when it shouldn't be.
- prevent annoying background sync/apps from running when I don't want them
I find it strange that we either give all the permissions the app wants, or it doesn't work. Why can't we restrict their internet access?
Does this sound feasible? Does it already exist?
I'm rooted and using an Asus Transformer.
Thanks for any help
Try DroidWall. (root required)
It can block apps from connecting to the internet on an per-app based system.
But i don't think it has any kind of log or similar (haven't used it for a while, so might have been upgraded)
it looks like that does exactly what I needed, although I have to re-root my device for it to work again. Anyway, thanks for the tip
droidwall
droid wall definitely and yes it requires root.

Can anyone help me build a list of pros and cons of using Google Talk on Android?

I'm gonna stop using Aim, along with every other messaging client. My only problem is that none of my friends actually use Google Talk, but the majority of them actually have an Android and obviously have a Google account. I need to build up a list of reasons why they should use it so I can actually convince them to
start using it.
Thanks in advance
Sent from my LG-VM670 running Harmonia2 IHO using Tapatalk
because you can. I cant use it in ontario canada. drives me nuts!
Because of the integration the google apps have on android for obvious reasons lol.
I know it's light on the battery, notifications work flawlessly, GTalk never crashed for me, and I'm sure it doesn't need to be updated so often.
Every Android user got it on his phone, so no need to install another application for chating
I'll give a con:
it disconnects (other people see you offline) WAY TOO often.
Around the web you may find scripts useful to reduce heartbeats interval (means keepalive), but you need root at least in order to use them.
I'd love to use gTalk. Unfortunately, it fails as a always on chat app. Ironic, isn't it ?

[Q] How can I prove that my Android Device (SGS2) has been used by someone else?

Back Story:
My phone was left in my house (shared with other people) yesterday while I was at work. When I got home I was checking missed calls, voicemail etc and I noticed that some text messages were missing. I looked a bit more and it seems that 2 seperate sms message threads had been deleted and a number of contacts had been deleted too. Now, this has happened before to another housemate but we couldn't prove that it had been done. We are pretty sure we know who did it but I need concrete evidence that the phone was accessed.
Phone Specs: Samsung Galaxy S2, rooted, running CM7 latest nightly. I also have Cerebrus installed if that helps.
So my questions are as follows:
1) Is it possible to see what activity was happening on my phone yesterday? I don't have any "logging" software running.
2) Is it possible to retrieve the deleted SMS messages?
I work in IT so am pretty tech savvy, just not in the workings of the Android OS!
All help greatly appreciated.
P.S. I have already been able to restore the contacts that were deleted using the restore functionality in gmail.
The short answer is no. It is, at least in theory, possible to "undelete" stuff, but it isn't usually practical. Even if you did, you wouldn't have "proof" in the legal sense.
That said, I have been involved in a similar situation. Here's the approach we used. It is reasonable to assume that this behavior will continue. Therefore, get some logging software installed. Do NOT talk about it. Do nothing out of the ordinary. Just quietly install some software that will let you see what is going on with your phone. I know there are apps which will email an alert when accessed, snap a pic from the front-facing camera, log SMS to email, remotely lock the phone, etc etc. Based on what you need to accomplish, get these set up and then BE PATIENT. wait a few days (unless you normally leave your phone at home) and leave it again when the person in question might be around.
A pic would be sufficient proof I would think for confronting a roomie. If nothing else log your sms's. I use integrated Google Voice so I'd get an alert on my PC even if I didn't have the phone (very handy, that), but that may not be an option for you.
I also use SeekDroid for remote locking, and I -think- there's a remote camera provision, but it's at a higher paid level than I am subscribed to. At any rate that's my suggestions.
Or, the simple solution: Put a better lock code on your phone.
-JB
A lock code would help prevent the behavior in the future. For catching the vandal red-handed, I believe an app like Gotcha! may do what you need.

About Android MMS Stagefright exploit

How can Android system be hacked just by one MMS? I heard from news sites that there was found an exploit for 95% of Android phones (Android 2.3+) that can take control of the whole device just for one MMS and without letting you know. How can it be possible and how I can prevent it?
P.S.: I don't want to hack nobody's phone as I have no friends. Just curious.
Sent from my GT-I9301I using XDA Forums Pro.
mihai.apostu98 said:
How can Android system be hacked just by one MMS? I heard from news sites that there was found an exploit for 95% of Android phones (Android 2.3+) that can take control of the whole device just for one MMS and without letting you know. How can it be possible and how I can prevent it?
P.S.: I don't want to hack nobody's phone as I have no friends. Just curious.
Sent from my GT-I9301I using XDA Forums Pro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heres some useful info:
http://www.cnet.com/news/researcher-finds-mother-of-all-android-vulnerabilities/
That's some info, but not really anything useful. Does this mean Google has a patch, will they be pushing that our or will there be ways to patch custom ROMs sooner even? These are all unanswered, though would be nice to know...
"As soon as the malicious text is received, features built into Stagefright to reduce lag time for viewing videos process the video to prepare it for viewing. That processing apparently is enough for bad guys to get their hooks into the platform and take control." - cnet
I see it like this:
1. MMS with video arrives
2. Messaging app loads the video in Stagefright where it will processed for better playback.
3. Video is ready for playing.
As I figure out from Google's Android site about Stagefright, it is a service that take care of video/audio/other media related stuff offline and local.
How can hackers connect with Stagefright if Stagefright is an offline service? And anyway how can an media service recive code to execute as an remote command execution for whole system?
Sorry but I just don't get it at all.
mihai.apostu98 said:
How can Android system be hacked just by one MMS? I heard from news sites that there was found an exploit for 95% of Android phones (Android 2.3+) that can take control of the whole device just for one MMS and without letting you know. How can it be possible and how I can prevent it?
P.S.: I don't want to hack nobody's phone as I have no friends. Just curious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's further info. Google has apparently already sent the patches, 7 in all, to the various phone manufacturers.
Because of fragmentation, though, some of them may never send out these fixes. Since these have assumedly been committed to the source code online, they should theoretically be available for download at some point as well. However, you'd (likely) need to be rooted to apply them.
In the meantime, go into your SMS application (usually Hangouts these days) and turn off automatic MMS retrieval. Then, do not accept any photos or videos from anyone you don't know. I am not sure, but I worry it's also possible you might get it from someone do know who is already infected, so just operate with an abundance of caution overall, I guess. And keep an eye out for news here, because it will probably be one of the first places they become available.
mihai.apostu98 said:
"As soon as the malicious text is received, features built into Stagefright to reduce lag time for viewing videos process the video to prepare it for viewing. That processing apparently is enough for bad guys to get their hooks into the platform and take control." - cnet
I see it like this:
1. MMS with video arrives
2. Messaging app loads the video in Stagefright where it will processed for better playback.
3. Video is ready for playing.
As I figure out from Google's Android site about Stagefright, it is a service that take care of video/audio/other media related stuff offline and local.
How can hackers connect with Stagefright if Stagefright is an offline service? And anyway how can an media service recive code to execute as an remote command execution for whole system?
Sorry but I just don't get it at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People connect with Stagefright by sending you the malicious code contained within the MMS. Once that code gets (usually automatically) processed by the Stagefright service already locally present, it exploits security vulnerabilities to hand control of your device over to whomever is waiting on the other end. As for a media service being able to control the whole system, think of how Flash (a media service) and Microsoft had those zero-day UaE bugs that would allow someone to take over your PC. The logistics may be different, but the concept is the same.
If I remember correctly, there are ways to turn stagefright on/off by editing your build.prop file (easily found on XDA). I don't know if there is another subservice or what that could be running, and I haven't devved since Android 4 dropped, so don't get your hopes up.
Hope that helps.
I gather that Google has a patch. Has it been pushed out to Nexus devices?
pomeroythomas said:
If I remember correctly, there are ways to turn stagefright on/off by editing your build.prop file (easily found on XDA). I don't know if there is another subservice or what that could be running, and I haven't devved since Android 4 dropped, so don't get your hopes up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent idea, +thanks. Et voilà, what appears to b-e in my KitKat:
media.stagefright.enable-player=false
media.stagefright.enable-meta=false
media.stagefright.enable-scan=false
media.stagefright.enable-http=false
media.stagefright.enable-rtsp=false
media.stagefright.enable-record=false​
Now, this can break all kinds of things if you don't know what you're doing. Use a build.prop editor from the Play Store.
I don't know that they all need to be false to plug this hole. But those are the relevant lines.*
UPDATE [10 Aug 2015]: This doesn't affect what the Zimperium scanner says is vulnerable, which may indicate the edit won't protect you. It's unclear at this point.... read the latest posts in this thread for possible info. You can turn off auto-retrieve in MMS, but SF exists at other levels of the operating system. I suppose it couldn't hurt to do the build.prop, but don't rely on it.
voxluna said:
Excellent idea, +thanks. Et voilà:
media.stagefright.enable-player=false
media.stagefright.enable-meta=false
media.stagefright.enable-scan=false
media.stagefright.enable-http=false
media.stagefright.enable-rtsp=false
media.stagefright.enable-record=false​
Now, this will probably break all kinds of things, and I don't know that they all need to be false to plug this hole. But those are the relevant lines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the thanks!
You probably won't break much of anything; 90% of today's phones are powerful enough that you don't REALLY need Stagefright handling the media unless you're playing very intensive games on your device. The most you'll likely experience is not-quite-as-good benchmarking numbers.
pomeroythomas said:
Thanks for the thanks!
You probably won't break much of anything; 90% of today's phones are powerful enough that you don't REALLY need Stagefright handling the media unless you're playing very intensive games on your device. The most you'll likely experience is not-quite-as-good benchmarking numbers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had honestly never heard of StageFright, and I've been using Android since the very first device came out. But if it's possible to run all the usual media, just with a performance penalty, I'm going to change it right now (I did, and this happened).
Also, I just read an article claiming that fragmentation is not so much of an issue these days, because Google Play Services is mandatory. I wonder if it can proactively change something like this, on its own?
voxluna said:
I had honestly never heard of StageFright, and I've been using Android since the very first device came out. But if it's possible to run all the usual media, just with a performance penalty, I'm going to change it right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only reason I even know about Stagefright is because my very first, 550MHz, resistive touchscreen Kyocera Zio shipped with Stagefright disabled by default. Haha.
Also, I just read an article claiming that fragmentation is not so much of an issue these days, because Google Play Services is mandatory. I wonder if it can proactively change something like this, on its own?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would assume it's possible (this is just an arbitrary code execution issue, I think), but having had that vulnerability built into pretty much every ROM for the last 5 years could be a problem in that I'm not 100% sure that Google Play Services has the access to shut down the Stagefright service (no root access, etc), so I'm pretty sure Google Play Services would be less of a fix than a piece of software that actively tries to mitigate the breach.
I could be wrong, though; I'm basically guessing as I haven't looked into the malicious code.
Xposed Android will no doubt have either a module for this or existing bugfix modules will be updated to include this vulnerability in the coming days, and due to the nature of Xposed modules taking over services the ROM is trying to run without actually messing with your ROM, I'm sure it'll be a universal fix.
Personally, I just shut off the Stagefright service using my build.prop and am patiently awaiting someone more skilled than I to create a fix.
i could see this as a useful root method for lollipop, and other versions that don't have root methods yet.
Morlok8k said:
i could see this as a useful root method for lollipop, and other versions that don't have root methods yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's hoping!
Morlok8k said:
i could see this as a useful root method for lollipop, and other versions that don't have root methods yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pomeroythomas said:
I'm not 100% sure that Google Play Services has the access to shut down the Stagefright service (no root access, etc), so I'm pretty sure Google Play Services would be less of a fix than a piece of software that actively tries to mitigate the breach.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Come to think of it, if this exploit allows any kind of root, I suppose it'd be possible for Services itself to use that hole, and therefore be able to patch StageFright. A weird workaround, but entirely possible. Something tells me they won't use it, though, as technically feasable as it may be. I'm really hoping for that Xposed fix, just like GravityBox can patch FakeID. Which, indeed, Services eventually mitigated (for the most part).
commits on android.googlesource.com
Has anyone tracked any commits in android.googlesource.com related to stagefright?
Is this really a viable fix for this? I copied it from another website
If you turn off the following settings in your messaging app/apps on your device:
Auto-retrieve MMS. Check to automatically retrieve multimedia messages that you receive. If auto-retrieve is unchecked in your Messenger MMS settings, you must touch Download to view the message.
Roaming auto-retrieve. Check to automatically retrieve multimedia messages while roaming.
Then when you receive the text with this exploit it will not download to your phone unless you hit the download button. So looks like this can be turned off without a patch but patches are needed cause not everyone is smart enough to turn these off.
iverson3-1 said:
Is this really a viable fix for this? I copied it from another website
Auto-retrieve MMS. Check to automatically retrieve multimedia messages that you receive. If auto-retrieve is unchecked in your Messenger MMS settings, you must touch Download to view the message.
Roaming auto-retrieve. Check to automatically retrieve multimedia messages while roaming.
Then when you receive the text with this exploit it will not download to your phone unless you hit the download button. So looks like this can be turned off without a patch but patches are needed cause not everyone is smart enough to turn these off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That should be one way to disable the hack. It's unclear from what I've read if it only affects Hangouts, or all SMS clients. What I've done is disable any auto MMS retrieve in my own messaging app, which in my case is mySMS. I suppose it couldn't hurt to do it in Hangouts as well.
This should cover it, but I think you still run the risk of someone you know sending (probably without their knowledge) an infected video -- much like trojans that take over a PC, and use the internal contact list to send mail as though they were your friend, they could exploit your trust.
Patching the build.prop theoretically protects from this, which I've personally done, but it's not for the faint of heart. If you screw it up, you could render your phone a mess. I wish I knew more about app development, because I would write something that did all this stuff automagically.
voxluna said:
Patching the build.prop theoretically protects from this, which I've personally done, but it's not for the faint of heart. If you screw it up, you could render your phone a mess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aaaaaand that's what I just did. I'm in a boot loop after changing the build.prop file. This is going to be really fun with an encrypted data partition that holds the backup I just made.
Be warned.
UPDATE: I had to reflash the ROM, and the entire experience took about 2.5 hours because I couldn't get a KDZ to work. I decided that since it was going to be a full wipe, at least I would upgrade to Lollipop, but I'll have to set up the entire phone all over again. I suspect the problem was that I didn't pay attention to the permissions of that file when I edited and transferred it from another machine. Ugh. I just went back and put warnings on all my posts about the build.prop lines.... and it would be better to just wait for patches, IMO. This thread is progressing quickly now.
i tried tracking the fix on android source repo. but the only recent commit against libstagefright is on July 7th.
Fix global-buffer-overflow in voAWB_Copy.
Copy() in frameworks/av/media/libstagefright/codecs/amrwbenc/src/util.c always
overreads the buffer by 4 bytes to the right, which, if we are very unlucky,
can even hit an unmapped memory page (in this case it is just a global
variable).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi all,
in my case, as I plainly don't use the MMS feature, I simpl deleted the MMS apn. Is this a possible workaround for this problem (at least, until it gets fixed somehow)?

How to block SMS/MMS - Need recomendations.

I've been trying to find a simple way to block SMS/MMS to my phone. I've been using Signal for a while now as do many of my friends and would just assume block all the unsecure stuff since Signal comes though data. Thought it would be easier than it's turning out to be. Tried a couple apps and they require building spam lists to get them to work, any way to just block them all?
if you don't mind just blacklist the number perhaps
mikasu said:
if you don't mind just blacklist the number perhaps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That will also stop calls which I don't want to do. I only want to stop non Signal SMS/MMS
There's got to be an easier way but what I've come up with for now is I'm using Postman SMS blocker to block all SMS while it's set as my default messenger. I'm using Auto Reply free to auto respond to those blocked texts to tell them they've been blocked and to download Signal. Most of my friends are already on Signal and the ones that don't give half a crap about their privacy, that's their problem. They can call or email. In this situation theres still technically txts making it to the phone but their one sided statements that are never replied to and no conversation from me. Will all the notifications of the block and reply off it's good enough for now.
snatale1 said:
That will also stop calls which I don't want to do. I only want to stop non Signal SMS/MMS
There's got to be an easier way but what I've come up with for now is I'm using Postman SMS blocker to block all SMS while it's set as my default messenger. I'm using Auto Reply free to auto respond to those blocked texts to tell them they've been blocked and to download Signal. Most of my friends are already on Signal and the ones that don't give half a crap about their privacy, that's their problem. They can call or email. In this situation theres still technically txts making it to the phone but their one sided statements that are never replied to and no conversation from me. Will all the notifications of the block and reply off it's good enough for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are sadly mistaken if you think signal is more secure then the standard SMS protocol. That's like samsung what's app or fb messenger are secure. It's only as secure as their server is.
zelendel said:
You are sadly mistaken if you think signal is more secure then the standard SMS protocol. That's like samsung what's app or fb messenger are secure. It's only as secure as their server is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you explain how? Signal is end to end encrypted and the keys aren't stored on the server. WhatsApp is made by WhatsApp and has nothing to do with Samsung, they also use the Signal/Text Secure protocol so same thing different name. No shortage of security experts regularly examine the source and I've yet to read a review from anybody in security that isn't a huge fan. I fail to see how regular ol SMS that does none of that and is just as secure. If you know something nobody else seems to please let us know, I can't be the only one that's into privacy that would want to know.
snatale1 said:
Can you explain how? Signal is end to end encrypted and the keys aren't stored on the server. WhatsApp is made by WhatsApp and has nothing to do with Samsung, they also use the Signal/Text Secure protocol so same thing different name. No shortage of security experts regularly examine the source and I've yet to read a review from anybody in security that isn't a huge fan. I fail to see how regular ol SMS that does none of that and is just as secure. If you know something nobody else seems to please let us know, I can't be the only one that's into privacy that would want to know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung was an auto correct. As for Wahtsapp that is owned by FB and made by them and have been found over and over again to have back doors built in just like their messaging app.
Ill leave you wit this. We have some of the best in android security here on the site. Yet none of them use it and advise to stay away from everything to do with FB. Ever wonder why on XDA we have not featured the app. IF it really was that secure then we would be all over it covering it and advising its use.
True Mobile security is an illusion. IF you use a rooted device or use social media then privacy isnt really a big deal.

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