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I've just recetly got the sgs2, great phone, but it cost quite a bit hence I'd like to get one or more apps on it to make it completely theft proof.
What do you guys believe are the best apps out there to make your phone theftproof?
Tasker. It will make it theft proof and hundreds of other things!
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
NicholasQ said:
Tasker. It will make it theft proof and hundreds of other things!
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As good as tasker is, I don't think it's a good choice for an easy solution to security. Theft aware and Cerberus are worth a look
What do u mean theft proof? If you leave it at a restaurant and someone takes it, goes into recovery and wipes it?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
benjo1989 said:
As good as tasker is, I don't think it's a good choice for an easy solution to security. Theft aware and Cerberus are worth a look
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea it's not easy but highly customizable. Take a look at brandals guide to tasker profile for phone loss.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
firefox3 said:
What do u mean theft proof? If you leave it at a restaurant and someone takes it, goes into recovery and wipes it?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm so glad I have a Nexus One. With the newer versions of the BlackRose bootloader, you can't access recovery mode, flash anything, etc until you enter a user defined password
+1 for Theft Aware
firefox3 said:
What do u mean theft proof? If you leave it at a restaurant and someone takes it, goes into recovery and wipes it?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rather the ability to get the device back in my own hands, having my personal information secured is a plus, but I'm mostly concerned about retreiving that expensive piece of phone.
I'll look into the suggested apps, thanks a bunch allready!
Android webkey. You get complete control of your phone from any PC. If your phone is stolen and you want to lock it you get set a pattern lock, or leave a message or go into google maps and see the location. Of course the other person will see this going on so you better hope the thief has it in his pocket when you do this!
How do Tasker and other apps mentioned here help prevent theft?
I'd recommend Avast security - they have an option to install an antitheft onto your root partition so even if someone does a factory reset the app keeps running
And you can make it play a siren, send messages, and track the guy. Best of all - you can uninstall Avast once you got the security thing running.
Firstly, get some software that allows you to track it, send messages, take pictures using the camera etc.
I recommend cerberus, for a one-time-fee of €3 and a free 7 day trial.
Cerberus can also text/email if a non-authorised sim card is used.
Also, change the splash screen and the boot animation.
Changing the splash screen is difficult to do for someone not technical or into phones, so it's unlikely they'll be able to change it. Make sure it includes your name, an alternative number and an e-mail address. That way the phone is basically unsellable if stolen. If you want to sell it, just change the splash screen back.
Lastly the boot animation - also add contact details or make it something non-stock, just to again prove it's yours.
First thing a phone thief will do is removing the battery. Then he goes home and removes sim card. Hooks it up to his computer and wipes off everything.
Then you can buy your phone back on ebay. For a price off course.
Keep your phone in your pocket mate. This is the best advice you will ever get.
Just bought cerberus, and while it's features are more or less the same as theft aware, the support for it is truly amazing. I had a minor issue and emailed them and got a prompt response. Other advantages include support for 5 devices, automatic GPS enabling for rooted users and a nice flashable disguised CWM package
Also FYI, avast bought over theft aware, so look into avast, not the old software. It IS a pain to uninstall the rooted anti theft, but that's a good thing. Avast us? Ore intuitive, but I feel like like it's heavier on the system and there's no web panel, so keep that in mind.
Just try out a few, and pick the one that best fits your needs. FWIW, androidpolice had a mobile security shootout series that you may want to look at.
BEST OF LUCK!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
avgjoemomma said:
I'm so glad I have a Nexus One. With the newer versions of the BlackRose bootloader, you can't access recovery mode, flash anything, etc until you enter a user defined password
+1 for Theft Aware
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Click to collapse
Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but I just ran across this mention in my google searches... I am VERY interested in a bootloader password. In the two years since this post, has this idea been carried over to any other Android phones?
ZippyDan said:
Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but I just ran across this mention in my google searches... I am VERY interested in a bootloader password. In the two years since this post, has this idea been carried over to any other Android phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My need for the bootloader password back then was to add a layer of security for my data. Device encryption provided by newer versions of Android fulfill my paranoia
Good day all!
I have a bit of an odd question, my corporate IT department has switched over to a new moible phone deployment system called airwatch.
It is quite the big brother system, the list of permissions is astounding, with things like remote viewing of camera's, remote wipe, remote activation of GPS to determine location etc, etc, with the privacy issues set aside (I'm not doing anything wrong with my phone and I exceed performance goals so I'm not worried)
The one thing I cannot live with is the requirement that I cannot run any of my work apps on a rooted phone, as a matter of fact if I even try it will lock down my user account SYSTEM wide, meaning I will not be able to access my work laptop or web clients, without IT resetting my account (I learned the hard way)
My question is this, is there a way to retain root access but appear to not be rooted?
Assuming that "stealth"root is not possible, is there a process that I can root/unroot at will with any changes I have made while rooted remaining?
My needs are not too complicated, I would like to keep my custom debloated rom (jelly beans 10), further remove any unwanted apps, tweak a few settings and install my favorite mods and themes, then reroot my phone and install my work apps.
I'm very familiar with working with roms and mods, I have been doing so since the original moto droid, however if there is not a guide to follow I am lost in the woods.
Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated.
Chip
I assume that the phone was given to you by your company. If thats the case. I would give it back and use my personal phone. I dont go for that invasion of my privacy. But they can do it because its not technically your phone. Now if you use your own phone they cant (legally) do that.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
droidx2.3.3 said:
I assume that the phone was given to you by your company. If thats the case. I would give it back and use my personal phone. I dont go for that invasion of my privacy. But they can do it because its not technically your phone. Now if you use your own phone they cant (legally) do that.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They actually can do this if he chooses to use his phone with the network applications. All they have to do is say is to protect their systems and I'm assuming he's in some kind of high security job with all those monitoring so he probably agreed to in a contract before starting.
OP have you tried simply temp unrooting? The supersu app had that option or you could get ota root keeper and use it to temp unroot.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Also try voodoo ota rootkeeper. It has a root backup, unroot and restore feature.
TonikJDK said:
Also try voodoo ota rootkeeper. It has a root backup, unroot and restore feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I said that
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
kintwofan said:
I think I said that
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Sorry, I won't intrude again.
TonikJDK said:
Sorry, I won't intrude again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better not!
Since you obviously take everything serious I was messing with you. Have some fun that's what this forum is for.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
kintwofan said:
Better not!
Since you obviously take everything serious I was messing with you. Have some fun that's what this forum is for.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
isnt that the truth! everbody is so uptight around here its getting a bit old. teh internets is serious biz yo!
droidstyle said:
isnt that the truth! everbody is so uptight around here its getting a bit old. teh internets is serious biz yo![/QUOT]
What's old and stale is the 4 clown act that degrades XDA.
Sent from my SCH-I605
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
universexda said:
droidstyle said:
isnt that the truth! everbody is so uptight around here its getting a bit old. teh internets is serious biz yo![/QUOT]
What's old and stale is the 4 clown act that degrades XDA.
Sent from my SCH-I605
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Haven't used that particular suite but if it is like the others I have seen, it will alert to a changed state. I wouldn't risk it. Don't know where you work but I have seen plenty of companies hand out pink slips after a pen testing.
From an IT perspective, you are a niche when it comes to a responsible smart phone user. Most people just download every free app they find regardless of the full permissions. Throw in the ability to play cracked apps on a rooted device and it's a nightmare.
As far as byod on the network, a decent usage clause will still require you to consent to it before connecting usually.
Do you just use the device for email or do you vpn/etc?
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chipfrank said:
Good day all!
I have a bit of an odd question, my corporate IT department has switched over to a new moible phone deployment system called airwatch.
It is quite the big brother system, the list of permissions is astounding, with things like remote viewing of camera's, remote wipe, remote activation of GPS to determine location etc, etc, with the privacy issues set aside (I'm not doing anything wrong with my phone and I exceed performance goals so I'm not worried)
The one thing I cannot live with is the requirement that I cannot run any of my work apps on a rooted phone, as a matter of fact if I even try it will lock down my user account SYSTEM wide, meaning I will not be able to access my work laptop or web clients, without IT resetting my account (I learned the hard way)
My question is this, is there a way to retain root access but appear to not be rooted?
Assuming that "stealth"root is not possible, is there a process that I can root/unroot at will with any changes I have made while rooted remaining?
My needs are not too complicated, I would like to keep my custom debloated rom (jelly beans 10), further remove any unwanted apps, tweak a few settings and install my favorite mods and themes, then reroot my phone and install my work apps.
I'm very familiar with working with roms and mods, I have been doing so since the original moto droid, however if there is not a guide to follow I am lost in the woods.
Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated.
Chip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice all; here is what I found plus the info I left out
The phone is my phone, this is why I was a bit squirrely about the full set of permissions, theoretically someone could tun on the camera at any time and snap photos, since it sits on my nightstand that could be a bit akward....
The usage is primarily for exchange email, and several proprietary apps, ordering, account info, truck tracking etc etc
Temp unroot using the option in the SU does not work
Oddly enough the Vodoo OTA rootkeeper seems to accomplish the task:good:
chipfrank said:
Thanks for the advice all; here is what I found plus the info I left out
The phone is my phone, this is why I was a bit squirrely about the full set of permissions, theoretically someone could tun on the camera at any time and snap photos, since it sits on my nightstand that could be a bit akward....
The usage is primarily for exchange email, and several proprietary apps, ordering, account info, truck tracking etc etc
Temp unroot using the option in the SU does not work
Oddly enough the Vodoo OTA rootkeeper seems to accomplish the task:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the Voodoo OTA rootkeeper keep the periodic server check of the device from seeing it as rooted?
I'm not sure how long this has been going on but I was on a call to customer service last night trying to get the WatchESPN app running properly on my phone and the "tier 2" technician asked if it would be okay to take control of my phone. I've been in the IT field quite some time and I knew he was asking to remote into my phone (ala pcAnywhere.)
I gave him permission and quickly got a text message saying vdm (Verizon desktop manager?) was trying to connect. I'm rooted with Dubbsy's 4.2.2 GPE ROM and I was nervous about a Verizon rep snooping around my phone (warranty concern.) I'm not sure if it was the ROM or the fact that I was in a bad cell area, but he was never able to connect. We never did get the app to run properly either.
Just giving people a heads up about Verizon's (new???) capability; I've never had anyone ask me in over three years with the company. Careful rooted users, if they see you've rooted they may make a notation (with or without telling you) in your account and when you bring your phone in for service--it may get declined.
Pretty scary stuff. At least they can't get in unattended (we hope?)
I wonder which apk performs this. I'd like to freeze it.
asharad said:
I wonder which apk performs this. I'd like to freeze it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon remote diagnostics...or something similiar to that. I have seen it a couple of times.
Aetherpal
It doesn't work in my builds because the only thing I keep from Verizon is their apns and service. They can keep the bloat and locked down updates. Especially their big brother program...
sent from my GE gs4
It's been around since about the second release for the S3. Nothing new.
asharad said:
I wonder which apk performs this. I'd like to freeze it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Erisnoob said:
Verizon remote diagnostics...or something similiar to that. I have seen it a couple of times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
magneticzero said:
Aetherpal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did some research on this and, apparently, it's been around for about 18 months and you're both right:
Verizon Remote Diagnostics
Aetherpal teardown
Aetherpal can/does check for root access. There's two good things about this service. First, you can simply refuse the assistance from the customer support. Second, there's a terms of service you have to accept even if you gave permission for them to remote desktop. You can reject the ToS. I haven't had a TW ROM installed on my phone for a long time, so maybe someone else can post a screen of which .apk(s) they can freeze in TiBu.
Dubbsy said:
It doesn't work in my builds because the only thing I keep from Verizon is their apns and service. They can keep the bloat and locked down updates. Especially their big brother program...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
docnok63 said:
I did some research on this and, apparently, it's been around for about 18 months and you're both right:
I haven't had a TW ROM installed on my phone for a long time, so maybe someone else can post a screen of which .apk(s) they can freeze in TiBu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon Remote Diagnostics shows up as com.Aetherpal.device on my stock phone...
i just removed that aetherpal apk from /system/app when i removed all that crappy bloat the day i got the phone
Hello my fellow people,
I am warning the people who may not know what VZW does on calls. So I called support because I am having an issue with my charging port. Simply just need it replaced so I can properly charge my phone and connect it to my PC without it randomly disconnecting. So I call them and go to tier 2 to explain my problem. I do and the representative ask me to give them a quick second to see what the issue may be. I wait for about 30 seconds and to make a long story short, their diagnostic tool found my device to be rooted, so there was nothing they would do. So yes, when you call in with a problem, software or hardware, they do a diagnostic test to see if the device has been rooted. So I had to call back several times to get a representative who would not see the previous test done, and run a new one while I was unrooted. So now my account is clean but with a major headache. So XDAers, DO NOT CALL VZW FOR SUPPRT WHILE ROOTED. I WAS GOING TO BEFORE I SENT IN THE PHONE BUT THAT DOESNT WORK. UNROOT AND BE STOCK BEFORE CALLING. Hope this little story helped.
Update: Yes, they run the tool without permission from the user
Just had this same issue..tryed to play dumb...however...no luck..go back to stock then retry!!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Slys13 said:
Just had this same issue..tryed to play dumb...however...no luck..go back to stock then retry!!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. I did and they retested. I'm just wondering how they can do it without customer permission.
I would have asked them to explain how they think a physical part of the phone would be damaged from a software aspect of the phone. The onus is on them to prove it.
Edit: I always call from another phone and make sure the phone I'm calling about is in airplane mode so there is no chance for them to connect to it just to be safe anyways.
What file do they use to access the phone? The my Verizon app?
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
Slys13 said:
Just had this same issue..tryed to play dumb...however...no luck..go back to stock then retry!!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are idiots I had same issue as op. They said I was rooted I said that's bull**** my build number reads blah blah blah. The thot said let me talk to my super and I got my replacement even thot they claimed I was rooted when in fact I reall was. Suck it vzw
warriorpluto said:
What file do they use to access the phone? The my Verizon app?
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly don't know...
streetracer8605 said:
I would have asked them to explain how they think a physical part of the phone would be damaged from a software aspect of the phone. The onus is on them to prove it.
Edit: I always call from another phone and make sure the phone I'm calling about is in airplane mode so there is no chance for them to connect to it just to be safe anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always call from another phone too, but my Note wasn't in airplane mode though. Gonna do that from now on.
Should try root cloak xposed module. That may help.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk
ihavenewnike said:
Yep. I did and they retested. I'm just wondering how they can do it without customer permission.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The my Verizon app asks for root access if you have Superuser installed and requests pop up. I've seen it myself once and wondered..... If I didn't have an app to notify me, would it have given that app root access silently? I bet it does.
neyenlives said:
The my Verizon app asks for root access if you have Superuser installed and requests pop up. I've seen it myself once and wondered..... If I didn't have an app to notify me, would it have given that app root access silently? I bet it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. The my Verizon app is exactly how they can tell.
neyenlives said:
The my Verizon app asks for root access if you have Superuser installed and requests pop up. I've seen it myself once and wondered..... If I didn't have an app to notify me, would it have given that app root access silently? I bet it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ISIS app that comes bloated on the N900V also asks for superuser access. It also will not run on a rooted device. I'm betting if It wasn't rooted it would also have gotten access silently as does my Verizon app.
I thought it was common knowledge that, if you're rooted, you disable data/wifi when you're calling into VZW support. They can't connect to their little spy-app if there's no internet service. I've called into support and they've tried, unsuccessfully, to connect to mine.
SirBindy said:
I thought it was common knowledge that, if you're rooted, you disable data/wifi when you're calling into VZW support. They can't connect to their little spy-app if there's no internet service. I've called into support and they've tried, unsuccessfully, to connect to mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, I only have called in after flashing stock.
mjh68 said:
I agree, I only have called in after flashing stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I usually do the same. I did have a problem and had my USB port go bad. I took it to the store and they never noticed it was rooted.
Sent from my Note 4 using Tapatalk.
RomsWell said:
Correct. The my Verizon app is exactly how they can tell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so, I didn't have it installed. And I have denied root before on other phones. Also I can't use the exposed module because they can check your installs on your phone.
Towel root
So I just got a new refurb from Verizon/Assurion and found something interesting. One of the first apks I installed was the CM Virus Protection and scanned my phone. My phone is not rooted stock everything. CM scanned my phone and found a suspicious system exploit however though... Towelroot! I guess reseting the phone factory and even from Assurion somehow the previous owner had root, and parts of it somehow sustained. Weird that they would send out a phone like this if a simple virus scanner picked it right up on first try. Just thought id throw that out there.
I wish I would have seen this earlier. 10 calls in for reception, normally airplane mode and I forgot, bam. "Take it to the Samsung booth in best buy they can read flash the phone".....odin ain't helping this problem. Lmao
I just disable the my verizon app on all my phones so I never have this issue.
Looks like Samsung will be sending an update for people who won't be following the recall advisory. The update will only allow you to charge your phone to 60%... I wonder if you could just deny any further updates????
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/2778...ts-samsung-quick-fix-note-7-no-full-recharge#
Update: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/xda-developers/ShsH/~3/B62H8Rt1qe4/
Looks like it's not a sure thing just yet...
I'm already capping mine to 90% since the press release of battery cell issue.
Yeah. I just charge it but never let it charge to 100%. Heck a lot of plugging in and unplugging the entire day.
Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk
Why not use a debloat tool to disable the two SDM apks on the phone? That is what I did, it was my understanding that this would stop any automatic updates from happening. Unless Samsung has a backdoor to enable the SDM apk's or another way to push an update that I am not aware of.
teegunn said:
Why not use a debloat tool to disable the two SDM apks on the phone? That is what I did, it was my understanding that this would stop any automatic updates from happening. Unless Samsung has a backdoor to enable the SDM apk's or another way to push an update that I am not aware of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im using package disabler pro and cant see anything with SDM could you give me the exact names to disable. Cheers.
Sent from my SM-N930F using XDA-Developers mobile app
jadaress1 said:
Im using package disabler pro and cant see anything with SDM could you give me the exact names to disable. Cheers.
Sent from my SM-N930F using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. They are called "System updates". In package disabler pro, which I also use, they are near the bottom of the list of apps to disable.
com.samsung.sdm
com.samsung.sdm.sdmviewer
I have had those two SDM's disabled from almost day one I got my phone. I did take the early OTA, so I enabled these to do that then disabled them again after that. The early OTA wasn't anything big and in my research about it I went ahead and took it. But I won't be taking any OTA that caps my battery at 60%. No way, not thanks. I don't think there is anything wrong with my N7 or it's battery (one can never know for sure I guess) and it's been working flawlessly. It does not get hot during charging or any other time and I have apps to monitor those things. Still, I will be swapping my phone for the new Note 7 once they are available. I am just not going to gimp this one capping the battery at 60%.
teegunn said:
Why not use a debloat tool to disable the two SDM apks on the phone? That is what I did, it was my understanding that this would stop any automatic updates from happening. Unless Samsung has a backdoor to enable the SDM apk's or another way to push an update that I am not aware of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully the replacements will reach me before thw update does... That's just a hope tho.
Just to chime in but i dont have them 2 files. Could it be they're named differently on my exynos version?
Sent from my SM-N930F using XDA-Developers mobile app
I have the exynos and my two files I found in ez package Disabler and the two files were named "software update"
Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk
Ok thanks ive disabled the 2 software update files, they were just named differently on mine nothing with sdm.
Sent from my SM-N930F using XDA-Developers mobile app
Vic5870 said:
Yeah. I just charge it but never let it charge to 100%. Heck a lot of plugging in and unplugging the entire day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I habe basically the same usage..
I just got an update notification from T-mobile. I can't think of anything else that this could be..
teegunn said:
Sure. They are called "System updates". In package disabler pro, which I also use, they are near the bottom of the list of apps to disable.
com.samsung.sdm
com.samsung.sdm.sdmviewer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get nothing like this on my French Note 7
I've disabled
com.sec.android.soagent ==> Software update
com.wssynccmldm ==> Software update
com.samsung.firmware.sensorhub ==>UrgentFWUpdateSensorHUb
com.samsung.android.firmware.tsp ==> UrgentFWUpdateTSP
Seems to work, but the orange 1 on settings icons is still there
I found that US customers get an IMEI Verification system to see if your phone is affected ... but in France, nothing like this ...
I've to wait until Orange sell Note 7 to public and exchange mine directly ...:crying: