Hello XDA community
A friend of mine with an android device has been hacked "by a phone call" has he said. The phone number of the believed "attacker" does not exist anymore and seemed to have existed only a few hours. This arose some questions about what I believed. Can some of you tell me what you think about the questions below. If you have some pointers to help me know more about these topics, I would appreciate. If I missed topics on xda forum regarding these questions, please forgive me, and points me to the topic I missed.
1st - Has he really been hacked by a phone call ? In my understanding, as long as you don't activate 3G/4G, your android is just a phone, and thus can just handle duplex audio data. What about exploit targeting the phone application that, with just GSM protocol or payload corruption, can hack your phone ? I thougt this fairly unprobable. Now if 3G/4G is activated, is phone is just a machine on the network, with some ports open, so he is vulnerable. What about exploit that could run over 3G if you accept a call ? Can a vulnerable phone apk enable a hacking of the phone receiving a phone call ?
2nd - How did the attacker procured a phone number without giving its ID papers in france ? Buying a sim card normaly require a valid ID paper like a passport. Is it always the case ? Is it possible to have a mobile phone number without buying a SIM card ?
3rd - Given the recent informations I google on internet, I guess he has been hacked by Stagefright.
As he rooted his device, I would avised him reset to factory device. As a paranoid, I would say this is unsufficient : if his phone is compromised, the attacker could have compromised his recovery too. So I would better say him : flash bootloader if possible, and flash a stock rom then boot into recovery. And after, rune an apk to test if vulnerable to stagefright and a patch to correct.
Than you for your answers
Hi
First I'm sorry that this happened to your friend.
1. In Switzerland, many people was also hacked by a phone call. But he/she only stoled user data (Photos/Music/Videos/etc.) If they had Mobile Data enabled, I don't know.
2. Some country's (like Portugal) hasn't number that are registered with the name of the person. You can simply go to a mobileshop and ask for a SIM-Card and they simply sell it to you (I know it's a really bad thing )
Good luck to your friend restore his phone
Thank me, by hitting the Thanks Button
AnDrOiiiD_YT said:
Hi
First I'm sorry that this happened to your friend.
1. In Switzerland, many people was also hacked by a phone call. But he/she only stoled user data (Photos/Music/Videos/etc.) If they had Mobile Data enabled, I don't know.
2. Some country's (like Portugal) hasn't number that are registered with the name of the person. You can simply go to a mobileshop and ask for a SIM-Card and they simply sell it to you (I know it's a really bad thing )
Good luck to your friend restore his phone
Thank me, by hitting the Thanks Button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello AnDrOiiiD_YT
Can you communicate some sources about the hacking of people via phone call in switzerland (like neswpaper article, tech article ?)
Thank you
AnDrOiiiD_YT said:
Hi
First I'm sorry that this happened to your friend.
2. Some country's (like Portugal) hasn't number that are registered with the name of the person. You can simply go to a mobileshop and ask for a SIM-Card and they simply sell it to you (I know it's a really bad thing )
Good luck to your friend restore his phone
Thank me, by hitting the Thanks Button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can walk into just about any side store km the states and buy a phone and reg it with any name you want. You would be amazed at the names people use for accounts. Some just leave it blank.
zelendel said:
You can walk into just about any side store km the states and buy a phone and reg it with any name you want. You would be amazed at the names people use for accounts. Some just leave it blank.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This can be the case in US. In France on shall provide an ID card to legally buy a SIM card.
bernie.discale said:
This can be the case in US. In France on shall provide an ID card to legally buy a SIM card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Im sure you could find away around it if you try hard enough. Which is what he most likely did.
Now When you say someone hacked his phone, how does he know he was hacked? What are the issues that made him think so?
zelendel said:
Interesting. Im sure you could find away around it if you try hard enough. Which is what he most likely did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, probably. I saw a video from a tech university with the POC on how to cheaply buy phone numbers to issue SMS campaign, I don't know if this is still applicable.
Now When you say someone hacked his phone, how does he know he was hacked? What are the issues that made him think so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a short conversation with him, and he described applications installing alone, sms sent from his phone... Since I still could not get my hands on the device itself, I agree there is still a doubt on that point. He just remembered a strange phone call some weeks ago, but I am not convinced by the phone call that hacked his phone.
bernie.discale said:
Yes, probably. I saw a video from a tech university with the POC on how to cheaply buy phone numbers to issue SMS campaign, I don't know if this is still applicable.
I had a short conversation with him, and he described applications installing alone, sms sent from his phone... Since I still could not get my hands on the device itself, I agree there is still a doubt on that point. He just remembered a strange phone call some weeks ago, but I am not convinced by the phone call that hacked his phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest I am as well. Things that he is talking about could not have been set up during a phone call. Unless the person gave enough info that the offender could have hacked into the account. This would allow install of apps. I have a feeling it is something else. A logcat will be able to help determine what is the issue but the best bet is a full wipe, flash and some password changes.
zelendel said:
. A logcat will be able to help determine what is the issue but the best bet is a full wipe, flash and some password changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A agree with both
bernie.discale said:
Hello XDA community
A friend of mine with an android device has been hacked "by a phone call" has he said. The phone number of the believed "attacker" does not exist anymore and seemed to have existed only a few hours. This arose some questions about what I believed. Can some of you tell me what you think about the questions below. If you have some pointers to help me know more about these topics, I would appreciate. If I missed topics on xda forum regarding these questions, please forgive me, and points me to the topic I missed.
1st - Has he really been hacked by a phone call ? In my understanding, as long as you don't activate 3G/4G, your android is just a phone, and thus can just handle duplex audio data. What about exploit targeting the phone application that, with just GSM protocol or payload corruption, can hack your phone ? I thougt this fairly unprobable. Now if 3G/4G is activated, is phone is just a machine on the network, with some ports open, so he is vulnerable. What about exploit that could run over 3G if you accept a call ? Can a vulnerable phone apk enable a hacking of the phone receiving a phone call ?
2nd - How did the attacker procured a phone number without giving its ID papers in france ? Buying a sim card normaly require a valid ID paper like a passport. Is it always the case ? Is it possible to have a mobile phone number without buying a SIM card ?
3rd - Given the recent informations I google on internet, I guess he has been hacked by Stagefright.
As he rooted his device, I would avised him reset to factory device. As a paranoid, I would say this is unsufficient : if his phone is compromised, the attacker could have compromised his recovery too. So I would better say him : flash bootloader if possible, and flash a stock rom then boot into recovery. And after, rune an apk to test if vulnerable to stagefright and a patch to correct.
Than you for your answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not important that the attacker used a real number, he/she could also use something like spoof card.... About your friends problem is he sure that he have got hacked ?
sdeepb said:
It's not important that the attacker used a real number, he/she could also use something like spoof card.... About your friends problem is he sure that he have got hacked ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No we are not sure ATM. I try to reach him, with no success. What could confirm a hack or not (by lets say stagefright ?)
bernie.discale said:
No we are not sure ATM. I try to reach him, with no success. What could confirm a hack or not (by lets say stagefright ?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there's a way to detect a call stagefright....
Stagefright can't be activated by a call. The phones doesn't access the vulnerable files.
bernie.discale said:
Hello AnDrOiiiD_YT
Can you communicate some sources about the hacking of people via phone call in switzerland (like neswpaper article, tech article ?)
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't found anything, but I think your friend had an app (virus) that needed root access, he granted root access and the app removed those files...
Thank me, by hitting the Thanks Button
zelendel said:
Stagefright can't be activated by a call. The phones doesn't access the vulnerable files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I think the call has nothing to do with the symptoms he observes... I did not took time to POC stagefright at home, but from what I read it can be done silently via MMS. It's one hypothessis. ATM there ar many. Still don't have news from him. I'll just wait now.
Thank you all for your answers.
If he really thinks it's a stagefright then tell him to verify it, there's an app that can do it
sdeepb said:
If he really thinks it's a stagefright then tell him to verify it, there's an app that can do it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app can verify if he is vulnerable. Can it verify if he has really been hacked ?
bernie.discale said:
The app can verify if he is vulnerable. Can it verify if he has really been hacked ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being vulnerable can be a big proof itself that he most probably have been hacked
sdeepb said:
Being vulnerable can be a big proof itself that he most probably have been hacked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my experience with Nessus or Nexpose, a vulnerability scan cannot be assessed as a POC. Not being vulnerable certainly prove your immnunity, but the opposite is not true.
bernie.discale said:
In my experience with Nessus or Nexpose, a vulnerability scan cannot be assessed as a POC. Not being vulnerable certainly prove your immnunity, but the opposite is not true.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't said that being vulnerable surely means he have got hacked..... But he can be considering the symptoms
Related
Hi Guys and Girls,
First of all I apologize for starting a new thread about this, I have put a search in both on Google and XDA and there is one possible solution I just need some clarification being a noobie!
I purchased Co Pilot 8 quite a while back when I was on stock rom but have since tried several different roms each time reinstalling my co pilot. After each install I obviously have had to reactivate it, last week after trying yet another rom my Co Pilot wouldn't activate. I contacted Co Pilot support and after several emails the outcome was that I had activated/de-activated several times and had reached my limit. They have allowed me to activate one last time(their words) but I know I'm not going to stick with the same rom so unless there is a way around this my purchase appears useless, especially as I have bought text to speech and live services as well!
During my search I came across a possible solution to back up your activation key which is licp8 in the windows directory. As I only have one activation left I need to get this right so if someone could clarify this for me I would be most grateful. What I need to know is if I now re-activate Co Pilot and then back up the above file (licp8) to my storage card, when I put a new rom on my phone if I then copy my backed up activation code from my storage card back to the windows directory, does this mean my Co Pilot will be activated without having to do so over the internet as this will obviously register with ALK Technologies?
Does that make sense,(no pun intended).
Sorry about the long winded explanation.
Thank you for any help
No offers?? Ah well I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet the next time I load a new rom.
can you not install copilot on the sd card so you won't have to activate every time you flash?
nrfitchett4 said:
can you not install copilot on the sd card so you won't have to activate every time you flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That kind of works, but only in the sense that you don't have to type all of the ridiculous long numbers for activatio again. It will remember all of your keys and your email/account settings.
I don't know how often I have re-activated, probably about 20 times, haven't had a problem since. But if you have a valid license and it has always been on the same phone (as in you didn't share the code) then how can they justify not re-activating the product. I like CoPilot, but if they try a stunt like that I will never buy it again.
smackmac said:
That kind of works, but only in the sense that you don't have to type all of the ridiculous long numbers for activatio again. It will remember all of your keys and your email/account settings.
I don't know how often I have re-activated, probably about 20 times, haven't had a problem since. But if you have a valid license and it has always been on the same phone (as in you didn't share the code) then how can they justify not re-activating the product. I like CoPilot, but if they try a stunt like that I will never buy it again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks to both of you for the reply.
I do install it to my SD card and like smackmac says that only partly works.
@smackmac
I have probably activated less than you so I don't understand that one?
In one of the emails they sent me, they have limited activation to protect against software piracy, I can understand that so I asked them why don't they link the software to the IMEI number but they said they can't do that. The software is fully legal and I have only ever had it installed on my current phone,(HD2). I did give them an in depth explanation of the reason why I had activated/deactivated but I got the impression they didnt believe me, I even had to scan my email receipt and send as an attachment as proof of purchase. Like I said I will try that possible solution in my original post the next time I put a new Rom on the phone and ill update the post to let everyone know whether it worked or not.
Thanks again for your response.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Please let us know how your test goes eddyedwards007.
I just learned from CoPilot Support/ALK Technologies today, that I have also reached this "activation limit", that I was totally unaware of. I would warn anyone considering CoPilot not to buy if they ROM flash often. Or even if the hard reset often. Or even if they just think they'll have to reinstall the software often.
After I contacted CoPilot Tech Support/ALK Technologies about receiving an "error 1027" when trying to activate the product after a recent ROM Update, I got the following response:
Dear Darnell,
Thank you for contacting CoPilot Technical Support.
Unfortunately the reason why you are receiving error 1027 and why you are no longer able to continue activating CoPilot is our Activation server has seen that you have reached the maximum permitted activation limit for a product.
Looking at your product key code you have activated 24 times.
Unfortunately there is nothing further I can do to unlock your Product Key Code to allow for further activations as this falls under excessive uses of activation.
You can resolve this by purchasing a new version of CoPilot but if you continue to activate to the same level that you have already been doing then your new key will also be locked out after a period of time when you reach the maximum limit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically, they have my money and I have no CoPilot.
I have never had an issue of this sort with any other product on my HD2. I guess the magic number for me was 24. I had no idea reinstalling to the same device multiple times was an issue for them. This is an issue anyone considering CoPilot needs to be made aware of. Ticks me off when we who follow the rules and pay the money are treated like the bad guy . For crying out loud, we paying customers are the ones that DO keep them in business! Trying to use the product honestly now has me locked out.
So I fired off a response to the support ticket with a complaint of how I dislike them having my money while they fail to offer me service. My issue has now been fowarded to "Senior Technicians" and they are supposed to be getting back with me soon.
If they ever grant me activation again, I'm going STRAIGHT TO THE ANDROID VERSION. The Android version does not have to be reactivated as often, since when upgrading Android ports all the information is saved and comes right back through using the old data.img file or a utility like Titanium Backup. HD2 owners using an Android port have confirmed this for me. (See here and here.)
Darnell_Chat_TN said:
So I fired off a response to the support ticket with a complaint of how I dislike them having my money while they fail to offer me service. My issue has now been fowarded to "Senior Technicians" and they are supposed to be getting back with me soon.
If they ever grant me activation again, I'm going STRAIGHT TO THE ANDROID VERSION. The Android version does not have to be reactivated as often, since when upgrading Android ports all the information is saved and comes right back through using the old data.img file or a utility like Titanium Backup. HD2 owners using an Android port have confirmed this for me. (See here and here.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Darnell,
Interesting post, I more or less got the same response, basically you are not going to be allowed to activate a product you paid for because they think you are making pirate copies. I have just downloaded the latest version of the rom I use and I will be taking the plunge tomorrow(19/11/10)
I sent a PM to Appelflap, who originally offered the solution, asking could he/she confirm it works and this is the response I got, [That's right. If you backup licp8.dat and copy it back to windows directory before copilot is started for the first time on the new rom, it will start as a activated copy.]
I hope Appelflap doesn't mind me posting the quote that was sent to me via PM.
So I hope it works otherwise I'll be left with a deactivated copy of Co-Pilot I'll let you know.
By the way I hope they grant you another activation, good luck.
Regards
Eddy
Activation
Hi All,
Just to update what happened.
I have installed and updated my rom and did exactly as Appelflap suggested and .................................wait for it..............it worked!
So just to recap, if you have like myself, purchased co pilot and flashed numerous roms, you will eventually reach an activation limit and ALK Technologies won't allow you to keep activating indefinitely.
So if you go into the windows directory, copy licp8.dat to your storage card, and then after you have reinstalled co pilot, copy the licp8.dat file back into the windows directory BEFORE you open co pilot, that is important! This worked 100% for me and also my text to speech and live services I purchased are also working.
I take no credit for this, all the thanks and appreciation go to Appelflap
I hope this can be of benefit to other members of the community, and lets hope no-one from ALK Technologies reads the forums and comes up with a fix!
Regards
Eddy
Yesterday, I got this message from ALK Tech.
Dear Darnell,
Thank you for contacting CoPilot Technical Support.
Please try activating your CoPilot again with the same product key.
Please be advised that it is imperative, before you upgrade or change the rom or the device, that you deactivate your licenses yourself in the future in:
Menu --> Settings --> Licencing --> DEACTIVATE
If you have any further questions, or feel that this incident has not been resolved to your satisfaction, please do not hesitate to bring this to our attention.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to reactivate CoPilot Maps. But I am still unable to activate the Premium Live Services/Live Traffic that I also paid for. So I've asked them to assist me with activating that also.
A couple of things that may help
I've yet to hit limit and I think it is for the following:
I use XDA_UC (Energy version) to install the Laurentius26 CAB and also to copy licp8 (contains your license key and saves typing out on the ABCDE keyboard) over to windows which avoids the need to reactivate the license. Then CP8 when run does do not go thru the activation loop.
Clearly for this to work you need a purchased license. I've have changed ROM's several dozen times without issue using this method. I hope this helps.
Darnell_Chat_TN said:
Yesterday, I got this message from ALK Tech.
I was able to reactivate CoPilot Maps. But I am still unable to activate the Premium Live Services/Live Traffic that I also paid for. So I've asked them to assist me with activating that also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to successfully activate Premium Live Services/Live Traffic tonight. I think I was mistakenly using my old password when trying to activate that one. Since the old password was likely stored, but I had changed the PW when trying to initially figure out why I could not activate.
I sure hope more CoPilot owners see this thread before they run into any issues.
might sound simple but wont a backup or system image saved to your sd card restore your setting/co-pilot etc? ive done this with my phone a handful of timeswhen updating roms, never with anything fully registered but demo versions of apps and sofware ive installed are still within the preview time limit.
this way you can restore your prefered rom with your copilot and settings without having to activate it time and time again. may be totally wrong as ive never used co pilot but unless anyone says otherwise its gotta be worth a try?
theblueflash said:
might sound simple but wont a backup or system image saved to your sd card restore your setting/co-pilot etc? ive done this with my phone a handful of timeswhen updating roms, never with anything fully registered but demo versions of apps and sofware ive installed are still within the preview time limit.
this way you can restore your prefered rom with your copilot and settings without having to activate it time and time again. may be totally wrong as ive never used co pilot but unless anyone says otherwise its gotta be worth a try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not usually good practice to restore a backup from an old ROM to a new one. It's usually best to only save and copy over just the nessesary files. Such as the one already mentioned.
To restore the full system image would also introduce any potential bugs that might have been in the old ROM's system files.
But we're trying to maintain what we paid for, not extending a trial.
My phone was stolen in Chicago, I currently live in NYC. Basically the person who stole my phone accidently uploaded her images to my facebook mobile account. I have an Android Vibrant phone rooted with Teamwhiskeys Rom. I was wondering if there was a way I could get in touch with the phone. Tmobile and the chicago police cannot do anything for me but, Android Market can still send Apps from the Browser to the phone itself. I can download apps straight to the phone right now.
I need a GPS / text service app or some way to message the person.
Can you guys help me out?
Thank you.
Installing software to it won't help, as you can't then run the software. Even remote installing something like WaveSecure to it won't help, because you can't set it up remotely.
Plus, why do you think the thief cares about you trying to contact them? Your phone is gone, dude. Replace it, and next time install some security software right away.
well I did buy a new phone, I'm just pissed that the person uploaded photos to my account. So now I'm installing about 1000 apps on the phone via Market. Hoping it downloads, freezing her phone, and making her wipe it... not knowing that my phone needs odin to go back to stock. If I cant have my phone, no one can..
and there are some apps that can help... Check out Plan B
Well an obvious way to message the person would be to send yourself a text message. There are many websites that allow you to do that.
Sympathy
Dude, my heart goes out to you.. I always think about the possibility of my phone getting into the wrong hands. I'm sorry I can't help you except by saying..so sorry.. However you have helped me in rethinking putting some type of security software on my phone. Something to locate the phone as well as destroy personal info. Sorry, but thanks..
Try to install the app "Plan B" from market.android.com
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lookout.labs.planb&feature=search_result
Hope that the old saying comes true and what comes around goes around and bites her in the rear end for you!!
Sorry to hear about your phone. Since I've rooted my phone I hadn't given much thought to security, but after reading your post I'm going to the market right now.
EVO 4G-VirusROM RC 6-Launcher Pro
yup maybe plan B also those facebook picture should have an isp tag and could be tracked
That sucks dude. Definitely try the remote wipe thing.
Going to be getting the app to remote wipe my phone for sure.
I think some phones when they take pictures have the location embedded somehow.
If she took a picture of herself or friends post it on a blog and ask people to identify her.
Other thing to do is just text her.
I haven't seen an app on the droid market quite as good as SmartProtect that I used to use on my HD2 with WinMo. Basically you registered your SIM and after it is stollen and someone puts in their own sim it would then txt GPS coords to a number or several numbers of your choosing. It would also send you the new # and had many remote control options that could be sent via special SMS commands. Along with all of this you could also have it wipe contacts and/or directories on your SD. If anyone knows of something similar I am all ears after reading this thread.. it can happen. On a side note watch this video.. its awesome! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4oB28ksiIo
Thanks everyone, I appreciate all of you responding. I was thinking of getting 4chan to make her a internet sensation but decided to cut my loses and just wait for good ol karma to kick in.
I did learn a good lesson out of this, protect your phone, get good security software and please, keep your phone safe in your pocket while you are severely drunk.
<3 you all.
Merph
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App
Well, if she uploaded HER pictures to YOUR account. Just send those pictures to the cops or spread it across the internet.
Spread your IMEI number on various marketplaces across the net, not sure if the facility is available in the US, but here if we tell the cops that our phone is stolen they block the IMEI no. because of which that phone is just a brick, so your loss, but at least it's not the thieves gain !
And yes, next time if the phone is expensive and you have shady characters around you do consider insurance and security apps as suggested by everyone else.
johan12330 said:
Try to install the app "Plan B" from market.android.com
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lookout.labs.planb&feature=search_result
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plan B...lol. That's also the name of the morning after pill if a chick thinks she got knocked up.
Sent from my "TriggerHappy" Vibrant!
I'm on of those who curious if my Ace got stolen/missing and wanna prevent anyone from flashing via ODIN/download mode. CWM would be a different story for me.
Is there anyway to secure it with an authentication module/additional pre-boot img? 10 key PIN would be wonderful enough to have. I guess it has something to do with creating our own bootloader?
autotomy said:
I'm on of those who curious if my Ace got stolen/missing and wanna prevent anyone from flashing via ODIN/download mode. CWM would be a different story for me.
Is there anyway to secure it with an authentication module/additional pre-boot img? 10 key PIN would be wonderful enough to have. I guess it has something to do with creating our own bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you will find that if you get your operator to block the Imei the phone will not usuable what so ever.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App
Jekle ace that's a really cool idea,,, but india the operators never take actions in case of a stolen phone, they only take action if you are VIP or something, there are hell lot of procedures like filing police complaint filling up loads of forms etc...
i think third party apps like "where's my Droid", or any other good Antivirus cum security system app could come handy in these situations
er.davinder said:
Jekle ace that's a really cool idea,,, but india the operators never take actions in case of a stolen phone, they only take action if you are VIP or something, there are hell lot of procedures like filing police complaint filling up loads of forms etc...
i think third party apps like "where's my Droid", or any other good Antivirus cum security system app could come handy in these situations
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never knew that sorry. Yeah where's my Droid is a feasible option but you will need to have GPS and data on as later versions of android aren't allowed to switch on hardware functions
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App
Where's my Droid won't be useful when your SIM is already switched out.
Jekle_Ace said:
I think you will find that if you get your operator to block the Imei the phone will not usuable what so ever.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for all the replies. I'll quote this one.
Really unusable? I didn't know that You mean black listing the IMEI?
Is it unusable after being flashed via Odin and then being inserted a new SIM from another operator? Sorry for a lot of questions.
autotomy said:
Hi, thanks for all the replies. I'll quote this one.
Really unusable? I didn't know that You mean black listing the IMEI?
Is it unusable after being flashed via Odin and then being inserted a new SIM from another operator? Sorry for a lot of questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just see how hard out is to change/repair the imei in these forums. Imei blocking is the best way to permanently block the phone from working within the country.
In the UK IPhones which have been reported lost or stolen often get sipped overseas, particularly to the USA where they will usually
work.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App
Hello all,
Sadly, my SGS 2 was stolen at a railway station recently. I had removed the sim from the phone since the battery was low to put it in another phone. So it's lost now without the sim in it.
Is there any way at to track the phone purely by it's IMEI number (which is all I have)??
I'm totally wrecked that it's gone... I didn't have any tracking software loaded on the phone like AndroidLost /Cerebrus or anything of that sort. I did have Avast I think but I'm not sure if that has a tracking feature.I doubt if I can also use that remote installation technique (which one actually really works?) considering there is no sim on it with no net connection on it.
Help from the local police station in filing a lost phone case so that the IMEI can be reported to the network provider has been useless as they both seem to have better things to do and just keep me running in circles.
Is there anything at all left that I can do on my own now? I've seen a lot of sites where they say you can report your IMEI lost phone number and they say they will alert you if it ever comes up. But there seems to be a lot of them out there. Which one would be the most reliable to do this?
Has anyone else done this before with any success. Looking for the best possible information and hopefully some solution to get back my phone. It had so much of my stuff on it and I spent months customizing it. Really regretting now that I didn't take the time to load a tracking software on it.
Thanks for any help or insight anyone can provide.
Firstly, my sympathies. I can imagine how bad it must feel to lose your phone. Have you tried 'Plan B' by Lookout? It'll work if at all the phone is ever connected to a data plan/ wireless network.
Hope it helps.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
if cerberus or any other aplication of tracking is dificult...
But good.luck friend.
Enviado desde mi GT-I9100 usando Tapatalk 2
Thanks Haxtreme, I've installed Plan B via Google Play online and I picked my SGS2 device and it said that Plan B will be remotely installed to my phone.
But is this relying on the sim to deploy the software to the phone? I don't remember punching in my IMEI number for my device on the Google Play store at any point. Does it already have the IMEI number? If not, how do I update that on the Play Store so it knows where to remotely install the software to?
Thanks again for your prompt reply!
HAXTREME said:
Firstly, my sympathies. I can imagine how bad it must feel to lose your phone. Have you tried 'Plan B' by Lookout? It'll work if at all the phone is ever connected to a data plan/ wireless network.
Hope it helps.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it uses your Google account not the sim. as long as its got a connection to the internet and is linked to your account, it'll get installed irrespective of whether the sim has been changed or removed. The IMEI and google account are linked the very first time you boot up a phone and it asks you to enter your mail id or create a new one.
The fact that it shows up in your list of devices when you log on to Google play via your desktop itself shows that its still linked and your account hasn't been deleted from the phone.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
what if the thief wiped the phone and/or flash another rom?
would plan b still work?
I am interested because ive got my phone stolen too
hhwong said:
what if the thief wiped the phone and/or flash another rom?
would plan b still work?
I am interested because ive got my phone stolen too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I think prevention is better than cure...
Can anyone guide me to app or tracking system? So that in case my mobile is stolen I can get back
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
xDa_nightfury said:
Now I think prevention is better than cure...
Can anyone guide me to app or tracking system? So that in case my mobile is stolen I can get back
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) u can use 'Avast' antivirus which has 'Anti theft' functionality.
2) u can try some third party apps like 'Cerebrus' from stores and see
Well I am sorry for the loss of your phone but listen buddy... All these software stuff is not really gonna help because i don't believe they can give you any pin point location of the thief. What i did successfully, when my Galaxy Note was lost previous month. I had the original IMEI number and i had contacts in Law Enforcing Agencies of my country. I requested one of my friend there and he asked my IMEI number.Few days later, he informed me that my number is being used by someone and his calls are being tracked. Yet another few days later, he asked me to come by and collect my phone. When i visited his office, i found the thief locked and my cell recovered. The guy told me that while listening to his calls, the thief eventually revealed his location, while giving someone his address for collection of something. So Police caught him at the address. I dont know about your country, but if you have someone in these kinds offices, they can surely help. Thanx
One thing I dont understand is how a cheap GPS system gives mostly an exact global position,but these phones with all them tracking software dont.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
theres not alot you can do unless you have a connection in mobile providers so they can track your imei number, if they found a s2 with no sim they would leave it off and use odin or cwm so tracking would be harder
theunderling said:
One thing I dont understand is how a cheap GPS system gives mostly an exact global position,but these phones with all them tracking software dont.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the issue is that the GPS part of the mobile can't locate the position better or worse than a cheap gps system. For tracking a lost phone a well working gps is not enough. You also need a working internet connection and a clear view of the sky in order to get a fix. Like any gps system. It is the combination of this factors that determines the quality of a good tracking configuration.
my thympthies .... i hope u find it
Cenobite_ said:
I don't think the issue is that the GPS part of the mobile can't locate the position better or worse than a cheap gps system. For tracking a lost phone a well working gps is not enough. You also need a working internet connection and a clear view of the sky in order to get a fix. Like any gps system. It is the combination of this factors that determines the quality of a good tracking configuration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Via apps like Cerberus and others you can set your phone to automatically send thief's mobile number via email or sms after they insert new sim. You can remotely get your phone to take pictures and videos (front and back cams), sound recordings. You also create pop up messages on screen (and take pic when they open it), remotely wipe or lock device, install the app as system app and also hide it from app tray.
So a GPS location is just a bonus really.
alvinasnow said:
Well I am sorry for the loss of your phone but listen buddy... All these software stuff is not really gonna help because i don't believe they can give you any pin point location of the thief. What i did successfully, when my Galaxy Note was lost previous month. I had the original IMEI number and i had contacts in Law Enforcing Agencies of my country. I requested one of my friend there and he asked my IMEI number.Few days later, he informed me that my number is being used by someone and his calls are being tracked. Yet another few days later, he asked me to come by and collect my phone. When i visited his office, i found the thief locked and my cell recovered. The guy told me that while listening to his calls, the thief eventually revealed his location, while giving someone his address for collection of something. So Police caught him at the address. I dont know about your country, but if you have someone in these kinds offices, they can surely help. Thanx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well thats it, from now on the first thing I do after unboxing my new phone is to write that god damn IMEI number down right away.....
I guess my phone is just gone now
Oh well......maybe its time to buy galaxy note 2!
hhwong said:
Well thats it, from now on the first thing I do after unboxing my new phone is to write that god damn IMEI number down right away.....
I guess my phone is just gone now
Oh well......maybe its time to buy galaxy note 2!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dude its samsung so you have been ****ed one can easily change imei
also u can get imei by calling airtel or your operator and ask them which imei the phone was having :fingers-crossed:
AndroidFreud said:
Hello all,
Sadly, my SGS 2 was stolen at a railway station recently. I had removed the sim from the phone since the battery was low to put it in another phone. So it's lost now without the sim in it.
Is there any way at to track the phone purely by it's IMEI number (which is all I have)??
I'm totally wrecked that it's gone... I didn't have any tracking software loaded on the phone like AndroidLost /Cerebrus or anything of that sort. I did have Avast I think but I'm not sure if that has a tracking feature.I doubt if I can also use that remote installation technique (which one actually really works?) considering there is no sim on it with no net connection on it.
Help from the local police station in filing a lost phone case so that the IMEI can be reported to the network provider has been useless as they both seem to have better things to do and just keep me running in circles.
Is there anything at all left that I can do on my own now? I've seen a lot of sites where they say you can report your IMEI lost phone number and they say they will alert you if it ever comes up. But there seems to be a lot of them out there. Which one would be the most reliable to do this?
Has anyone else done this before with any success. Looking for the best possible information and hopefully some solution to get back my phone. It had so much of my stuff on it and I spent months customizing it. Really regretting now that I didn't take the time to load a tracking software on it.
Thanks for any help or insight anyone can provide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all I would like to tell you Avast has a very good anti theft feature (which is completely free by the way) if you had root it does allow nand write(for settings I guess) and integration into your rom(factory reset can't remove it then) only a flash operation can remove it, in settings if you had set friend numbers and safe numbers, the moment an unknown sim is inserted, messages are sent to your friends numbers informing sim change (you will get the the thief's number) also if you had enabled it in settings it will force both data connection and gps on too, you can track the phone with gps precision by sending a message (either via sms or their online portal) with the pin code(details are in their site), you can lock the phone, perform a wipe, sound an alarm many other functions. Avast also has amazing stealth technology and starts at boot, so if you want you can jump the thief because he will be able to see only his balance reducing while you remotely control your phone. The key thing you must do is set friend numbers.
Edit : The only way to bypass this security is flashing a new rom. Also it can't be un installed as it will be set as device administrator which requires password unlock.
Using GT - I9100
Just hit the damn help button if I helped you.
---------- Post added at 01:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 PM ----------
I really do hope you had set friend numbers, Avast anti theft was very useful to me as sometimes my little brother "steals" my phone because he adores my s2, and sometimes I get really pissed so i remotely lock it rendering it completely useless, even if the phone is switched off and on it will lock again, unless I type in my pin or remotely grant access the phone will remain locked.
Using GT - I9100
Just hit the damn help button if I helped you.
I lost my galaxy s the previous year and they couldn't find it by IMEI
Sent from my GT-I9100G using Tapatalk 2
Plan B
HAXTREME said:
Firstly, my sympathies. I can imagine how bad it must feel to lose your phone. Have you tried 'Plan B' by Lookout? It'll work if at all the phone is ever connected to a data plan/ wireless network.
Hope it helps.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please guide me ....how to aplly "plan B' ....plz tell me the steps
tarunsharma123 said:
Can you please guide me ....how to aplly "plan B' ....plz tell me the steps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to the play store via your computer. Log in with your gmail id, 'purchase' the plan b app. (Its free) and select the particular device from the list of your devices, if there is one. If your phone is ever connected to the Internet and still linked with your Google account, it'll get downloaded
Good luck.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
So I need to send my Atrix back to Motorola and need to flash a .sbf file in order to relock it (running CM7 for now).
I've read tutorials so I'm not concerned about the procedure but more about which .sbf file I need. My Atrix was bought from ibood.de so it's probably coming from Belgium or The Nertherlands.
Any idea of the version that is used ?
Here's a screenshot of the box for some info : http://i.imgur.com/8j7DP.jpg
Thanks !
DannyBiker said:
So I need to send my Atrix back to Motorola and need to flash a .sbf file in order to relock it (running CM7 for now).
I've read tutorials so I'm not concerned about the procedure but more about which .sbf file I need. My Atrix was bought from ibood.de so it's probably coming from Belgium or The Nertherlands.
Any idea of the version that is used ?
Here's a screenshot of the box for some info : http://i.imgur.com/8j7DP.jpg
Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
you dont need to reload original (i sent mine with just a 2.3.6 fruitcake rom)
they will lock your phone forever with new stock rom (no way to unlock it with current procedures)
hope it help[s
Do they always lock it ? Don't you think it has to do with the fact that you send it unlocked ?
Sometimes they don't permalock it, but most of the time they do. Just assume it is going to get locked.
That's super ****ty. And there's nothing that can be done to unlock it ?
I mean, I don't even think that is legal, they just can't change my product if they want it. It's mine now and I want them to fix it not to change it.
Not only do they cancel ICS but they would now stuck me with stock rom !
DannyBiker said:
That's super ****ty. And there's nothing that can be done to unlock it ?
I mean, I don't even think that is legal, they just can't change my product if they want it. It's mine now and I want them to fix it not to change it.
Not only do they cancel ICS but they would now stuck me with stock rom !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can blame all the media corps and their desire to control media consumption for that. The primary reason for locked bootloaders has a lot to do with companies and groups like Netflix, the cable industry, MPAA/RIAA, etc. not being willing to allow their services if certain protectionist measures aren't put in place.
As for locking it and it being legal? They can simply give you a replacement and it be locked and claim it was cheaper to swap it than fix it. What's worse is that there is a growing debate over who owns devices once purchased and devices purchased on subsidy could be used as being considered owned by the carrier or manufacturer and only 'leased' to the customer. Now that's what I'd call pretty s****y because if they get away with that then we'd own nothing which is ideal for any company on the ownership side of the deal.
And sorry for being a little off topic but it's definitely something that will only get worse before it gets better.
Sent from my Nexus 7
There ulis nothing illegal with them permalocking the bootloader on your device.
AnotherBill said:
The primary reason for locked bootloaders has a lot to do with companies and groups like Netflix, the cable industry, MPAA/RIAA, etc. not being willing to allow their services if certain protectionist measures aren't put in place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That may be true for the US but I'm European (so is my Atrix) where Netflix and cables companies don't have any kind of power on that level (for now) + the UE tend to make laws to prevent those situations.
So can I hope that lock issue is US-only ? Did it happen to non-US users ?
DannyBiker said:
That may be true for the US but I'm European (so is my Atrix) where Netflix and cables companies don't have any kind of power on that level (for now) + the UE tend to make laws to prevent those situations.
So can I hope that lock issue is US-only ? Did it happen to non-US users ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not really sure but I'd be willing to bet if it goes to a US facility it'll get locked regardless.
Also, looking at the type number it appears it's the UK version but don't take my word on it.
Sent from my MB860 using xda app-developers app
I really doubt it will cross the Atlantic...
Okay, I'll see if I can get a confirmation on that UK suggestion. Thanks for that !