So, the step by step procedures for rooting and unrooting are great, but kinda leaves me hanging. I've heard it stressed that you have to tighten down on security... what about installing a custom..like cyanogen? Root is good but you can't stop there, right? What security to install? How can I avoid updates to OS beyond MM, or is it even possible? How to get max benefit from root, are there apps that most will Immediately install either because they are just that cool or because you need to to protect your phone? Thx!
Remove bloats (anything that you don't use)
Adaway (i can't STAND ads)
Xposed. I can't live without gravitybox, youtube ad blockers and YouTube offscreen playback.
Install nova launcher and double tap screen off from playstore to retain LG double tap features.
Thank you! Just the sort of advice I was hoping for. Are you knowledgeable of CyanogenMod. Like/don't like? Or, prefer an alternative? What security is best? Is there a listing somewhere to help me know what I can remove without causing my phone to start malfunctioning? I'd like to get rid of almost everything Google but then half the apps that use their keyboard, dictionary, etc stop working. I could see spending waaaay too much time searching each individual kibble before I delete. Would be decadent to find a list of em somewhere. Thanks again.
elheuste said:
Thank you! Just the sort of advice I was hoping for. Are you knowledgeable of CyanogenMod. Like/don't like? Or, prefer an alternative? What security is best? Is there a listing somewhere to help me know what I can remove without causing my phone to start malfunctioning? I'd like to get rid of almost everything Google but then half the apps that use their keyboard, dictionary, etc stop working. I could see spending waaaay too much time searching each individual kibble before I delete. Would be decadent to find a list of em somewhere. Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make a nandroid backup of your current Setup with twrp. Then try out the couple of roms here in the development section. Read the threads. Enjoy your android freedom.
Sent from my LG-H901 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Related
Okay, digging deep into Android's source.... not for the feint of heart, and not for those whose coding skills are somewhere just above, "Hello, world!" (Me)
Here's the deal. We all know, with Froyo, Google disabled task killers. No app can kill another app. I for one am happy, because killing all apps when your screen goes off is stupid, pointless, and all kinds of harmful. Well, happy but for one little thing....
Killing other apps still does have a purpose! Specifically, in my case, I want to replace my long-press home option with a cool app switcher that also gives me the ability to kill a running app if I know I am done with it for the day and it refuses to die naturally. I'm sure there are other legitimate uses for it, such as killing everything before a benchmark. Sure, these are very specific, uncommon uses, but a thousand apps on the Market exist for specific, uncommon uses, and I think that most hackers/modders with su here would know better than to let a task killer run rampant. Anyone wanna discuss re-enabling this on 2.2?
Edit: I should correct myself. I keep saying "app," what I mean is "service." I know you can still stop (most) apps, but not services. Which keeps a lot of apps running, despite your best efforts. Forgive me for misusing the words
wait task managers dont actually kill in 2.2? This is news to me, as one I have downloaded seems to work fine..
stuff said:
wait task managers dont actually kill in 2.2? This is news to me, as one I have downloaded seems to work fine..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^ditto.......
stuff said:
wait task managers dont actually kill in 2.2? This is news to me, as one I have downloaded seems to work fine..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Taskiller will show the app was killed. I'm sure many others will too. But kill an app, then go to Settings>Applications>Manage Applications>Running, and you'll see that it's still running.
Edit: I should correct myself. I keep saying "app," what I mean is "service." I know you can still stop (most) apps, but not services. Which keeps a lot of apps running, despite your best efforts. Forgive me for misusing the words.
Forgive the obvious question but can't the services just be killed by a root request/process? If so, creating an interface for this should be easy as pants.
Of course, root is required but that shouldn't be a constraint.
djmcnz said:
Forgive the obvious question but can't the services just be killed by a root request/process? If so, creating an interface for this should be easy as pants.
Of course, root is required but that shouldn't be a constraint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. But wouldn't it make more sense to allow the dozens of non-root apps that already exist to do this, rather than have to re-write an app that does the exact same thing, but has to use su? It would be safer, too. Running everything as root all the time runs contrary to the whole idea of Linux. It's better to give apps the permissions they need, rather than give everything unlimited power.
carnegie0107 said:
True. But wouldn't it make more sense to allow the dozens of non-root apps that already exist to do this, rather than have to re-write an app that does the exact same thing, but has to use su? It would be safer, too. Running everything as root all the time runs contrary to the whole idea of Linux. It's better to give apps the permissions they need, rather than give everything unlimited power.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I see. It might be useful but that's the essence of the Froyo changes... it can't be done now without root. You've have to compromise the security model... probably not a feasible route...
I think you are mistaken, maybe in Manage Applications it still shows it as "stoppable", however... I just did a test.
1. Opened DDMS on my PC.
2. Took note of an app to test with (speedtest) that was currently running.
3. Opened Advanced Task Manager.
4. Killed speedtest with task manager and watched it disappear from the running process list in DDMS.
Obviously ATM was able to kill the task. And, just so you know, it did not start running again. Also, it was removed from the "Running" tab in Manage Applications, so you are double wrong.
And, in case you were going to further the argument that you meant to say "Services", I just killed the PhoneFusion VM service with ATM, and it was removed from the running process list in DDMS.
djmcnz said:
Oh, I see. It might be useful but that's the essence of the Froyo changes... it can't be done now without root. You've have to compromise the security model... probably not a feasible route...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or create something that uses su to kill these processes for third-party apps, without the need for them to have su. Similar to superuser apk, but on a more specific level. Or, we could make it even better, and have superuser hand out specific, user-approved permissions, rather than permit root access as a whole to any app.
Apparently there's not a lot of interest in this, but I thought it would make an interesting discussion.
I was just curious to find out if there was a general consensus as to the better app for recovering your phone. I realize that there are quite a few that do the job. I just want to find the one that does the job and does it well, because if my phone does ever get stolen/lost, I only have one shot to get it right. Trial and error doesn't really give me peace of mind when it's something you actually need it to work.
Any opinions?
princearic said:
I was just curious to find out if there was a general consensus as to the better app for recovering your phone. I realize that there are quite a few that do the job. I just want to find the one that does the job and does it well, because if my phone does ever get stolen/lost, I only have one shot to get it right. Trial and error doesn't really give me peace of mind when it's something you actually need it to work.
Any opinions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use titanium donate version and it does everything I could possibly ever want it to do. Will restore everything, even system settings.
lralexl said:
I use titanium donate version and it does everything I could possibly ever want it to do. Will restore everything, even system settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he's referring to tracking software...
I've seen some nice Tasker scripts that will lock up the phone and e-mail you its GPS coordinates if you send a certain text to it. This way you would get more for your money since Tasker does so many other amazing things.
Have you looked into WaveSecure? seems pretty good, https://www.wavesecure.com/wavesecure/android.aspx
I've heard some good things about Prey but in all honesty, it's good to keep things locked down with either encryption/passcode unlock too. I don't know the statistics on recovery of lost phones but being a pessimistic/optimist I'd say hope for the best but expect the worst. Sync your contacts/emails/etc on a regular basis (maybe once a week and you can use tasker for this), keep sensitive personal information off the phone if possible, etc.
Froyo might let you remote wipe (I heard it would be a feature for enterprise lvl stuff) but if the person who found it is tech savvy (pretty much anyone who can flash a rom) they might just pull the SIM & wipe the phone which would moot any security features you might have in place. I could be wrong though, I don't have a lot of experience in anti-theft and should probably look more into protecting my own phone too and seeing what options are available.
I do know that insurance will cover the loss but it doesn't help if you don't have a backup of all your important info somewhere. Oh, and before I forget, in addition to contacts/email you can sync your calendar too. You just need to make sure when you create an entry that you save it as a Google calendar entry and not to the phone. That way it will sync too.
MyLookout - It also has backup & virus protection
Master™ said:
MyLookout - It also has backup & virus protection
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1.
10char
-bZj
Sim Checker Pro - Because if someone changes the SIM card, you can't send it a text message for other programs.
When the SIM card is changed out, it'll send me a text message (so I have the new number) and an email with the GPS location.
I also move the app from /data/app-private to /system/app as well, so it can't be deleted with a system wipe either [I just tested this.....Sim Checker is still there & it remembers my password]. Odin can obviously destroy it, but we're assuming this is stolen/found by someone who just thinks your phone is cool, not someone who knows the ins/outs of Samsung Vibrant hacking.
Another plus is if they do a wipe they'd probably lose root (forgot to verify this), which might be good as well.
From there, there are TONS of apps that will send back locations with GPS updates, Wheres My Droid is a popular example.
I would move all of these apps into the /system/app section to be on the safe side.
If I were to find a phone and decide not to give it back (hypothetically of course, don't blast me for something I haven't done), I would power it down & wipe it before doing anything...having them in your /system will help with this. I'm sure most people would probably just yank the SIM card.......either way, if you use Sim Checker, you'll be safe, but make sure you have another option like Wheres My Droid as well.
Also, I'm pretty sure if Sim Checker is in /system, it'll be able to turn the GPS on as well.
I am looking to turn my eris into a pure mp3 player for my daughter. she uses it now for that reason, but it doesn't need the dialer, phone book or anything else like that on it. to me its just wasted space. i am open to suggestions. is there a rom out there that i can use that will do this? i have searched and found nothing.
I'm not 100% sure you can remove phone and dialer stuff without getting force closes on that process. I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure those can't be removed.
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
phrite said:
I am looking to turn my eris into a pure mp3 player for my daughter. she uses it now for that reason, but it doesn't need the dialer, phone book or anything else like that on it. to me its just wasted space. i am open to suggestions. is there a rom out there that i can use that will do this? i have searched and found nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this might be what you're looking for...?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1216571
you don't need to remove the dialer, contacts, phone .apk's, but with most launchers giving the option to hide certain programs, you could hide them and those apps would only be accessible when going into Titanium Backup or Manage Apps within the settings. at least that's what i did, just in case i need to activate the old eris in an emergency and need the phone functionality, since all phones can make 911 emergency calls even after deactivation.
EDIT: just happened to be browsing that thread, and saw a few posts from you, so maybe this is old news to you! lol, anyway, hope this helps if not, cheers!
Ya know removing the dialer and stuff wouldn't help you free space anyway because that is stored on the system and your mp3s are on the SD card.
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
ecs1984 said:
this might be what you're looking for...?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1216571
you don't need to remove the dialer, contacts, phone .apk's, but with most launchers giving the option to hide certain programs, you could hide them and those apps would only be accessible when going into Titanium Backup or Manage Apps within the settings. at least that's what i did, just in case i need to activate the old eris in an emergency and need the phone functionality, since all phones can make 911 emergency calls even after deactivation.
EDIT: just happened to be browsing that thread, and saw a few posts from you, so maybe this is old news to you! lol, anyway, hope this helps if not, cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That works perfectly, thank you very much. and you guys are all correct on the removal of the phone book and dialer. and everything is already on the sd card, i was just trying to clean / speed things up a bit. i appreciate the response from everyone.
I've been wanting the same thing. But I've decided to make it a home phone that is relatively always plugged in and use sipdroid to set it for inbound and outbound calls. I occasionally use it as an example mp3 player. I may try breaking the ROM apart, but honestly just use a startup disabling app like systemtuner productos or autostarts.. That can literally disable everything from turning on at boot. And other trigger points. Freezing sometimes breaks the ROM depending on what it is.
Sent from my android touchpad.
I've been asking if workshed wants to make one last ROM for the Eris which encorporates that script into it as well as removing every system app not necessary to making it a wifi enabled music player, but he seems to be busy with his other ROM development. I think I'll be making a thread about it, that way if a dev is interested in making it, they can take it from there. Sort of a dev-shopping thread. I've been meaning to for a little while.
Didn't really know if this was the right place to post this, but I was just wondering what everyone uses their rooted me7 S4 for? Like what sort of apps do you utilize since there isn't much as far as customizing that we can do without an unlocked bootloader. Just a discussion for everyone to spitball in while we wait for the next android god to unlock our phones!
Sent from the future...
Edited title to help you out with this
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
Used to do it for the different ROMs and using the MODs.
Now I've kind of outgrown the whole "crack-flashing" phase, and just root it to try any new ground-breaking MOD/ROM/App, etc.
Also, I just love knowing that I have the freedom of being Rooted.
XDA community is beautiful.
It's easier just to name the apps I mainly use when rooted:
AdAway (ad blocker)
Titanium Backup (backup app)
DroidWall (firewall)
Also uninstalling/freezing bloatware. Of course, it's awesome because you can flash ROMs, too.
Theming and removing bloat
I rooted so I could use Wallet, a few other apps and to remove bloat. I can't stand the crap Verizon puts on their phones. 3+ years ago, I'd flash a rom almost daily but I too have grown out of the crack flashing phase.
Well, at first I used admin/sudo/root to learn what made my computer work, and consequently what made it stop working, and how to repair things when the system didn't like what I did to it. Then how to make the computer more responsive through config edits.
When I got my first andriod it was pretty much the above all over again but way littler. I don't think I can count how many times I've soft bricked my phones by poking around in file systems I shouldn't have been poking around in.
Then I focused on how to make my devices faster without using prebuilt "OMGITSFASTHUMINAHUMINAHUMINA" script pack zips found across the internet and here. So learned how scripts worked in general to automate a lot of mundane functions.
Then, My buddy Kyle was working on a performance kang of liquid for the DX. I offered to help get more performance out of it. And then I eventually took over the ROM building in that project and a bunch of others for that series of devices.
Root isn't so much to me about "check it out bro I'm rooted, I've got stock cyanogenmod10 on, yeah high five" as it is about what I'm able to do with that ability and more importantly what I'm able to learn by actually using that ability. That's why I try to make my updater scripts print on screen what the script is doing... To potentially help someone who didn't know what was going on potentially learn a little bit.
Besides all that, I enjoy theming my UI. And with how much I end up flashing ROMs RomToolbox Pro has been my go to for app backups. :good:
sent from my GE gs4
Theoretically speaking you could run another ROM assuming it's compatible with the stock kernel.
It almost begs the question, maybe it's time for an In-Android (runtime) ROM flashing tool non-dependent on recovery. You wouldn't gain the other benefits of a normal recovery but you'd at least be able to flash ROM's, sans certain elements.
Aside from the performance and mod benefits, I find it therapeutic. Everytime I freeze/uninstall Vznavigator, Back up assistant plus, Verizon tones or anything Verizon related app I feel good knowing im doing mankind a favor by eliminating an atrocious and insulting excuse of an app.
Plus...theres nothing better than the feeling you get when you toggle that wifi hotspot switch on, especially after you've just successfully upgraded and kept your unlimited data by enduring the long, grueling and degrading task of dealing with the incompetence that is Vzw customer service.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
I prefer to root just because of the awesome features.. Open source will always be popular and gives everyone their own chance to be different.
Remove bloatware, remove the persistent WiFi on the dropdown (which eats battery life), adaway so I get rid of stupid ads (I prefer to pay for the app and not the ads). ROM's when the bootloader gets unlocked (again).
myn said:
Theoretically speaking you could run another ROM assuming it's compatible with the stock kernel.
It almost begs the question, maybe it's time for an In-Android (runtime) ROM flashing tool non-dependent on recovery. You wouldn't gain the other benefits of a normal recovery but you'd at least be able to flash ROM's, sans certain elements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be great
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I'm rooted for, TitaniumBackup, AdFree, Tasker (disable/enable pattern). No more ROM flashing for me even though I was able to save MDK.
Adaway
Titanium Bakcup
Custom ROM
Root Call Blocker
WiFi Tether TrevE Mod
Greenify
WiFi Pass Recovery
etc. :cyclops:
I have TiBU and that's it from everything you guys have listed lol. I read that root call blocker wasn't working properly? And this ad blocker sounds awesome. Also, how do you block the persistent wifi that eats battery? Maybe thats a dumb question haha.
Sent from the future...
Anthony825 said:
I have TiBU and that's it from everything you guys have listed lol. I read that root call blocker wasn't working properly? And this ad blocker sounds awesome. Also, how do you block the persistent wifi that eats battery? Maybe thats a dumb question haha.
Sent from the future...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ask and you shall receive. I did a quick Google search and found a few threads on this.
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/07/0...g-wifi-notification-on-the-verizon-galaxy-s3/
http://androidcommunity.com/how-to-...-notification-on-verizon-galaxy-s-4-20130527/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1761900
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41940273
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2290634
Awesome thanks very much! I'll have to check this out and shut that annoyance down.
Sent from the future...
Well I did a bit of digging further and found this info. The YouTube video and DroidForums thread requires custom recovery, but the XDA-Devs link at the bottom seems to have a method for ME7 FW release. Trying that tomorrow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT0QvmeHt0U
http://www.droidforums.net/forum/sa...fi-notifications-smart-stay-eye-pulldown.html
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2297213
myn said:
Theoretically speaking you could run another ROM assuming it's compatible with the stock kernel.
It almost begs the question, maybe it's time for an In-Android (runtime) ROM flashing tool non-dependent on recovery. You wouldn't gain the other benefits of a normal recovery but you'd at least be able to flash ROM's, sans certain elements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggested something similar in the bounty thread. I was thinking something similar to boot manager where you could flash ROMs while in android to the SD... Could that work?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
taxi333 said:
Adaway
Titanium Bakcup
Custom ROM
Root Call Blocker
WiFi Tether TrevE Mod
Greenify
WiFi Pass Recovery
etc. :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to bounce backwards in posts, but I was unable to locate an app called Adaway. Is it not able to be found in the app store?
Sent from the future...
Hi Folks.
I've done something a bit silly and hoping some Android expert on here may be able to help me.
I stupidly installed an app from an external source using a link that was given me for a specific app.
I am now freaking out about malware/spyware and all the rest of it.
At this point, I must point out that there is nothing to immediately suggest the app is bad. I only installed it a few hours ago on my phone but there hasn't been anything suspicious like extra battery use, heat, unknown apps in the list of battery usage or pop ups or anything like that. It could be that it's absolutely fine (and probably is.)
What I'm more concerned about is that there may be some nefarious background process running that means I suddenly wake up and find my bank account has been drained, or I'm being blackmailed by some Russian hacker that has hold of my emails and photos etc.
TWO IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS (before anybody states the below:
- Yes, I know it was a stupid thing to do and I don't know what came over me. But it is done now.
- I know that a full factory reset is the best way to clear all but I'm desperate to avoid that. It took me two days to setup my new S21 Ultra and hate the thought of going through all of that again!
I know that Google Play Protect helps with apps from the GP Store, but I assume this is not relevant here because it came from an external source. Is there any kind of facility where I can upload the app and it scans it? Or am I screwed?
I also know you can download Norton etc but I read that they may not be effective on things like this. FYI, I am running the January 1st Android security patch (the most recent available.)
Thanks in advance.
Scan the apk file with online Virustotal.
Meh... show us the apk in question.
I have a few side loaded apps, so what?
Playstore is no sure bet either... load what you need, disregard the rest and toss the bad ones.
A badly written app can cause headaches even after it's uninstalled. Not as common with Android as in Windows but it happens.
On a clean load I'm careful what I install ie known good apps.
blackhawk said:
Scan the apk file with online Virustotal.
Meh... show us the apk in question.
I have a few side loaded apps, so what?
Playstore is no sure bet either... load what you need, disregard the rest and toss the bad ones.
A badly written app can cause headaches even after it's uninstalled. Not as common with Android as in Windows but it happens.
On a clean load I'm careful what I install ie known good apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I've attached the apps. Thanks for your help and advice. I've scanned them on VirusTotal and they appear to be clean..
If you are worried about this, then you need to flash the phone. Then install the app to protect your phone from the official source.
philliplavelle said:
Thanks. I've attached the apps. Thanks for your help and advice. I've scanned them on VirusTotal and they appear to be clean..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did the reload go well?