How to block SMS/MMS - Need recomendations. - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've been trying to find a simple way to block SMS/MMS to my phone. I've been using Signal for a while now as do many of my friends and would just assume block all the unsecure stuff since Signal comes though data. Thought it would be easier than it's turning out to be. Tried a couple apps and they require building spam lists to get them to work, any way to just block them all?

if you don't mind just blacklist the number perhaps

mikasu said:
if you don't mind just blacklist the number perhaps
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Click to collapse
That will also stop calls which I don't want to do. I only want to stop non Signal SMS/MMS
There's got to be an easier way but what I've come up with for now is I'm using Postman SMS blocker to block all SMS while it's set as my default messenger. I'm using Auto Reply free to auto respond to those blocked texts to tell them they've been blocked and to download Signal. Most of my friends are already on Signal and the ones that don't give half a crap about their privacy, that's their problem. They can call or email. In this situation theres still technically txts making it to the phone but their one sided statements that are never replied to and no conversation from me. Will all the notifications of the block and reply off it's good enough for now.

snatale1 said:
That will also stop calls which I don't want to do. I only want to stop non Signal SMS/MMS
There's got to be an easier way but what I've come up with for now is I'm using Postman SMS blocker to block all SMS while it's set as my default messenger. I'm using Auto Reply free to auto respond to those blocked texts to tell them they've been blocked and to download Signal. Most of my friends are already on Signal and the ones that don't give half a crap about their privacy, that's their problem. They can call or email. In this situation theres still technically txts making it to the phone but their one sided statements that are never replied to and no conversation from me. Will all the notifications of the block and reply off it's good enough for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are sadly mistaken if you think signal is more secure then the standard SMS protocol. That's like samsung what's app or fb messenger are secure. It's only as secure as their server is.

zelendel said:
You are sadly mistaken if you think signal is more secure then the standard SMS protocol. That's like samsung what's app or fb messenger are secure. It's only as secure as their server is.
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Click to collapse
Can you explain how? Signal is end to end encrypted and the keys aren't stored on the server. WhatsApp is made by WhatsApp and has nothing to do with Samsung, they also use the Signal/Text Secure protocol so same thing different name. No shortage of security experts regularly examine the source and I've yet to read a review from anybody in security that isn't a huge fan. I fail to see how regular ol SMS that does none of that and is just as secure. If you know something nobody else seems to please let us know, I can't be the only one that's into privacy that would want to know.

snatale1 said:
Can you explain how? Signal is end to end encrypted and the keys aren't stored on the server. WhatsApp is made by WhatsApp and has nothing to do with Samsung, they also use the Signal/Text Secure protocol so same thing different name. No shortage of security experts regularly examine the source and I've yet to read a review from anybody in security that isn't a huge fan. I fail to see how regular ol SMS that does none of that and is just as secure. If you know something nobody else seems to please let us know, I can't be the only one that's into privacy that would want to know.
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Click to collapse
Samsung was an auto correct. As for Wahtsapp that is owned by FB and made by them and have been found over and over again to have back doors built in just like their messaging app.
Ill leave you wit this. We have some of the best in android security here on the site. Yet none of them use it and advise to stay away from everything to do with FB. Ever wonder why on XDA we have not featured the app. IF it really was that secure then we would be all over it covering it and advising its use.
True Mobile security is an illusion. IF you use a rooted device or use social media then privacy isnt really a big deal.

Related

Can you block an area code (956)

I am getting killed with spam calls today from a 956 area code, all Mexican.
I add them to my reject list, I am them to an Unwanted contact as well... but they keep coming as different numbers.
Anyone else have some suggestions? I do not have any crap apps... not sure what's causing this.
Call T-Mo, they should be able to block the calls for you
T-Mobile does not block individual numbers. Your options to avoid any calls are family allowances, which you will need to block the individual numbers for, or changing your number.
So far I've added 8 numbers to my reject list. Jesus.
anyone know of an app that will prevent your phone from ringing, IF there is a call from a certain area code?
If not, someone willing to make it? You would make bank.
Lol that's crazy, good luck.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
As some predicted, T-Mobile could not do anything, but they did give me more minutes (not needed, but nice gesture).
I think I am going to try and make my first app.... anyone know if it's even possible to have the phone just block an area code before I spend so much time trying to make an app (my first one, o Jesus).
I just checked the market for "Call Block", and there seem to be several apps for it already. At least one (for $2) includes the ability to filter the calls based on area code (example shows block toll free numbers as 800-NNN-NNNN). So yes, it appears to be possible.
s15274n said:
anyone know of an app that will prevent your phone from ringing, IF there is a call from a certain area code?
If not, someone willing to make it? You would make bank.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GBlocker will do it. It's a pay app & I don't remember what it cost originally, but I love it.
I use it to block all numbers not in my contact list (if they're important, they'll leave a message & I'll add them to my contact list)
EDIT: I just looked on Appbrain & they apparently have a trial version. I dunno if anythings removed, but might be worth your time to give it a look

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

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

Call Blocker

I m in damn need of call blocker for my new lumia, I searched in store but not found a single app, Help
There is none as far as I know, and since the WP is pretty closed up as a system, one cannot make it without a jailbreak.
That's too bad, i had to subscribe in a service provided by the carrier ($5 a month) just to block 10 different phone numbers!
we need an app to do this!!
Why - insert those numbers to ur phonebook, assign a silent tone for them and voila, u r not distracted!
Oh yes, there is no silent tone in WP8, but u can make one on ur computer, and insert it into the phone.
Problem solved - next one please
Windows Need a Lot of development ad innovation in apps
These kinda things cannot be made in apps, they have to be implemented in the system. Or, the system has to be jailbroken, so we can put thing like these in it! There is no other solution!
miodrage said:
These kinda things cannot be made in apps, they have to be implemented in the system. Or, the system has to be jailbroken, so we can put thing like these in it! There is no other solution!
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Click to collapse
But we have call blockers on Android which doesn't need root access
srujan21 said:
But we have call blockers on Android which doesn't need root access
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Click to collapse
Windows Phone is not your swiss cheese of security like android is. Android is a lot more open and apps can do a lot more, but it all comes at the cost of security. As a phone, I really like windows phone (7 and 8) because it is easy to use and you don't have to worry about "oh, that app could malicous!".
as for call blocking: I always wondered who people give their phone numbers to that you have to block a lot of numbers. I myself do only have one number that I need to block (for some reason my carrier decides to call me every 2 months and lying to me about my bills, claiming I am always paying double of what my contract is despite my paying pretty much the bare minimum every month) and so I simply added it to my contacts as "DO NOT ANSWER" and asigning a silent ringtone. That way, at least I can see the timestamps of when they are trying to call

[Q] [HELP] Google Apps Device Policy Work Around?

Hey everyone,
This one really has me stumped. My work is finally moving it's email from Exchange to Google Apps for Business, and for many reasons at first I couldn't be happier. I signed on as an early adopter and have now realized I've hit a huge snag. I can no longer get email notifications on my device without basically giving my employer nearly full control of my personal device. They are requiring the Google Apps Device Policy and forcing a 6 character password to unlock my device, encryption, and permission to remote wipe, among other things. I just really don't feel comfortable giving them that kind of control over my personal device but I do need immediate access to my email to stay on top of things since I'm out in the field way more often than I get a chance to sit in an office. The mobile Gmail site works well enough, but not as well as IMAP support with push notifications would. When we were on Outlook, their policy was essentially similar in that you couldn't bring your own device, but I was able to find a nice app called Outlook Web Mail for Outlook OWA Web Mail which essentially logs into the webmail site and was able to present it in a mobile format and even offer notifications.
I guess what I'm looking for at this point is something similar. I'm hoping someone can suggest an app that, as far as the server is concerned, is just checking the mail from the mobile website but is presenting it to me in an app that is able to give me notifications, even if it's on an interval and not push. Does anyone know if such an app exists for Google Apps for Business accounts or is even possible?
If not, then I guess the next thing I would be looking for is a hackier workaround that can convince the server that I'm abiding by all the rules and still allow me to do whatever I want with my device. I realize this is riskier as far as getting me into trouble but I am rooted and familiar with flashing, Xposed Modules and whatnot (I was surprised my device was even approved with my root status and custom rom).
So sorry for the dissertation but I wanted to lay the whole situation out. I found other threads about GADP but they were more talking about device compatibility rather than a workaround/bypass for it. Anyone gone through something similar at their job? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Worse come to worse, the mobile site isn't the worst thing in the world considering that Outlook mess we came from. Thanks in advance.
My device:
Retail Verizon Note 3 rooted with SafeStrap running the latest Eclipse ROM
anyone?
Well is there any way to receive notifications from the mobile site? I think I recall a few years back when Google pulled sync support for iOS that some iPhone users had to do some shenanigans like this without push support and people used apps that were essentially browsers to check mail and provide notifications. Is there anything similar on Android? Or does it not exist since it's a niche concept? I just have a hard time believing I'm the only person with this problem.
If you want to just access emails, calendar, etc., try Touchdown. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nitrodesk.droid20.nitroid&hl=en
You will not use the gmail or google contacts/calendar app though.
Blis said:
If you want to just access emails, calendar, etc., try Touchdown. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nitrodesk.droid20.nitroid&hl=en
You will not use the gmail or google contacts/calendar app though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's for the reply. I'll give that a go. I've actually rigged it up so I still get notifications at this point through filters and auto forwards to my personal account. But something more native would be a lot better. Thanks again.
No further information on this thread?
I'm in the same situation with my company making the switch to google apps. They are enforcing encryption and non root'd phone. I have found that I can use IMAP to get my email, but my calendar is not found.
I have looked into just circumventing the checks....the only encryption solution i've found is some twrp/titanium back up so that you can at least easily recover systems after u've already been encrypted (not exactly a great solution).
As for the root access, ,the only solution i've found is with rootcloak (im not even sure if either of these solutions would actually work. I'm very much interested in a real solution.
Rootcloack didn't work for me, but that was 8 months ago. Try Touchdown, it's free for 30 days.
Try bluemail.
nomaanym said:
Try bluemail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No luck for me. I appreciate the recommendation. I thought it was going to work when it went through my job's secure portal for setup but not such luck.
I'm looking for a way to do this as well.
I'm in a very similar situation and looking for the same workaround. Currently I'm able to use Edison Software's "Email" app to log in my corporate email account, but without the ability to receive notifications... which is a step better to endure the horrible mobile UI on gmail's website, but still would be better to have push notifications
Have you found any good alternative for gmail/hangouts/sheets without having to install "device policy"??
B1gC72 said:
Hey everyone,
This one really has me stumped. My work is finally moving it's email from Exchange to Google Apps for Business, and for many reasons at first I couldn't be happier. I signed on as an early adopter and have now realized I've hit a huge snag. I can no longer get email notifications on my device without basically giving my employer nearly full control of my personal device. They are requiring the Google Apps Device Policy and forcing a 6 character password to unlock my device, encryption, and permission to remote wipe, among other things. I just really don't feel comfortable giving them that kind of control over my personal device but I do need immediate access to my email to stay on top of things since I'm out in the field way more often than I get a chance to sit in an office. The mobile Gmail site works well enough, but not as well as IMAP support with push notifications would. When we were on Outlook, their policy was essentially similar in that you couldn't bring your own device, but I was able to find a nice app called Outlook Web Mail for Outlook OWA Web Mail which essentially logs into the webmail site and was able to present it in a mobile format and even offer notifications.
I guess what I'm looking for at this point is something similar. I'm hoping someone can suggest an app that, as far as the server is concerned, is just checking the mail from the mobile website but is presenting it to me in an app that is able to give me notifications, even if it's on an interval and not push. Does anyone know if such an app exists for Google Apps for Business accounts or is even possible?
If not, then I guess the next thing I would be looking for is a hackier workaround that can convince the server that I'm abiding by all the rules and still allow me to do whatever I want with my device. I realize this is riskier as far as getting me into trouble but I am rooted and familiar with flashing, Xposed Modules and whatnot (I was surprised my device was even approved with my root status and custom rom).
So sorry for the dissertation but I wanted to lay the whole situation out. I found other threads about GADP but they were more talking about device compatibility rather than a workaround/bypass for it. Anyone gone through something similar at their job? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Worse come to worse, the mobile site isn't the worst thing in the world considering that Outlook mess we came from. Thanks in advance.
My device:
Retail Verizon Note 3 rooted with SafeStrap running the latest Eclipse ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
scorpienez said:
Have you found any good alternative for gmail/hangouts/sheets without having to install "device policy"??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. It just doesn't work on Android. They gave me an iPhone (I asked for a Pixel ) when I got a promotion last year, so now I just carry 2 phones. That said, I haven't rooted in a while so I don't know what's happening in that front anymore.
I don't think there's a way to do what I was trying to do before. Sorry folks.
Me too...
B1gC72 said:
Nope. It just doesn't work on Android. They gave me an iPhone (I asked for a Pixel ) when I got a promotion last year, so now I just carry 2 phones. That said, I haven't rooted in a while so I don't know what's happening in that front anymore.
I don't think there's a way to do what I was trying to do before. Sorry folks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry to hear that. My educational institution's unlimited-storage Google account seems like the perfect match for this phone, but draconian MDM is a non-starter. Hopefully someone in the community does find a workaround at some point!
I have the exact same problem. I got a new personal phone which I was hoping I would be able to use Gmail and Google Classroom on for school but the device policy manager deactivates a bunch of my settings when i try it. The accounts just don't work without the policy manager, from the internet or the app. Do you think that if I were to speak to the school about it that they would be able to remove it? or is it impossible from their end due to the privileges they need over the account for security etc?
Thanks for your help,
Boxboy5
Blis said:
If you want to just access emails, calendar, etc., try Touchdown. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nitrodesk.droid20.nitroid&hl=en
You will not use the gmail or google contacts/calendar app though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We're sorry, the requested URL was not found on this server.

Keylogger/Parental control (free)

Hello!
Is there any free app which records recieved/sent text messages (default app/hangouts/whatsapp) aswell internet activity. Also it must be able to send e-mails or access it online so the teenager doesnt know of such app.
Theres teenage kid whos not getting her phone useless I can get some kind of app on her phone...
I tried KidLogger, but it doesnt support text messages in free version.
Stiflerlv said:
Hello!
Is there any free app which records recieved/sent text messages (default app/hangouts/whatsapp) aswell internet activity. Also it must be able to send e-mails or access it online so the teenager doesnt know of such app.
Theres teenage kid whos not getting her phone useless I can get some kind of app on her phone...
I tried KidLogger, but it doesnt support text messages in free version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many security apps for android that do just what you want that people put on their own phones to find it when it has become lost or stolen. The best options may likely be paid apps but you definitely get what you pay for.
The most secure versions that I have seen are installed on a "rooted" phone where they can be installed to the system partition of the Android OS and remain hidden and unaccessible to the user. When installed this way I think that even a factory reset will not remove them where as all apps added normally will be wiped out.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Keylogger/Parental control
Stiflerlv said:
Hello!
Is there any free app which records recieved/sent text messages (default app/hangouts/whatsapp) aswell internet activity. Also it must be able to send e-mails or access it online so the teenager doesnt know of such app.
Theres teenage kid whos not getting her phone useless I can get some kind of app on her phone...
I tried KidLogger, but it doesnt support text messages in free version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many parental control tools can be used by you such as iKeMonitor. This software can record text messages, phone calls WhatApp and websites visited and it runs in total stealth mode. You don’t have to worry you kid will detect because it’s hard to find out. You can have a free trail.
Key loggers are against the law in many places and as such against the rules. Thread closed

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