Tagged Questions

3
votes
2answers
206 views

How to mod android rom so none can ever install an app in it?

I already know how to modify an android ROM by modifying files, remove and add it into ROM. But I don't have knowledge to building/compiling a ROM. I want to lock the OS so none can ever install new ...
0
votes
0answers
226 views

What permissions can Backes SRT AppGuard not override?

1.) Backes SRT AppGuard can supposedly disable/override many permissions an app might have... but what can/does it NOT override? I seem to remember reading on the website that SRT AppGuard might not ...
0
votes
0answers
47 views

How to use phone's Wifi tethering to demonstrate security vulnerabilities on phones [closed]

I am teaching a course to highschool students about computers, and I wanted to do something different for tomorrow class. I was thinking to teach them about wifi security vulnerabilities through a ...
1
vote
2answers
58 views

My device is trying to open mSecure app whenever I launch an internet browser

Whenever I launch an internet browser on my droid phone it attempts to launch another app (in my case mSecure). This happens with dolphin and my stock browser so I don't think it's an mSecure ...
6
votes
2answers
709 views

Can my Android phone be hacked without installing permissions?

After reading this article ( Kaspersky smartphone report ) this got me wondering. Obviously if I install a dodgy app through Play Store or directly from a website, that can be dangerous, however if I ...
1
vote
0answers
40 views

Is TransLoc Running? Should I be concerned? [closed]

Over the last few days, I have gotten a system popup saying TransLoc has stopped. Normally I wouldn't care cause I know it crashed. However yesterday, I restarted my phone mid-day, and never ...
4
votes
1answer
162 views

If I download and install a non-market application and then proceed remove it, does it mitigate any security issues?

If I downloaded a non-market application and installed it and discovered it may be malicious, does removing it from the list of applications completely discard it and help mitigate any security ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views

Can applications be downloaded without a Google Account and without disabling security features?

If I wish to install applications such as Skype, DropBox, etc however without registering for a Google account, is that possible? If so, how do I install them without a Google account?
2
votes
2answers
466 views

Suspicious Permissions And A Safe Repository?

I have found older version of Facebook For Android app here which was hosted on geekfiles.in When i wanted to install 1.8.1 and checked permissions, the following arose my suspicions: Services that ...
10
votes
2answers
2k views

How can I make my phone/tablet ring remotely without a SIM card?

I appear to have lost my Streak somewhere in my apartment, and I can't call it since I don't have a SIM card in it. I've remotely installed Plan B just because, but unfortunately the GPS coordinates ...
6
votes
1answer
647 views

Why do App Locker apps need so many permissions? Am i safe?

I've been trying to password protect an app, and it seems that the permissions vary from app to app for App Lockers. Why do so many of them require full phone access? Is there any danger if i use a ...
6
votes
1answer
78 views

Secure keyboard application from android market

Is it safe to install a keyboard application from android market that asks full internet access permission? Will it not lead to certain security risks? There are several free and paid keyboards that ...
6
votes
3answers
170 views

Is there a service that rates app security/permissions?

Is there a service/company/app that vets Android apps and reports on their "trustworthiness"? I recently moved from Blackberry to a Galaxy S2 which does not have an LED indicator light. I searched ...
18
votes
5answers
5k views

Securing a young child's tablet

My wife has decided to get the kids a set of android tablets for christmas. These are Coby Kyros 4GB wi-fi only models. The kids are ages 6-10 so I don’t particularly want to let them have free ...
3
votes
1answer
100 views

What are potential problems/violations that malware apps can do?

There are some apps that I am considering to download which have many permission requirements and have few comments from other past users. The number of downloads are relatively low so I am ...
10
votes
1answer
2k views

How does android transfer with bump apps work?

I've come across several apps which allows the user to transfer data (like files, photos, contacts) when they "bump" their phones. An example is Bump, which use the the bump to transfer files and add ...
3
votes
3answers
614 views

Why do some Android apps need access to my SD card and fine location?

I understand why apps like Maps need to know my specific location, but is it safe to allow any application to access these things? Are there any clues as to which apps are safe and which aren't? ...
5
votes
3answers
251 views

Is there an Android app that scans a device for vulnerability issues?

Is there an application that scan the phone or the phone image searching for vulnerability issues? In the internet there are several tools that make Network scanning, but I found nothing specific for ...
6
votes
1answer
241 views

Buying apps and entering credit card number via 3G/GPRS. Is it secure enough?

As title. Of course using Android market and the Google Checkout payment. By the way, how about other market-like apps?
5
votes
2answers
234 views

In general, do Android apps use encrypted connections? If so, is public WiFi safer?

I know that connecting to public WiFi carries risks. I know that much of the risk has to do with sending data over a public connection, allowing it to be intercepted. So, my question is, do most ...
4
votes
1answer
136 views

different way of securing applications

In my phone instead of unlocking screen by providing "symbol", I'd like the phone to unlock to most of my applications without the "symbol". But for selected important applications (eg. gmail) I'd ...
6
votes
2answers
568 views

How secure are the “app password protection” apps?

I know there are a number of apps available that can password protect specified apps. I want to know how secure they really are. As far as I know, there aren't any exposed OS hooks in android to ...
1
vote
2answers
278 views

Questions about Samsung Galaxy S security applications

Hello I would like to know whether is it recommended to have some antiVirus+firewall application for this current phone? (I usually open email attachments for example) 1.Do these applications runs ...
12
votes
7answers
4k views

Are the apps safe? How can I make my Android more secure?

Are the apps on the Android Market checked or audited? If I search Google for "hardening Android", the best hit I can find is Google Android Hardening Checklist. What's your opinion regarding this? ...
15
votes
5answers
2k views

Open source app for remote wiping Android phone?

I recently lost my android phone, and regretted not having a remote wipe app installed. However, I do not trust 3rd party compiled apps with such power (too many weak links). Does anyone know of an ...
2
votes
1answer
53 views

Are there any issues with having multiple phone finding applications?

I like to use Prey and have no complaints about it so far. However, our carrier also offers Mobile Recovery, which does a lot of the same things (GPS locations, etc). Is there any harm in having ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views

App/shortcut to quickly change screen lock type?

Two scenarios: I'm at a "trusted" place, and don't want to enter unlock password/pattern all the time I'm at an "untrusted" place and want my phone to be password/pattern screen locked is there ...
7
votes
1answer
371 views

What's the difference between the various lost phone apps?

I want to get a security app for my phone. I mostly need something in case my phone gets lost or stolen. Researching this I have found several apps: iTag WaveSecure LookOut I am sure there are ...
15
votes
3answers
848 views

Audit app permissions easily in one place?

Is there anyway to list all the applications installed on your phone and the permissions they require all on one page, or export the list so it can easily be audited?
14
votes
6answers
1k views

How can I find a lost phone or help people return it?

I'm looking for an app like Where's My Droid to help locate a lost device. Ideally I'm hoping there is one that might have two specific features: The ability to display a message to the screen to ...
4
votes
0answers
334 views

Best lost / stolen device tracking app [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Helping a lost phone get found What is the best tracking app for a stolen or lost device? I've tried iTag but I'm thinking about switching to Prey ...
13
votes
4answers
3k views

How do I secure/encrypt SD card data transparent to apps?

Are there any off-the-shelf options for securing the contents of an SD card so that files written by apps writing to SD are encrypted? If so, what is the best option? I'm looking for something for ...
18
votes
3answers
1k views

Is there a black list for Android apps?

Is there a blacklist yet for Android apps? After reading things like this on slashdot, I think this sort of thing would be extremely helpful. As much as I like Android because I'm not censored as to ...
15
votes
1answer
906 views

Why do some apps with no internet features require internet access?

A couple of apps I've installed or considered say they require internet access even though they have no obvious internet features. One of the most surprising ones was a simple compass app. Why is ...