For more generic questions relating security issues. For specific issues having their own tags, please use those -- e.g. 'malware', 'antivirus', 'privacy', 'lost-phone'. Please see the full tag wiki for more. For more in-depth Android security issues, you might rather want to visit our sister-site ...
5
votes
2answers
8k views
How do I decrypt files on my SD card that I encrypted using the Settings?
I have files that I used to copy from my SD card to my PC using the USB Mass Storage option under the "USB connection" pop-up. I checked the flag under Settings->Location & Security->Data ...
7
votes
1answer
7k views
Turning on encryption for an Android 4.0 device
I need to encrypt my full file system on Android device. From this link, I understand that Android provides support to enable full file system encryption based on a password but that need to be ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
Can a thief unlock or otherwise access the data on my stolen Android device?
If my Android device is stolen, will the person who ends up with it be able to get my data by plugging it into a PC and using some trick? Is there anything I can do to prevent this or make it harder?
2
votes
3answers
788 views
Why does the Android device connect to a secured wireless router without providing a password?
During the weekend, I was able to connect to a secured wireless network via an Android device (Asus Transformer Tablet), but when I tried to connect to the wireless network via my laptop it was ...
5
votes
3answers
416 views
Is a PIN lock screen inherently more or less secure than an app lock program?
The two ways I see to secure an Android phone is through a PIN lock screen or through an app lock program (Password is too inconvenient and pattern is insecure for various reasons). The lock screen ...
4
votes
3answers
352 views
Can I use a pin/password/pattern lock and safely have basic phone functionality while in car?
I would like to lock my phone with a pin for additional security. Also, I try to minimize my phone usage in the car, but in the event that I do need to call someone, I would like to be able to do so ...
1
vote
0answers
235 views
How can i protect from FaceNiff? [closed]
I've seen what FaceNiff is able to do on unsecured Wi-Fi. So question is simple.
How can i protect my phone against FaceNiff?
10
votes
2answers
3k views
How to protect my google account?
I am very concerned with security of my Google account in case I lost the phone (as in: lose it, have it stolen/robbed, etc.). Right now it seems that whoever grabs my phone will also have full access ...
2
votes
0answers
357 views
How to put a lock screen with security code on a Arnova 10 G 2?
I have a Arnova 10 G 2 with Android 2.3 which works very well, but it has no unlock screen and no security options. Does anyone know of a way to put some kind of security code on the device, either ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Remotely brick a stolen phone
If my phone is lost or stolen, can I remotely and permanently brick my phone. This way, not only is my data secure, but the resale value of the phone plummets to zero.
Tangential question: can apps ...
16
votes
2answers
2k views
Stolen phone: is changing your GMail password enough?
My Galaxy phone got stolen today. Of course I blocked my SIM card and changed my password for GMail (and went to the police) but is this enough? Could the person that stole my phone still log in to ...
3
votes
3answers
29k views
Logout from Gmail on my device
It bothers me that my Android Phone is permanently logged into my Gmail account.
I want to logout from the device and somehow make the phone ask for username/password when connecting to my account.
...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I disable or password protect my device's 'factory reset' function?
Is there any way to prevent a factory reset, like password protection? I would basically like to protect my phone from resetting if it gets stolen.
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 ...
28
votes
4answers
8k views
Just how secure is a pattern lock?
I recently had a phone stolen. It's been replaced, I've changed my passwords, the phone company has shut down connectivity for the stolen one... I think I'm pretty much as safe as I can be.
However, ...
6
votes
1answer
646 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
703 views
I forgot my lock pattern, how do I reset it? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Recovering from forgotten lock pattern
I have a Toshiba Thrive Android Table and I forgot what I used as my pattern lock. How do I reset it? Someone please help!
6
votes
2answers
757 views
OpenVPN with Android 2.3.x - security concerns
I need to use my Android 2.3.x phone to access an OpenVPN server. I have CM 7 with built in support for OpenVPN and tun. My main concern is that I don't know where to put the keys in. If my phone gets ...
18
votes
3answers
5k views
My phone was just stolen an hour or so ago. Are there any options for tracking?
I realize this is a long shot, but my phone was lost or stolen a few hours ago.
At the time it was stolen, I didn't have any specific applications installed to track it or wipe the data. So... my ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views
How can I disable root on a modded device?
Is it possible to disable root access to applications on an Android device again after installing modded firmware?
I would like to try Cyanogen or one of the other custom ROMs, but I'm wondering ...
3
votes
0answers
116 views
A data forensic tools for android [closed]
I have recently taken interest in digital forensics. What is the best tool, or set of tools to obtain and analyze images of android phones?
4
votes
2answers
496 views
How can I detect Malware and/or viruses?
I'm buying a used Droid phone (Verizon) that has been rooted.
Is there anyway to scan it for viruses (and more importantly) malware?
Or maybe even a firewall?
(I may be being overcautious).
Some ...
0
votes
5answers
1k views
Locking SDHC Memory card on Samsung Galaxy 2
I have stored an important document on the SDHC card on my Samsung Galaxy 2 phone (so that I can edit it on the go). I don't want others to access this file or document without my permission.
I know ...
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 ...
2
votes
3answers
238 views
Erasing SD Card contents and personal data
I have an SD card in my Droid Global or Droid X, not exactly sure which model. I go to the files and click on the SD card instead of shred files and delete all of its contents. I then go to Privacy ...
6
votes
2answers
594 views
How can I securely store my private key I use for logging into my home PC
I've been told that the SD card is a terrible place to store secure data because any app can read it. How else can my phone store my private key I use to log into my home PC ssh server?
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 ...
13
votes
5answers
2k views
Is it reasonably safe to use PIN code for encryption?
On the Android 4.0 (Samsung Galaxy Nexus) there is a posibilty to encrypt the phone.
I found this about the encryption on Android 3.0, is the same algorithms used in Android 4? ...
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 ...
8
votes
1answer
2k views
How do I protect my phone from malicious apps once it is rooted?
I rooted my phone.
Now if I use a Terminal Emulator such as Android Terminal Emulator, I noticed that I can can easily obtain root access without a password:
$ id
uid=10059(app_59) gid=10059(app_59) ...
3
votes
5answers
567 views
How do I lock my HTC whenever I want?
I have a HTC Wildfire S and set up the screen lock pattern for it. This triggers after some time but sometimes I want to lock it myself, for example if I leave the office and let my phone on the desk.
...
4
votes
2answers
501 views
My HTC Desire HD has been stolen. What data can still be accessed by the thief?
I have contacted the network and had the phone barred, I had applied a screen lock. I am concerned however if the thief can still access all my numbers, texts, saved passwords and most importantly ...
2
votes
1answer
3k views
How to force Gmail/Android to request password every time for google account [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Logout from Gmail on my device
I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace running Android 2.3.3. Is it possible to force Gmail or any google related apps to request my password ...
5
votes
2answers
638 views
Encryption of offline mail, calendar, contacts data on Android
I'm very new to Android and I wonder what I can do in terms of encryption.
As I read it seems that only Android >= 2.3.3 supports encryption but my new device will be running Android 2.3.1. So I ...
5
votes
1answer
3k views
How to make sure I have no sms virus?
I'm using a non-rooted, non-hacked Samsung GT-I5700 device which runs Android 2.1.
Today I've received an MMS from an unknown phone with something which looked like a spam for Mastercard. I've ...
2
votes
1answer
342 views
How to prevent data extraction from rooted phone via adb?
I've a question regarding security in a rooted device.
Being superuser means that you can access the /data/data directory, and that's a lot of personal data (I think it is almost all the data there ...
7
votes
3answers
254 views
Is it possible to track what information on your phone an app is uploading?
If you are concerned about what information an app is sending about you (your privacy concerns) is there any way of tracking this? Can you see if an app is sending photos on your phone? Can you see if ...
6
votes
3answers
3k views
How to delete a specific file in Android so that it can't be recovered?
From my experience a file deleted from a computer filesystem can often be recovered unless it is overwritten with a special program (that's usually called "shredding").
Is an Android-based HTC ...
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
414 views
How To Protect Mobile Internet Access?
I want to know how to protect mobile data connection function in Android. I don't want somebody or me accidentally switching it on.
I need something like Smart AppLock but to protect basic phone ...
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
1answer
190 views
Can an Android device be locked down by an administrator?
I would like to know if it is possible to use android devices in a work environment with restrictions on the phones usage.
These phones would be given to members in the field to log data, and only ...
6
votes
2answers
3k views
Can Android phones be set to automatically wipe all data after a certain amount of failed logins without an app?
A new policy at my work is being drafted regarding email access on phones. A requirement will be that the phone must automatically have all data erased after a certain amount of failed login attempts. ...
1
vote
2answers
776 views
Is my Exchange email encrypted on my device?
If I setup an email synchronization with our Exchange server, is the mail I store on my phone encrypted or readible if someone finds/steals my phone?
I have enabled the unlock password (although it's ...
8
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I remove trusted CAs on Android?
From the current fallout around DigiNotar (in short, a Root Certificate Authority that has been hacked, fake HTTPS certificates issued, MITM attacks very likely), there are some parts concerning ...
3
votes
1answer
677 views
DroidX data encryption - which algorithm and how strong?
I have a follow-up to the question posted here. I recently got a 2.3 DroidX phone, and noticed that it as well has data encryption option. I pulled an SD card from device, and noticed that folder ...
7
votes
1answer
124 views
Locking down an Android device?
I'm interested in locking down an Android, so the user can only access a particular app (bonus points: only allow them to access the browser app, and only allow one website from within that).
How ...
3
votes
3answers
612 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
3k views
Force VPN usage?
On an android phone, stock or modded rom, is it possible to force the use of VPN? E.g. only allow traffic tunneled by VPN, don't allow traffic without using VPN to make sure that no unencrypted ...
-2
votes
2answers
130 views
How can I turn off Wi-Fi in Android?
When my wireless is turned off, and I get near an open wireless network, it automatically connects to it. (Why?)
How can I completely turn off the Wi-Fi so that my phone will not do such insecure ...
