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 ...
34
votes
8answers
4k views
Is there a way to block access to or wipe my Google data for a lost/stolen phone
If my phone was ever lost or stolen, my only real concern is data and apps associated with my Google account, such as my Gmail, the ability to purchase apps from the Market, and maybe Picasa albums.
...
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 ...
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 ...
3
votes
3answers
28k 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.
...
20
votes
3answers
4k views
What are the security disadvantages of rooting an Android phone?
I know there was a discussion previously BUT they didn't talk about security. E.g.: if I root my phone will all my apps run with root permission?
Related: Are there any risks to rooting a device?
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? ...
13
votes
2answers
1k views
Is there any way to erase personal information from my phone that has already been stolen?
My phone has been stolen. I do not want the thief to have access to any of my personal information such as calls, texts, and information saved in the phones contents. Is there any possible way I can ...
5
votes
2answers
586 views
15
votes
4answers
3k views
What Android sync'd data is encrypted?
With the release of the firesheep plug-in for firefox it has become trivial for website browsing on open Wi-Fi networks to be hijacked by 3rd party listeners.
Android offers the convenient auto-sync ...
10
votes
1answer
468 views
What do the permissions that applications require mean?
When installing an application, the application lists permissions that it needs to perform its functions.
I am creating this list of the the system defined permissions and a description of what ...
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 ...
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 ...
8
votes
3answers
17k views
How can I override the Device Administrator security policy so that I can disable the lock screen?
On Android 2.2 Froyo, I added my Corporate Exchange Email account to the phone, however, the security policy set by the "Device Administrator" requires that I enter a 4-digit PIN at the lock screen ...
17
votes
4answers
664 views
I have sold my phone on eBay. What should I do before I send it off?
I have an Android phone which I just sold on eBay. What measures should I take before posting it off to its new home? Please answer thoroughly!
21
votes
13answers
2k views
Are there any tools to sandbox a malware application even more than the granted permissions on Android?
Suppose I want to run some program which requests too many permissions. For example, record from the microphone or read IMEI of my phone. However, there are no practical explanation why recording from ...
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, ...
8
votes
1answer
5k views
My android phone was stolen. How worried should I be with all my google data inside the phone?
Ok, so my samsung galaxy 5 was stolen. I had gmail, calendar, twitter(tweetdeck), facebook, ... all my personal data in it.
I didn't have any app installed that could wipe this information from a ...
7
votes
1answer
412 views
Deny the installation of apps or add new accounts (kiosk mode)
I have a tablet that I want to give to people to go on the internet, but I don't want them to mess with it (install/unistall apps, add new accounts, change relevant options, etc).
Is there a way to ...
7
votes
2answers
5k views
Connecting to VPN forces having secure screen lock [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Transformer Prime, VPN and password protection
I noticed that creating a VPN connection in ICS forces me to use a secure screen lock. I want to have Slide method for my ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
How would you uninstall a rogue Home (Launcher) application?
If you were to install a Home Screen application that does not give you access to the System Settings screen (to go to Manage Applications), and also does not let you launch Apps (such as the Market ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
deactivate PIN-request after airplane mode
When switching on the phone, one is by default asked to enter the SIM-PIN -- which is a good security measure, to prevent "strangers" from causing you costs. Now the same applies when returning from ...
27
votes
4answers
2k views
Is an antivirus really needed for Android?
I use Linux for half a decade now, so I am not used to dealing with viruses anymore. To my surprise, I saw some discussion about antiviruses in Android. I haven't installed any yet, but this bugs me: ...
15
votes
3answers
845 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?
7
votes
2answers
702 views
Security risks of “Open Wi-Fi Networks”
How paranoid do I need to be about allowing my phone to connect to open/unencrypted WiFi hotspots?
I don't really care if other people see my data (email being received or sent, stock quotes, ...
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 ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
List of open ports on Android
Is there a way, on a non-rooted Android device, to see a list of what apps are listening on what port? Or even a way to see if an app is listening on a specific port?
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 ...
15
votes
2answers
801 views
If I use free WiFi in a hotspot, can data be easily sniffed?
If I use my mobile device in a Wifi hotspot, can I take it that it bears the same risks as using a laptop in that data can be easily sniffed and that the mobile device is also open to ...
4
votes
3answers
743 views
Is there an Android calendar with limited security permissions?
I've just bought an entry-level Samsung Europa, running version 2.2. I'm technically-minded but new to this OS. I'd like to find a calendar that runs in limited security permissions, so that my ...
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) ...
4
votes
3answers
776 views
Are Tmobile using bogus DoD IP addresses (bogons)?
I recently started picking up some weird entries in my firewall log:
kernel: arplookup 26.XXX.XXX.XXX failed: host is not on local network
There are at least at dozen entries, all to different IP's ...
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 ...
14
votes
2answers
1k views
Security risks of rooting your android smartphone [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Are there any risks to rooting a device?
What are the security risks specific to rooting your android smartphone? Are there any security exploits available because you ...
3
votes
1answer
526 views
What is this Google Settings app that installed itself on my phone?
Today, all of a sudden I saw this app in my Samsung Galaxy Y mobile phone:
I am talking about the app named "Google Settings"
I uninstalled it immediately only to find it installed again a few ...
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.
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 ...
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 ...
28
votes
2answers
2k views
Encrypt the phone's internal storage
Is there a way to encrypt my phone's internal memory, in the same way you would encrypt a computer's partition?
Ideally, the phone would always ask for the password when booting, and even if someone ...
16
votes
2answers
15k views
How is the Gmail password stored in Android - and where?
I have looked around and found no information on how Android manages to store passwords on the device. Especially Gmail passwords. I'm looking to learn how Android encrypts and stores passwords ? What ...
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 ...
6
votes
1answer
807 views
Is there an official dialer code resource?
There are a ton of XDA forums and a decent number of answers here that refer to specific dialer codes. For instance *#*#4636#*#* will cause unicorns to spring forth from your phone or tell you what OS ...
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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
I changed my sim card - how do I find which app is sending sms messages to my old number?
I recently traveled to another country and I'm using a local prepaid sim card on my Galaxy S2.
My prepaid credit was depleted rather quickly, and when I checked the phone record I found out my phone ...
15
votes
1answer
897 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 ...
8
votes
5answers
598 views
How to improve the security on my Android phone?
When I use Android in business I have some secret data on my phone. So if I lose my phone this can easily be stolen.
Is there any way I can secure my phone? E.g. adding password for unlocking it. Any ...
6
votes
1answer
902 views
Full encryption with Android?
I have an LG GT540 Optimus with Android.
How can I encrypt all my filesystems to ensure that if it gets stolen, no one will get my passwords, contacts, etc.. :\ ?
Thank you!
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
6k views
How can I verify the authenticity of an apk file I downloaded?
The latest update of Google Maps is unavailable in my country, so I downloaded a version by googling for "Google Maps 5.4.0 apk". I did in fact find it, but now I wonder how I can tell if this is in ...
11
votes
2answers
750 views
Which disk encryption standard is used in Honeycomb?
Does anyone posses an official or un-official information on which encryption standard is used in Honeycomb "encrypt tablet" option? Is there an information on any hacks or backdoors, placed for law ...
