Questions tagged [security]
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 at http://security.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/android
1,259
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Apps install on their own
Every night for the past few days my phone installs a new app that I never saw/wanted/heard of before. It all started with AppCaster (Which I never installed on my phone, it just showed up one morning)...
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Does enabling sideloading allow applications to be installed or run on the device without consent?
I'm concerned that enabling sideloading of applications may allow malware to be installed. However, I'm aware that Android gives a "Do you want to install this application?" dialog while installing ...
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Desire password-required login for Facebook on Android
I would like the security of mandatory password login to Facebook from my phone. How to do this on Samsung Galaxy Express?
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How to make packages from f-droid to be treated as from a "known source" (if I have root)?
I usually get packages from http://f-droid.org/ repository through their package browser (because then I have a guarantee that I use free (= libre) software); and they are signed with their key.
I ...
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Razr Maxx HD, How to wipe data with broken screen
My screen is totally destroyed, it's black and unresponsive. The phone turns on just fine, though. I just got my new phone and I have to send this one back now.
I want to wipe the phone before I send ...
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How to make Gmail in Android ask for user name and password as in laptop? [duplicate]
In my Samsung Galaxy Grand whenever I select the Gmail icon, it automatically takes me into the inbox, it doesn't ask me to give credentials like we do in laptop/desktop.
So the problem is when ...
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How to set a security question?
Reading this answer, I found that we can set a security question to unlock the device after 5 unsuccessful unlock attempts (clicking Next). So to set a security question, I we to Settings -> Security ...
- 523
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forgot my google account password
someone used my phone GT-S5300 and had wrongly tried the unlock pattern many times and now it is asking me for google account but i have forgotten my password. pliz suggest me how can i get my ...
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Dev/Log's - login attempts and how to read the log?
My first post on here and hopefully a easy fun answer.
I'm looking for the location for failed login attempts on the device - I've looked on the device and it seems the logs are located in /dev/log/?...
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1
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How can I erase whole phone securely? [duplicate]
How can I erase my phone completely and securely before selling it for someone else? I have read that secure deletion procedures used on regular hard disks are ineffective on flash drives connected ...
user23730
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Disable camera capture button?
I have one app in which i am using barcode scanner, so i can't completely disable the camera. but i don't want camera to capture photos. I want camera in read only mode.
Basically i want to ...
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Prevent entering PIN code before lockscreen
I have a Samsung Galaxy Mini. I'd like to know if it is possible to prevent the user from entering the PIN code before unlocking the normal pattern, since it recently happened to me that someone got ...
- 161
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connect to specific wifi only
I want my device to be connected to a certain wifi network only. Lets assume WiFi named "xyz": so my device should connect to this particular "xyz" network only. It Should not connect to any other ...
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Recent Apps shows app contents even though when its locked
I am trying to figure out how to hide an app from being seen when you hit the recent apps button.
I use ZDBox's app lock to hide my apps and files when needed but noticed that when I hit the recent ...
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New files in Download directory
I see the following two files in the Download directory: Flash_Player.apk and securedownload.bin. I am sure for 100% (well, for 99%) that I didn't download them intentionally. What are these files, ...
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auto logoff from all apps on android
i want a functionality where i can log off from all the apps on android ie: auto logoff from skype , facebook , yahoo.
Is a some app already available for this or some easy way to implement this. I ...
- 109
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Double Security for Gmail
My phone has a pattern lock and I want friends to be able to unlock it with the pattern, however, I do not want them to have access to my gmail. Is there a way that I can force gmail to ask for the ...
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Modify 30 second incorrect PIN delay
How can I modify/disable the 30 second delay after trying the incorrect PIN 5 times?
Device is a nexus 7 rooted running SmoothRom 4.4
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Galaxy Note 2: Disable MTP/PTP
When I connect my HTC Sensation (firmware: CM 10) to some PC I need to enter a passcode (to unlock the phone) and explicitly allow mounting as usb drive.
But when I connect SGN2 it enables MTP or PTP ...
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Formatting Android storage "zero out" technique
I have an Android mobile (Galaxy S3), and am really worried that my corporate information will be retrieved after a reset. I've seen shared video showing it is possible to recover data after hard ...
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Browser's webview.db doesn't store Hotmail password, but it can still auto login. Why?
On my rooted Galaxy Nexus 4.1.1, stock browser doesn't store any password for Hotmail, but whenever I open Hotmail, it logins automatically.
I checked data/data/com.android.browser/webview.db, the ...
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How can I protect my photos from Apps?
Camera saves them on SD, so everything can just upload them wherever it wants.
I heard of apps that claim to protect photos within them but the only thing they did is making them hidden from the user ...
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Why each android application runs on a different Dalvik VM process?
I have read that each android applications runs on a different Dalvik VM process (all forked from zygote).
I also read that these VMs are really lightweight and use copy on write buffers and all that,...
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Is my data secure?
My Android phone was recently stolen, so will the thief have access to all my pictures in the thumbnail folder? I have hidden the pictures in an app called Vaulty so will they still be visible in ...
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ActiveSync/Exchange security policy
On my HTC DNA I recently changed from the integrated ActiveSync client to Touchdown. My corporate IT policy required a PIN to access the device when using the Android client. Now that I switched to ...
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How to disable pin security from Samsing Tab 2
I have a Samsung tab2, and have added screen pin lock on my Tab few days back as I was going out. Now I don't want to use pin lock as security, but I am not able to disable it. I am going to
setting ...
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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 hours ...
user16112
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1
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Wipe data on wrong password inputs
I've found several obsolete answers, but this question about situation nowadays:
What's the most robust solution to have the device (Android 4.2-based) protected?
Turn on device encryption (there is ...
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SGS3 I-9300 Android 4.2 - why can't I disable these system apps?
nb. I can disable them using 3rd party root apps without any discernible negative effects.
Are these networking protocols default? They seem to be harmless but everything I read about sit0 seems ...
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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 ...
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how to root your Android or at least understand how it works
I do not know exactly how rooting works or if it can even by done on my Android (Samsung GT-N8013) device. No rootkit appears to exist yet for Android 4.1.2, so I am left with figuring out how to ...
- 483
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Possible security issues with having debug mode enabled?
Are there any significant security concerns with having a phone with debug mode enabled 24/7? As I understand it the debug mode only really becomes active once the phone is connected via USB cable to ...
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Unlocked bootloader, encryption
galaxy nexus
unlocked bootloader
no adb enabled
rooted
device encryption on with 10+ characters (Cryptfs Password - Google play)
PIN screen lock with 6 characters
Am I safe if someone wants to ...
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Delete Status bar Icon downloaded from web
I joined way2sms to send free SMS from my laptop. Now I find an app icon downloaded to my status bar in my Samsung Galaxy Y mobile. Also, I get debited for calls not made. I am losing money in this ...
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What do Android application permissions 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 they ...
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How can I tell if my International Galaxy S3 is suffering from Sudden Death Syndrome? If it is, how can I fix it?
I have a 16GB International Samsung Galaxy S3 (XEF) running the latest firmware, 4.1.2 (yes, the Premium Suite update, I was thinking that this would've fixed it but it seems not) with baseband XXELKB....
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In which version of Android was encryption of /data made available?
These docs suggest that it has been available (only) since Android 3.0 Honeycomb. By contrast, conversation on discussion boards suggests it was available in 2.3.4 Gingerbread.
So, what is the answer ...
user15074
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Can Java be exploited through Android app ads?
It turns out that Java has a security flaw that is currently being exploited to put malware on people's computers. Is there any risk that advertisements in Android apps will have embedded, malicious ...
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How secure is a sim lock?
I have sim lock enabled on my sim, so basically, if I put my sim in another phone or if I restart my phone, I need to enter the sim lock pin.
How easy is it to crack the sim lock if a theif got hold ...
- 1,079
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How do I disable GMail?
Yes, this has been asked before, but neither really addresses my concern, and I don't have reputation enough to add comments to existing questions.
I've bought the cheapest Android 4 tablet with ...
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How to protect my Google account credentials on my Android phone?
Currently I use Gmail on my desktop with 2-step verification (by SMS) enabled and I consider it secure. Now I'm buying an Android phone and I'd like to check Gmail on it sometimes, but I don't want to ...
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Is the setting OFF/ON of the security flag different from enabling/disabling of fastboot?
I am following the book XDA Developers Android Hackers Toolkit 2012.
In the beginning chapters , it says that :
The second-stage bootloader checks to see if the security flag is on (S-ON) or off (S-...
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What's the security implication of having an unlocked boot loader?
Nexus devices can be unlocked using the fastboot command fastboot oem unlock to install a custom firmware. For security reasons, the phone is wiped when this command is executed. However after this is ...
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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 setting....
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Where do you find the password attempts setting or option in ICS?
I want to either stop this function or at the very least set the number of attempts to a higher number than 3.
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WiFi Hotspot Security?
Is there any way to add extra security to a WiFi hotspot created by an Android phone?
I am using a Samsung GT-S5300 with Android 2.3.6, and I am using the WiFi hotspot feature at home since Telkom ...
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I lost my Android smartphone. Play Store tells me that someone has inserted a SIM card. How can I find out the phone number?
I lost my Samsung Galaxy S, which was signed into Google Play.
Now, Play Store has identified that someone has inserted another SIM card with a different service provider.
Is there anyway I can find ...
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Is it "safe" to provide users with the apk file?
I was wondering, if I have an app that is available on the Play Store, is it "safe" to provide a direct download of the apk file to someone (either signed with the proper keys, or just debug-version)?
...
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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 ...
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How to prepare myself & smartphone/tablet in the event it goes missing or is stolen?
I would like to know what measures or steps etc that should be performed, in order to protect & safeguard whatever "data" is on my Android Smartphone or Tablet, and indeed the device itself, in ...
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