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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How can I encrypt my external SD card on Android?
I want to encrypt or password protect on my external sdcdard.
Thus whenever I remove my ex SD card it will not allow to show any of its data without password, even if it is inserted in Computer.
Is ...
- 141
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2
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Is there a way to wipe a device based on a certain password? A like a "Wipe-me" password?
Is there a way (an app perhaps) that will wipe a phone if a certain password is entered at the lock screen? For example "letmein" unlocks the phone, but if you enter "wipeme" it will start the factory ...
- 51
0
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Prevent unauthorized image flashing
I wonder whether there is a way to prevent someone to use fastboot to flash an Android device.
Indeed, while one must be able to turn on USB debug in order to run adb, the bootloader does not offer ...
- 347
6
votes
2
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How safe are my passwords at after-sales service?
My phone is currently inoperative. Samsung asked me to drop it at an approved repair center, which will handle shipment and reception to/from Samsung.
Being unable to boot my phone, it was impossible ...
- 163
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0
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438
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ICS: external microsd storage card: can i use it with camera and not encrypt?
So, I just bought a microSD card for my Ice Cream Sandwich phone. I put it in, it's recognized. But it appears I must encrypt it before I can use it for the camera's storage, otherwise if it is not ...
- 31
6
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4
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Forgot security lock pattern on Jelly Bean device with Wifi and 3G data turned off
I forgot my security lock pattern and my Wifi and 3G connections are switched off. I can hard reset the phone (Galaxy Nexus) from recovery mode, but that would wipe all my data.
ADB is also turned off ...
- 173
4
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2
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What causes the error "No certificate found in USB storage." when trying to import a certificate?
I have a Samsung S3 with Android 4.04 and to get on my WiFi at work I need to install a certificate .p12 file. So, I navigate to "Security and lock screen"-->"Install from device storage." BUT ...
- 243
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Android 4.1 unable to connect to Google Play but other wifi functions work - how to fix?
I'm using a Rikomagic 802III running Android 4.1.1, connected to my TV. Until today, I was able to connect to Google Play, and my widgets were showing data. Now, when I open Google Play, I get an ...
- 153
3
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1
answer
301
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Google Authenticator used by native apps?
I recently turned on two-step verification for my Google account and installed the Google Authenticator app on my Android device. Based on what I have read everywhere (even Google's official info: ...
- 133
0
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answer
329
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Does Google Audit all apps that enter the market place? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Are the apps safe? How can I make my Android more secure?
There are several 'requires root' apps in the market and one of the most famous ones have more than 5 Million ...
- 703
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votes
2
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687
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Android applications privacy and security concerns
If a user wants to install some applications from play store, is it sole responsibility of the user to decide whether the apps may harm or not? Should the user be worries regarding permissions? For ...
- 359
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3
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Is Evernote a malicious app?
I have been using Evernote on my Laptop and Mobile phone for quite some time now. Recently, when downloading an update of Evernote app in my phone from Google Play app, I noticed that Evernote asks ...
user16112
6
votes
3
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"Account unlock" when not connected to internet?
I have a Samsung Galaxy Y mobile phone. I see this screen when I press "Forgot Password" in the pattern lock screen that comes by default with the phone:
My Question is: How would my account be ...
user16112
3
votes
0
answers
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Wipe everything after failed decryption attempts, but make it usable?
I have CM10 running on my rooted Galaxy Nexus and I just enabled the disk encryption. However, I can't find any options what happens after a few failed attempts? I would like to reset and wipe my data ...
- 141
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Are rooted Android phone more vulnerable to Malware Apps than non-rooted ones?
From my understanding, a rooted Android phone mean that the user will be accessing everything on the phone, just like a root user. So, installing a Apps mean that the Apps will also have root ...
- 1,026
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Dangers of Apps running in "Hidden mode"?
I have downloaded an app to record all my calls. The app is working great but the trouble is that it doesn't shows up under the "Ongoing" in the notification bar nor does it shows up in "active ...
user16112
2
votes
2
answers
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Protecting or Limiting my account's power
I have linked a great deal of power to my phone. It is connected to my gmail to such an extent that I am starting to get concerned that if somebody where to steal my phone they could reek havok on my ...
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26
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2
answers
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Security of Paid apps in Google Play?
What measures does Google takes to ensure that paid apps that are downloaded do not get spread for free? Currently I see a possibility that can leak out a large number of apps:
Someone pays to ...
user16112
3
votes
1
answer
280
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Are calls made by third-party apps logged?
For the first time I installed app that can make calls automatically (sms/call screener). What worries me is this level of permissions -- however I have to no choice really because stock screener (...
- 1,158
8
votes
1
answer
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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 ...
- 535
7
votes
1
answer
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Setup Tor server on my Android
How do I setup a Tor server on my Android tablet?
I can install the Orbot client, but how do I contribute to the tor network?
I have my tablet on a WiFi the most of the day so it would be nice to ...
- 171
6
votes
3
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Android 4 USB charge only
When I connect my Android 4 phone (Galaxy Nexus) to a computer using USB, the storage of the phone is automatically mounted on the computer. How can I connect my phone using USB for charging only? In ...
- 827
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0
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818
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How to disable "Forgot Password" on the lockscreen
I have entered a wrong password five times – now if I click on Forgot Password I can enter a Google account with password, then it will unlock the screen.
How can I disable or hide that Forgot ...
- 121
5
votes
3
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3k
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Looking for Location-Specific Screen Locking Behaviour
I'd like to have a feature that allows my Android phone to change its lock mechanism automatically dependent on location. For example, most of the time I use pattern unlock when out and about but ...
- 227
5
votes
1
answer
277
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USSD attack official notification
I have an HTC that is vulnerable to USSD attack. I am trying to tell the HTC helpdesk about this issue, but they tell me that unless there is an official news from android team about this, they will ...
- 193
4
votes
2
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542
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Android 1.5 Dialer App - Exploit Block
I just read about the remote USSD attack. My hoary old Samsung i7500g phone is vulnerable (confirmed via this site).
The solution is to install a (free) secondary dialer, like Dialer One. ...
- 396
0
votes
1
answer
2k
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WiFi Tethering not working when using security
I have a rooted Galaxy SII (not branded, from Germany) running CyanogenMod 10.
I can't connect to my tethering network when I'm using security (WPA / WPA2-PSK). With an open network, it works just ...
- 103
10
votes
3
answers
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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 ...
Izzy♦
- 90.2k
7
votes
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Can Applications With Root Access Modify Their Own Permissions?
For rooted phones, there are several apps which require root privileges. Knowing this, the user does allow the app to get root. Now, the app would have been installed with a set of x permissions, say ...
- 703
39
votes
2
answers
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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 ...
- 703
4
votes
1
answer
592
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Disable password hiding globally
With a touch screen keyboard, having passwords I am entering displayed hidden is more trouble than it's worth to me. Few applications like KeePassDroid allow you to disable this feature. Is there any ...
- 3,359
2
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0
answers
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Exchange Active Sync email on Galaxy 10.1 disappears.
One of our reps has a Galaxy 10.1 and she has now for the 3rd time in two months complained about her corporate email disappearing, I’ve read a few of the posts here and on other sites and the one ...
- 21
14
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5
answers
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Can my Android device become - remotely and without my permission - a wiretap and get used as surveillance device?
I saw the following article:
An article in the Financial Times last year said mobile providers can
"remotely install a piece of software on to any handset, without the
owner's knowledge, which ...
- 2,385
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vote
2
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Locking individual files on micro sd card
I have Galaxy S2 running on android 4.0.3. I have a number of photos, videos, pdf and word files stored on the micro sd card.
I am just wondering if there is a way to password protect individual ...
- 273
23
votes
6
answers
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Where to find a PIN lock screen that scrambles the keypad on every use?
Is there some way to get a lock screen whose PIN pad changes number layouts every time it's used? It seems like a very basic way to thwart smudge attacks and yet my (broken?) google-fu can't find any ...
- 333
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1
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Multiple Pattern Locks at the same point of time
Is it possible to have multiple pattern lock implemented in an android device to increase it's security. I know that it must be possible to design an app to do that, but my question is whether any app ...
user16112
3
votes
1
answer
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Mounting and Unmounting of Memory Card just by touch?
I am using a Samsung Galaxy Y mobile phone. In my mobile's settings, I see an option to "Unmount the Memory Card for Safe Removal", so it is possible to unmount the memory card without actually ...
user16112
43
votes
12
answers
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How do I avoid the server-specified security policies for my work e-mail?
When I signed into my e-mail for work (we're on Microsoft Exchange) there were a number of server-specified security policies (See below) How do I avoid these?:
I just received a Nexus 7 and signed ...
- 791
2
votes
1
answer
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Samsung GS3 (SPH-i710) exchange server repeated security update notification
I just connected my Samsung Galaxy S 3 (SPH-i710) to my exchange email server at work. It synced up and my email and calendars show on my device, however every few minutes I get a notification that ...
- 21
0
votes
2
answers
223
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USB synchronization security issues
I've got an Android phone. I have just reset it to its factory default settings and set a password for unlocking the phone. However, even when it is locked and the screen displays a text box with a ...
- 41
3
votes
2
answers
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How can I undo the "Do Not Ask Again" for bluetooth contacts?
When I first connected my phone (Samsung Galaxy S II) to a bluetooth device, I was prompted that the device wanted to access my contacts.
I mistakenly clicked Do Not Ask Again but I want to undo that....
- 181
3
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713
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Strange/troubling behavior when putting phone in car dock
I have a Galaxy Nexus (rooted, running stock Jellybean). When I place it in the car dock, my screen gets flooded with notifications for "shell granted superuser access," and after a few minutes ...
- 258
22
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1
answer
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What Trusted Root CAs are included in Android by default?
There doesn't seem to be a central Android resource that lists the Trusted Root CAs included in the OS or default browser (related question on SO), so how can I find out which are included on my phone ...
- 22k
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Strange icons and notifications, is there a malware in my phone? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is this red star icon malware? How to get rid of it?
Red Star And Green Cross Icons?
I have a Samsung galaxy nexus with official Android 4.1 running. I sometimes get strange ...
- 179
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1
answer
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Find lost device without Gmail account configured and without SIM card
I recently misplaced a phone that did not have gmail account configured and did not have a SIM card in it either. Is there any way I can track it ?
All of the tracking apps either require sending an ...
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1
answer
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How to see the device list of a given Google account
I have many test Android devices and added my Google account to those device to reuse my application collection.
Recently I often recieve payment notification via gmail for application which I really ...
- 2,233
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1
answer
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Is there a way to block permissions for other applications on Jelly Bean?
I use LBE Privacy Guard with great pleasure to grant and withdraw permissions to access my contacts, the internet, etc. for each individual application installed in Ice-Cream Sandwich on my Galaxy ...
- 403
2
votes
4
answers
3k
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Securing Memory Card?
What should I do so that the Memory card in my phone works only in my phone? Also, I should be able to connect my mobile to a PC through a USB cable and completely see/edit/organize the data on my ...
user16112
11
votes
2
answers
12k
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How to connect ADB over 3G/4G?
I keep seeing warning signs about enabling ADB over Network when you aren't connected to a WiFi network, but what if I want to connect ADB over 3G/4G ?
Whenever I try to do it with any of the ...
- 719
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votes
3
answers
2k
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Factory reset (including USB storage) prompts for password after I already typed it in
I went into Settings->Privacy->Factory reset and checked "Format USB Storage". Then I pressed the button to continue and it prompted for my PIN (just numbers) as usual. Then it said it was formatting ...
- 175