Database Users

help I have over 21 Trojand etc

Awarning just appeared on my hd2 saying my device has viruses. Was directed to Microsoft automatically and a message appeared that attempts to remove it. Is this normal ?.

Almost every folder had a Trojan etc written in red. Don't know if they were removed. Any quick checks possible. Hard reset?.

Just downloaded airscanner trial version. it gave the all clear. The microsoft site was asking me to download some exe files to replace the infected files. How do I know airscanner even works ?.

are you on stock rom or are you a custom rom flasher? either way, i suggest a task 29 and fresh rom flash, just to be on the safe side.
If not, just back up stuff, hard reset, and format your SD card too to be on the safe side
Unless someone else can clarify, that sounds quite scary, i have yet to hear of anything like that

fallenmonk said:
Just downloaded airscanner trial version. it gave the all clear. The microsoft site was asking me to download some exe files to replace the infected files. How do I know airscanner even works ?.
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Something popped up on your HD2 saying you have trojans? I've never heard of that... what do you have installed? I don't think there is any type of antivirus scanner on the HD2, so I don't know why anything would pop up on your HD2. Are you sure it's sending you to a microsoft site? This sounds like one of those fake virus spyware things that get you to install the virus when you go to the site it takes you to to get rid of the virus.... but I've only seen those on PCs... never on WinMo.

I have never actually read about cell phone viruses. I have vaguely heard via word of mouth that they are possible, though.

check the url of the microsoft website..it will not be the original one I suppose. There is hardly any virus written for Windows mobile..so either you are one of the lucky guys who come in taste of some new spyware which nobody heard of before or..or..I dont know but its very scary indeed.

If you do find anything I would very much like to get a sample. Please PM me if you can verify you have an infected HD2.
[Edit]
By the way, how did the message appear, through Opera/IE or a standard Windows Mobile messagebox?

lmfao!
I bet he got it in the web browser, one of those stupid banners trying to scare people and directing them to dodgy sites.
21 trojans? in every folder? LOL

bronx said:
lmfao!
I bet he got it in the web browser, one of those stupid banners trying to scare people and directing them to dodgy sites.
21 trojans? in every folder? LOL
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that was my first thought too

"Internet Security 2010" I believe is the current rendition...

Hi and sorry for the late reply. I deleted all cookies, history etc in a panic straight away so I cannot verify if was a genuine microsoft site. I was at the time browsing for dvd rippers, logged of but my WiFi was still connected. I had seen that I had gained a mysterious extra 50mb on my device. So I started deleting stuff I don't remember having. Suddenly the warning appeared saying somebody can access my details and all these folders appeared with loads of Trojans etc. Then it said microsoft giving me a exe file to download and to click it. In s panic I reset my ppc. The last thing I had downloaded was the day before which was pocketdivx . Phone seems ok do maybe nothing happened. Thanks for the replies.

The only WinMo virus I know of is a dialer which calls certain numbers at a certain moment of the day. Other than that, i SERIOUSLY doubt the actual existence of any other forms of viruses.
IMO, it`s just a stupid app yelling things such as "OMFG 21 VIRUSES BUY THE FULL VERSION SO WE CAN GET U RID OF THEM!!!!11!!1", and after you buy it, every virus magically gets eradicated, leaving the phone "clean". God, I hate this things...
EDIT: Quick thought... 21 viruses/folder means that there are 21 files, all of them having AT LEAST 1kb (the size of an empty text file). Seriously now, can you see any suspicious files in any folder? Exactly. You can't.

Do you use an antivirus on your Aria or other Android phone?

While I wait for my micro sd to get here to root and use my Aria, I have been just playing around with it and checking out various apps in the market. Then I saw an antivirus app and downloaded. Since I am new to Android, I thought I would ask others whether they have had any problems (or if there are problems) that require an antivirus. Or is it just a useless app?
I noticed there are apps that can contain some important information (i.e. mobile banking and e-mails), but is an antivirus really needed?
Thanks in advance for the discussion.

I personally do not use one, and don't plan on using one unless someone supplies a greatly convincing argument. While I don't doubt that it is a possibility in the future it will be needed, I don't believe they are necessary up to this point. From what I've read there are very few viruses/malware whatnot out there written to affect Android. Everytime you install an app it tells you exactly what it needs to access on that second screen. Also, I'm not sure if you have any experience with what a lot of antivirus applications tend to do to computers speed, but I imagine it'd affect the phone in a similar fashion.
You can read a better constructed forum post about it here
If I'm incorrect on anything someone please correct me

Thanks. That was a good read.
I was just unsure if I want to use the online banking app. It is very helpful and useful but I was just a bit hesitant.

No problem In my opinion, I think for something like that (I use Mint personally, if you don't know what it is, you should check it out for banking/credit cards, finance in general) losing the phone and having the information get into the wrong hands is a bigger concern than a virus stealing it. Again, that's my opinion. Although there are apps for the scenario I described also SMobile Anti-Theft is the only one I can think of off the top of my head for no particular reason, but I know there are a few others (possibly better, not using one myself just yet) out there

Mobile Antivirus = Rip off and waste of phone resources. Sad part is, many programs meant to facilitate tracking your own phone (lost/stolen) for some reason include antivirus kind of crap in it. There are alternatives, but none the less it's all complete nonsense.
Works great, never had a virus with it! Or without it.

I dont have one on my android right now It's true I have to download antivirus software now for Cellphones, especialy android phones. Some of them like avast already have this option. I've read ZenOK Free Antivirus is going to release a free version too. which one you recommend

Never used antivirus on my android phone or my Ubuntu laptop. Never had any problems. I think worst case scenario right now is receiving a virus via email and forwarding it on to an unsuspecting windows box. But then again anyone who gets that email on windows And doesn't have antivirus is foolish.
Of course this could all change in the future and it may one day be necessary yo use an antivirus on android.
Sent from my cm7 Aria.

With your phone it may not be really needed but your laptop?! Do you know how many viruses, malicious software, adware and spyware could be on your laptop right now? I would suggest at least using it on your laptop. Anyways, I do personally use one on my phone as well.

theonew said:
With your phone it may not be really needed but your laptop?! Do you know how many viruses, malicious software, adware and spyware could be on your laptop right now? I would suggest at least using it on your laptop. Anyways, I do personally use one on my phone as well.
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Are you familiar with Linux based systems such as Ubuntu? It works the same way as android, which is also Linux based. It doesn't operate anything like a windows system. Everything runs in its own little 'box' (think .apks) and pretty much all software is downloaded through an Ubuntu download center (think Android Market). Everything has to have permissions, also just like android. It doesn't utilize .exe like windows. All this adds up to a system that is pretty secure. I don't download any software outside of the download center so I know where all my programs are coming from. All I use my ubuntu laptop for is surfing the web and messing with my phone. My laptop doesn't need an antivirus any more than my phone does. And my phone doesn't need any antivirus. People get stuck on that windows mentality (antivirus/task killers/memory managers).
Sent from my cm7 Aria.

Have never used an Antivirus on my phone I actually don't see how it's really of any use .-.
Everything I download app wise is from the Market and other than that I don't download anything besides a pic here and there

A virus cannot do anything malicious on Android or Linux without permissions, so I think antivirus can only protect a Linux computer or android phone from the user (who has to grant the permissions)...therefore I believe antivirus on android is mostly useless
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App

WaveSecure Serious Vulnerability!!

I'm using Modaco latest r8 rom with froyo 2.2. I noticed 2 things:
1. wave secure will not download my account data automatically when I factory reset. I need to register again which make it vulnerable. >> Anyone can disable wave secure
2. I don't even need to factory reset and I can reset wave secure by clearing the data in settings!!!!
I have tried in original HTC ROM 2.09(rooted) and flash in /system/app. same situation.
And I've tried that if wavesecure hasn't been register, you can't lock it from wavesecure.com or sms
I don't know if this is due to the nature of froyo or it's been like this since 2.1
wave secure is practically useless right now on my phone!!
Anyone can confirm this?

called them and they said they disabled the function for temp as they are working on some fix, it will be up again in 3 weeks as what they said

Yep, saw this on MoDaCo. Will not be renewing my WaveSecure subscription.

Lets be honest, it was a waste of money to begin with right.

This whole thing makes me wonder...can an Android phone REALLY be protected by these kind of softwares? Even assuming there are no security issues with the app..I mean,a lot of Android phones are rooted by their owners and all are rootable (?) without booting into the OS, so even if said apps are installed as system apps (just like wavesecure can be) what's preventing a "smart/geek" thief from pulling the battery, changing the simcard,(rooting a non-rooted phone), booting into recovery, mounting system and wreaking havoc through adb, including removing the security app?? Am i going on a wild goose chase or is all this sound??

MacCarron said:
This whole thing makes me wonder...can an Android phone REALLY be protected by these kind of softwares? Even assuming there are no security issues with the app..I mean,a lot of Android phones are rooted by their owners and all are rootable (?) without booting into the OS, so even if said apps are installed as system apps (just like wavesecure can be) what's preventing a "smart/geek" thief from pulling the battery, changing the simcard,(rooting a non-rooted phone), booting into recovery, mounting system and wreaking havoc through adb, including removing the security app?? Am i going on a wild goose chase or is all this sound??
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Yeah, but I don't think the average mugger/thief is that smart
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

So can I cancel my current subscription then and get a refund?

If you install wavesecure to /system/app and make sure its only there and not in /data/app as well then you should not have this problem.
Also wavesecure have gone through a rough month, got brought by Mcafee who in turn just got brought by Intel. They need to adjust to the new owners. They are (were) only a small company and lets face it their app is the best around by a long long way.
If you have any problems or suggestions on how to improve they usually listen (it was one of TeamVillain and a xda mod who suggested they make a update.zip for /system/app and a number of other improvements and they did it straight away).
Don't just say "oh no its not working" no app can protect your phone from the right people, if someone who knows all about rooting etc gets your phone then your screwed anwyay. But the average joe thug who steals your phone will get it, put in a new sim the alarm will go crazy then they panic, drop the phone and run. You can then use the tracker to find it, or give details to police.
Just put the apk in your rom next time before you flash in system/app and flash the rom. Restore data from a backup (but not the app) and you still get your market link too.

Lennyuk said:
If you install wavesecure to /system/app and make sure its only there and not in /data/app as well then you should not have this problem.
Also wavesecure have gone through a rough month, got brought by Mcafee who in turn just got brought by Intel. They need to adjust to the new owners. They are (were) only a small company and lets face it their app is the best around by a long long way.
If you have any problems or suggestions on how to improve they usually listen (it was one of TeamVillain and a xda mod who suggested they make a update.zip for /system/app and a number of other improvements and they did it straight away).
Don't just say "oh no its not working" no app can protect your phone from the right people, if someone who knows all about rooting etc gets your phone then your screwed anwyay. But the average joe thug who steals your phone will get it, put in a new sim the alarm will go crazy then they panic, drop the phone and run. You can then use the tracker to find it, or give details to police.
Just put the apk in your rom next time before you flash in system/app and flash the rom. Restore data from a backup (but not the app) and you still get your market link too.
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While i agree with you that a witch hunt isn't the proper response and that it is unlikely that the average thief will know his way around adb, i have personally tried to remove wavesecure from /system/app...it works...i did it without breaking a sweat. I intentionally triggered the lock by attempting to uninstall the uninstall-protection, pulled off the battery, booted in recovery and got rid of wavese cure with a single command. Reboot and presto! A free phone . So it is true that there is no full-proof way to be safeguarded, at least using this software, and in my humble opinion the guys over at wavesecure should clearly state so on their website. And they don't always listen..there is a long story of noisy silences concerning op's issue...omissions, censorship etc etc. I got a free lifetime subscription so i'm not particularly yelling at anyone, just making hypothetis, but wouldn't you be quite pissed off if someone stole your phone and rendered it's security software (for which you payed) impotent just because he knew "SU"?

MacCarron said:
While i agree with you that a witch hunt isn't the proper response and that it is unlikely that the average thief will know his way around adb, i have personally tried to remove wavesecure from /system/app...it works...i did it without breaking a sweat. I intentionally triggered the lock by attempting to uninstall the uninstall-protection, pulled off the battery, booted in recovery and got rid of wavese cure with a single command. Reboot and presto! A free phone . So it is true that there is no full-proof way to be safeguarded, at least using this software, and in my humble opinion the guys over at wavesecure should clearly state so on their website. And they don't always listen..there is a long story of noisy silences concerning op's issue...omissions, censorship etc etc. I got a free lifetime subscription so i'm not particularly yelling at anyone, just making hypothetis, but wouldn't you be quite pissed off if someone stole your phone and rendered it's security software (for which you payed) impotent just because he knew "SU"?
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The thing is though, if they knew SU and other commands chances are they will get around any protection whatever it would be.
But Wavesecure offers you a way to track the phone, you can still contact your carrier and get them to IMEI blacklist it, then track the handset down via wavesecure.

hi - just check out secrep5265.blogspot.com - thats interesting information concerning your discussion.

[BOUNTY] Ultimate thief catcher $50

Forgive me if this is in the wrong place.
As stated in the title, I'm willing to offer a $50 bounty to anyone who can create this app for me, the perfect thief catcher app. Here's how it works:
The app runs in the background constantly (possibly as a service to avoid task killers), so it must be as minimal as possible. Upon receipt of a specifically worded text message, the app will trigger the GPS and wait 5-10 minutes for full lock. After this time has passed, the app will text the GPS coordinates to a preconfigured email address and then disable the GPS.
Optional function: Activate the front facing cam (silently and invisibly if possible), take a picture, and attach to said text message to be sent to preconfigured email address.
The main focus of this app is to accurately capture the location of the device while being light on battery, so that optimal capture can take place in the event the device is stolen.
If something like this already exists, please let me know so that I can donate to that developer.
Specifics: I have an Evo with CM7, if it matters in coding the app at all.

Lookout has lost phone features similar to what you are asking for. I have Lookout on my phone, uses almost no battery.
They also have an app called Plan B that you can install after the phone is lost to get a GPS location on it.
Both are free.
I don't expect the bounty, but feel free to buy me a sandwich for helping.

Lookout causes too many problems from what I've seen. I'll check out the Plan B app.
Bounty is still up.

I'm not the "fastest" coder in the world, but I would hazard a guess of minimum 20 hours for development, testing, etc.
Great app idea but I'm not writing code for $2.50 an hour ...just sayn'
And Android OS prevents someone from NOT being able to stop a Service.

Try apps "Where's My Droid" or GPS Tracker. Both have remote activation capabilities.
________________________________
http://ron-droid.blogspot.com

rigman said:
Try apps "Where's My Droid" or GPS Tracker. Both have remote activation capabilities.
________________________________
http://ron-droid.blogspot.com
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Did you read the entire OP? I realize WMD has a few of the features that I listed, but I want ALL of the features working like I stated.

I'm no coder, but I could quite easily make a Tasker profile to do this.

Sunsparc said:
Did you read the entire OP? I realize WMD has a few of the features that I listed, but I want ALL of the features working like I stated.
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Yes I read the entire op and wasn't very impressed. Texting coordinates wouldn't be very reliable way to catch someone. There's a very good chance the person could be driving at the moment you send your activation text.
Same for turning on the camera. Highly unlikely they'd have the camera pointed at their face or anything recognizable. Or even if they did, probably couldn't make out much without the flash.
Just my opinion. But I'd much rather have an app that gave me continuous GPS coordinates as does the apps I suggested.
________________________________
http://ron-droid.blogspot.com

Look up Prey. it runs as a background service and has a lot of cool stuff. Google it, they have a whole web interface and everything, you can use the same service on your laptop under the same account. I think it would suit your needs.
Sent from my MIUI SCH-i500

The best lost/stolen app imo is Theft Aware. From the app's website:
Theft Aware runs (and this is worldwide UNIQUE) completely invisible in the background. That's right! Theft Aware is COMPLETELY INVISIBLE. You'll be able to remotely control your phone by SMS at any time. Theft Aware will reply to your commands by SMS as well. The sent or received SMS leave no trace on the mobile phone, no signal will alert the thief - who will feel safe!
Sure, as soon as the thief changes the SIM card of the phone, the phone number of it will change. NO PROBLEM. Theft Aware will detect the change and will inform your buddy automatically about the new phone number by SMS.
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Best thing to do with lost or stolen phone?
-Call provider and they'll kill the phone.
-Buy new phone

Edit: Mainly a reply to an edited out part of a post but still applicable so I'll leave what I wrote
At 9.99 EUR, Theft Aware is far from free but I understand your point. It's good to watch for security and privacy issues. I would only caution that one could easily miss out on good/helpful apps if generalizations are made based on one bad app(le) or the possibility of one. But really this is what Android is all about...individual choice. To each their own.

I've been using Prey for a while now and I'm very happy with it.

All the current apps are dependent on your sim card remaining in the phone so you can text it. So in the reality of your phone being stole they will be useless.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

nutsnut said:
All the current apps are dependent on your sim card remaining in the phone so you can text it. So in the reality of your phone being stole they will be useless.
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Since you must not have read my first post...
If a thief changes the SIM card, Theft Aware will proactively send you the location and the new phone number of the thief to predefined friends of yours. Once you got the new number, you will again be able to locate your phone at any time.
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So even if the SIM card is changed, the app will inform you the phone number associated with that new card by messaging both of the numbers you assigned when you set it up. Once you have that, you can message commands invisibly to that new number to control Theft Aware as well as now knowing the thief's phone number to hand over to police, your carrier, or to figure out the owner of that number on your own.

nutsnut said:
All the current apps are dependent on your sim card remaining in the phone so you can text it. So in the reality of your phone being stole they will be useless.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
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I think you mean if you have a gsm phone.. i have a CDMA, so I really don't need to worry about it. However, if i ever stole someones phone, the first thing I would do is take out the battery and let it sit on the shelf for a month or two until the previous owner has given up. And trust me, you will if it happens to you. It happened to me.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA Premium App

Theft Aware
Theft Aware isn't sim card depending. If the sim gets changed a sms is sent to up to two notification numbers you define on installing theft aware.
it meets all requirements you specify (except that the location is sent via sms not email).
but that will soon be available via a webinterface where you can control your device.
I don't need the bounty either - try theft aware and buy a license. thats enough compensation as my company sells theft aware

Check out "watch droid"......

Every beginning thief knows that if you steal a smartphone you get out the body the battery and SIM card as first thing. Second thing is looking for hard reset instructions.
It should be something deeper than OS level.

Khisha said:
Every beginning thief knows that if you steal a smartphone you get out the body the battery and SIM card as first thing. Second thing is looking for hard reset instructions.
It should be something deeper than OS level.
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It's been said a couple times that Theft Aware can detect a SIM card change and inform you of the new number so you can continue to control it through text messages. It will also survive a factory reset if you have rooted your phone and installed it appropriately. It won't survive a full data wipe like you would do when flashing a new ROM through recovery, but nothing can...that's the point of a full wipe. If you are waiting for or expecting something to come out that will persist through a full wipe, then you will never be satisfied.

[Q] Anti-Virus, is it really needed?

Hello there chaps & chapettes(?),
I come to you today with a very real and possibly useful question. I come today to ask if there is a need for an anti-virus on smartphones at the moment and to gain an idea of the amount of HD2 users who do use an anti-virus.
So, would you say that there is any real need for an anti-virus? Are there many threats out there for us smartphone users? And do any of you have an anti-virus and if so, which is the one most recommended?
As an IT Engineer, I see many PC deaths attributed to malware of various flavours and I'd rather not see my beloved phone fall folly to these harmful programs.
Thanks for your responses (in advance),
Martin

I personally do not use one, but it depends on personal choice and what you use your phone for really.
Viruses and malware are fairly uncommon on android, but they do exist.
For example if you download a lot on your phone, or try unknown apps in market (viruses have been known to to find their way into the market) then you could maybe look into trying one.
Hope this helped
Sent from my HD2 using XDA app

IMHO, even on a PC, the anti-virus software often causes more harm than good, simply by slowing the system down considerably, especially the file system access, with its background scanning. Most of the viruses those days are stupid user oriented, you have to actually launch the virus/worm yourself for it to infect you. This kind of viruses only requires a tiny bit of common sense to avoid without using any anti-virus software. The other kind use well known network exploits - all i can say about it is "firewall yourself", there is nothing out of the ordinary in the way those viruses initially connect, a simple NAT router should protect you from those. There are also ones that infect you using some kind of browser, or other app exploit, but those are killed off at the distributing server side the moment they are discovered (anti-virus won't help you if you've stumbled upon one of those in zero days). And finally, some of those can be silent, properly coded, totally invisible, getting to you through some unknown exploits, using rootkit methods to hide etc... Those are the kind antiviruses are totally going to miss anyway.
The bottom line is - i don't see much point in using an antivirus on a PC. And you are actually asking me here if i think one should use it on an Android device ? Well, my answer is "No", unless you are a total stranger to some minimal common sense in this area.

I'll state this as someone who even leaves his wifi unlocked at home, but anyway...
My only viewpoint is that the only entry point for Malware is via Market downloads, and by that I mean downloading loads of apps from unknown names. While I know this advice will be disproved long-term, personally I would not bother unless I was silly with downloading apps from strange sources with weird permissions
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

smeddy said:
I'll state this as someone who even leaves his wifi unlocked at home...
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I did this too, pretty much isolated from the LAN, though. I've stopped doing it after someone started torrenting on it, and i am not talking occasionally fetching stuff here and there, limiting the BW to some sane values, but heavy, 24/7, bandwidth hogging torrenting.