Selectively disable net access by app? - Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General

I have a Touch Pro2 which connects to the net every 15 minutes for reasons that I'm not aware of (I have Outlook and Weather set to Manual, have disabled Latitude in Google Maps, etc). SPB Wireless Monitor tells me only that system.exe or services.exe are doing the accesses.
Since my provider charges per session this can get quite expensive, so I've been forced to turn 3G/GPRS access on/off manually using NoData.
Is there a way of selectively enabling net access for designated applications only? e.g. allowing it to Opera and Outlook only by default, and selectively enabling other apps on demand?
Alternatively, is there a way of finding out which apps are trying to access the net without my knowledge? (e.g. by forcing a prompt every time an application attempts 3G/GPRS access)?
TIA for any tips
Ian

itm said:
Alternatively, is there a way of finding out which apps are trying to access the net without my knowledge? (e.g. by forcing a prompt every time an application attempts 3G/GPRS access)?
Ian
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Click to collapse
Hi,
If you grab a trial of SPB Wireless Monitor,that will show what apps and how much data has been used per application.

i think this is a greate idea. someone should really develop this.
basically the user would provide the application with an approved list of applications that can connect using the 3g/edge connection. the rest can only connect using wifi or activesync

GLO said:
Hi,
If you grab a trial of SPB Wireless Monitor,that will show what apps and how much data has been used per application.
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Click to collapse
but it doesnt do anything after it tells you this stats.
a simple application similar to "no data" should still be developed. what do you all think?

look into your taskmanager
RSSHub ? QuickGPS ?
good look

Quote:
Originally Posted by itm View Post
Alternatively, is there a way of finding out which apps are trying to access the net without my knowledge? (e.g. by forcing a prompt every time an application attempts 3G/GPRS access)?
Ian
THE GRIZZ said:
but it doesnt do anything after it tells you this stats.
a simple application similar to "no data" should still be developed. what do you all think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, this wont stop the apps, but as the OP had asked, this will let him know what apps are accessing the NEt

GLO said:
Hi,
If you grab a trial of SPB Wireless Monitor,that will show what apps and how much data has been used per application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SPB Wireless Monitor tells me only that system.exe or services.exe are doing the accesses.

Mamamam said:
look into your taskmanager
RSSHub ? QuickGPS ?
good look
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried installing and runnign TaskMgr but it hangs during startup on my TouchPro2. What's the best alternative Task manager app?

itm said:
SPB Wireless Monitor tells me only that system.exe or services.exe are doing the accesses.
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Click to collapse
I suspect that they are your Network Operator settings checking for updates or
something like that.

GLO said:
I suspect that they are your Network Operator settings checking for updates or
something like that.
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Click to collapse
They make 87 connections in 18 hours - does that sound likely? It works out very expensive for those tariffs which charge a per-connection fee.
Any idea how I could disable this (or confirm that this is indeed the explanation)?

Hutchison3G sets up virtually all their supplied phones with network configurations to connect very frequently like what you describe.
See if you can simply disable your data connection. As with H3G in Australia, you dont get charged when it is simply accessing its own intranet, and when its roaming it only displays a 'lite' homepage.
Perhaps consider a non-network issued rom, or determine whether that data is 'free intranet' or not.

GLO said:
See if you can simply disable your data connection. As with H3G in Australia, you dont get charged when it is simply accessing its own intranet, and when its roaming it only displays a 'lite' homepage.
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Click to collapse
I already use NoData to manually enable/disable the data connection when it's required/not required. I was just hoping for a more elegant solution to stop unauthorised apps incurring data charges, while not sacrificing the convenience of automatic access for apps that I use alot (like Opera and Outlook)

hope someone develops this

You can try PPC version of ProxyCap to restrict or proxify access per application - http://www.proxycap.com/
It doesn't pop up when an aplication attempts to communicate with the Internet, so manual configuration is required. You'll need to set up proxy bypass for the applications you want to be allowed to connect and use localhost as a proxy by default, so that other applications can't communicate with external hosts. You can also filter traffic based on destination IPs and ports. E.g. an easier solution may be to allow http and https traffic only for all applications and drop everything else if you only need to use a web browser.
ProxyCap may not prevent your GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA connection from being established every time, but at least there will be application or protocol filtering in place and thus less unexpected traffic. ProxyCap does not seem to be able to filter ICMP traffic. It appears to be allowing DNS traffic through regardless of the filtering configuration too, as it can't be proxified and is required for proper name resolution.
Another alternative is PPC firewalls like
http://www.airscanner.com/products/firewall/
and
http://www.anthasoft.com/anthafirewall-firewall-for-mobile-device.php
I haven't used any of these products though and can't recommend them.
Both seem to be more user friendly than proxycap though.

Related

how NOT to connect to GPRS

hi all,
i have an unlimited GPRS plan and hence connected 24 hours....
however, this uses up a lot of battery and frankly, there are times when i do not wish to be online!
problem is, even if i disconnect the GPRS, it reconnect automatically after a while.
is there any way to prevent the phone to auto reconnecting?
Search the forum for the modaco nodata cab file
This great tool lets you toggle on/off the connections.
For easy use, you can create a shortcut for it on your today screen and toggle it on/off whenever you want
Hope this helps
link in my signature
Do you use an exchange server? If you do, it may be due to Active Sync trying to connect to the exchange server.
pfft.. you think GPRS is bad? try EVDO.. my 6700 barely lasts a day (with Activesync/push email)
you could also use a combination of mortscript and vijay555's VJVolubilis to disconnect qutomatically at a time or period (ie, every 10 mins) you define
bbobeckyj said:
link in my signature
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Click to collapse
is there any reason nodata would give an error on a wm 6.0 standard device?
Alkemist said:
is there any reason nodata would give an error on a wm 6.0 standard device?
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Click to collapse
the only error that i know of is when the phone has no data connection details on it, ie a custom rom which does not include gprs settings, it will give an error until you add the settings.
use something like Advanced Config... You can disable GPRS somewhere in this program... It has many other stuff you can do with your phone...

Any utility to kill Media Net data connection on HTC Diamond?

I need a utility that I can call from Mortscript to terminate existing Media Net data connection. From Mortscript manual, the "Disconnect" command does not work any more after WM5 AKU3. I confirmed that this is true. Does anyone know a solution?
Thanks in advance.
Do you want to kill it after you use it, or kill it so you can't use it?
the second is a lot simpler, I use the Modaco NoData Cab as well as schap's advanced configuration tool to block all internet communications except for wifi.
Herbalisation said:
Do you want to kill it after you use it, or kill it so you can't use it?
the second is a lot simpler, I use the Modaco NoData Cab as well as schap's advanced configuration tool to block all internet communications except for wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 1st. It is mainly for iGuidance scripting. With data connection open, iGuidance takes forever to launch. So in the mortscript, I want to terminate the Media Net data connection before launching the iGuidance.
NoData Connection
Hi there .... well I can see you losing money over the automatic data connection .... here is the solution application called NoData.cab ... look for it and it is what I use for now .... it is the best.
NoData: where you can toggle your connections
Instead of doing all that, you can set the data connection's DNS and ALT DNS servers to a fake value. It works for me and iGuidance starts up even with data enabled.

Auto data connection and stay switch on

Hi,
My second problem is that my Iolite activate data connection by itself like it was trying to download or uploade something (MMS or something), but the connection stay alive for a long time and nothing happen.
When I turn off data connection, it turn on again in a few minutes.
To avoid costs I use program which disable all configured data connections (program called "NoData"). But when all connections are disable, my Iolite don't turn off the screen and backlight after inactivity time.
I think that the reason can be in Microsoft Direct Push, but I don't use it.
This article is similarity to my problem: http://khason.net/blog/how-to-disable-exchange-security-policy-for-windows-mobile-devices/
The problem apears today. I have my Iolite for 2-3 weeks.
Help me please... It's so frustrating...
Radek
snorek said:
Hi,
My second problem is that my Iolite activate data connection by itself...
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Click to collapse
... first read, then post. Nobody will write the same problem a second time. Here the link (5 or 6 themes under yours): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=524825
mirko.prinz said:
... first read, then post. Nobody will write the same problem a second time. Here the link (5 or 6 themes under yours): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=524825
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The topic you have paste is about totally different problem.
I'm not looking for program which can turn off unused connection, but I'm looking for a reason of unexpected turning on data connection.
snorek said:
The topic you have paste is about totally different problem.
I'm not looking for program which can turn off unused connection, but I'm looking for a reason of unexpected turning on data connection.
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Click to collapse
I think, AdvancedConfig will be the right decision. Found it here.
Iolite comes with some apps, which use Data connection. For example Weather (default setting is to update it no matter what) or QuickGPS (downloads sattelite position info). Also when you are browsing via WiFi or ActiveSync, it might sometime disconnect and Data connection is automatically started.
Microsoft DirectPush is used with Exchange server (for example, I use it with my company email) and you must configure it. It is not enabled by default. Anyway, when I don't want to check email all the time, I just disable DirectPush and it stays disabled.
You also might to check, what app is using your DataConnection. Try SPB Wireless Monitor (I think it is trial), which can show you, what app is using which connection.
mirko.prinz said:
I think, AdvancedConfig will be the right decision. Found it here.
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Click to collapse
I have this program install already, but I don't see any option which can help me.
Any suggestion?
torrentonly said:
Iolite comes with some apps, which use Data connection. For example Weather (default setting is to update it no matter what) or QuickGPS (downloads sattelite position info). Also when you are browsing via WiFi or ActiveSync, it might sometime disconnect and Data connection is automatically started.
Microsoft DirectPush is used with Exchange server (for example, I use it with my company email) and you must configure it. It is not enabled by default. Anyway, when I don't want to check email all the time, I just disable DirectPush and it stays disabled.
You also might to check, what app is using your DataConnection. Try SPB Wireless Monitor (I think it is trial), which can show you, what app is using which connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know that. I turn off weather updater and quickgps (and footprints or something) first day. And I don't have any problem till today.
But what is strange: after disable all data connections some program prevent screen from switch off...
OK, I'll try SPB Wireless Monitor.
Just an idea. Aren't you using CorePlayer or TCPMP? CorePlayer can use network and data connection and also it can override display sleep time.
Advanced Config
in "data connections":
- GPRS auto attach: disabled
Manila TF2D
in "Weather tab"
- menu -> settings -> disable "automatically download weather data"
Settings (Start -> Settings -> System
in "location settings"
- disable AGPS
Messaging
- disable the automatic e-Mail-Download (when it is enabled)
I hope, that will help.
Greetings
edit: OK, i wrote to slowly - 2 posts are come ;-)
torrentonly said:
Just an idea. Aren't you using CorePlayer or TCPMP? CorePlayer can use network and data connection and also it can override display sleep time.
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Click to collapse
I think, isn´t so, i use this programm to.
SPB Wireless Manager show me that Palringo was the problem. I've unchecked "run at startup" after first run of Palringo, but it checked again without informing me
THX for help all of you
I hope that Palringo was the only reason
Tell me please, what is Palringo?
Thanks!
mirko.prinz said:
Tell me please, what is Palringo?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Palringo is powerfull ane free multi-platform instant messaging client. You can sent text, images and voice messages.
It support:
Windows Live Messenger ® (MSN)
AOL ® Instant Messenger (AIM)
Yahoo! ® Messenger
Google Talk ™
ICQ ®
Jabber ®
iChat® / MobileMe ®
QQ ®
Gadu-Gadu ®
Facebook Chat (Alpha)
More info: http://www.palringo.com
Aha, thank you!
Greetings
Dont worry
My Iolite also connect itself to the internet, but i use my iphone 3g sim with it, internet for free XD
cturpel: What's the point of your post?
cturpel said:
My Iolite also connect itself to the internet, but i use my iphone 3g sim with it, internet for free XD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great So go abroad

My TD2 is going online (EDGE or HSDPA) by itself!

I have the following problem: my HTC Touch Diamond 2 (from T-Mobile) is going online and stays online for hours until I notice and disconnect.
I can't be sure, but it's possible that Mobile Shell is the reason, because I don't have any other running applications. Is this maybe a built-in feature of TD2?
Is this a known issue? Any hints or tips? (ActiveSync and GMail are set to synchronize manually).
yes look in the Options of mobile shell
its the weather Programm that uses these autoConnects all the time
ive had the same "problem" as well...
if u have SPB Traveler too, then uve to look in every single programm option
SPB Traveler options
SPB MObile Shell options
SPB weather options
take out the automaticly updates...
fixed =D
I've checked Windows Update and Weather Update. Both are off.
I've found that I have a suspicious widgetmanager.exe running on my PDA. Is this coming from Opera? I'll kill it and see if it helps.
Maybe it's the (totally useless) PushInternet service of Opera.
Here's how you can stop it:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=532948&highlight=stop+pushinternet
But the problem is that sometimes you want to browse some saved pages.
There are some saved pages that still require connection to update something.
And the phone goes on-line automatically WITHOUT asking the user. This annoys me a lot, since I have a fixed traffic amount and I don't want to spend it unawares.
I solved this issue by modifying a letter in my default connection.
This way, when the phone tries to go on-line automatically I get an error message saying it cannot connect. Now, depending on my needs, I either dismiss the message to stay off-line or fix that modified letter to go on-line.
To modify your default connection:
Settings tab, All settings, Connections tab, Connections, Manage existing connections, Click your default connection, Edit, Next, (here change the "Access point name" -- my last letters are .ro and I delete the "o"), Next and then Finish.
Maybe this solution is a bit rough but it works for me and I'm happy .
What's the problem? I have always a data connection open on my phone, 24 hours a day. You only pay for the amount of data, not for staying online.
I was referring to traffic.
The phone transfers data without asking my permission.
> You only pay for the amount of data, not for staying online.
The phone is connecting to the Internet automatically upon necessity. The fact that the connection is open means that some program or service had the necessity and transferred the data (at least one byte, but likely more). So the traffic is not zero in this case.
Another reason is that I pay 7EUR per every day that I connect to the Internet + the traffic price.
And reason #3 is that I want to know and control what my phone is doing and not otherwise.
I'm still observing the situation, this widgetmanager.exe is likely the source of the problem, but can't confirm it 100% yet.
Try SPB Wireless Monitor, then you can see whats connected, amount of traffic etc.
No need of buying, just use the trial for 15 days
Thanks for the tip. I have used it. That's how I know about widgetmanager.exe downloading something. I keep it killed and wait for the problem to reappear. After 24 hours I'll know if it's widgetmanager.exe or not.
I like your solution and I am going to give that a try. Thank you.
widgetmanager.exe was the reason. It comes with T-Online ROM. Thank you everybody for your help. Issue closed.
Slawa Pid.
http://rechnung-plus.de/

[Q] Firewall app?

Is there a firewall app which blocks all traffic like the personal firewalls for PCs do? With it you could
- whitelist certain apps for all destinations e.g. Google Earth, GMail, browser
- whitelist certain destinations in general e.g. *.google.com
- blacklist certain apps e.g. SuperGameButWhichAlsoPhonesHome.apk
- pops up if an app tries to connect to an yet unlisted destination and blocks or allows by default
The problem with permissions is, it's all or nothing. E.g. I want allow most apps to connect to Flurry or GoogleAnalytics to help the developers improve and understand the usage or if it uploads pics to facebook, but if an SMS app reads my SMS and also has the internet permission (probably for ads and analytics), who knows they're not also transferring my SMS?
Editing the hosts file is not an option as this would only be a blacklist and also very tedious to maintain.
Of course you need root access and it also needs to be open source for it to be trusted. I'm thinking of an addonn for CyanogenMod or so.
I'm not really all too familiar with firewall stuff, but found this for you: http://www.droidsecurity.com/droidhunter/index.html
Then maybe it's overkill but that one combined with this: http://www.carrotapp.com/2010/04/10/app-protector/
Might do the trick?
Thanks for your efford but I am looking for something completely different. A firewall is an app which controls internet traffic.
DroidWall would be perfect, but it doesn't function.
mcmurph said:
Thanks for your efford but I am looking for something completely different. A firewall is an app which controls internet traffic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I search the same. DroidWall would be perfect, but it doesn't function.
totos1234 said:
Yes, I search the same. DroidWall would be perfect, but it doesn't function.
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Click to collapse
It works fine for me on a g1!
DroidWall does not prevent Wifi connections at all.
As such, as a firewall it's next to useless.
It's more a "3G data connection" limiter than a real firewall.
vasra said:
DroidWall does not prevent Wifi connections at all.
As such, as a firewall it's next to useless.
It's more a "3G data connection" limiter than a real firewall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand your problem with DroidWall. I don't even have a data plan, so I only use it for Wifi. Sometimes I forget I have it installed, open a program that needs internet access, only to find that it won't work until I allow it to have the access through DroidWall. Works everytime.

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