Database Users

Apps which can brick the phone

Hi,
Today I found this document on the german website www.heise.de
This document is a threat analysis of the Android Market.
On page 9 is an overview how many apps have which permissions and there are 9 apps that can brick your phone!!
Does anybody know such an app which can brick the phone?

You should read this: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/burnette/cnet-retracts-article-on-android-app-privacy-threat/1987 and realize its all a scam to get people to buy an iphone.

They where listing one of the option as brick, anybody know if there's such option. and what it does, I doubt it would brick the phone in the real meaning...
either way anything that has a direct connection to the internet and access to your record is a potential risk, it is goog to be aware of this but pointing Android because it list such option is quite ridiculous since other OS doesn't even warn you about the fact that program can read your data...

Link: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/Manifest.permission.html
android.permission.BRICK
Required to be able to disable the device (very dangerous!).

Good lord, WIPE I could see.... BRICK!?

klausdieter79 said:
Link: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/Manifest.permission.html
android.permission.BRICK
Required to be able to disable the device (very dangerous!).
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I think it's there in the SDK only for testing on the emulator. I'm quite sure none of the actual hardware devices would support it.. or at least I hope not

rohandhruva said:
I think it's there in the SDK only for testing on the emulator. I'm quite sure none of the actual hardware devices would support it.. or at least I hope not
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I think it should be there, at least I have one use for it, an application to remotely lock your phone (or wipe critical information) in case of stole or lost phone. Definitely user should confirm this permission and should only do that if they completely trust the author.

bohlool said:
I think it should be there, at least I have one use for it, an application to remotely lock your phone (or wipe critical information) in case of stole or lost phone. Definitely user should confirm this permission and should only do that if they completely trust the author.
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Remote locking is different from bricking. It makes no sense to "remotely brick" a stolen device, because then, even if you do get it back, it's useless.

But when you install the app, it has to display the permission
This application has access to the following:
Hardware controls
Brick your phone

rohandhruva said:
I think it's there in the SDK only for testing on the emulator. I'm quite sure none of the actual hardware devices would support it.. or at least I hope not
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Click to collapse
I'm sure there's some kind of app that can potentially brick your phone. No doubt you have to be rooted for it to have access to that ability. Clockwork ROM manager could potentially brick you're phone if you do something stupid (battery pull).
Read the permissions. Don't install what seems suspect. If the app tries to do something it doesn't have permission to do, the OS won't allow it. It's not like another app store where you have to rely on a fallible person to safeguard you.
Oh, and don't freak out when that free game you're looking at asks for internet access and your GPS location. It needs that info to serve you ads so it stays free. Don't be paranoid, nobody really cares about you, never mind enough to stalk you.

ATnTdude said:
I'm sure there's some kind of app that can potentially brick your phone. No doubt you have to be rooted for it to have access to that ability. Clockwork ROM manager could potentially brick you're phone if you do something stupid (battery pull).
Read the permissions. Don't install what seems suspect. If the app tries to do something it doesn't have permission to do, the OS won't allow it. It's not like another app store where you have to rely on a fallible person to safeguard you.
Oh, and don't freak out when that free game you're looking at asks for internet access and your GPS location. It needs that info to serve you ads so it stays free. Don't be paranoid, nobody really cares about you, never mind enough to stalk you.
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Click to collapse
The Clockwork ROM Manager application itself can't brick the phone - or at least it won't advertise that it can. The bricking is caused if the flashing process is interrupted, which is (strictly speaking) outside the purview of the app.
Also, what the OP found is just an ability to advertise to the user that installing this app can brick the phone. There is no mechanism by which an apk, running inside the dalvik jvm sandbox, can cause irrevocable hardware damage to the phone - at least none has been found yet.
Your last paragraph about games staying free and paranoia is just off-topic.

rohandhruva said:
The Clockwork ROM Manager application itself can't brick the phone - or at least it won't advertise that it can. The bricking is caused if the flashing process is interrupted, which is (strictly speaking) outside the purview of the app.
Also, what the OP found is just an ability to advertise to the user that installing this app can brick the phone. There is no mechanism by which an apk, running inside the dalvik jvm sandbox, can cause irrevocable hardware damage to the phone - at least none has been found yet.
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1) You're Splitting hairs. We don't know what criteria the company that produced this study was using. Given that the whole thing was a springboard for advertising the need for their product, they're probably being more loose with the facts than you or I would. I used Clockwork as an example of how they might be interpreting the market.
2) I wasn't arguing against you. I was using your post to segue into my own. So do not take anything I said as something against your position. I, in fact, agree with your statement. I highly doubt a stock Android handset will allow you permission to brick it. I even doubt there is a root-only app that will purposefully brick your phone. I think SMobile Systems is borderline LYING to sell their unneeded product.
Your last paragraph about games staying free and paranoia is just off-topic.
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XDA attracts a lot more than experts, many of which are not even vaguely familiar with Android permissions are, what app services might need them, nevermind the economics of the Android market. As such, given that I had in the previous sentence advised people to be critical of the permissions that apps request (I don't think most people look at them closely enough), I went the other way and told them not to be so careful as to enter the realm of paranoia. It's balanced advice and is therefore relevant to the topic.
Hopefully, this clears up any confusion. Cheers and good night...err morning, whatever you call 4AM.

ATnTdude, I don't mean to be brandishing swords or arguing.. Sorry if it seemed that way I just realised that the OP started this topic out of that stupid SMobile article. Had I read that before, I wouldn't have 'split hairs'! My bad :-/

luffyz said:
but when you install the app, it has to display the permission
this application has access to the following:
hardware controls
brick your phone
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Click to collapse
ahhahaha +1

@klausdieter79 Thanks for the link
I also hope it is not included in the regular phone library, I can easilly imagine someone granting this by mistake
Let's wait for someone to upload a one button app named accelerate and the only permission requested will be brick...

P00r said:
@klausdieter79 Thanks for the link
I also hope it is not included in the regular phone library, I can easilly imagine someone granting this by mistake
Let's wait for someone to upload a one button app named accelerate and the only permission requested will be brick...
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I'm pretty much 100% certain you would have to have a rooted ROM for that to work...in which case, you probably know better than to install an app that requests permission to brick your phone

rohandhruva said:
ATnTdude, I don't mean to be brandishing swords or arguing.. Sorry if it seemed that way I just realised that the OP started this topic out of that stupid SMobile article. Had I read that before, I wouldn't have 'split hairs'! My bad :-/
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I figured as much. It's all good.

ATnTdude said:
Oh, and don't freak out when that free game you're looking at asks for internet access and your GPS location. It needs that info to serve you ads so it stays free. Don't be paranoid, nobody really cares about you, never mind enough to stalk you.
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Click to collapse
OT, but I would be a little pissed if a developer was wasting my battery with GPS just to serve up targeted ads. There's no reason they couldn't use the much more battery efficient network location for that.

Please Developers

First off I want to say thank you to all those devoting time into developing for the evo. You guys make the phone worth turning on. What I'd like to see is more ROMs taking advantage of ROM Manager. I am a big Cyanogen user, but will constantly flash new ROMs to try. I know it's not hard coming here to find new ones, but it is nice to have them in one place. This again is in no way a complaint. I have a lot of respect for those who can sit behind a computer and code some amazing things. Thanks to all those making ROMs and to the rest of the XDA community for making it such a great place.
Sent from my PC36100

You mean you want more ROMs listed through the ROM Manager download service? That would be nice, at least to know where to get a good file, but at the same time, is it so difficult to just download the ROM to your SD card and flash it manually? Not trying to harass you, just playing both sides.

SilverZero said:
You mean you want more ROMs listed through the ROM Manager download service? That would be nice, at least to know where to get a good file, but at the same time, is it so difficult to just download the ROM to your SD card and flash it manually? Not trying to harass you, just playing both sides.
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Click to collapse
It's a matter of convenience, really... That, and not hogging up my crappy DSL downloading each nightly, when I can just pull it over 3G with a few taps in ROM Manager, and have it automatically Nandroid Backup, flash ROM, reboot.

SilverZero said:
You mean you want more ROMs listed through the ROM Manager download service? That would be nice, at least to know where to get a good file, but at the same time, is it so difficult to just download the ROM to your SD card and flash it manually? Not trying to harass you, just playing both sides.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not hard at all. However, its nice not having to follow the threads to see the latest update. My favorite feature ROM Manager provides is being able to see there past versions of the ROM all in one place without all the extra reading. I just really like the ease of seeing in a list all available ROMs as opposed to searching for them.

drmacinyasha said:
It's a matter of convenience, really... That, and not hogging up my crappy DSL downloading each nightly, when I can just pull it over 3G with a few taps in ROM Manager, and have it automatically Nandroid Backup, flash ROM, reboot.
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Click to collapse
I'll buy convenience. But as long as we're debating, you COULD just wifi-tether your comp to your Evo and use the 4G there.
Okay, enough. Now I'm just being argumentative.

SilverZero said:
I'll buy convenience. But as long as we're debating, you COULD just wifi-tether your comp to your Evo and use the 4G there.
Okay, enough. Now I'm just being argumentative.
Click to expand...
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One thing that would make it better with the current situation is being able to download from the XDA app. It's the main reason I use the full site unless I have bad reception.

What todo with Rooted 2.2.1 Froyo Epic4g

ok so i have a brand new samsung epic that i just updated to 2.2.1 Froyo, then I used a one click root to root my phone................ so now what? what does rooted & 2.2.1 allow me todo someone please help me? whats the point of superuser? how do i get apps in there? i also read alot of forums about a viper room that scores 2000 something on the quadrant test, how do i get the viper rom on my phone? Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated!!!
The biggest thing that i really want is this clockwork mod i think thats what it is called, it makes your home screen look like the Evo with the big clock & weather feature, id really like to get that.

djkris808 said:
so now what?
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Click to collapse
Now what is you need to read all of the stickies in the general forum, then move to the development forum and read those stickies before you do serious harm to your phone.
Clockwork Mod is a recovery tool that replaces the stock Samsung recovery and allows you to backup your phone, flash kernels and ROMs and do other low level stuff. If you don't know what that is, go read the stickies again and don't mess with them until you understand it
There are plenty of clock/weather apps in the market, Beautiful Widgets is a very popular one, though I think you need to pay for it. You don't need root or anything fancy to run them.

If I were writing a FAQ about root it would look something like this..
Q: What can I do with a rooted phone?
A: Run apps that require root access.
Q: What apps require root access?
A: So far the main ones I've used personally have been SDX Stock App remover which lets you delete carrier installed bloatware and the free wireless tether app.
On a more philosophical note, having root is like having admin rights to your windows computer. It means having more direct control over the system. Maybe you don't want or need that level of control. though if you're that kind of user who just wants a phone that works without tinkering with it, i can't imagine why you wouldn't just get an iphone..

i do want todo tricky stuff to my phone, im just the person who gathers information b4 i do things like this because i dont want to get my phone bricked you know. i jus want to get the viper rom that makes my epic run a hell of alot faster & make the home screen look like the Evo. & what apps should i download for my superuser???

The quadrant score of 2000+ is fake.
Quadrant is seriously irrelevant at this point.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

djkris808 said:
i do want todo tricky stuff to my phone, im just the person who gathers information b4 i do things like this because i dont want to get my phone bricked you know. i jus want to get the viper rom that makes my epic run a hell of alot faster & make the home screen look like the Evo. & what apps should i download for my superuser???
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Click to collapse
Hey man... quadrant means nothing... its setup for the evo ...the only reason I use it is to make sure my lagfix.apk installed properly ...though it does make the phone faster, its not the true scores... anyways, to check if you have clockwork installed, power your phone off. When its completely off hold the camera, volume down, & power buttons at the same time... if the screen comes up with blue letters, you don't have it, if it comes up with green you do. Check that first before you do anything.
Sent from my VIPERrom [TRiNiTY] DK28 3.0

the words are green.

djkris808 said:
the words are green.
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Click to collapse
Ok, you've got clockwork then... and since you're already on froyo, that means you've got the modem installed already. So your next step is just finding the rom you want, downloading it and flashing it.
Sent from my VIPERrom [TRiNiTY] DK28 3.0

what roms do you recommend?

[Q] Antivirus Software

Anyone using any that's good? I was using lookout, but I found it obtrusive and I want something worthwhile.

IlPapu said:
Anyone using any that's good? I was using lookout, but I found it obtrusive and I want something worthwhile.
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Click to collapse
Being these phones are Linux based most "virus" that are downloaded and installed (with user permission i remind you) are mal-ware.
There is no real reason to need one.
Just make sure you know where the apps are coming from and you shouldn't have a problem.

neidlinger said:
Being these phones are Linux based most "virus" that are downloaded and installed (with user permission i remind you) are mal-ware.
There is no real reason to need one.
Just make sure you know where the apps are coming from and you shouldn't have a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I stated in AC/AF forum. You have to understand the biggest threat *nix based system faces comes from the user itself who are danger to the system as they don't understand it. Now by default how the permission base structure was setup was designed to limit the access from rouge script or execute shell which was place remotely. For it to happen it didn't magically came on the local host it was done with the permission of the user unknowingly as they basically gave the rights away. This is why we say to new users not to run under usr root as even sufficient @wheel access they can do damage.
So when you download app specially you know who and you know where becareful make sure you read the permission that you grant the apps as it can connect, update, upload contents. Far as this thread goes its useless as virus scanner just waste resource which can be overcome with little caution or avoided totally with common sense.

You dont really have to worry about antivirus with android aslong as you dont let everything under the sun have its way with superuser. Theres not much that can go wrong past wipeing your contacts or something but thats a quick refresh on sync and there back. Really all u need is a good device finder something that can help you recover a stolen device or what ever. I use Mobile Defence and its almost out of beta so should be available on the market soon.

SoltyPK said:
You dont really have to worry about antivirus with android aslong as you dont let everything under the sun have its way with superuser. Theres not much that can go wrong past wipeing your contacts or something but thats a quick refresh on sync and there back. Really all u need is a good device finder something that can help you recover a stolen device or what ever. I use Mobile Defence and its almost out of beta so should be available on the market soon.
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Click to collapse
Do you even know what your talking about? Wiping contacts? Where did you get that from? That's least of the worst fear far as you know it can dail in some 900 number and charge you whatever money they want. They can even data mine and steal other info but antivirus wont help you only way you can be safe is follow common sense and not giving permission to things that's suspicious and asking for access to things it has no need for access to.
Sent from my HTC Glacier

SoltyPK said:
You dont really have to worry about antivirus with android....
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Click to collapse
I beg to differ. Just using one news source .. and articles from the last 30 days, I found the following Andriod malware news stories:
Infected Androids Run Up Big Texting Bills
Mobile Spyware Conferences Into Your Calls
New Android Malware Robs Bandwidth For Fake Searches
Security Warning Over Web-Based Android Market
Android isn't Windows, but it is susceptible to attack. It is a growing market (300,000+ phones activated daily), filled with non-technical, clueless users, as well.

Here's one more, from another news source, from yesterday. Fifty apps. Five-Zero. In Android Market:
Google Removes More Malware from Android Market

The only alternative app market I've ever seen is appbrain, and that re-routes you to the standard market. Why would you use something other than the android market? Outside of pirated apps, it seems pretty pointless. Am I missing something?

Well thats the beauty of open community even if anything does show up it is quickly identified and users blow the whistle on it. Other than that you need walgarden based market like Apple's App Store which takes time and forever to post as this is fine as is. This is why user recommendation is important and mostly everyone use similar.
Far as virus thing goes its pure void I mean if it was identified then the source wouldn't be available in first place. You DON'T need anything as thats what they want you to think as they pray on your fear to buy these BS app which you don't even need with little caution you can be safe.

^^^^ lol Blackshelf is never wrong
.. at least that's what he thinks... ARROGANT
sent from my rooted mytouch 4g

surfnhawaii808 said:
^^^^ lol Blackshelf is never wrong
.. at least that's what he thinks... ARROGANT
sent from my rooted mytouch 4g
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Click to collapse
So why don't you prove me wrong here? are you actually trying to debate this? Last time I checked I was the one behind *nix system for past 12+ years. Thats like driving your car with your eyes closed and when you get in accident you blame the car, no you only have yourself to blame. As this same concept apply for system. Fine lets drop this subject ill let you prove your own point so did you ever find the docs about your "VICC 4G Sim Card"? How did that go for ya? how do I get one? will you sell me one for $9.99? lol

So since I don't need antivirus, and mal-ware is all I am looking for, what then is the best methods for telling if an App is laced with mal-ware? I am very careful in what I grant SU access and look at the permission before I install. I usually install from the app market. Any other helpful hints?

Well when you need something as the community for recommendations on which app would be appropriate for your need I mean if you Google it you will find answer as I'm sure someone asked, this way based on top pick what everyone use you can get.
Second is be cautious and what I mean by that is look for abnormalities like the app is asking for permission which wouldn't have news for to function.
Third is the most important part to where you get it ask you can reduce the risk by downloading from app market and not downloading from 3rd party of by pirated *.apk's as you wont know where it came from or what it contained.
If you follow these simple methods you can reduce the risk factor by large margin, now I am no fool I know you still can get it even after this but this way it wont be long before someone blow the whistle on it and app gets pulled from the market. This is just common sense you should follow.
Sent from my HTC Glacier

Antivirus software?
The most widely used free anti-virus software is AVG from Grisoft which makes money by selling virus protection to small businesses. To promote this, it offers domestic users a very professional free version which allows regular updates.

how much memory do I have available and how much is left

Wtf just look at attachments omg ... samsung

adrovic.ad said:
Wtf just look at attachments omg ... samsung
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How does this belong in Q&A? Do you have a question about it? This is common knowledge. If it annoys you, de-bloat it using the many methods out there.

kingzain900 said:
How does this belong in Q&A? Do you have a question about it? This is common knowledge. If it annoys you, de-bloat it using the many methods out there.
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I just want to know if someone else is haveing this I guess they do .. so what is the bloatware here ...touchwiz? and how can this be fixed
thats the question , sry

adrovic.ad said:
I just want to know if someone else is haveing this I guess they do .. so what is the bloatware here ...touchwiz? and how can this be fixed
thats the question , sry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's all the extra apps that Samsung has got in there, plus all the extra ringtones, wallpapers, etc.
You can do a few things (all of which require rooting the phone).
The fastest and best method (IMO) would be to install a custom ROM and remove the bloatware that way. Look at Omega ROM
Alternatively, you can do it yourself using root explorer and apps like Root App Delete.
Or use this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2468596
Use any of these methods at your own risk. The first one is the safest and easiest.

Forget it, Samsung has "reserved" a certain amount of space, approx 7gb, for the system files whether its used or not.
You can't change it in any way unless you want to play around with the partition table - pit file... This is an extremely BAD idea...

ultramag69 said:
Forget it, Samsung has "reserved" a certain amount of space, approx 7gb, for the system files whether its used or not.
You can't change it in any way unless you want to play around with the partition table - pit file... This is an extremely BAD idea...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He can still free up a bunch of space by removing all of the non-essential Samsung apps.

kingzain900 said:
He can still free up a bunch of space by removing all of the non-essential Samsung apps.
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Click to collapse
Asa long as they aren't installed as part of the system. Otherwise there's no point as you may free up system memory but you still can't utilise it...

ultramag69 said:
Asa long as they aren't installed as part of the system. Otherwise there's no point as you may free up system memory but you still can't utilise it...
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Thats right my friend I noticed exactly that but the taskmanager that samsung provides is bloatware?
Really omg I just cant believe what they are selling
Is there any way to remove completely the whole system memory and replace it with the google stock android while also being able to update the phone normaly.
If there isnt then im just going to swap it for an iphone 5 I made arrangements.
I dont trust all the moded firmware on this forum or anywhere else so is there any genuine 100% firmware from google stock android that I could use
Thank you

You could check out the developement part of the forum for a google rom.
There is no problem with most of what's done here as long as you read and are sure to follow the steps to flash. Most problems are people, and its not just noobs, jumping ahead and stuffing things up...