Database Users

[Q] Security for Android

OK, I did search for this before I posted so I hope I don't get anybody mad for starting a new thread if this has been covered.
Regarding security threats and android phones. I did see the thread about a malware program out of Russia affecting android phones (installed via a movie program?). But in general, security issues do not seem to be a big issue.
The other threads I've found seem to have conflicting opinions.
So my question(s) is, how much do you all worry about security issues? Does anybody use Lookout (free mobile security app)? I did see that it has high ratings on the market, but I put more stock in what this community has for opinions than the market users.
Again, if this has been covered to death and I missed it, I apologize.

I do have concerns over security and therefore really don't install many apps. Since I have had an android phone, my gmail account has been compromised once, allowing spam to be sent from my gmail account and also spam to be placed on my Blogger site. While I cannot be certain it was something on my phone that allowed this, I rarely use my computer to access any of my Google apps. I also had never had issues with any email or other accounts being compromised for as long as I've had a computer. I also rarely get spam. So while I can't be certain, the fact it showed my account being logged into by a mobile device in Malaysia makes me very suspicious.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

Thanks for the reply. I take it you haven't used Lookout or any of the other security apps?
Lookout looks legit, but I am a little skeptical. Guess I'll wait and see if I get any other responses before I do anything with it.

I haven't tried it in the past, as I'm skeptical too. I went ahead and installed it though after my post just to see. It is now being installed by some of the carriers by default apparently and I guess has won some awards, so hopefully it's been poked at a bit by people to where it itself isn't a large threat. Figure if it doesn't impact performance a lot there can't be any harm in trying it. Now, as for how effective it really is, I'd imagine that's something many people will never know.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

Again, thanks for your input.
Performance impact is basically what I was worried about. I actually installed it the other day but when I realized it was on ALL the time, I uninstalled it before really giving it a chance.
I guess it's worth a shot. I'll install it again tonight and run a couple before and after quadrant benchmarks to see how much of an impact.
If I don't get anybody else posting here, I'll still post my experience in a couple/few days, so if you're interested, check back later in the week.
Thanks dpeeps, have a good one.

Paranoid much?
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

Eric_1966_FXE said:
Thanks for the reply. I take it you haven't used Lookout or any of the other security apps?
Lookout looks legit, but I am a little skeptical. Guess I'll wait and see if I get any other responses before I do anything with it.
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seriously? lookout is featured in a Droid commercial for verizon. (i think its verizon anyhow)
i use it, i really haven't noticed any effect on the performance.

Vandelay007 said:
Paranoid much?
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
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Not paranoid .... just cautious.
There is so much good information on this site that when I search for something that sounds too good (for free), and I can't find anything, yes, I'm going to "err on the side of caution".
ngholson, thanks for the input.

Eric_1966_FXE said:
ngholson, thanks for the input.
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Click to collapse
you are welcome. i use it mostly for the lost feature. if i lose it i can activate the gps and locate it that way, and i can also make it scream (caution this is really loud, and the only way to stop it is a battery pull) if it is somewhere close to me. it is very effective.
EDIT: they changed the scream feature, now it will scream for 1 minute and you can stop it by turning the volume down on the phone.

this is how facebook home looks on note 2

hi guys, ..as you all know, come april 12th, facebook home is going to be on play store for the note 2 , s3 and htc one and the s4
this is a video of facebook developer showing the fb home on his note 2... what do you guys think of it....mine would be crap because my friends post fugly photos and silly posts...i might uninstall it after 1 day ...lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyPHCvACNcc

pakure said:
hi guys, ..as you all know, come april 12th, facebook home is going to be on play store for the note 2 , s3 and htc one and the s4
this is a video of facebook developer showing the fb home on his note 2... what do you guys think of it....mine would be crap because my friends post fugly photos and silly posts...i might uninstall it after 1 day ...lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyPHCvACNcc
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Same here LOL

I do not think I would like FB as the 'center' of my phone...I will give it a shot but doubt I will keep it.

I hate face book overall lol.. Don't use the app won't even touch this thing.. Don't like anyone stalking my life neither I like to see what others are doing with their life in real time.. Rather to visit in person my good friends and talk.. Probably do a barbecue and drink a bear.. :thumbdown:
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

Yeah will probably play around with it a bit. But that's about it I guess. Good that it's a launcher though tbf. You could get rid of it when you're sick of it.

I won't bother with this crap. No widgets!!!

I think it is a bad thing especially since they will be downloading stuff in the background all the time. My wife read that the program FaceBook Home uses for the camera Instagram will replace the stock one and that some people have had trouble returning to stock. I don't know if this is true but lots of people have had trouble with uninstalling FaceBook. So I would not even try it until others have tried it and removed it successfully.

1 minute in and I decided that it's not for me.
My world doesn't revolve around FB enough that I want it to rule my phone. Not to mention with how sketchy they are with changing privacy settings.

will try, but will uninstall asap,
cuase of sucking battery and data usage

i think i will give it a try

Does this crap replace the FB app? If so, I'm going to completely uninstall it and just use the http.

No way I will use Facebook home. Facebook is scary. ..
Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk 2

I do use the Facebook app and especially the Messenger app, I am not a very active user on Facebook but it's great to contact and keep in touch with certain "less connected" friends/relatives/acquaintances.
That said, just thinking of replacing Nova Launcher Prime with it makes me LOL just like replacing my car with an ice cream cart would... :laugh:

I would give a try, n see how things working, but it is scary thought to involve private life too much including all phone os... I may require facebook to stay just as simple application when ever I run.
Not to be sycnc with everything I do.

Can someone upload the shell apk? Can't see to get Mega to dl on my phone :/

I tried the pre-release version posted on Modaco. Hated the experience. Felt like a straightjacket! Am back to Nova Launcher now. Phew! For those who want to test it out, here is the link. It works fine on Note II.
http://www.modaco.com/page/news/_/android/facebook-home-pre-release-leaks-r1028
EDIT
If you are not able to download from Mega, here is the file - unzip and install the three apks inside like you would normally do. You might have to uninstall the existing FB app first.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzUef3yN6XpVOThaXzhoZFpaWUE/edit?usp=sharing

krumbs said:
I tried the pre-release version posted on Modaco. Hated the experience. Felt like a straightjacket! Am back to Nova Launcher now. Phew! For those who want to test it out, here is the link. It works fine on Note II.
http://www.modaco.com/page/news/_/android/facebook-home-pre-release-leaks-r1028
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you download with phone? Mega doesn't work with Android Chrome

one80oneday said:
Can someone upload the shell apk? Can't see to get Mega to dl on my phone :/
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Click to collapse
Have uploaded to Google Drive - https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzUef3yN6XpVOThaXzhoZFpaWUE/edit?usp=sharing

msedek said:
I hate face book overall lol.. Don't use the app won't even touch this thing.. Don't like anyone stalking my life neither I like to see what others are doing with their life in real time.. Rather to visit in person my good friends and talk.. Probably do a barbecue and drink a bear.. :thumbdown:
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow you guyz drink bears LOL... dont they fight back????
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

I would rather repeatedly crush my genitals in a vice than put this crap on my awesome note 2
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda premium

NFL Mobile + root = no go???

So as some of you may already know, the latest update for the NFL Mobile app (came out this morning I think) has officially killed its functionality with rooted (or "non stock Android") devices. A story on Android Police can be see here.
At any rate, I saw a recent post on a GSIII forum (here)where the user claimed to have a workaround which, among other things, involved renaming the superuser.apk, however if you're using CM nowadays then you'll know there really isn't a separate apk - instead it is now integrated into the rom. That being said, does anyone have any idea similar to this that might work for tricking the app into thinking it isn't running on a rooted unit? I have no clue myself, but seeing as how no one has started a dedicated thread for this in the forum of the current Google flagship phone, I thought I'd get things started.
Thanks in advance people!

Well I guess it looks like no one has any ideas...? Oh well, a rare swing-and-a-miss for solutions in the xda community

A quick fix would be to just find the apk for an older version and install that one. That's what I'm currently trying to do, there's no reason for then to block us from using it just because we're rooted.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

Kyle C said:
A quick fix would be to just find the apk for an older version and install that one. That's what I'm currently trying to do, there's no reason for then to block us from using it just because we're rooted.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
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Click to collapse
Well yeah, I mean I already uninstalled and then restored a backed up version of the app using Titanium Backup. The problem is - and if you've been a user of the NFL apps over the last year or two then you'll know this - that the NFL app is not like most apps where each upgrade just adds some incremental upgrades or changes. With this app the upgrades are typically pushed out right before the start of the key timeframes of the NFL season: usually an update right before preseason; another before the start of the regular season; another at the start of the playoffs; another right before the Super Bowl; and once more right before the draft in April. Each update is specific to that time period of the season and usually contains the critical information/tweaks/additions/UI alterations specific for that segment of the year. Point being, after missing an update or two, the app becomes extremely outdated and eventually useless. And that's why, in the mid-to-long term, just using the older version of the apk unfortunately isn't a useful alternative. Damn you NFL! Now we just have to hope the xda community will come to the rescue as they usually are able to do

joeski27 said:
Well yeah, I mean I already uninstalled and then restored a backed up version of the app using Titanium Backup. The problem is - and if you've been a user of the NFL apps over the last year or two then you'll know this - that the NFL app is not like most apps where each upgrade just adds some incremental upgrades or changes. With this app the upgrades are typically pushed out right before the start of the key timeframes of the NFL season: usually an update right before preseason; another before the start of the regular season; another at the start of the playoffs; another right before the Super Bowl; and once more right before the draft in April. Each update is specific to that time period of the season and usually contains the critical information/tweaks/additions/UI alterations specific for that segment of the year. Point being, after missing an update or two, the app becomes extremely outdated and eventually useless. And that's why, in the mid-to-long term, just using the older version of the apk unfortunately isn't a useful alternative. Damn you NFL! Now we just have to hope the xda community will come to the rescue as they usually are able to do
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Ooooh gotcha. I didn't realize that that's how NFL ran their app. That's really annoying.

i'm not rooted, but that does seem like somebody went off the deep end with this app. rooting a device won't hurt their revenue, in fact, it will probably increase it from allowing ALL Android (and iOS) devices access the app. instead, they're cutting off access to a HUGE chunk of their fans, present and future. in essence, they're biting the hand that feeds them.
i voted the app down in the app store out of principal alone.

I am extremely displeased with this as well and am searching for a solution. Leave it to Verizon to try to control how you use YOUR phone.

hey is this an nfl app for verizon or a market version for all?

playya said:
hey is this an nfl app for verizon or a market version for all?
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From what I gather there are two different versions - the one that comes on Verizon phones, and the one that anyone else can grab from the Play Store. I have the Play Store version (as a TMo customer).

@joeski27
Block removed. Enjoy!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2395333

Its working for me on pa
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Working on 4.3 stock rooted.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

CNexus said:
@joeski27
Block removed. Enjoy!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2395333
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Click to collapse
Boss.

CNexus said:
@joeski27
Block removed. Enjoy!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2395333
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And THAT is why the xda community is PRICELESS! You're my hero, well done and a big tip of the cap to you, CNex! Long live xda, and long live Android!!! And btw I'll do my best to spread the word to the countless other forums on xda for other devices with people trying to find th same solution!

joeski27 said:
And THAT is why the xda community is PRICELESS! You're my hero, well done and a big tip of the cap to you, CNex! Long live xda, and long live Android!!! And btw I'll do my best to spread the word to the countless other forums on xda for other devices with people trying to find th same solution!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, sounds good
Just in posting my thread I got a ton of hits of people freaking out about the new app...lol

FYI, they have fixed the app and it is now working perfectly fine on rooted devices strait from the play store

I might be the only one it's not working for. Wondering if anyone can help.
I cannot get 95% of the buttons to work in the Fantasy section of the app. Not only that, when I said 'to hell with the app' and went to their mobile site (which looks exactly like the app), I got the same thing... 95% of the buttons on the mobile site wouldn't do anything.
Now, on my N7, everything works fine.
Any ideas?
Edit: It was Ad Away. Can't use the app while it's running. Now I'll try to find the hosts file and see if I can edit the NFL entries out of it.

BBM now live...

So Blackberry Messenger is now live. But I've its forced close like a dozen times in the last hour. Just me?
Btw add me 75e83757

It's live, but the waiting list makes it useless until you get in

A waiting list for a messenger is one of the most ridiculous things that I've heard this year. They obviously do not have the infrastructure in place to provide a cross platform service properly.
The little interest that I did have in Blackberry's last throw of the dice evaporated with that move. The only way I will install BBM now is if literally my entire contact list moves over to it and uses nothing else (not likely).
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk

It's live for me. But I used the leaked apk for a while before BB disabled it. So my email address was active from day one. Plus I used to have a BlackBerry back a couple years ago on the same email account. So I got instant access when it hit the play store.
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Premium 4.
Ride it like you downhill it.

I can't help feel BlackBerry have shot themselves in the foot here. BBM for BlackBerry has remained, as it always was, a paid service. Yet the BBM on other platforms is free. Makes no sense. Surely it's freeing up everyone who wanted a BB for BBM to just move to say Android for the greater choice of handsets, better specs etc... and free BBM. Not a great business move at all. Idiots. That's all I can say. Even putting ads in BBM could have helped saved their asses. Imagine the audience BBM will get, 1 million downloads of the LEAKED app alone. They are kissing goodbye to some great opportunities here. But hell, I'm android now. Screw BlackBerry and their weird market strategy.
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Premium 4.
Ride it like you downhill it.

Why must be like this????
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

They could make a lot of money from the info we provide them. Much like viber does.
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

Djocker said:
Why must be like this????
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
Because there is a waiting list, presumably because they haven't got enough servers to handle demand. Probably the same reason they halted the rollout last month, despite blaming people with the leaked apk.
Also, you really should remove your email address from that screenshot.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk

Whatsapp and Viber for me! No BBM...

Kirkymole said:
I can't help feel BlackBerry have shot themselves in the foot here. BBM for BlackBerry has remained, as it always was, a paid service. Yet the BBM on other platforms is free. Makes no sense. Surely it's freeing up everyone who wanted a BB for BBM to just move to say Android for the greater choice of handsets, better specs etc... and free BBM. Not a great business move at all. Idiots. That's all I can say. Even putting ads in BBM could have helped saved their asses. Imagine the audience BBM will get, 1 million downloads of the LEAKED app alone. They are kissing goodbye to some great opportunities here. But hell, I'm android now. Screw BlackBerry and their weird market strategy.
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Premium 4.
Ride it like you downhill it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually seeing as with BB10 the devices no longer require a blackberry data plan(shocking to me really) then it is free for all newer devices which is probably why they probably decided to open it up to other platforms.
As for the app itself, no force closes on my device, was unable to add contacts the 1st night I got to register but then by the next morning it was all working smoothly.

A few years to late. Funny how Bb tries to stay relevant.
Gesendet von meinem C6603 mit Tapatalk

I have a group with several colleagues including a few that still uses a blackberry device. But those with BB device has incorrect time stamp when chatting in group. But the bb device users see my chat's time stamp is still correct. Has anyone else here have the same problem?

I had to wait like a day for my account activation. The email actually arrived hours later.

Uhm excuse me.. Why is anyone interested in this? We have Whatsapp?

DoubleYouPee said:
Uhm excuse me.. Why is anyone interested in this? We have Whatsapp?
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Click to collapse
BBM has something of a cult style following. I personally hate WhatsApp. It's user interface is ugly and it doesn't always notify me or my other half that we actually have sent each other messages. Plus bbm you don't have to have the contact in your phone book. Which is always a good thing.
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Premium 4.
Ride it like you downhill it.

Kirkymole said:
BBM has something of a cult style following. I personally hate WhatsApp. It's user interface is ugly and it doesn't always notify me or my other half that we actually have sent each other messages. Plus bbm you don't have to have the contact in your phone book. Which is always a good thing.
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Premium 4.
Ride it like you downhill it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used Whatsapp every day for 3 years (as does the entire country) and it always notifies. Probably user error.
Actually not needing an account (as it uses your contacts) is one of the greet things about Whatsapp, because you don't need an account that you need to sign in to or add eachother. It's just like SMS but free plus group conversations, free image/video send etc.

DoubleYouPee said:
I've used Whatsapp every day for 3 years (as does the entire country) and it always notifies. Probably user error.
Actually not needing an account (as it uses your contacts) is one of the greet things about Whatsapp, because you don't need an account that you need to sign in to or add eachother. It's just like SMS but free plus group conversations, free image/video send etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hardly user error considering I've used it since it hit Android and know my way round the very simple app very well. Probably more a phone error. I'm on an XZ with various mods, my other half's on an iPhone 4, which doesn't accept Whatsapp properly anyway. Worked perfectly on my HTC.
You like Whatsapp. I hate it. Each to their own.
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Premium 4.
Ride it like you downhill it.

Vibration on new messages
Hey, is anyone having trouble turning off vibration whenever a new message is received on BBM?

Can anyone attach the notification tone here
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk

With the increasingly large number of BBM threads being created throughout XDA on a regular basis, the Moderation Team assigned to this group of forums has decided that it's simply not feasible to allow it to continue any further. Since BBM groups are more of a social group rather than a discussion about a particular device, they are not appropriate for a device specific forum such as this one, and in the interest of keeping the forums clean we have decided to close all BBM threads in our assigned device specific forums.
Having said that, there are options still available to users that require the use of BBM groups as a medium for communication:
1) You may post your PINs, group info, etc., in the BBM for Android located in XDA General.
2) You can send your info through a private message to the OPs of existing BBM group threads.
3) You can include your PIN, QR code, or group info in your signature.
Since BBM groups are a relatively new topic on XDA, it is still possible that certain accomodations could be made sometime in the future depending on the overall need. Until then, the decision to close all BBM threads in our area will remain in effect so we appreciate your understanding and cooperation on the matter.
Thank you

I created my first ever Android app to download free piano sheet music in PDF format

Hi guys,
This isn't necessarily a Nexus 5 app per se, but I do own the device and I love it.
I envision people using this app on their tablets to download sheet music and be able to play it right away.
If you don't own an android tablet, you can use it on your phone and I've added share functionality so that the PDFs can be sent right away from within the app, to say DropBox or other cloud file services so that they can be viewed on other devices or even printed.
If you guys play piano, let me know what you think, or maybe just spread the words to your friends that do.

cow_like_object said:
Hi guys,
This isn't necessarily a Nexus 5 app per se, but I do own the device and I love it.
I envision people using this app on their tablets to download sheet music and be able to play it right away.
If you don't own an android tablet, you can use it on your phone and I've added share functionality so that the PDFs can be sent right away from within the app, to say DropBox or other cloud file services so that they can be viewed on other devices or even printed.
If you guys play piano, let me know what you think, or maybe just spread the words to your friends that do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where is the app? name?

Omg I totally derped didn't I...
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wang.gangqinpu

cow_like_object said:
Omg I totally derped didn't I...
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wang.gangqinpu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks pretty nice, clean & simple, congrats.. :good:

It says that it is incompatible with all my devices!
I have a Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Asus transformer TF301 and nvidia shield!
Edit: it looks like it isn't available in my country!

Oh really? What country are you from?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

Try mine too!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.houssni.filemanager