Google can remotely do w/e they want to my Nexus 4? - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Recently, I was overhearing a few geeks on the Metro. They were saying that Google can remotely disable your phone, one guy tried doing a chargeback(stupid scammer) and his phone wouldn't work. Is this true? Can Google really brick/make your Nexus 4 a non-usable phone?
In my opinion, that is too overpowering for Google, I mean if they can do that what else can they do that we don't know?

Technically they can, it's technology. They can push OTA updates, there is the google services functionality that allow users to remotely locate and wipe your device, so why not do more? I am using Cerberus app, it can do a ton more things, and have you read about CarrierIQ (they still put it in phones in some form or another, its just not covered by the media).
I think you should check with more reliable source before believing rumor from random nerds on the metro. Sounds like the device is labeled as stolen or some other infraction and the IMEI got blacklist, or he just did something dumb to break his phone. I haven't read Google pulling anything like this, if it was Apple abusing something like this I wouldn't be surprised though.
In my opinion, that is too overpowering for Google, I mean if they can do that what else can they do that we don't know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you read recent news about the NSA programs then you'll know all bets are off. There are more harmful tech entities out there to worry about in this respect than Google, like Microsoft or Facebook.

eksasol said:
Technically they can, it's technology. They can push OTA updates, there is the google services functionality that allow users to remotely locate and wipe your device, so why not do more? I am using Cerberus app, it can do a ton more things, and have you read about CarrierIQ (they still put it in phones in some form or another, its just not covered by the media).
I think you should check with more reliable source before believing rumor from random nerds on the metro. Sounds like the device is labeled as stolen or some other infraction and the IMEI got blacklist, or he just did something dumb to break his phone. I haven't read Google pulling anything like this, if it was Apple abusing something like this I wouldn't be surprised though.
If you read recent news about the NSA programs then you'll know all bets are off. There are more harmful tech entities out there to worry about in this respect than Google, like Microsoft or Facebook.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with you on the first one, I see no reason for Google to specifically disable one phone. That makes no sense.
Even Apple would not do that. Simply because they don't have the manpower to check everyone. And if they wanted to disable the device for someone they would only be able to block Google Services, unless they blacklist the IMEI.
And the idea that you should be more worried about Microsoft and Facebook is ridiculous. Google knows so much more about you. Everything most people do online + whatever you do with your portable devices is in their hands. Making them in my eyes, the single biggest harvester of personal information in the world. Is big too, but they only control their social network. Google could get Facebook data, but not the other way around.
Microsoft on the other hand, can spy on everything you do on your PC. But not your mobile device. That makes their data uniquely for games and office. And that last bit is not really exclusive because Google has Drive.
Sent from my N4, wanna know what I am doing? Check http://team-fun.eu now Free

As far as I know, yes. They control the hardware, they control the software (if you're on stock, even then, the internals of roms don't differ much from stock). Whats stopping them?

SHAWDAH said:
blah blah blah. Whats stopping them?
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Related

[SECURITY ALERT!] DroidDream Malware Found in Official Android Market

Google pulls 56 malicious apps from Android Marketplace
original source: http://blog.mylookout.com/2011/03/s...-found-in-official-android-market-droiddream/
List of malicious Android App that steals your information and download additional craps to your phone
Full list Developed by “Myournet”:
Falling Down
Super Guitar Solo
Super History Eraser
Photo Editor
Super Ringtone Maker
Super Sex Positions
Hot Sexy Videos
Chess
下坠滚球_Falldown
Hilton Sex Sound
Screaming Sexy Japanese Girls
Falling Ball Dodge
Scientific Calculator
Dice Roller
躲避弹球
Advanced Currency Converter
App Uninstaller
几何战机_PewPew
Funny Paint
Spider Man
蜘蛛侠
Full list Developed by “Kingmall2010″:
Bowling Time
Advanced Barcode Scanner
Supre Bluetooth Transfer
Task Killer Pro
Music Box
Sexy Girls: Japanese
Sexy Legs
Advanced File Manager
Magic Strobe Light
致命绝色美腿
墨水坦克Panzer Panic
裸奔先生Mr. Runner
软件强力卸载
Advanced App to SD
Super Stopwatch & Timer
Advanced Compass Leveler
Best password safe
掷骰子
多彩绘画
Full list Developed by “we20090202″:
Finger Race
Piano
Bubble Shoot
Advanced Sound Manager
Magic Hypnotic Spiral
Funny Face
Color Blindness Test
Tie a Tie
Quick Notes
Basketball Shot Now
Quick Delete Contacts
Omok Five in a Row
Super Sexy Ringtones
大家来找茬
桌上曲棍球
投篮高手
Personal warning I'll also include AppsPlanet into those list if I were you.
Note that, since everyone on Nexus S is presumably running at least Android 2.3, the vulnerability those apps exploited is already patched, rendering the malicious code ineffective. It's only people with older OS versions that need to be concerned. Yet another argument for taking responsibility for software updates out of the hands of manufacturers and carriers.
zorak950 said:
Yet another argument for taking responsibility for software updates out of the hands of manufacturers and carriers.
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Definitely agree with that
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zorak950 said:
Note that, since everyone on Nexus S is presumably running at least Android 2.3, the vulnerability those apps exploited is already patched, rendering the malicious code ineffective. It's only people with older OS versions that need to be concerned. Yet another argument for taking responsibility for software updates out of the hands of manufacturers and carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, fragmentation actually helps some of us
Google needs to fix this and adopt a similar process like Apple does. I try to be careful when downloading stuff, but there are many, many people out there who are not tech savy and this can be a large problem down the line. Piracy is another issue they need to fix. Has Google ever found a way to stop people from downloading an app, backing it up to SD card or PC, and then requesting a refund? If they haven't, they need to immediately.
meetagrawal said:
Has Google ever found a way to stop people from downloading an app, backing it up to SD card or PC, and then requesting a refund? If they haven't, they need to immediately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there's something along the line in regards to DEV protection about that.
It basically lets you only refund it once! for the lifetime of your Google account
so any app that you refunded once, you will not be able to refund it again the second time
which basically will prevent you from ever upgrading to a new version, even if you did rip them off once.
there are updates to your installed google apps like once a week, or once a day depending on the developers
the worse ones EA for example are aprox once a month upgrades
it's extremely annoying to not be able to update the apps, you always get annoyed about new apps alerts if you don't update.
so i always make sure all my apps are legit, so that i can use the UPDATE ALL button without having to manually update each app independently
wow here we go !
Luckily I don't download every app. Especially those that use the word sexy.
DKYang said:
Luckily I don't download every app. Especially those that use the word sexy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But those are the best ones!
Thanks for the heads up. Thankfully I didn't download any of those. To the point of the android app market becoming like apple, I'd resist that. Freedom is why I stopped using my iPhone and got a nexus s
most of these apps sound like porn anyway so who ever downloaded should have a virus or whatever the case may be. use your computer lol not your precious android.
not all of them, there are many legit apps and "useful" apps that were hacked, and then injected with the trojan, then release back to the market for free
like PewPew for example it's a legit game, but this is a fake version that works too, or too well, as it will download the trojan meanwhile you play the game
in the PewPew case, they didn't even rename the app
many of those other apps are just the same originals but renamed with the added payload inside
Analysis posted by Jon Larimer:
blogs.iss.net/archive/Examining%20the%20recent.html
An Update on Android Market Security
googlemobile.blogspot.com/2011/03/update-on-android-market-security.html

How much data can you actually obtain from an app/game?

I mean in terms of user habits. Can you:
- find out when the user is using your app/playing your game
- where they are geographically located (assuming they accept this prior to install)
- what the user has done in your game/app (as in what level they are at for games, or what data they searched for in your app)
- how often they click the banner ads in your app (if you own the banner ad for example)
- which banner ads they click (if you own the banner ad for example)
Thanks for your time guys!
yes, and that's not even the tip of the iceberg.
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lol, nice pic.
so any anyone shed some light or recommend any articles which would tell me what type of info an android app can take ?
or a iphone app for that matter.
i don't like the way this conversation is going. if your intentions were good, fair and honest, you'd be asking 'how to make this kicking app', not 'how to monitor my users'. the first bit comes before the second one. and the second bit is just basic knowledge that you'd use from the first one.
Im doing this because I am writing a research report on app privacy. I am a Ph.D student. I have no programming background to ever create an app. I am just trying to post on forums with knowledgeable people like this one to gain a bit more understanding of the privacy issues of the iPhone vs. Android.
If you would not like to post here, please feel free to PM me.
Thank You.
it's very simple. look at the docs for android, think how it could be used to monitor users, et voila. an app could have total access to the phone meaning all data that is on it could be monitored by an app. whether the user will use your app that wants all these permissions is unlikely and you really are asking a pointless question.
you are a phd student, i'll assume you can think for yourself, and so you sh/could be researching this for yourself by reading the docs (mind you, you will have to think though). no one is going to come out and say juicy things like "well, if you do this, you can get this info and this info and use it to do this" because it's probably going to be illegal. it's your paper, your credit, think man, think.
misc86;13318741I have no programming background to ever create an app[/QUOTE said:
well, you need at least the basic understandings you'll gain from (again) reading the android documentation. it's open source, you could (heck) even read the source code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
misc86 said:
Im doing this because I am writing a research report on app privacy. I am a Ph.D student. I have no programming background to ever create an app. I am just trying to post on forums with knowledgeable people like this one to gain a bit more understanding of the privacy issues of the iPhone vs. Android.
If you would not like to post here, please feel free to PM me.
Thank You.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Defcon video about privacy
http://vimeo.com/14980971
Watch that (very informative), then maybe read:
Google Analytics
http://code.google.com/mobile/analytics/docs/
Flurry: company used by a lot of apps to do in-app tracking
http://www.flurry.com/product/analytics/index.html
Maybe check out AdMob's site too.
My site - 13 page permission guide
http://alostpacket.com/2010/02/20/how-to-be-safe-find-trusted-apps-avoid-viruses/
Also Android Police is a decent site for security news (IMO).
I also just released an app that's a guide for people new to Android about permissions but I dont think I'm supposed to link to it here.
Google "PocketPermissions" and some links should turn up to read about it if you want.

Ad's in your Notification bar!

http://phandroid.com/2011/04/30/air...tification-pane-and-why-i-think-its-horrible/
read and watch the video, I think its total bull****.
They can try that crap if they want to...there's gonna be an app or mod to remove them the next day
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This will fail so hard...
I will NEVER install any app that includes this feature. Greedy developers that use this will never get my good rating.
XPLANE9 said:
I will NEVER install any app that includes this feature. Greedy developers that use this will never get my good rating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which authority states who is greedy and who isn't?
You people complain way too much. Don't download the apps if you don't like it.
http://www.martinadamek.com/2011/04/28/apndroid-is-suspended-on-the-android-market/
Nothing to worry about. Dumb idea is dumb idea.
Yellow C6 said:
http://www.martinadamek.com/2011/04/28/apndroid-is-suspended-on-the-android-market/
Nothing to worry about. Dumb idea is dumb idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 thing I learned from that link...
If about a few hundred of us get together and report a specific app malicious it gets auto removed haha
LOL
What is the world coming to...?
Airpush is nothing but adware in my opinion. Infecting your system with advertsements in places they shouldnt be.
Also if people that make malicious software start implementing airpushs code to access the notification bar.... Thatd really be frustrating.
I for one would NEVER download an app that uses this method to advertise. The developers deserve to make money, but not by annoying the hell out of the consumer.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
xriderx66 said:
1 thing I learned from that link...
If about a few hundred of us get together and report a specific app malicious it gets auto removed haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
power of unity
Open Platform is Open. Gonna have to deal with this stuff until Google is intelligent enough to publish Official, Enforced UI guidelines and start policing their marketplace better.
Unbelievable
I hate it when apps put something up there advertising their other apps, I will rage so hard if this pops up one day.
it's one thing to have ads within apps that run on their own, but to inject them into the notification/windowshade is beyond intrusive. no way in hell would I install anything that utilizes this
This is against the market rules.... report any app with this...
Google has already blocked/removed some apps doing this. Personally, I don't think its bad... have a full/clean screen for gaming, and I can just drop-down and clear without my screen being an ad....
o well, just report it.
s15274n said:
This is against the market rules.... report any app with this...
Google has already blocked/removed some apps doing this. Personally, I don't think its bad... have a full/clean screen for gaming, and I can just drop-down and clear without my screen being an ad....
o well, just report it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. No, it's not against the rules.
Google only removed the apps because of the number of people that reported them as MALICIOUS. That goes to show how little Google Polices their marketplace, though. They had absolutley no clue about this. It was just an overreaction on their part in those cases.
It's not against market rules, and it's not against the UI guidelines. Google needs to crack down. This would never happen in i.e. iOS or WP7 where they apps are actually checked before allowed to be posted to the marketplace. They'd get rejected in a new york setting.
And there is too much wrong with that. The notification bar is not for Ads. I don't even think Applications like Beejive/Trillian/etc. should be allowed to put their huge "Hi I'm running" things in the notification bar, either. It makes getting to the notifications too clunky esp with how much room these things take on a 4" screen...
^
The app that was removed, the developer wrote a very nice article stating that it violated policy and that is why his app was removed from the market, without any warning.
It is BS, I dont mind having ad during the game (like the flash ad in the browser).
But it is definitely a malware if there is ad popup from my desktop taskbar without opening anything

WWwwoooowwwww! (ASUS Sync update feature)

Anyone download the latest Asus Sync (from the 5th) and check out the "options" bar...
"ASUS Device Tracker"...
Which leads to: https://devicetracker.asus.com/
Which begs the question... are they planning a push that includes an "HTC_Logger" type MALWARE...
The good?
The bad?
THE WAIT IS THE KILLER... oh, just kidding, anywho, did a basic search with the keywords didnt find anything... thought id bring it up...
Wasnt there something they used to track already in the stock roms i saw a mention in one of the custom roms about removing something so that asus couldnt spy on us?
Sent from my tf101 using xda premium 1.4ghz
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Danzano said:
Wasnt there something they used to track already in the stock roms i saw a mention in one of the custom roms about removing something so that asus couldnt spy on us?
Sent from my tf101 using xda premium 1.4ghz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not for sure on that one, then again, I joined the scene for the TF only a month ago!
But this seems more of a legit public/user facing service... SEEMS being the KEY here...
Something like 'Find my Transformer'? It looks that way to me.
Hammerfest said:
Anyone download the latest Asus Sync (from the 5th) and check out the "options" bar...
"ASUS Device Tracker"...
Which leads to: https://devicetracker.asus.com/
Which begs the question... are they planning a push that includes an "HTC_Logger" type MALWARE...
The good?
The bad?
THE WAIT IS THE KILLER... oh, just kidding, anywho, did a basic search with the keywords didnt find anything... thought id bring it up...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stop reading any old tripe you read on the internet. The HTC thing isn't MALWARE. Thats just silly sensationalist reporting. You out to punish the tech idiots reporting that crap by going elsewhere for your tech news.
As for this, i'm guessing it's something like Android Lost, where you can send a push notification from the web (after logging on with your Google account) and your tablet will enable GPS or Wifi and work out where it is and respond back.
Try Android Lost to see what it's all about... It's unlikely to be a permanent tracker, more an on-request location service.
Pierre118 said:
Something like 'Find my Transformer'? It looks that way to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. The mobile phone insurance company Asurian had /has an app called Mobile Recovery. Once you log in securely from a PC you can activate your phones GPS for its location. You can also set off an alarm or wipe it remotely.
damn, I thought Asus gives free car. bombastic thread title op.
CrazyPeter said:
Stop reading any old tripe you read on the internet. The HTC thing isn't MALWARE. Thats just silly sensationalist reporting. You out to punish the tech idiots reporting that crap by going elsewhere for your tech news.
As for this, i'm guessing it's something like Android Lost, where you can send a push notification from the web (after logging on with your Google account) and your tablet will enable GPS or Wifi and work out where it is and respond back.
Try Android Lost to see what it's all about... It's unlikely to be a permanent tracker, more an on-request location service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When an application can cause DAMAGE, in the HTC case, STOLEN PERSONAL INFORMATION, then its MALWARE, pure and simple, When its fixed so that only HTC can get the logs of what you type, do, use, your location, then it becomes SPYWARE. No need to try and convince me otherwise because of the amount and specifics of the data collected and inability to opt-out.
Nice try however.
Hammerfest said:
When an application can cause DAMAGE, in the HTC case, STOLEN PERSONAL INFORMATION, then its MALWARE, pure and simple, When its fixed so that only HTC can get the logs of what you type, do, use, your location, then it becomes SPYWARE. No need to try and convince me otherwise because of the amount and specifics of the data collected and inability to opt-out.
Nice try however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plenty of applications in the world have the ability to cause damage. To call every single one of them malware is plain stupid. An unintentional security hole and malware are two completely different things. Might as well call su malware while youre at it. Think about what you say before you say it.
Sent from my creaky Thunderbolt
mb02 said:
Plenty of applications in the world have the ability to cause damage. To call every single one of them malware is plain stupid. An unintentional security hole and malware are two completely different things. Might as well call su malware while youre at it. Think about what you say before you say it.
Sent from my creaky Thunderbolt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously. Another example would be calling an automobile accident murder. Malware is defined by the intent...
I like the website text
" The Website is preparation, ASUS will provide services recently..."
Engrish much?
Made my day i hadnt looked at the website but thats halarious doesnt asus know about google translate???? rofl
Sent from my tf101 using xda premium 1.4ghz

Sony mobile website has been hacked ...

Sony mobile has been hacked ... with the following statements :
“Sony, we are dearly disappointed in your security. This is just one of eight Sony servers that we have control of. Maybe, just maybe considering IP addresses are available. Maybe, just maybe it’s the fact that not even your customers can trust you. Or maybe, just maybe the fact that you cannot do anything correct technologically.”
does Sony deserve that ?
what do you think ?
source :
http://www.xperiablog.net/2012/09/04/sony-mobile-website-hacked/
mehdi.moha said:
Sony mobile has been hacked ... with the following statements :
“Sony, we are dearly disappointed in your security. This is just one of eight Sony servers that we have control of. Maybe, just maybe considering IP addresses are available. Maybe, just maybe it’s the fact that not even your customers can trust you. Or maybe, just maybe the fact that you cannot do anything correct technologically.”
does Sony deserve that ?
what do you think ?
source :
http://www.xperiablog.net/2012/09/04/sony-mobile-website-hacked/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either you're i'm GAMER or The Truth Must Be Said.
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Sony gone learn today!
Blessi360 said:
Sony gone learn today!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They never learn unfortunately
mehdi.moha said:
Sony mobile has been hacked ... with the following statements :
“Sony, we are dearly disappointed in your security. This is just one of eight Sony servers that we have control of. Maybe, just maybe considering IP addresses are available. Maybe, just maybe it’s the fact that not even your customers can trust you. Or maybe, just maybe the fact that you cannot do anything correct technologically.”
does Sony deserve that ?
what do you think ?
source :
http://www.xperiablog.net/2012/09/04/sony-mobile-website-hacked/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems to me that they brought it on themselves. Afterall, they threw the first punch when they started suing anyone who found an exploit in their software. Lesson to learn here? don't start fights with people bigger and in this case, smarter than you.
Well, now h4x0rzz put their legs on table and say: "TROLOLOLO"
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app
These hackers piss me off publishing our PRIVATE data, so what, just deface their site, don't share personal information, Think Sony would get the message then, they don't care about customers.
Well, i dont have any Sony acc, so im fine
TheCraig said:
These hackers piss me off publishing our PRIVATE data, so what, just deface their site, don't share personal information, Think Sony would get the message then, they don't care about customers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understand something, they do not share customer data. Never have and NEVER will. If you truly do think they do then you don't understand hacktivism and how it actually works. They are not after the customers, they are after ANY big company that feels they are untouchable.
agraceful said:
Understand something, they do not share customer data. Never have and NEVER will. If you truly do think they do then you don't understand hacktivism and how it actually works. They are not after the customers, they are after ANY big company that feels they are untouchable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice information
I was impressed with political extension of the word hack myself.
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk 2
Sony....you're security is worse than a CoD Game.
I think the hackers should blackmail them for the old algorithm on how to unlock R800x's

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