[Q] Privacy on the Note 3 - Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So I recently got my N3 and I've been looking around the forums for privacy features similar to those shipped with cyanogen-mod and AOKP with regard to apps. I really want to block apps like twitter and such from getting into my address book and this I could do with "Privacy Guard" on my old handset.
So I've been on the lookout for something similar for the N3 via a mod or root+tweak but haven't seen anything yet. Maybe there's some manual way to it? Any thoughts or ideas?

xposed framework + xprivacy module - all you need

Don't worry, the NSA has got everything anyways

How about some firewall + Titanium Backup..
You can freeze / delete all unwanted apps with Titanium Backup and put some apps behind firewall if you need them, but they just don't need to get internet access

I'm not that concerned with whatever the agencies do in this case... I however don't want to be part of this aggressive advertisement that companies run. Do you know this or that person e-mails...
Thanks for the tips. Will look into them

Related

Permissions

Will omniroms system apps have the same unnecessary and abusive permissions as stock roms and cyanogen mode roms have?
I'm quite concerned about privacy and whatever rom I use, be it stock, cyanogen mode or aosp, I have to restrict dozens of privacy related permissions.
And of course the device still works, which means that those perms weren't needed.
For example, I don't see why some system apps (I mean, not Google apps cuz I get rid of them but apps like systemui, settings, android system etc.) want to access my location, my contacts, my logs, my imei, my id, my serial number, my phone number, my provider, the list of accounts on the phone etc. eventhough they don't need it to work properly.
I guess that cyanogen mode doesn't have any other choice but to include what is to my opinion little more than spyware in the source, cuz if they didn't Google wouldn't allow them to use its material.
So what about omni roms? Will they be free from Google spyware or will they be enfeoffed to it?
unclefab said:
Will omniroms system apps have the same unnecessary and abusive permissions as stock roms and cyanogen mode roms have?
I'm quite concerned about privacy and whatever rom I use, be it stock, cyanogen mode or aosp, I have to restrict dozens of privacy related permissions.
And of course the device still works, which means that those perms weren't needed.
For example, I don't see why some system apps (I mean, not Google apps cuz I get rid of them but apps like systemui, settings, android system etc.) want to access my location, my contacts, my logs, my imei, my id, my serial number, my phone number, my provider, the list of accounts on the phone etc. eventhough they don't need it to work properly.
I guess that cyanogen mode doesn't have any other choice but to include what is to my opinion little more than spyware in the source, cuz if they didn't Google wouldn't allow them to use its material.
So what about omni roms? Will they be free from Google spyware or will they be enfeoffed to it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those permissions are there so they can interact with other things in the system.
unclefab said:
Will omniroms system apps have the same unnecessary and abusive permissions as stock roms and cyanogen mode roms have?
I'm quite concerned about privacy and whatever rom I use, be it stock, cyanogen mode or aosp, I have to restrict dozens of privacy related permissions.
And of course the device still works, which means that those perms weren't needed.
For example, I don't see why some system apps (I mean, not Google apps cuz I get rid of them but apps like systemui, settings, android system etc.) want to access my location, my contacts, my logs, my imei, my id, my serial number, my phone number, my provider, the list of accounts on the phone etc. eventhough they don't need it to work properly.
I guess that cyanogen mode doesn't have any other choice but to include what is to my opinion little more than spyware in the source, cuz if they didn't Google wouldn't allow them to use its material.
So what about omni roms? Will they be free from Google spyware or will they be enfeoffed to it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of the box, there's no "spyware" that anyone is aware of in Android. If you install Google Apps, you are giving those apps these permissions obviously.
If you don't use Gapps (like me), then you should be fine - you can check what each app does in its own source code.
I am also looking into ways to help protect against spying third party software you install (ie. apps a user installs), for those who want added protection.
I work as a security researcher, so yes, I do care quite a bit about security, and excessive permissions is a life-long hate of mine There are no gapps when you install Omni, so you'll be safe. For those who want them, they can flash them.
What I meant with spyware is not what one usually calls spyware, but I didn't have any other term to refer to it.
What I wanted to say it's that system apps (not Google apps like gmail or gtalk but system apps like phone, android system, systemui etc.) have intrusive, and unnecessary, permissions. When I say unnecessary I mean it, cuz I block or spoof them without my phone to have any problem. I know it's not the devs' fault but Google's, who likes to know what we do, who and where we are, and thus releases android updates full of spying system apps.
So then I wanted to know if Omni's system apps will be free from such perms, since the source comes from Google.
Until cm7 it was possible to block perms directly from the app manager, but I guess Google got annoyed at it and obliged the cm team to remove that function.
Whatever rom we use now, we are left with system apps spying on us, and that's why I call them spyware.
Cuz for me apps that want to know where I am, what contacts I have, what numbers I have called, my phone number, my imei etc, eventhough they don't need it, are in a way spywares. For instance look at the framework-res.apk (android system), every time we connect to the internet it calls home (I've checked, the address is Google inc, mountain view, CA). Look at the perms the systemui or the phone apk have, it's insane! Not to mention all the other system apps that want to access the /proc folder, our serial number and the like. Oh yeah, I nearly forgot fusedlocation.apk, Google's latest spyware since 4.2.2, that one can't uninstall or freeze or block.
I do not use Google apps, and I do use apps like Xprivacy or af+wall, but still, it annoys me to always have to play cat and mouse, and it annoys me that the android system always calls Google when I connect to the internet. Not that I'm an internationally wanted terrorist, but hey, privacy is privacy!
The thing is that future android updates will be more and more filled with such spyware (above mentioned fusedlocation.apk being the perfect example), and I hope that devs will find a way to bypass it.
That's why when I saw an announcement about Omnia I came to see if it will be better than cm privacy wise, and to give some suggestions about privacy and permissions...
unclefab said:
What I meant with spyware is not what one usually calls spyware, but I didn't have any other term to refer to it.
What I wanted to say it's that system apps (not Google apps like gmail or gtalk but system apps like phone, android system, systemui etc.) have intrusive, and unnecessary, permissions. When I say unnecessary I mean it, cuz I block or spoof them without my phone to have any problem. I know it's not the devs' fault but Google's, who likes to know what we do, who and where we are, and thus releases android updates full of spying system apps.
So then I wanted to know if Omni's system apps will be free from such perms, since the source comes from Google.
Until cm7 it was possible to block perms directly from the app manager, but I guess Google got annoyed at it and obliged the cm team to remove that function.
Whatever rom we use now, we are left with system apps spying on us, and that's why I call them spyware.
Cuz for me apps that want to know where I am, what contacts I have, what numbers I have called, my phone number, my imei etc, eventhough they don't need it, are in a way spywares. For instance look at the framework-res.apk (android system), every time we connect to the internet it calls home (I've checked, the address is Google inc, mountain view, CA). Look at the perms the systemui or the phone apk have, it's insane! Not to mention all the other system apps that want to access the /proc folder, our serial number and the like. Oh yeah, I nearly forgot fusedlocation.apk, Google's latest spyware since 4.2.2, that one can't uninstall or freeze or block.
I do not use Google apps, and I do use apps like Xprivacy or af+wall, but still, it annoys me to always have to play cat and mouse, and it annoys me that the android system always calls Google when I connect to the internet. Not that I'm an internationally wanted terrorist, but hey, privacy is privacy!
The thing is that future android updates will be more and more filled with such spyware (above mentioned fusedlocation.apk being the perfect example), and I hope that devs will find a way to bypass it.
That's why when I saw an announcement about Omnia I came to see if it will be better than cm privacy wise, and to give some suggestions about privacy and permissions...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there's anything that you've found like "call home" routines, please let us know - they will be looked at and removed if necessary.
Totally agree with you on privacy though here. It's very important. I have some ideas to go further than CM, but it's all ideas for now.
pulser_g2 said:
Out of the box, there's no "spyware" that anyone is aware of in Android. If you install Google Apps, you are giving those apps these permissions obviously.
If you don't use Gapps (like me), then you should be fine - you can check what each app does in its own source code.
I am also looking into ways to help protect against spying third party software you install (ie. apps a user installs), for those who want added protection.
I work as a security researcher, so yes, I do care quite a bit about security, and excessive permissions is a life-long hate of mine There are no gapps when you install Omni, so you'll be safe. For those who want them, they can flash them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question here, if you do not use gapp what exactly do you use? I mean you need ways to download apps right? so you only install the playstore and call it a day or what?
mgbotoe said:
Question here, if you do not use gapp what exactly do you use? I mean you need ways to download apps right? so you only install the playstore and call it a day or what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to keep only the play store you can, but you will have to keep the Google service framework as well, and maybe the Google log in.
@pulser_g2
my phone is very well protected, and skinned to the extreme (like only 20 or so remaining system apps), so for now the only app that performs a call home routine is the android system. But if I disable all the protections then the wlan test, the settings and the settings storage do call home as well. I guess other system apps would do it as well, but since I've uninstalled more than 150 of them I can't tell which ones.
One can check by oneself using this:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/monitor-your-devices-network-connections/
and this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...dium=organic&utm_term=network+log+google+play
Regarding android system's home call routine, could you please point me at a tutorial explaining how to disable it (I searched the web but couldn't find anything)? I'm not a dev, but I'm not bad at modding
I'm happy to see that you are more privacy concerned than cm, and when Omnia gets released I think I will try to make a build for my galaxy grand i9082 (cuz there's not much development going on for that device)...

What does Google Play really need to work properly

Hello there
I'm about to strip my system of any useless (for me) function and/or app and restrict every possible spying activity.
I messed around with the system and deactived alot of bulk and spam. I also restricted all the stupid triggers with autostarts.
Don't know If anyone saw all the things going on behind the surface, using all the following things to analyse:
I'm using several apps to do so. Xprivacy, Android Firewall, Autostarts, Root Cleaner, Android Tuner, Root Uninstaller, LBE-Security Master and Root Explorer.
So my question to someone with experience is:
What exactly does the google play and also the google framework needs to work properly ?
Would be nice to know that.
cya
seems to be a big secret... ? I think, there are several commands in this play store like, if this app or this function does not get X, return "no connection", even if it got its connection...
no one knows ?
I think it is important to know...

[Q] Virus or Android now Untamed?

Hello Good People of XDA
I have been a i9506 owner for quite long, had a 9100 before,
I am used to root and mess with apps to customize things to my wim,
at the best of my knowledge (I lack android programming skills, but I can do things with terminal and filesystems).
All that before to say I am not totally a noob, but my lack of technical knowledge might bite me there.
System wise, I am under 4.2.2, rooted, unknow sources are not allowed, system check for apps is allowed,
I have an antivirus (more than one, but only one works each day, just to be sure I don't miss things)...
My problem is that I recently found out that some apps, actually system apps, blocked
with Titanium backup, or with gemini app manager, or app quarantine,
were actually running anyway.
They are marked as blocked in my app manager, but can still be force closed,
and they appear in battery displays (most of these under the android system block, in the list of services/apps used),
and in process running when using Ccleaner apps.
Also, my battery display show GPS is activated, while when I go into options, all boxes are off or unticked.
I thus wonder what's happening?
How is it possible to have these schrödinger apps tamed and blocked like I want them.
I want these to shut down and only work when I DO ALLOW these, for them not to suck my battery or do unauthorized chores like tracking me when I don't want.
How is it possible that they even behave like that? In i9100, I never observed that in Android 4.0.
I wonder if Google didn't change the workings for making us unable to disactivate what we don't want to work, which was pissing them off.
They already change the permissions displays in the market so permissions as intrusive as "contacts/sms message/USB stockage" are considered "not relevant/important",
while they are depending on the announced display of the app.
But I don't want to go on the "conspiracy route" (I am not like that, I am a pragmatist and I just observe facts, like these apps, with sensitive access, not being able to be deactivated), so let's focus on the technical part:
such apps were Maps, Samsung sync adapters, NFC service , Google Agenda/Contact synchronisation, sysscope, context provider, etc.
That's a lots of things that are supposed to communicate to cloud or other devices, with feels lot like a gaping flaw in the armor...
I want a phone and a tool, not something that track me or put me at risk of being stolen by somebody with technical knowledge.
Am I alone?
Thanks for any insights.
Blocked apps still working
I don't know if my title was too unclear, so I would like to change the title but am unable to do so?
Is it please possible for a moderator to do it (with the title of this post)?
Thanks by advance.
I feel like it is a true problem not being able to block some apps,
or even more, to believe they are blocked while they perfectly perform in the background,
and display activity only in secondary reports, not under their respective "buttons"/information tabs.
I wonder abourt the technical reason to such behavior.
Then delete those apps or block some of the permissions with an app (eg Privacyguard).
It's my opinion that an antivirus app (at the moment) is a waste of resources. Just think before you install something. Also if you are worried about security, you should always run the latest version of Android. 4.2.2 is an old version.
Lennyz1988 said:
Then delete those apps or block some of the permissions with an app (eg Privacyguard).
It's my opinion that an antivirus app (at the moment) is a waste of resources. Just think before you install something. Also if you are worried about security, you should always run the latest version of Android. 4.2.2 is an old version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer.
Well I don't want to delete system app when they might be useful at time.
I just want them to behave correctly, that is, not work when they are blocked.
That is not a solution to say "uninstall this", while the true problem is Android general behavior here.
I didn't installed system apps, they came with the thing, and all of them are not bloatware.
"NFC service" is something I want to keep for when I am ready to use it,
but I don't want to let it free and unleashed because of the opening it leaves on my phone.
Same goes for bluetooth, synced backups and so on.
I don't want backups on the cloud, so I deactivated the options, and blocked the apps.
Why are they running? It is not normal!
And my old version is maybe not secure, but actually trying 4.3 hasn't changed anything,
and I only suspect this to be some "new feature".
The antivirus is a waste for scans, I agree, still it has useful firewall features that justifies in itself its uses.

Instead of rooting...?

If I recall correctly, the Priv's OS has some application that checks the integrity of the OS, thus prevents rooting.
And can't we simply flash a new ROM which would be just a clean Android? Maybe unlocking the bootloader would be easier than cat-and-mouse play with the real BB Android.
no it does not exist and the drivers for some hw on the device to work like izat and keyboard won't work, also the priv kernel is also secure along with bootloader so if i see a custom or AOSP rom for this device i will be like on twilight zone
There have been lost opportunities here and there but BlackBerry has been active on patching all security holes and that is why is important to the company that a root has to be impossible or this effort has been all for nothing and they became the newest "Blackphone" (now that rooting was unfortunate for a device sold as a "secure" phone).
I know that there are audience in Android just for root capacity but not everybody are in a "real" need for it.
I like that the BlackBerry Launcher leave most of AOSP element, except for icons and notifications sounds.
Personally I only ever use root for CPU control and ability to delete ANY app I deem fit, and on my previous SGS5 that meant all those heart rate and other nonsense apps that ran in background and chunked the battery to no end.
Gonna assume the Priv then has no CPU management ability due to the lack of root, correct?
Skv012a said:
Personally I only ever use root for CPU control and ability to delete ANY app I deem fit, and on my previous SGS5 that meant all those heart rate and other nonsense apps that ran in background and chunked the battery to no end.
Gonna assume the Priv then has no CPU management ability due to the lack of root, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. Though, they do use the interactive governor, and while I would kind of like to underclock the CPU a bit to deal with overheating, the default CPU management isn't too shabby. And since the Priv is almost completely stock, removal of unwanted apps is minimal, and all the carrier apps I had weren't system apps, so I was able to actually uninstall them, and what BB apps I didn't care for, I simply disabled. Learning that life without root isn't so bad on the Priv.
I just want root for Adblock for both YouTube and Chrome. I don't care if it's just a temp, as long as it lets me update the Filters for AdAway I am alright with it, I'll deal with the youtube ads.
KOAO said:
I just want root for Adblock for both YouTube and Chrome. I don't care if it's just a temp, as long as it lets me update the Filters for AdAway I am alright with it, I'll deal with the youtube ads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you could use Firefox. It supports extensions on Android, and ublock works nicely to kill ads, though I find functionally that Chrome runs infinitely better on Android than Firefox does, so your kilometerage may vary.
Artemis-kun said:
And since the Priv is almost completely stock, removal of unwanted apps is minimal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true! The Priv is full of bloatware that you can only deactivate but not uninstall (Yahoo Finances, for example). And some of those apps will stay active and make the phone unusable despite being 'deactivated'. Like BB Hub. I deactivated it from the start and just recently saw that it still had several permissions (location, contacts, messages, calendar etc). So I revoked those permissions. Now it constantly pops up and wants permissions. I can't even add a contact without granting these permissions. Annoying as hell. It's ridiculous that BB regard themselves as a secure company with secure smartphones (which was rebutted several years ago) that emphasize on privacy but when it comes to their own apps, it can't get any more privacy invading. I so hate BB!
So I'm waiting for
a) another producer to make an Android phone with a hardware keyboard or
b) someone to make root for the Priv happen so that I can install a ROM of my choice.
Shani Ace said:
Not true! The Priv is full of bloatware that you can only deactivate but not uninstall (Yahoo Finances, for example). And some of those apps will stay active and make the phone unusable despite being 'deactivated'. Like BB Hub. I deactivated it from the start and just recently saw that it still had several permissions (location, contacts, messages, calendar etc). So I revoked those permissions. Now it constantly pops up and wants permissions. I can't even add a contact without granting these permissions. Annoying as hell. It's ridiculous that BB regard themselves as a secure company with secure smartphones (which was rebutted several years ago) that emphasize on privacy but when it comes to their own apps, it can't get any more privacy invading. I so hate BB!
So I'm waiting for
a) another producer to make an Android phone with a hardware keyboard or
b) someone to make root for the Priv happen so that I can install a ROM of my choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't call it full of bloat. Full of bloat is what Samsung has on offer. Yes, there are some bloatware apps that you can't uninstall, but they disable just fine. Sounds to me like your hub got re-enabled, mine has been disabled since day one, and still has no permissions, and doesn't harass me about anything.
Artemis-kun said:
Sounds to me like your hub got re-enabled, mine has been disabled since day one, and still has no permissions, and doesn't harass me about anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Did you do any of the BB OTA updates (mine's running the most recent version, 6.0.1, security patch from August 5th)?
The Hub is still deactivated, but it doesn't seem to 'care' about that. I activated and deactivated it again to no effect.
So you're telling me when you go into Settings -> Apps -> BB Hub -> Permissions, all six permissions (calendar, camera, contacts, storage, phone and BB Productivity Suite) are turned-off?
I'm pretty sure I had these turned off when I got the phone in May. So maybe some of the OTA updates changed something about it. Unless you're running the same version that I am.
Oh and the fullscreen pop-up says Blackberry Hub+, maybe this is a new thing then?
And yes, other manufacturers may have more Bloatware. But at least there you can uninstall them or flash a different ROM. And all the BB services like BB Hub count as Bloatware for me, too.
Maybe I should sell my Priv and get a S6 Edge Plus (again). I still got the keyboard cover for that model and it's flashable, although Samsung also makes it hard for the users. But the keyboard cover is not back-lit and the phone is even bigger than the Priv (already too big for my taste).
EDIT: Ah wait! I just saw that the 'Blackberry Services' were activate, so I deactivated it and revoked all its permissions and now the pop up is gone. I definitely had this deactivated before the update, but as with the other BB apps, you have to deactivate them again after each update. Guess I just overlooked this one. Yay!
Shani Ace said:
Interesting. Did you do any of the BB OTA updates (mine's running the most recent version, 6.0.1, security patch from August 5th)?
The Hub is still deactivated, but it doesn't seem to 'care' about that. I activated and deactivated it again to no effect.
So you're telling me when you go into Settings -> Apps -> BB Hub -> Permissions, all six permissions (calendar, camera, contacts, storage, phone and BB Productivity Suite) are turned-off?
I'm pretty sure I had these turned off when I got the phone in May. So maybe some of the OTA updates changed something about it. Unless you're running the same version that I am.
Oh and the fullscreen pop-up says Blackberry Hub+, maybe this is a new thing then?
And yes, other manufacturers may have more Bloatware. But at least there you can uninstall them or flash a different ROM. And all the BB services like BB Hub count as Bloatware for me, too.
Maybe I should sell my Priv and get a S6 Edge Plus (again). I still got the keyboard cover for that model and it's flashable, although Samsung also makes it hard for the users. But the keyboard cover is not back-lit and the phone is even bigger than the Priv (already too big for my taste).
EDIT: Ah wait! I just saw that the 'Blackberry Services' were activate, so I deactivated it and revoked all its permissions and now the pop up is gone. I definitely had this deactivated before the update, but as with the other BB apps, you have to deactivate them again after each update. Guess I just overlooked this one. Yay!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://puu.sh/qYFcI/bca42bb0e9.png here is a screenshot I just took. I should also point out that I have everything else BB disabled as well, and I've never had to re-disable any of them. I'm on the MM beta program, so that might also make some kind of diffeerence, but I stay up to date with patches, and haven't had to disable anything again. Not sure how it happened in your case, but glad that you got it sorted.
Another thing I do feel I need to bring up, this is also a BB phone made for BB people, so it does make sense that they include the software suite that their fans have grown to love. Sure, those of us who couldn't care less about BB's software, and just wanted in on their amazing hardware prowess, will find these apps bothersome, but if nothing else, visually they left Android alone, and for that, I can't not happily thank them. They could have given us something like a BB10 inspired touchwiz, could you imagine? Lol.
Yeah that's true and I'm also happy that they didn't over-customize their ROM. It's just hard to accept any deviation when you've been used to having full freedom on all kinds of custom ROMs for the last ten years.
Strange though that you didn't have to re-deactivate the apps after the updates. Then I guess I'll look into the beta program (had seen it before but didn't mind).
and I do not have 'Secure Start-up' turned-on.
There's enough bloatware that I'd like to remove, such as "Hang-Outs" & BBM is eating data with stupid pics of available 'stickies' & other crap I don't want to see/read about & my ONLY choice for disable is "Do you want to restore this app to Factory Default?". No, I don't I want to Restore it to Factory Default - I want to DISABLE it. I do understand that the PRIV's supposed to be secure & yes that's a Good Thing. I also understand that most users LIKE to be kept informed. I am NOT 'social' - Let ME decide what I want to be informed about & when. I didn't even get a choice of what subscription (?) I wanted (which is NONE). There's a bunch of apps that I can only Restore to Factory default. That, too me, means I CANNOT Remove or Disable them. I call that bloatware. Un-wanted bloatware. If I could remove them without Rooting, then I would not be looking to do so! I have an 'Essential Tremour' & I NEED a physical keyboard or I'd look elsewhere.
OK: I managed to get BBM to stop shouting at me (as noted: I make mistakes, but I do learn from them); it's just down to wanting to get rid of apps I don't want taking-up space. Rooting a PRIV appears to be dicey, with no firm info from Oct/2016, onwards, regarding 'safe' rooting of my device. I'm running 6.0.1 & Bell is my provider. If it makes any difference, I do not have 'Secure Start-Up' turned-on. As noted, if I didn't need a physical keyboard, I probably would not have chosen this make/model. Guess I'll live with it & keep looking for ways to put my phone on diet (& the battery barely lasts a day, unfortunately). I basically use it as a PDA - no games, few calls, occasional checking notes & calendar - it should last longer.
Bootstrap69 said:
There's enough bloatware that I'd like to remove, such as "Hang-Outs" & BBM is eating data with stupid pics of available 'stickies' & other crap I don't want to see/read about & my ONLY choice for disable is "Do you want to restore this app to Factory Default?". No, I don't I want to Restore it to Factory Default - I want to DISABLE it. I do understand that the PRIV's supposed to be secure & yes that's a Good Thing. I also understand that most users LIKE to be kept informed. I am NOT 'social' - Let ME decide what I want to be informed about & when. I didn't even get a choice of what subscription (?) I wanted (which is NONE). There's a bunch of apps that I can only Restore to Factory default. That, too me, means I CANNOT Remove or Disable them. I call that bloatware. Un-wanted bloatware. If I could remove them without Rooting, then I would not be looking to do so! I have an 'Essential Tremour' & I NEED a physical keyboard or I'd look elsewhere.
OK: I managed to get BBM to stop shouting at me (as noted: I make mistakes, but I do learn from them); it's just down to wanting to get rid of apps I don't want taking-up space. Rooting a PRIV appears to be dicey, with no firm info from Oct/2016, onwards, regarding 'safe' rooting of my device. I'm running 6.0.1 & Bell is my provider. If it makes any difference, I do not have 'Secure Start-Up' turned-on. As noted, if I didn't need a physical keyboard, I probably would not have chosen this make/model. Guess I'll live with it & keep looking for ways to put my phone on diet (& the battery barely lasts a day, unfortunately). I basically use it as a PDA - no games, few calls, occasional checking notes & calendar - it should last longer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order to disable some of the apps on this device they must be restored to factory default. I have hangouts and BBM disabled. My battery life is pretty good. You have to figure out what's killing yours. Do you use a case that has the preview window on the front?
On non rootable devices I use AdGuard to have a firewall and adblocker. It works by routing everything through a local vpn server. Great concept and working fine for me.

How to get rid of LeEco Spyware?

1.
I would like to get rid of as many LeEco apps as possible because I am convinced that they phone home and steal my personal data. Have you successfully installed any LeEco apps without triggering any issues and, if yes, please let me know the names of the system apps that can be safely uninstalled with an unintaller having root access.
2.
Does anyone know where I can download AOSP dialer/sms/contacts? Thanks.
Just replace the launcher, install Google Camera and disable the LeCloud services
-Tiz- said:
1.
I would like to get rid of as many LeEco apps as possible because I am convinced that they phone home and steal my personal data. Have you successfully installed any LeEco apps without triggering any issues and, if yes, please let me know the names of the system apps that can be safely uninstalled with an unintaller having root access.
2.
Does anyone know where I can download AOSP dialer/sms/contacts? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but lmao really. If you are sure they steal your data, why the hell did you buy the phone, i dont understand
Veidas said:
Sorry but lmao really. If you are sure they steal your data, why the hell did you buy the phone, i dont understand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not? Hardware is good and phone is cheap. Once CM or a clean ROM is installed, the LeEco software doesn't matter. Do you understand or shall I explain in more detail. It's not really that complicated.
-Tiz- said:
Why not? Hardware is good and phone is cheap. Once CM or a clean ROM is installed, the LeEco software doesn't matter. Do you understand or shall I explain in more detail. It's not really that complicated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont be smartass for me buddy, im not the one unable to debloat a rom, so maybe i should explain it to you in more details? Its really not that complicated. For someone trying to teach me about custom roms you sure know little. Whats even more funny, is you acting like you know anything about leeco or their software stealing your data, then acting as if your personal data is reaaaally important to you, and then still buying the phone dispite it having zero development so far. Amusing, please continue
Veidas said:
Dont be smartass for me buddy, im not the one unable to debloat a rom, so maybe i should explain it to you in more details? Its really not that complicated. For someone trying to teach me about custom roms you sure know little. Whats even more funny, is you acting like you know anything about leeco or their software stealing your data, then acting as if your personal data is reaaaally important to you, and then still buying the phone dispite it having zero development so far. Amusing, please continue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry that I bruised your ego. You are a hero and to the god of custom roms for sure
-Tiz- said:
Sorry that I bruised your ego. You are a hero and to the god of custom roms for sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, my ego has nothing to do with anything here. Its the way you are thinking, or the complete lack of logic. And ofcourse you resort to insults, when have nothing else clever to say.
If you are still sure leeco is stealing your data(which is complete nonsense and you have exactly zero facts to back you up) and you dont know how or what to delete(despite being so clever and knowning so much about custom roms) you could just block all leeco IP's in hosts file. Im sure being the pro you are, you know how to get these ip adresses and what hosts file is
Joms_US said:
Just replace the launcher, install Google Camera and disable the LeCloud services
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Joms. I already did and, moreover, I blocked LeeCo apps with a firewall. However, I would like to completely uninstall them and I am sure that other users want this, too.
In fact, I already did uninstall a few of them and - so far - I did not get any error messages. It might be nice to have a list of LeEco apps that can be safely uninstalled because there are so many of them.
Veidas said:
Lol, my ego has nothing to do with anything here. Its the way you are thinking, or the complete lack of logic. And ofcourse you resort to insults, when have nothing else clever to say.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You laughed at me (re-read your first post) and now your are whining and complaining. I did not insult you at all. You did this all to yourself.
-Tiz- said:
You laughed at me (re-read your first post) and now your are whining and complaining. I did not insult you at all. You did this all to yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I laughed at your non existing logic, not you personally. And you did try to insult me with your smartass expressions and 100% sarcasm replies, which implies you were the one with hurt ego lol. And im not whining and not complaining, not sure what you are talking about lol. Anyways, not gonna waste my time (or yours) here anymore, goodluck fighting against SPYware lol
Veidas comes off as the ass in this scenario....
I used this app to uninstall most of the LeEco system apps: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jumobile.manager.systemapp&hl=de It comes with a restore function.
I need to check in more detail/need a few more days in order to confirm that there are really no issues. (Uninstalling the dialer/contacts app was not a good idea though.)
-Tiz- said:
I used this app to uninstall most of the LeEco system apps: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jumobile.manager.systemapp&hl=de It comes with a restore function.
I need to check in more detail/need a few more days in order to confirm that there are really no issues. (Uninstalling the dialer/contacts app was not a good idea though.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Tiz
Do you see any clashes in rom after uninstalling system apps?
Hi!
If you want you can additionally add the LeEco servers to your hosts file to prevent that any app can contact them. I collected a list of all hostnames I found in the system applications and/or logcat in this posting here.
Additionally here a list of (system) apps I have disabled (via "pm disable") command:
Code:
[email protected] ~> adb shell pm list packages -d
package:com.letv.android.FuseWire
package:com.letv.android.quicksearchbox
package:com.letv.android.agent
package:com.letv.android.zxing
package:com.letv.android.account
package:com.letv.android.wallpaper
package:com.letv.android.wallpaperonline
package:com.letv.leui.sdk.data
package:com.letv.android.letvlive
package:com.lesports.glivesports
package:com.letv.android.note
package:com.le.android.webview
package:com.letv.android.usermanual
package:com.letv.letvshop
package:com.android.browser
package:com.le.share.zl1
package:com.letv.android.personalized
package:com.baidu.input_letv
package:com.letv.app.appstore
package:com.stv.stvpush
package:com.android.mms
package:com.letv.android.backup
package:com.letv.android.client
package:com.letv.android.setupwizard
package:com.android.calendar
package:com.letv.android.backupclient
package:com.letv.walletbiz
package:com.android.VRAdmin
package:com.letv.gallery3d.syncservice
package:com.lvr.wizzard
package:com.android.gallery3d
package:com.letv.agnes
package:com.letv.games
package:com.letv.wihd
package:com.letv.lesophoneclient
package:com.letv.android.fannation
package:com.letv.android.bugreporter
package:com.letv.android.accountinfo
package:com.letv.wallet
package:com.letv.android.filemanager
package:com.letv.android.cloudservice
package:com.android.music
package:sina.mobile.tianqitongletv
package:com.letv.android.videoplayer
package:com.sohu.inputmethod.sogou.leshi
The only limitation I noticed so far, is that the media control buttons (Previous/Play/Next) in the control center stop working, when you disable/remove the LeTv Music player (package name "com.android.music") because the buttons do not broadcast Android standard media Intents but instead LeEco-specifiic ones (which are only received by LeEco Music player which then performs the desired actions - even controlling 3rd party players).
I changed the behaviour of the media buttons with this Xposed module here: Xposed-module-EUI-MusicControls.
xsystem1 said:
Hi Tiz
Do you see any clashes in rom after uninstalling system apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not yet. (Except for the dialer/contacts app.) It's probably best to freeze apps first and take androchecks list as a guideline.
i dont understand why you suspect that the phone ( lepro3) steals your data? i have been using the phone for banking, share trading, etc, and i never found any issues. i also install a 360 antivirus on day 1 , and let it to run in the background to secure the phone. when i first bought the phone, it had customer rom 019s, when i first run 360 antivirus, there was one virus found. had it removed, since them, no more trouble. later i re-flashed the factory rom ( chinese version 018s), plus google play, etc. i have no issues at all. for those phone apps which you dont need them to access internet ( such as LeEco's apps) , you can also disable them from the phone's manager ( no access in both data and wifi). leEco is a company on stock list ( Hong Kong). i wont think it will risk its reputation adding some spywares in the phone. as it can be found easily. unless you have 3rd party app with virus....
can try
from here http://bbs.ydss.cn/thread-711361-1-1.html
Based on the original system to streamline official 18s, first download the following unloader, showing sequential streamline my list is the same
Security system program uninstaller .apk 832.48 KB,
Open unloader, remove the hidden core application of the hook, and restart the unloader, the effect is as follows
cacimbo said:
from here http://bbs.ydss.cn/thread-711361-1-1.html
Based on the original system to streamline official 18s, first download the following unloader, showing sequential streamline my list is the same
Security system program uninstaller .apk 832.48 KB,
Open unloader, remove the hidden core application of the hook, and restart the unloader, the effect is as follows
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this a debloater (does this remove all of the unnecessary apks that LeEco installs, and would probably release some ram)? Thanks for showing us this, I can only browse those forums with google translate, and that leaves a lot to be desired.
masterofstuff124 said:
Veidas comes off as the ass in this scenario....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In only this scenario????
just ordered Le Eco S3, not the Pro, haven't received it yet, but do you need to have this phone rooted (is it even possible??) in order to disable/uninstall apps?

Categories

Resources