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Been here on the XDA a while but bought a Vibrant to check it out. I currently have an HD2 and am very familiar with Winmo but not android.
I have a few questions that I need seasoned android users to help me with. Now...before I get a beating, I have searched the XDA, google, android forums for about 2 days now and while I do have a lot of clarification on many of my questions. There are a few which are still unclear.
I for one do not like any of my information in "cloud" computing. So no contacts, calanders, tasks, etc. I feel that is is nobodys business what I do whether right or wrong and I have read a million posts on how safe or good google is but I really don't care.
Now, while I like winmo, yep it is dated, don't know how win 7 will be so I am experimenting with android. My questions are as follows:
Does cyanogen remove all google specific apps and association with google. Yes, I can use the phone without loging into google. I know I can manually install aps via rooting, SDK and .apk files which is all good so I can circumvent the system. I do use google maps quite a bit so I want that funtionality. I also have yahoo mail accounts for all my emails so I dont need any more. I also have a google account for check out but the phone asks for a gmail account which I will not open up!
So If anyone can help me whith this answer, please let me know so I can keep the phone, If not then its going back although I really really like it.
Thanks
cyanogen removes google apps *you have to flash them seperately from the rom if you want them*.... but I'll be honest, I can't imagine using android if you are going to cripple it like that....
Cyanogen doesn't include Google Apps within his ROM because Google sent a C&D about it not because he wants to not include them. The Google applications is packaged in a seperate package. Yes its optional but those applications are what makes Android what it is. It is a HUGE component of the OS.
Google doesn't go around sniffing on people's data either, check out the privacy policy for the whole deal.
zephiK said:
Cyanogen doesn't include Google Apps within his ROM because Google sent a C&D about it not because he wants to not include them. The Google applications is packaged in a seperate package. Yes its optional but those applications are what makes Android what it is. It is a HUGE component of the OS.
Google doesn't go around sniffing on people's data either, check out the privacy policy for the whole deal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would love to believe you but I am "cynical" in a way that I dont believe and questions many of the things they are doing. I don't like facebook or myspace and twitter is only to follow the folks on XDA! This is good and bad but it is who I am. Also, Google just got in bed with the CIA and NSA so while this is not new...it is the future(there new project is called "recorded future). I wonder why the FTC has not gone after google as it did Microsft for locking people into Internet Explorer years ago?
Most people don't yet know that many Android software leak all sorts of information to the internet with only scant user acknowledgement (basically what you accept when you install the app).
Due to this and the fact that there are already privacy information harvesting apps for Android on the marketplace - a team of security experts have created TaintDroid:
What is TaintDroid?
From the project's web page: "A realtime monitoring service called TaintDroid that precisely analyses how private information is obtained and released by applications "downloaded" to consumer phones."
From: http://appanalysis.org/index.html
How can I install TaintDroid?
As TaintDroid is currently compiled into the kernel, you cannot easily install it, but you have to cook your own kernel. Instructions (for Nexus 1) are available at the project web site: http://appanalysis.org/download.html
How does TaintDroid work?
Here's a video demonstrating how TaintDroid works once it is installed and configured:
http://appanalysis.org/demo/index.html
Why would you want to install this?
There can be many reasons for installint TaintDroid:
- You want to learn about privacy features and play with Android kernel
- As it is currently impossible to differentiate between innocent and sneaky Android apps based only on what access rights they request, you may want to dig in deeper
- You are worried about what apps are doing behind your back and you want to know which apps to uninstall
- You want to help create Android a more secure and privacy-protected platform, instead of the swiss cheese it currently is
What can you do?
As compiling kernels is mostly beyond the reach of mere mortals currently, consider cooking TaintDroid into your kernel, if you are cooking one yourself and offering it available for others to try and use.
Hopefully increased awareness and usage will bring this program eventually into other modders and perhaps even Google's attention and something more easily accessible is offered for the public at large.
BTW, I'm just a user, interested in getting TaintDroid on my own Galaxy S. I'm not affiliated with the research program, but I like what they are doing. This information is purely FYI.
+1 for the idea
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
+1
Since we cannot expect information gatherer Google to come up with a good privacy protection mechanism soon I think we are forced to take measures ourselves.
I also learned that several of my bought applications are constantly forcing me to enable synchronisation and/or 3G internet. They either randomly uninstall (Asphalt 5), their icons disappear (for example: Mini-squadron) or won't start, with (Schredder Chess) or without a message. Angry Birds Beta2 lite (free game) and Hungry Shark are 2 more examples. So much for an incentive to buy games...
It would be great if applications used a well-defined mechanism to check their validity on-line, and not have this sneaky, lingering attack from all sides to any privacy or battery consumption aware user.
I can not cook Kernels, but this is something i want to use.
Not that i am worried, but i dont know what apps are sending when you open them. Thats something i want to know!
I am sure i am not the only one.
+1
Yes please... This should be in all android phones... as a security option you could turn on!!!
Antonyjeweet said:
Not that i am worried, but i dont know what apps are sending when you open them. Thats something i want to know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And do some of these applications only send stuff when you open them?
--
From a user perspective it currently is really difficult to judge applications that need to start at boot-up and deal with many facets of your computer (Launchers, tools combining lots of divers features).
Do you know some ROM where Taindroid is included?
I've posted in hardcore and laststufo kernel threads to ask if they could add it.
We just need more people wanting it so they think about adding it
exadeci said:
I've posted in hardcore and laststufo kernel threads to ask if they could add it.
We just need more people wanting it so they think about adding it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
glad you did that
+1 support the idea. hope some of our hardworking kernel builders will add this in.
My concern is how much another real time service will affect battery life. For people trying to make the leanest, fastest kernel I'm not sure it's viable.
I have been wanting TaintDroid built into android by default since the day it was announced, but I really do not think google cares about this, so please, please ROM cookers out there (Maybe Doc?), lets add this into our galaxy S roms.
Well, this seems to work only on android 2.1
Make it so.
+1
Combined with walldroid (or other firewall) this could put back power into users hands. Would really love to see this inside hardcores kernel. Maybe as an option for the stable releases?
+1
This should be the next standard in aAndroid
idea about spoofidroid application
how about a program to spoof or make the phone send fake:
GPS location,
IMEI,
phone number,
simcard id,
etc... information to applications that ask without permission.
this way you can feed these application with information they want but without breaking your privacy. (both end sides are more than happy)
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nice option to have:
1) enable/disable auto generate different id every time.
2) allow list / ban list of application to have real or fake id.
3) enable/disable notify for application request.
-----
there are all ready applications that fake your simcard PLMN mobile network codes without the need of kernel rights, but you need to enable disable the flight mode to restore the default code.
===========
good luck to spoofidroid or similar applications.
Jumba said:
My concern is how much another real time service will affect battery life. For people trying to make the leanest, fastest kernel I'm not sure it's viable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope there will be developers out there who prioritize privacy/security over speed/battery and storage usage.
I'm the project lead of the TaintDroid system. We are currently working on a few extensions of TaintDroid but unfortunately are short on engineering resources to port TaintDroid onto other systems than Nexus One that we originally developed. We'd greatly appreciate it if XDA developers would take on this effort! Many ongoing projects would hugely benefit from having easy-to-run TaintDroid ROM available for many different devices and upcoming Android systems let alone user benifit.
Thanks,
Jaeyeon
Research Scientist @ Intel Labs Seattle
Ettepetje said:
I also learned that several of my bought applications are constantly forcing me to enable synchronisation and/or 3G internet. They either randomly uninstall (Asphalt 5), their icons disappear (for example: Mini-squadron) or won't start, with (Schredder Chess) or without a message. Angry Birds Beta2 lite (free game) and Hungry Shark are 2 more examples. So much for an incentive to buy games...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
beta2 lite? i think that was malware, make sure it came from rovio otherwise it's fake and you should delete it.
It's really scary to see with the lookout app how many apps can access to your imei, telephone number "Read Identity Info", can access your contacts, track your position, and can send out all this data.
Here a HTC Desire user, asking for some privacy.
Best regards!
Hi all...
I was wondering if and how could be possible to port apks built for one tablet to another of different brand, i.e. I liked a lot the email client of the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 (with multiple email selector and recycle bin emptying feature), but many others are worth a try...
When I try simply to push the email.apk to my Iconia, it won't work (the icon diasppears from apps), if I try to install it I obtain an error (app not installed) probably due to a signing mismatch... I'd like really to learn how to do this, if possible. This knowledge will complete and accomplish any further request about personalization of our tablets, could be a great improvement being capable to get out the "system" you really want...
I tried to figure out how to use apk manager, but it's quite really difficult without some good suggestion, the thread is more than 200 pages long, and I got stoned before simply find out any usefull info about "system apks"...
TIA
I would like to know also. I want the Facebook account integration from the Galaxy.
Some apps are license by that manufacurer and would be considered wares.its a gray area please be careful. And make sure the Dec of all apps you use get paid
simple answer
couple of APK for galaxy are using CORE framework of the galaxy tabs firmware itself
that will not be possible to just install those apk.
such as
touchwizUI
status bar overlay (I mean the minimode menu with quick access), the quick access settings...
Email and Social things
It's their "Marketing Strenght" so they didn't make it easy to be "stolen" by other brands
I run just the dual clock, the memo, and eReader from samsung but I am running a custom firmware so that change many things
At this moment only 1 custom firmware does use Samsung as base, Virtuous Galaxy... but I have to warn that using custom firmware without following backup steps strictly or knowing the consequence is to AVOID.
sanaell said:
...
At this moment only 1 custom firmware does use Samsung as base, Virtuous Galaxy... but I have to warn that using custom firmware without following backup steps strictly or knowing the consequence is to AVOID.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first of all, thanks for your answer, and your warn...
I'd like to go deep in the question, as you correctly affirmed, virtuous galaxy's based upon Unity v5 kernel, but virtuous picasso also lays on the same structure, doesn't it?
right now I'm running m-dj's picasso 1.1.0 rom, wouldn't be possible, with any required modification, to run elsewhere coming apks?
I mean, think about having two different pcs, both with the same hardware and the same linux distro and kernel, wouldn't seem wierd that on one pc you could run an application that won't run on the other?
I'm thinking, if they wanted to protect their components why they didn't simply wrote hardware oriented kernels? Therefore, its a fact that on my iconia I can run either a Samsung or an Asus based rom, according to this, where is the cross-platform limit? I mean, is there some sort of documentation defining which part of these Android system is "really" open, under GPL, GNU or whatever structured property info list? I can't find any browsing the net... or maybe I've found too much, its almost impossible to understand what you can and what you can't...
I do not know the whole answer to this question.but I do know this much.if you have any.apk application that is for sale on the market or was installed for free on any device that it was not pre installed on. I would thing it would be considered pirated. As you did not buy it.nor did the developer give permission to run the API on your device.thou some apostle you buy can be installed across the devices you have registered with Googler
if im wrong people please correct me.I just think that developers that fallow rules and write great software MUST BE PAID.
erica_renee said:
I do not know the whole answer to this question.but I do know this much.if you have any.apk application that is for sale on the market or was installed for free on any device that it was not pre installed on. I would thing it would be considered pirated. As you did not buy it.nor did the developer give permission to run the API on your device.thou some apostle you buy can be installed across the devices you have registered with Googler
if im wrong people please correct me.I just think that developers that fallow rules and write great software MUST BE PAID.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right and Wrong
if the application is a paid application and wasn't preinstalled on your tablet it is not really legal
if the application is free but cannot be installed from the market and you install it from other sources it's ok
if the application is from another tablet, and exclusively on this tablet do not expect run it on the stock firmware of your tablet, you have great chance to cannot run it simply, or get some random FC (such as from GALAXY because they use another structure on the file directory... so some application try to get the path and it's return an error, Or they are implemented and integrated with the kernel and that... you can't pass throught)
On my tablet I do run
ASUS widget
Galaxy widget (dual clock)
and some other application not from ACER.
now to get back to the OP
. you are on a virtuous... why not go on the virtuous Galaxy !!! if you want galaxy application... I don't get it...
sanaell said:
now to get back to the OP
. you are on a virtuous... why not go on the virtuous Galaxy !!! if you want galaxy application... I don't get it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree to this explanation of yours, when I flash a rom different from the original, aware that's coming from a different brand, I'm more or less conscious that I'm doing something wrong. mmmf... that's philosophy... won't lose your time
The point is, I've tried the Galaxy rom, I don't like the interface, I don't like the extra bar functionalities, in short I mostly appreciated the Email.apk, most of all because it has a convenient "select all" function, even in the recycler bin (I can't stand with an email client stupid like the one embedded in the Acer version). In any case, given the impossibility to get the Galaxy Email, I'll buy a new one on the market...
Hi,
Is it possible to completely stop information leakage to google from my telephone, such as contacts or even aps purchased?
Oxy20 said:
Hi,
Is it possible to completely stop information leakage to google from my telephone, such as contacts or even aps purchased?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
some options:
work without google apps! most custom roms come without it! GApps package is a additional zip!
many custom roms included privacy manager from cm. you define what the app is allowed to. for example read contacts yes or no
In AOSP Android (I think since 4.3 or 4.2) is app ops included. It's like privacy manager with detailed options.
hope it hepls. What rom you are using?
carepack said:
some options:
work without google apps! most custom roms come without it! GApps package is a additional zip!
many custom roms included privacy manager from cm. you define what the app is allowed to. for example read contacts yes or no
In AOSP Android (I think since 4.3 or 4.2) is app ops included. It's like privacy manager with detailed options.
hope it hepls. What rom you are using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on 4.3 stock ROM. The phone is unlocked and rooted.
I tried CM Rom as part of 2 way call recording patch trial but had to revert back to ROM due to stability problems. But the problems were due to the trial nature of the patched ROM http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=45730852&postcount=47 I tried rather then general CM problems. So I suppose could try a stable, up to date version of CM ROM.
I suppose without Google Play I can not have paid apps like skvalex call recorder? If I have to leak some info to Google can I ensure no call details, contacts, calendar etc are shared / backed up etc to Google?
Oxy20 said:
I am on 4.3 stock ROM. The phone is unlocked and rooted.
I tried CM Rom as part of 2 way call recording patch trial but had to revert back to ROM due to stability problems. But the problems were due to the trial nature of the patched ROM http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=45730852&postcount=47 I tried rather then general CM problems. So I suppose could try a stable, up to date version of CM ROM.
I suppose without Google Play I can not have paid apps like skvalex call recorder? If I have to leak some info to Google can I ensure no call details, contacts, calendar etc are shared / backed up etc to Google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try a look at here:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...ager-control-permissions-for-individual-apps/
Technically yes, but practically no. Even if you stop now, you probably have used Google services in the past and they already have those info. Even if you do not use Google apps, there are lots of way for your phone to connect to Google server (various core Google apks). Lots of apps and websites use Google Analytic as well, although that info is supposed to be anonymous, or apps that utilize Google services in some way or purchased apps that required verification. You basically have to micromanage the permission of every app and this isn't exactly easy and is time consuming, slips up are easy too.
My recommends are:
Most effective: Be lke Richard Stallman, stop using internet completely, except for devices that isn't your. Don't use telephone at all. Have no WiFi running in your house and remove your address from Google Maps, then move to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
Less effective: Don't use 'gapps' and Google apps at all. You can use Amazon AppStore to download apps. Or use Firefox OS or Ubuntu Touch instead.
Less effective alternative: Use permission management. There are many ways to do this. Android 4.3 have AppOps and there are shortcut apps to let you access to the hidden menu, however it's not very convenient to use. It's better to use CM or SlimRoms which in addition have the Privacy Guard toggle feature (Settings -> Security-> bottom of list). SlimRoms let you turn it on for installed apps by default. It blocks access to contacts and location. I'm not sure if it block network and phone IDs info though.
For more refined permission management, there is the Xposed Framework module called XPrivacy. It has a high learning curve and blocking the wrong permission will cripple your apps or make it not working. There is also LBE Security Master and OpenPDroid, but I much prefer XPrivacy.
You can also use AFwall+ which modify the Linux kernel's iptables to block internet connection, this is the most assured method to block internet connection access for apps imo.
If you still need to make use of Google apps or services, such as facelock and photosphere, but want to avoid installing 'Google services framework', you can use these gapps packages and not install the core package. Keep in mind, 'Google services framework' is important for connecting to Google server and without it some 'find your phone' apps won't work like Cerberus.
You can see if your phone is connected or syncing to Google server by the color of the WiFi icon color, gray means no, and blue means yes.
I have always wondered about why someone would buy a smartphone, Android or iOS and then worry about security? Why not just buy a simple TracPhone or something similar?
Not trying to knock on anyone, just wondering.
Sent from the Far Reaches Of The Earth!
Greetings, all!
I would like to preface my question the way I always do when posting here: I am a fairly recently blind individual, and my visual aid software does NOT "play nice" with the XDA Forum search feature at ALL; due to this, sometimes I don't catch previously asked questions, though I do my best to check for them.
All that aside, I have a question that has been plaguing me for quite some time. I am what I would consider to be an intermediate(ish) Android user. I am dipping my toes into the pool of app modification and scripting, but I am afraid this is beyond my knowledge.
I am currently using a rooted "vanilla" Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (SM-N910T), running 4.4.4. I am expecting a barrage of "why?" and "what for?" comments, but I use two separate Facebook accounts. I am a part of a rather...underground subculture, and I prefer to keep that part of my identity separate. Due to this fact -- as well as my needs as a blind individual -- the usual suspects: browser windows, Seesmic, SocialCamp, Friendster, etc., do not work with my visual impairment modifications on my device. I have done extensive research on the subject and thus, I am searching desperately for assistance in cloning the Facebook app itself. I am thinking of cloning the Facebook APK file manually in order to run my two separate accounts. I know there are other apps that are frequently cloned, such as Instagram or WhatsApp, where the general consensus is to use the "APK Editor" app, but I am concerned about the implications that would have on future app updates and the app's signature and integration with normal Facebook features and other apps that connect to Facebook.
I have combed the web exhaustively in order to glean whatever info I could on this subject, but there is literally almost NOTHING regarding the Facebook app specifically. I do not wish to clone the app for sharing or to build upon it for a "new and improved" app of my own devise -- I simply wish to modify this for my own personal use ONLY.
I really appreciate any and all tips, hints, and shared knowledge in general that this community so generously provides. I will try whatever it takes! Thanks in advance!
XRivetGirlX said:
Greetings, all!
I would like to preface my question the way I always do when posting here: I am a fairly recently blind individual, and my visual aid software does NOT "play nice" with the XDA Forum search feature at ALL; due to this, sometimes I don't catch previously asked questions, though I do my best to check for them.
All that aside, I have a question that has been plaguing me for quite some time. I am what I would consider to be an intermediate(ish) Android user. I am dipping my toes into the pool of app modification and scripting, but I am afraid this is beyond my knowledge.
I am currently using a rooted "vanilla" Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (SM-N910T), running 4.4.4. I am expecting a barrage of "why?" and "what for?" comments, but I use two separate Facebook accounts. I am a part of a rather...underground subculture, and I prefer to keep that part of my identity separate. Due to this fact -- as well as my needs as a blind individual -- the usual suspects: browser windows, Seesmic, SocialCamp, Friendster, etc., do not work with my visual impairment modifications on my device. I have done extensive research on the subject and thus, I am searching desperately for assistance in cloning the Facebook app itself. I am thinking of cloning the Facebook APK file manually in order to run my two separate accounts. I know there are other apps that are frequently cloned, such as Instagram or WhatsApp, where the general consensus is to use the "APK Editor" app, but I am concerned about the implications that would have on future app updates and the app's signature and integration with normal Facebook features and other apps that connect to Facebook.
I have combed the web exhaustively in order to glean whatever info I could on this subject, but there is literally almost NOTHING regarding the Facebook app specifically. I do not wish to clone the app for sharing or to build upon it for a "new and improved" app of my own devise -- I simply wish to modify this for my own personal use ONLY.
I really appreciate any and all tips, hints, and shared knowledge in general that this community so generously provides. I will try whatever it takes! Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using Facebook and a Facebook clone app like Klyph. I haven't used Klyph myself, but it should do everything Facebook does.
I'd use the official Facebook app with the account you use most often. Then Klyph with the account you use less often. But that's just me.
I really hope this works for you! Good luck!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abewy.klyph_beta
spexwood said:
Try using Facebook and a Facebook clone app like Klyph. I haven't used Klyph myself, but it should do everything Facebook does.
I'd use the official Facebook app with the account you use most often. Then Klyph with the account you use less often. But that's just me.
I really hope this works for you! Good luck!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abewy.klyph_beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for your input. I will give it a shot and report the results.
Sent from my Samsung SM-N910T using XDA mobile app.
To bad u r rooted, otherwise setting up Knox would be anything you could wish for @XRivetGirlX. With Knox setup you could run multiple facebook identity's and switch very easy between the 2
regards
Thanks for the input I am afraid that I am a little too "root-happy" and could never refrain!
Sent from my Samsung SM-N910T using XDA mobile app.
marleyb said:
To bad u r rooted, otherwise setting up Knox would be anything you could wish for @XRivetGirlX. With Knox setup you could run multiple facebook identity's and switch very easy between the 2
regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting prevents installing knox?
Sent from my mobile device
bat0nas said:
Rooting prevents installing knox?
Sent from my mobile device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@bat0nas
Yup , I'm afraid so , no knox and root!:angel:
Not sure if the OP found a solution or not, but I can suggest one.
As you are rooted, may be you can try the profiles feature of Titanium backup Pro (paid version only).
You can create several profiles. And add apps to those profiles, when you switch from one profile to the other (via simple widget), the app data is switched as if you are changing to another user or another phone. So you can still use the same original FB app, but with different user for each Titanium profile.
I hope this helps.
Used to you could decompile the apk in APK-Tool and then change the package name in AndroidManifest.xml, then finally recompile/sign/install. That doesn't even work for me anymore. I get "packaged can not be parsed" or "application not installed"
I need a clone for PayTm app's latest version. You could please help me
I need a clone for PayTm app's latest version. You could please help me