Database Users

With all the talk about viruses on Android,is there an Anti-virus that actually works

Just wondering if there is one that will actually work etc? Seems like troll food for now, at least to me. Id like to get one that works, but is it necessary?

Lookout mobile security is good I have it and it works great, Lookout was the company that detected the Trojan Horse in the China market.

I use lookout also on 2 phones. Dont know how good it really is but it better than nothing.

+1 for lookout

Lookout has, in some people's experience, drained the battery.
Best anti-virus? COMMON. SENSE. If an app is asking for the permission to call numbers, send text messages, and access your Google account, OR, asks for root permissions, when it's supposed to be a wallpaper bundle, DON'T INSTALL IT.
Furthermore, DO NOT USE PIRATED CRAP. If you read the articles Lookout's posted about the malware going around, it's all from secondary or untrustworthy alternatives to the Android Market, or from pirate sites.
Really, for everything on the Market that costs money, there's some kind of free alternative. Or you could always, y'know, spend $2 to buy that app. After all you did buy a $450 phone with a monthly bill of no less than $70...

I think Lookout is shady. A lot of these companies create viruses so they could increase their user base.
Aforementioned, don't install an app that demands access to personal and sensitive stuff. That's the main giveaway.

Lookout is one of the only companies that has something to gain from the existence of viruses and since they are pretty much the only company who ever finds and reports about these viruses, gotta take that info with a grain of salt. Like previously stated, common sense will keep your phone safe
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

drmacinyasha said:
Really, for everything on the Market that costs money, there's some kind of free alternative. Or you could always, y'know, spend $2 to buy that app. After all you did buy a $450 phone with a monthly bill of no less than $70...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's no fun
Sent on the go from my HTC EVO

I have lookout, works fine. I'm confident in it.
Using my HTC Evo phone which I'm using Xda app to post

i wish people would stop making virus' for our phones. =/

Rydah805 said:
i wish people would stop making virus' for our phones. =/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's that or they get a real job, they can make more with viruses

Android is a linux based system and for Android currently only has one virus. If that says anything. Stop wasting your time on these bloatware apps, Linux does not get viruses. If you do, well I feel sorry for ya.

splmonster said:
Android is a linux based system and for Android currently only has one virus. If that says anything. Stop wasting your time on these bloatware apps, Linux does not get viruses. If you do, well I feel sorry for ya.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong on your virus count and that Linux doesn't get viruses
http://www.kaspersky.com/viruswatchlite?search_virus=android&x=19&y=6&hour_offset=-9

There are no such thing as viruses for android. None - not a one - never has been, probably never will be barring some crazy zero day exploit is found (but a lot more platforms would be affected than just android.)
The only malware that exists for android are a few trojans, but you'll never run into the known ones since they are no longer on the market.
As for the unknown ones? Google removes them from the market once they are known, which means any kind of "anti-virus" software can only react about as fast as google can react, which makes any kind of "anti-virus" software superfluous. In other words, you don't need one, and if you buy one you're just wasting your money.
The only exception to this rule is if you download apk's from shady sources outside of the android market and install them, and if you do that indiscriminately, you're a moron.

Yea there is. Common sense.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Rakeesh_j said:
There are no such thing as viruses for android. None - not a one - never has been, probably never will be barring some crazy zero day exploit is found (but a lot more platforms would be affected than just android.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically you are correct, a trojan is not a virus. As far as most smartphone users, the media and AV marketing is concerned they are the same. They screw up your phone. Barring pirated software it is still possible to infect a *nix based system. "Probably not" is not something you want to hear from admin on a network when it comes to infection.
I can give you and example but don't want to make my post a TL|DR (or get banned). The short version is:what phone to infect, what kernel, rooted, apps with SU, what should the virus do, injection point, carrier. The only things that makes *nix safer is, user permissions and that most of the coders are on a *nix OS and respect it.
To the OP, what you want is a security suite (AV,malware,locate,lock,erase) so look at Lookout. Also, are you running a stock rom or custom and if custom then which one? There's a fairly rom specific flaw in Lookout.

If anything I use lookout just for a sense of security. It doesn't take up that much space to me and regardless if how many viruses are out there, it makes me feel safer.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Anything anti-android is gay. Period!!!!
**Non-helpful post**

Lokifish said:
Technically you are correct, a trojan is not a virus. As far as most smartphone users, the media and AV marketing is concerned they are the same. They screw up your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok name one that does, and how it does it.
As far as I'm aware, the only possible things they can do to harm you is:
- Steal your information
- Spy on you
- Send text messages that cost you money
None of the ones that exist in the wild are capable of causing any sort of damage to your phone.

Rakeesh_j said:
Ok name one that does, and how it does it.
As far as I'm aware, the only possible things they can do to harm you is:
- Steal your information
- Spy on you
- Send text messages that cost you money
None of the ones that exist in the wild are capable of causing any sort of damage to your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Geinimi. Think of it as malicious bot-net attack for Android. It inits a backdoor and connects to a remote server. The remote server can then issues commands to download and prompt the user to install an app, prompt the user to uninstall an app, and to send a list of installed apps to the server, place phone calls, as well as the things you listed.
BTW remote deletion is built into Android. Look here:
http://www.h-online.com/open/news/i...oid-apps-from-smartphones-Update-1029188.html

Do I need antivirus software for my Galaxy Note?

New to smartphones, I was just wondering do I need an antivirus for my Galaxy Note? And if the answer is yes, what do you guys recommend?

All you need to know about this subject is right here.
Regards,
Dave

foxmeister said:
All you need to know about this subject is right here.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly the article I read that made me ask the question
Since it came from google, the manufacturer of android, I think they would try to protect the integrity of their product, so I am not sure....

Checkout these articles: http://www.neowin.net/news/free-android-anti-virus-products-virtually-useless - http://www.neowin.net/news/wp7-avg-antivirus-app-is-possibly-spyware
I personally feel Google trying to do their down things does allow malware to get in once a while and need to improve Android security. I am more worried with the privacy issue (Carrier IQ). I still feel there is a level of openness with Android, its not entire open source, but at least you can see something unlike some competing mobile os.
Personally I use AdFree (which does more than block ads since it block malware sites from loading, it basically adds IP blocklist to your /etc/hosts file, which you can also do manually) and LBE Privacy Guard (which seems to be a great concept allowing to deny permissions of apps, my only concern of it is being closed source, there is a big thread about it).

having an antivirus is useful. a few months ago my motorola atrix was having a bug where the screen would only light up when i first turned it on. if i locked it and then tried to unlock it, the screen would work, but the backlight wouldnt work.
i grabbed dr. web light, not expecting it to really do anything. ended up finding malware, and after removing the malware, screen backlight started working properly again.
on a phone like the galaxy note, theres more than enough processing power to run a background virus scanner without running out of puff, so i say, why not?

The answer to this question is really quite simple, it depends on this:
Do you carefully watch the permissions of apps you are about to install?
If your answer is: "yes, I carefully watch the permissions and don't install apps such as tetris which wants access to sms" then you can quite safely go without any anti malware software.
If your answer on the other hand is: "no, I just install interesting apps and quickly click through the permission page to start the download" then yes, you might benefit of software to protect your device.
The beauty of Android is that whatever app you are about to install INCLUDING malware states clearly what part of your device it is going to access. If people don't bother reading the permissions then a big part of fault is on them also. However this isn't really too well explained, especially for new users, so I assume a majority of users don't really understand WHY the permissions are shown before downloading an app. This is something Google could improve on in my opinion.
And lastly, the fact that apps coming to Apples app store are screened doesn't make it any more secure than Android. It just has people making the choices FOR you. If something well hidden is slipped past them, not a single user will know about the threat. Just as one app developer showed in public a few weeks ago and as a result got his developer status cancelled by Apple.
edit
Also a small note here. A virus is something that multiplies and spreads (weather it's bacteria or code doesn't matter). The malicious apps in the market are malware and spyware and because of this the word antivirus for Android isn't really correct. They don't stop viruses, they stop malicious apps.
edit 2
here's the link to the story of that Apple developer:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygre...per-program-for-proof-of-concept-exploit-app/
this just proves that app store isn't any more secure than Android market. It just has people who take a look at apps before they are approved, and as you can read, they are far from perfect.

How many of you guys use Antivirus?
Who here does not feel the need?
Does Google recommend it like Windows does for PC? (already read the article from one Google guy saying Antivirus companies are playing on our fears, but he is only one guy)
And to those who have used antivirus software, which software did you use on your Note specifically and has it slowed down your Note or increased the battery consumption?

knowsnophones said:
How many of you guys use Antivirus?
Who here does not feel the need?
Does Google recommend it like Windows does for PC? (already read the article from one Google guy saying Antivirus companies are playing on our fears, but he is only one guy)
And to those who have used antivirus software, which software did you use on your Note specifically and has it slowed down your Note or increased the battery consumption?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You already have a couple fairly comprehensive answers to your first post but I'll answer these questions too:
I do not use any antivirus and I do not feel the need to
Aside from that article, I haven't seen a single mention from Google about needing any antivirus at all.
The so called antivirus programs that are made for Android right now suck. They don't stop enough malware to be worth the money or effort, here's a few source links for evidence: http://www.extremetech.com/computin...rus-apps-are-useless-heres-what-to-do-instead and http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/231902823
Just by using common sense you will be fine with no antivirus app. If you really want an antivirus app, then go get it. It will be close to useless and it won't stop all threats anyway so you will still have to use common sense to be protected anyway.

I installed avast. it is free and no it doesn't slow down my note.

friedje said:
I installed avast. it is free and no it doesn't slow down my note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the AVG pro, might not really need it since I´m kind of anal about what I install on the GNOTE... But better safe than sorry...
+1 doesn´t slow things down.

akselic said:
You already have a couple fairly comprehensive answers to your first post but I'll answer these questions too:
I do not use any antivirus and I do not feel the need to
Aside from that article, I haven't seen a single mention from Google about needing any antivirus at all.
The so called antivirus programs that are made for Android right now suck. They don't stop enough malware to be worth the money or effort, here's a few source links for evidence: http://www.extremetech.com/computin...rus-apps-are-useless-heres-what-to-do-instead and http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/231902823
Just by using common sense you will be fine with no antivirus app. If you really want an antivirus app, then go get it. It will be close to useless and it won't stop all threats anyway so you will still have to use common sense to be protected anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because YOU feel superior to most other users, doesn't mean that they have the knowledge or enough 'common sense' to understand the permissions some apps ask for. The fact that an antivirus is not 100% safe doesn't mean it is 100% useless.... If it stops just one threath it already made sense..
There are lots of good FREE antivirus programs so where is the reason NOT to install one ???
There are also ppl that don't take medics, because if they or their children die from FLU that was Gods will.......
Maybe you should consider that not all users of a smartphone are IT-gods like you

friedje said:
I installed avast. it is free and no it doesn't slow down my note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ville7805 said:
I got the AVG pro, might not really need it since I´m kind of anal about what I install on the GNOTE... But better safe than sorry...
+1 doesn´t slow things down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have both installed, no slowdown issues and was running LBE too, may switch to droidwall or turn LBE back on. Worth noting the AVG pro is free if you qualify for the Samsung Hub exclusives.
Dave

I am using Lookout anti-virus ever since my first Android more than a year ago. It's never given me a hic-cup even when scanning.
Also, anyone knows an App which lists which App has what permission in a list form?
Thanks!
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

Does a free antitrust do as good a job as a paid one
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

ChimpNippl3s said:
Does a free antitrust do as good a job as a paid one
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For now they all do a rather lousy job, the free and the paid ones.
But the paid ones seem to score a bit better.
I installed LBE aswell, but you need root for it to work well.
Same goes for avast, it prefers having root access.
I use avg on my galaxy tab, works without any issues.

friedje said:
Just because YOU feel superior to most other users, doesn't mean that they have the knowledge or enough 'common sense' to understand the permissions some apps ask for. The fact that an antivirus is not 100% safe doesn't mean it is 100% useless.... If it stops just one threath it already made sense..
There are lots of good FREE antivirus programs so where is the reason NOT to install one ???
There are also ppl that don't take medics, because if they or their children die from FLU that was Gods will.......
Maybe you should consider that not all users of a smartphone are IT-gods like you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to over react mate. I'm no IT-god, or a nerd or anything like an "advanced" user. The only common sense that I was referring to is something that everyone has. If you can read what the apps do, then you can read the permissions before installing them. There is no need to be an expert.
If you are installing a single player offline game that asks permissions for sms, phone calls and contacts and it isn't blacklisted by those antivirus apps yet, then it won't be detected and you can only blame yourself when you get a 600$ phone bill because the app has sent messages to premium numbers. It's not rocket science, just common sence.
If the tests conclude that 90% of androids antivirus programs manage 10-20% of malicious apps and you still want one, then go ahead and get one. No need to get offended when people are trying to give advice.

[Q] Android VPN

I'm wanting to use a VPN to mask my browsing when in public/using free wi-fi/at work/etc. I'm fine with setting it up on my home PC (I was originally going to use Hamachi/Privoxy but I don't think Hamachi is supported on Android) or even paying a small fee but I'm not going to be torrenting or accessing any secure information so I don't care about VPN logging/DMCA issues/etc.
I saw Android has a built-in VPN client. Is that any good? I also noticed "Rooted AnyConnect" (yes I'm rooted, running AOSP+ 4.2.1) on the Play Store. What about that?
Thanks in advance!

Maconi said:
I'm wanting to use a VPN to mask my browsing when in public/using free wi-fi/at work/etc. I'm fine with setting it up on my home PC (I was originally going to use Hamachi/Privoxy but I don't think Hamachi is supported on Android) or even paying a small fee but I'm not going to be torrenting or accessing any secure information so I don't care about VPN logging/DMCA issues/etc.
I saw Android has a built-in VPN client. Is that any good? I also noticed "Rooted AnyConnect" (yes I'm rooted, running AOSP+ 4.2.1) on the Play Store. What about that?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For what you want to accomplish, you should consider purchasing a subscription to a personal VPN provider such as Witopia or PureVPN. Android's built-in VPN functionality will directly support most protocols such as PPTP and L2TP/IPsec.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk HD

ljg600 said:
For what you want to accomplish, you should consider purchasing a subscription to a personal VPN provider such as Witopia or PureVPN. Android's built-in VPN functionality will directly support most protocols such as PPTP and L2TP/IPsec.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're saying use the built-in VPN along with a paid VPN? There aren't any other good options/apps for Android?

Maconi said:
So you're saying use the built-in VPN along with a paid VPN? There aren't any other good options/apps for Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may wish to review this article:
lifehacker.com/5759186/five-best-vpn-service-providers
However, I recommend the above approach. Also, you may find free VPN providers and applications that offer limited bandwidth, download limits, advertising, etc.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk HD

Probably the most secure of anything free and maybe even the paid ones as well, speed isnt terrible either. I get 1.5mb/s down and 2mb/s up when routing all data in and out of my phone through this.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.torproject.android&hl=en

EniGmA1987 said:
Probably the most secure of anything free and maybe even the paid ones as well, speed isnt terrible either. I get 1.5mb/s down and 2mb/s up when routing all data in and out of my phone through this.
I respect the aims of the Tor Project. While performance, based on your post, seems a little weak- it sounds like a great free alternative- especially, but not exclusively, for rooted devices.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Torrenting allowed here in this vpn im using and is cheap. $3 A month.
Maybe the vpn you use has not provided open port. Try this. Ive been using it for more than a year http://xtreamvpnworld.blogspot.com
Sent from my WT19i using xda premium

Hotspot Shield VPN its totally free
FFor what you want use Hotspot Shield VPN its on the pl
ay stor its free no up or down limitfs

[email protected] said:
FFor what you want use Hotspot Shield VPN its on the pl
ay stor its free no up or down limitfs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hotspot Shield is a TERRIBLE service. Dont use that.
ljg600 said:
I respect the aims of the Tor Project. While performance, based on your post, seems a little weak- it sounds like a great free alternative- especially, but not exclusively, for rooted devices.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anything that is properly secure will not get you above a few mb/s in speed, unless you want to pay huge amounts per month. If you want to be secure then that is the price you must pay. If you want better speed then you shouldnt even bother wasting your money on services that still let anyone track you with the smallest amount of effort put towards the matter. here is a list of the only worthwhile providers there are:
BTGuard
Torguard <- the best in my experience
IVPN
Private Internet Access
PrivatVPN
Proxy.sh
Privacy.io
VikingVPN
TorrentPrivacy
Anonine
AirVPN
PRQ
Boxpn
EarthVPN
Mullvad
Ipredator
BolehVPN
NordVPN

EniGmA1987 said:
Hotspot Shield is a TERRIBLE service. Dont use that.
Anything that is properly secure will not get you above a few mb/s in speed, unless you want to pay huge amounts per month. If you want to be secure then that is the price you must pay. If you want better speed then you shouldnt even bother wasting your money on services that still let anyone track you with the smallest amount of effort put towards the matter. here is a list of the only worthwhile providers there are:
BTGuard
Torguard <- the best in my experience
IVPN
Private Internet Access
PrivatVPN
Proxy.sh
Privacy.io
VikingVPN
TorrentPrivacy
Anonine
AirVPN
PRQ
Boxpn
EarthVPN
Mullvad
Ipredator
BolehVPN
NordVPN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
somehow many of these VPN are not working ie. NORD.
As far as VPN choice is concerned. First you have to decide. whether you want a better experience or you just want a cheap one.
I personally go for better experience approach. because slow speed and advertisement is way too troublesome.
For vpn suggestion you can go and visit
www.bestvpnservices.com for your vpn selection.

zangetxu said:
somehow many of these VPN are not working ie. NORD.
As far as VPN choice is concerned. First you have to decide. whether you want a better experience or you just want a cheap one.
I personally go for better experience approach. because slow speed and advertisement is way too troublesome.
For vpn suggestion you can go and visit
www.bestvpnservices.com for your vpn selection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NordVPN works fine for me, your link however does not. VPN is about security an anonymity, the "experience" as you say can have a little bit to do with speed, but also ease of use and if you are even secure at all. A proper VPN is one that does not keep records of any kind on you, most VPN services do. This means that no matter how much you are paying, and no matter how fast of speeds you get through the VPN, you are doing nothing but paying money to someone pointlessly. The first thing to decide about using a VPN is: "Do I want to be secure and anonymous online", the second question is: "how much speed am I willing to pay for". Those are the only two questions of any relevance when dealing with a VPN. DO yourself a favor and actually research whatever company you are considering, because if they keep logs on you or are in a country that is required to comply with any little request from your government then that company is completely pointless to use.

EniGmA1987 said:
NordVPN works fine for me, your link however does not. VPN is about security an anonymity, the "experience" as you say can have a little bit to do with speed, but also ease of use and if you are even secure at all. A proper VPN is one that does not keep records of any kind on you, most VPN services do. This means that no matter how much you are paying, and no matter how fast of speeds you get through the VPN, you are doing nothing but paying money to someone pointlessly. The first thing to decide about using a VPN is: "Do I want to be secure and anonymous online", the second question is: "how much speed am I willing to pay for". Those are the only two questions of any relevance when dealing with a VPN. DO yourself a favor and actually research whatever company you are considering, because if they keep logs on you or are in a country that is required to comply with any little request from your government then that company is completely pointless to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sorry, the correct link is http://www.bestvpnservice.com/
Thank you for pointing out.
Nordpvn is working now. It actually emailed and asked about the problem, and they said that they were migrating their server. ie on Thursday from 11 am to 1 pm (+5 GMT) that is when i tried connecting to their website. Yes, i am concerned about the log issues, because you are absolutely right that there is no point if your privacy is compromised for whatsoever reason. But here is the thing we are not sure if they actually dont maintain any user log. That is another story.
I was thinking to go for PureVPN. I did some research, read blogs and I think it will cater my needs for what I am willing to pay for.

Free VPN are not the solution
EniGmA1987 said:
Hotspot Shield is a TERRIBLE service. Dont use that.
Anything that is properly secure will not get you above a few mb/s in speed, unless you want to pay huge amounts per month. If you want to be secure then that is the price you must pay. If you want better speed then you shouldnt even bother wasting your money on services that still let anyone track you with the smallest amount of effort put towards the matter. here is a list of the only worthwhile providers there are:
BTGuard
Torguard <- the best in my experience
IVPN
Private Internet Access
PrivatVPN
Proxy.sh
Privacy.io
VikingVPN
TorrentPrivacy
Anonine
AirVPN
PRQ
Boxpn
EarthVPN
Mullvad
Ipredator
BolehVPN
NordVPN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
totally agreed with you free VPN are limited as well in terms of servers, speed and obviously with very few basic feature and the most important thing the keep logs that is a big No for me

Best VPN
Maconi said:
I'm wanting to use a VPN to mask my browsing when in public/using free wi-fi/at work/etc. I'm fine with setting it up on my home PC (I was originally going to use Hamachi/Privoxy but I don't think Hamachi is supported on Android) or even paying a small fee but I'm not going to be torrenting or accessing any secure information so I don't care about VPN logging/DMCA issues/etc.
I saw Android has a built-in VPN client. Is that any good? I also noticed "Rooted AnyConnect" (yes I'm rooted, running AOSP+ 4.2.1) on the Play Store. What about that?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try purevpn, read review on USAVPN.com before purchasing

You need to change your VPN service provider, I can suggest you my VPN service https://www.iwasel.net/en/trysmoketunnelfree/, I have been using it for more than 2 years without any problems.

Ad Block

Any way I can add an Ad block to the phone or do I have to wait for root and custom roms?

Google AdGuard. I heard it has some functionality w/o root.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

A lot of people in the other S7 threads are suggesting an app called Block This! Might be worth checking it out. I haven't tried it yet, just seen others mentioning it in the threads.
Block This! - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.savageorgiev.blockthis

dazednconfused said:
A lot of people in the other S7 threads are suggesting an app called Block This! Might be worth checking it out. I haven't tried it yet, just seen others mentioning it in the threads.
Block This! - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.savageorgiev.blockthis
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This App seems suspicious, the version on App store apparently is outdated and asks us to download the newer version from their website. The newer one wants to setup a VPN, not really sure if it's legit !

Romin69 said:
This App seems suspicious, the version on App store apparently is outdated and asks us to download the newer version from their website. The newer one wants to setup a VPN, not really sure if it's legit !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I haven't tried it, I've just seen a lot of people suggesting it in other S7 threads.

Romin69 said:
This App seems suspicious, the version on App store apparently is outdated and asks us to download the newer version from their website. The newer one wants to setup a VPN, not really sure if it's legit !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not suspicious at all. Its just been removed from PlayStore doesn't mean violating Google rule. I've been using it Since v2.0 as Developer seems to legit and whatever he describes you can cross check on Google+ Or Facebook.
Lastly, AdGuard does it job well, but ideal battery drain would be a huge issue for some. Whereas this one doesn't have battery drain issue, yet blocks the ads quicker. Check for requirements on PlayStore or while installing, I'm sure, you'll change your opinion.
Also there's one more AdBlocker with ROOT! named AdClear, search on XDA.

dazednconfused said:
Yeah I haven't tried it, I've just seen a lot of people suggesting it in other S7 threads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found this on dev's website, I think I'll wait for root access.
"The only problem with this approach is, that for Android there are strict rules about who and how DNS can be changed. Normally changing the DNS directly needs ROOT access (i.e. your android device to be rooted). In order to work around this issue, "Block This" for Android creates, what we call a local VPN (Virtual Private Network) and all of your apps/browser traffic is routed through this VPN. This VPN is carefully configured to only modify the DNS settings of your network, while preserving your internet speed and not sending out any traffic to external VPN servers. "

I use AdGuard and it works great. You have to purchase it but I have been using it for awhile now and it's worth it.

Yeah adguard works well no root just purchase it to get ads blocked through out
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Romin69 said:
This App seems suspicious, the version on App store apparently is outdated and asks us to download the newer version from their website. The newer one wants to setup a VPN, not really sure if it's legit !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the way most/all ad blockers work if you don't have root. VPN let you change the way the network works in ways you can't without it.
Not saying I like it, I use a VPN for security when on untrusted WiFi, and for watching Netflix while abroad.
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Using " Block This. Adguard is subscription based, I still have a few months left.
I don't know if Block This will stay free forever though. Both work fine.
I do notice a reduction in wifi throughput on internet speed tests with Adguard. We have a 10Gbps link here that's limited to around 5-600Mbps on wifi. On my Note 5 with Adguard on I typically see 200Mbps max. With it off it will hit 500+.
Block This does not have this effect as far as I can see.
Aside from that (which most people probably won't see LOL) they are pretty much the same.
My biggest gripe is you cannot get rid of that stupid key icon. But that is an Android thing not a fault of either app.

Got an email today regarding Adguard. They are/will be supporting https. This means youtube ads in app will now be blocked! That's great news indeed!

I'm using the Samsung browser with ad block plus for Samsung browser. If I want a faster browser and save data I use opera with data savings.
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Anyone else nervous about new Google Assistant?

The pixel seems like I good phone but I'm a little apprehensive about the new assistant app. I'm sure it will arrive on all phones eventually. I really don't want google to always know where I am, how long i was there, where I'm eating, if I'm moving around, what I'm buying, watching on tv, and searching for. Full access to my texts, emails, and friends. Best case scenario is they use/sell all my life's info to a marketing company. They should call the app Snowden assistant. My life is boring, but they don't need to know that. Google is becoming too invasive just to change your money into consumer products. And all Nouget kernels are locked, so without a leak, you become a Google Ad Slave without any self protection. I don't like it.

if you think that's bad it get worse i call tmobile yesterday wifes phone. acting up
they new everything that was on and how many pictures were on phone and the list goes on .they same said 1st issue you have developers on which is bad second that wifi was on and needed to be off for more diagnostic. so any way don't be too worried of google as tmobile also knows what's on your phone

This is why I personally feel root should be option on all devices. Are we to trust all the hands in our private cookie jars? I personally feel more secure with my control of my device than with large companies that are constant targets of hackers. I'm glad we have more control over what apps can access in android 6 and and 7, but still no real control what the carriers and their friends can access about our lives and what they do that info. It will be interesting to see if people end up caring enough about their privacy or maybe I'm just being too sensitive about it.

1iwilly said:
if you think that's bad it get worse i call tmobile yesterday wifes phone. acting up
they new everything that was on and how many pictures were on phone and the list goes on .they same said 1st issue you have developers on which is bad second that wifi was on and needed to be off for more diagnostic. so any way don't be too worried of google as tmobile also knows what's on your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I disable the My T-Mobile app it is how they gather all this information. If you root the app will even try to request root permissions which is insane.

XmentalX said:
This is why I disable the My T-Mobile app it is how they gather all this information. If you root the app will even try to request root permissions which is insane.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. I have the unlocked S7 Edge .. no carrier or Samsung bloat installed. This Big Bro crap is just that .. crap. They also load up a diag process as part of the MyTmobile app. You don't opt out of their network testing and disable that process .. it will eat your network connection and system resources. It hit my Note 7 and made it unusable for 40 minutes. I noticed the data arrows going mad and figured this was the problem. It was. I disabled all the TMO software and this separate process and everything was good .. then recall. Not a good month all the way around.

Bubba Fett said:
The pixel seems like I good phone but I'm a little apprehensive about the new assistant app. I'm sure it will arrive on all phones eventually. I really don't want google to always know where I am, how long i was there, where I'm eating, if I'm moving around, what I'm buying, watching on tv, and searching for. Full access to my texts, emails, and friends. Best case scenario is they use/sell all my life's info to a marketing company. They should call the app Snowden assistant. My life is boring, but they don't need to know that. Google is becoming too invasive just to change your money into consumer products. And all Nouget kernels are locked, so without a leak, you become a Google Ad Slave without any self protection. I don't like it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry, Google Assistant is exclusive to Pixel phones. Google probably doesn't need Assistant to know everything about you anyhow.

XmentalX said:
This is why I disable the My T-Mobile app it is how they gather all this information. If you root the app will even try to request root permissions which is insane.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dr. Fed said:
Don't worry, Google Assistant is exclusive to Pixel phones. Google probably doesn't need Assistant to know everything about you anyhow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And once the Pixel folks have worked out the kinks by beta testing it .. it'll get pushed out to everyone.
Anyone who thinks the Pixel will sell enough to make it work Google doing it as an exclusive feature is just nuts. Also, the folks who created Siri just got bought by Samsung so most likely by summer '17 we'll all be saying "Hey, Viv!" and all that silliness.

1iwilly said:
if you think that's bad it get worse i call tmobile yesterday wifes phone. acting up
they new everything that was on and how many pictures were on phone and the list goes on .they same said 1st issue you have developers on which is bad second that wifi was on and needed to be off for more diagnostic. so any way don't be too worried of google as tmobile also knows what's on your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, when you first get the phone, at the beginning the t-mobile app ask if you give them permission to collect data to "easily diagnosed" issues on your phone ...you have the option of denial or acceptance on that....or you also can disable the t-mobile app on app manager

farru503 said:
Well, when you first get the phone, at the beginning the t-mobile app ask if you give them permission to collect data to "easily diagnosed" issues on your phone ...you have the option of denial or acceptance on that....or you also can disable the t-mobile app on app manager
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I kinda wondered what that does. You still have to opt out of maps, chrome, google app and Google account to fully unhook from google. There are many sub menu options in Google account especially.

Bubba Fett said:
I kinda wondered what that does. You still have to opt out of maps, chrome, google app and Google account to fully unhook from google. There are many sub menu options in Google account especially.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well at least Google gives their customers the options to turn off all of that... you just need patience to go over and READ descriptions of every single option...Google puts everything there for ppl to choose...it's just ppl are too lazy lol

What's irritating me, and I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but ever since Google stated only the Pixel would have this feature, Google Now has been crippled on Samsung phones. Used to get news, all sorts of info, now when I go to Google Now, I only get the sports teams I follow and location based stuff. I think Google is pulling a stunt to push people to the Pixel. Not cool.
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