My Verizon Services removal - Google Pixel 4 Questions & Answers

There is a service / app (system app) called MVS and listed as com.verizon.mips.services when you do a pm list services. Under apps and notifications - show system it can only be disabled. After a short time it re-enables itself and gives back full permissions no matter if you remove them or not. So I pm uninstalled it and that sticks as the app is gone. Until reboot! Then it's back, enabled, with full permissions again. Why is that, where does it come from (I know it's Verizon) in the system so that a reboot reinstalls it with no prompting?
I know what it does. Some have said it will break wifi calling but it does not. I don't use wifi calling any longer, it's too unreliable for me, but that's beside the point. What it actually does is report back to Verizon everything you are doing on your device. When you installed an app, when you uninstalled an app, when you used an app, who you called and when you called them and everything in between including the IMEI. If you ever call tech support they will know what's on your device without asking for permission to look at it. If you disable the app they will request a code so they can look since they now can't see it.
So.. how the hell do you get rid of this spyware permanently without root? Heck, even with root! It's also one of the top apps that alarms and partial wakelocks in BBS which is how I found it. There are 2 more packages that don't seem to be causing any problems but then again I'm not sure. Does anyone know what they are and what they do? They are:
package:com.verizon.obdm_permissions
package:com.verizon.obdm

I've deleted all apps that have the word Verizon in it and have had no issues. And wifi calling still works.

Spookymyo said:
I've deleted all apps that have the word Verizon in it and have had no issues. And wifi calling still works.
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Do they come back on reboot?
edit: Looks like these 3 packages are being installed via apk in the priv-app system folder and thus I think I'd need root to actually get rid of them entirely. This is a Google bought device with no connection to Verizon other than using a sim for connectivity. Will anyone else see if they have these packages installed if on a Google device with or without Verizon as a carrier? The command is:
adb shell
pm list package | grep 'verizon'
If you have them and don't want them use this command for each (one example given) and reboot. See if they come back.
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.verizon.mips.services

bobby janow said:
Do they come back on reboot?
edit: Looks like these 3 packages are being installed via apk in the priv-app system folder and thus I think I'd need root to actually get rid of them entirely. This is a Google bought device with no connection to Verizon other than using a sim for connectivity. Will anyone else see if they have these packages installed if on a Google device with or without Verizon as a carrier? The command is:
adb shell
pm list package | grep 'verizon'
If you have them and don't want them use this command for each (one example given) and reboot. See if they come back.
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.verizon.mips.services
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have root so whatever I delete stays deleted. I don't need to use adb, just a root explorer.

Spookymyo said:
I have root so whatever I delete stays deleted. I don't need to use , just a root explorer.
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Click to collapse
Unfortunately, that doesn't help me out but it's still nice to know. I see them all in the /product/priv-app folder and obviously can't delete them. Something like this might push me to root ...eventually. I can disable the processes and even uninstall them but only until the next reboot. I wonder if every device has crap like this running even if you don't use Verizon.

bobby janow said:
Unfortunately, that doesn't help me out but it's still nice to know. I see them all in the /product/priv-app folder and obviously can't delete them. Something like this might push me to root ...eventually. I can disable the processes and even uninstall them but only until the next reboot. I wonder if every device has crap like this running even if you don't use Verizon.
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Of course they do. Even unlocked phones have to connect to a carrier service.

Spookymyo said:
Of course they do. Even unlocked phones have to connect to a carrier service.
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Click to collapse
That's not quite what I meant. If you never connected to Verizon do you still have those files and apks installed? They seem like system files delivered to a device whether or not you use Verizon. That's what I'm curious about.

Lauren
I may be able to help. I have been going through HELL for 7 months... doing my own detective work and gathering info/evidence on trying to figure out/ prove how my ex (whom conned me) is committing Computer Internet and Identity Fraud therefore including Credit Card Fraud. Just moments ago I found com.verizon.obdm_permissions on my Android phone....Googled... Google lead me here. I am a creature of habit and believe i am fairly in tune with my habits/how my electronics work for my abilities (being uneducated in the way the internet works....one of his ssids to psychologically tease me was Interweb)
*I am on my father's Verizon account. He lives an hour away.
*I have my own Xfinity Account.
* My phone acts like 2 or more phones.
*Verizon says everything looks fine.
*Xfinity says everything looks fine.
*In my Google and Xfinity Account ive found that a Linux server is/has been connected to me.
* I found a coax cable that was cut (I live in an apt building) and found it connected to a splitter (fake?). Once I disconnected Comcast van (during pandemic beginning) arrived the next day. He wired the coax cable that was cut....i painted my closet....the paint spots match.
*I've had an Apple app mysteriously download even though I've never had an Apple Account nor an iPhone. Never would have caught it if I didn't download a notification saver app.
*This asshole has made comments leading me to believe he has live broadcasted me...I have never done that...i don't even like video chat...not even my mother.
*I have a FB Business page with 60,ooo followers that I had no idea I had.
*Just recently when I connect to my wifi (mobile data off) Digital Secure says 0 Apps are running on mobile data.
* at one point my IP address was in-between Pakistan and Iran.
*via FB messenger i was connected by someone who says he's a Middlesex Private Attorney-Union Devision....there is no such decision anywhere...confirmed by District Attorney's Office. I believe he is part of an Islamic group who prays on woman through social media for sex trade.
In conclusion: due to my exs actions, he has made me and my life (including my 14 and 9 year old children) a target for this sex slave trade Islamic group.
Honestly, I need help organizing my report for the FBI. I've already spoken with the Federal Trade Commission whom gave me a number to someone in my local FBI department.

farmdynasty said:
I may be able to help. I have been going through HELL for 7 months... doing my own detective work and gathering info/evidence on trying to figure out/ prove how my ex (whom conned me) is committing Computer Internet and Identity Fraud therefore including Credit Card Fraud. Just moments ago I found com.verizon.obdm_permissions on my Android phone....Googled... Google lead me here. I am a creature of habit and believe i am fairly in tune with my habits/how my electronics work for my abilities (being uneducated in the way the internet works....one of his ssids to psychologically tease me was Interweb)
*I am on my father's Verizon account. He lives an hour away.
*I have my own Xfinity Account.
* My phone acts like 2 or more phones.
*Verizon says everything looks fine.
*Xfinity says everything looks fine.
*In my Google and Xfinity Account ive found that a Linux server is/has been connected to me.
* I found a coax cable that was cut (I live in an apt building) and found it connected to a splitter (fake?). Once I disconnected Comcast van (during pandemic beginning) arrived the next day. He wired the coax cable that was cut....i painted my closet....the paint spots match.
*I've had an Apple app mysteriously download even though I've never had an Apple Account nor an iPhone. Never would have caught it if I didn't download a notification saver app.
*This asshole has made comments leading me to believe he has live broadcasted me...I have never done that...i don't even like video chat...not even my mother.
*I have a FB Business page with 60,ooo followers that I had no idea I had.
*Just recently when I connect to my wifi (mobile data off) Digital Secure says 0 Apps are running on mobile data.
* at one point my IP address was in-between Pakistan and Iran.
*via FB messenger i was connected by someone who says he's a Middlesex Private Attorney-Union Devision....there is no such decision anywhere...confirmed by District Attorney's Office. I believe he is part of an Islamic group who prays on woman through social media for sex trade.
In conclusion: due to my exs actions, he has made me and my life (including my 14 and 9 year old children) a target for this sex slave trade Islamic group.
Honestly, I need help organizing my report for the FBI. I've already spoken with the Federal Trade Commission whom gave me a number to someone in my local FBI department.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WTF?

mustangtim49 said:
WTF?
Click to expand...
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Glad somebody said it ?

Farmdynasty
ummm....ya....WTF is probably the right response...lol
In general, I am not the greatest at explaining things... lol Especially, trying to explain something im educating myself on as these strange occurrences are happening. Im better at physically showing someone while I am doing my best at explaining why I have come to these conclusions.
So, I guess, with the "WTF" reply im not fully comprehending what your WTFing about...lol Are you WTFing because its a completely messed up situation or are you WTFing because I explained in such a way that makes me look like a crazy person? Lol
Seriously, I absolutely want your honest opinion. Asking for others opnions who are more educated than I is the whole reason I registered with y'all. I absolutely know that this fraud/hacking is true. I just get confused, lost, side tracked with how he connected and getting to the main source. Im working backwards... like im starting from the top branches of a tree (clues) working my way down to find the main source. If this makes any sense at all,, its like he has a backup to a backup so he can connect in more ways than one. If your sure what I mean about something I said please please please ask me questions...fire away!

I believe we have found the solution to the Verizon services removal. Please close this thread. Thanks everyone.

MOD ACTION:
Thread closed at the request of the OP.

Related

Flexilis Mobile Security Beta

Hey Everyone,
Wanted to tell all of you about a neat app we're developing, called Flexilis.
It's a mobile security suite for Windows Mobile devices, that keeps your device and data safe from loss, theft, hackers, viruses, malware, spam, and more.
We've currently opened signups for our private beta testing, if you're interested in checking it out, just hit up http://beta.flexilis.com and sign up, and feel free to chat about the product here
If anyone has questions or runs into trouble, just shoot us an email at [email protected] and we'll help you out!
-Chris
Community Director,
Flexilis Inc.
[email protected]
Also, if any of you request an invite and it hasnt gotten granted within a day or so, let me know and I'll take care of it.
If you weren't asking for so much personal information, you might actually get people to try your app...
we're actually working on revising that, the reason we ask for the phone number is because it's used to sms you your download link for the software later on in the process, we're in the process of moving that to later on in the process, as well as an explanation of why we ask for it.
Thanks for the feedback!
-Chris
NRGZ28 said:
If you weren't asking for so much personal information, you might actually get people to try your app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man,
nice thing with this soft, that we give the phone number is not so a big problem i think. could you post a little bit infos about the program? Cause on your side there a not many informations.
But i ithink i'll give it a try...
I just have one little question, on you privacy page you write:
When you use the Flexilis Services, our servers automatically record certain information about your usage. These logs may include information such as the IP address, mobile device identification number, phone number, operating system, version information, wireless carrier, web requests, browser type, browser language, referring pages, landing pages, pages viewed, or other usage information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do record the pages we visit?
we're still working on a little bit of a tour/walkthrough area of the software on the front page, as we get closer to public beta, but for now there's nothing there yet. My first post in this thread gives a brief summary of it though. Feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected] with any questions!
-Chris
There's nothing in the software that tracks the pages you view or anything, what that refers to is on our end we track what pages users use on the flexilis website the most, much the same way other websites do, to track what pages and content on our site our most popular, etc.
JeckyllHavok said:
I just have one little question, on you privacy page you write:
Why do record the pages we visit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still not sure what your program do, but it certainly doesn't behave the way I expect.
1) Why to require authorization so often?
2) Contrary to the stated phone number is not accepted for authorization. Only email.
3) I don't really know what you mean by "a few minutes", but currently Flexilis is authorizing my phone already for more than two hours. I see no progress bar and I don't understan what's going.
4) I can't stop authorization process.
5) Why the authorization process continues even when I close all connections? Did you invent new method of communication?
6) The program is hidden from task managers and process viewers. What for?
I didn't sniff the traffic but currently behavior of your program reminds more of malware rather than security software.
My conclusion: As I don't understand what your program is doing, I'm not going to test it anymore until additional guidance is provided.
Sorry, if I'm sounding harsh. It's just writing style (tough work, you know )
No worries
1] once it's authorized the first time, it shouldnt have to authorize again, what kind of phone are you authorizing it on? we're making some fixes to the authorization process to make it even simpler that should roll out in the next release.
2] if you're outside of the US, you might need to add your country code and such if that's the case, let me know, or send me an email to [email protected] so we can look into it.
3] per all authorization questions, it'll try til its authorized, again we're fixing this.
4] per the it being hidden from task managers, we've given this some discussion, for right now it's a security feature to try to prevent theives from disabling the software, though we might fix that in the future to have the app visible in there somehow.
As far as being more indepth on all of the features, we are working on a tour of sorts to explain it all before the beta goes public.
Thanks for the feedback!
-Chris
mrcaze said:
I'm still not sure what your program do, but it certainly doesn't behave the way I expect.
1) Why to require authorization so often?
2) Contrary to the stated phone number is not accepted for authorization. Only email.
3) I don't really know what you mean by "a few minutes", but currently Flexilis is authorizing my phone already for more than two hours. I see no progress bar and I don't understan what's going.
4) I can't stop authorization process.
5) Why the authorization process continues even when I close all connections? Did you invent new method of communication?
6) The program is hidden from task managers and process viewers. What for?
I didn't sniff the traffic but currently behavior of your program reminds more of malware rather than security software.
My conclusion: As I don't understand what your program is doing, I'm not going to test it anymore until additional guidance is provided.
Sorry, if I'm sounding harsh. It's just writing style (tough work, you know )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Authorizing a device ... what a hassle. I finally gave up since I couldn't tell if it was doing anything. No more testing for or feedback from me.
fredcatsmommy: sorry it didnt work out for you. hopefully in the future when that's fixed (should be less than a week), we can lure you back, it does some amazing stuff, but we do run into bugs from time to time due to the vast number of windows mobile devices out there, and only having a small test bed of them to work with. Keep your eyes peeled, and we'll have that fixed soon!
fredcatsmommy said:
Authorizing a device ... what a hassle. I finally gave up since I couldn't tell if it was doing anything. No more testing for or feedback from me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you need to tell us what the app actually does?
I have read this and your site and still don't know what it does?
Will hold off on trying it till I know.
How long is the initializing and activating supposed to take?
seriously, the authorizing bugs should have been worked out before releasing a beta here. we cant even tell if its running, authorizing, stealing information from our devices, etc.. I surely hope this is a legit app youre pushing, if so, FIX IT, so we can at least see what it does.
thx
I installed and authorized with no issues what-so-ever... contrary to what everyone else is saying everything seems to work just fine. works great and doesn't seem to take much memory... not a single complaint here!
Advertising your application for beta purposes is usually not a problem. But, it seems you are here more for "recruiting" testers than anything else. Looks like you joined for this purpose only.
My suggestion to you, is to give a little more description on your develpoment. Seems there are too many questions going unanswered here.
jhw549 said:
I installed and authorized with no issues what-so-ever... contrary to what everyone else is saying everything seems to work just fine. works great and doesn't seem to take much memory... not a single complaint here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what device do you have? did you do anything special to get it working?
I have a sprint vogue and installed to main mem and the data conn. is constantly active.
Polargoat said:
what device do you have? did you do anything special to get it working?
I have a sprint vogue and installed to main mem and the data conn. is constantly active.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an HTC Mobul/Titan using default Rom/Radio with WinMo 6.1
To install it I just did what I would any other and installed it onto internal memory...
Correction: The application works just fine if you don't have push e-mail (aren't connected to a remote exchange server), I have been having problems all day with my push e-mail from mail2web which I use to forward my work e-mail to my phone. I have therefore decided to remove it as I can't afford to have it interfere with work.

WaveSecure Serious Vulnerability!!

I'm using Modaco latest r8 rom with froyo 2.2. I noticed 2 things:
1. wave secure will not download my account data automatically when I factory reset. I need to register again which make it vulnerable. >> Anyone can disable wave secure
2. I don't even need to factory reset and I can reset wave secure by clearing the data in settings!!!!
I have tried in original HTC ROM 2.09(rooted) and flash in /system/app. same situation.
And I've tried that if wavesecure hasn't been register, you can't lock it from wavesecure.com or sms
I don't know if this is due to the nature of froyo or it's been like this since 2.1
wave secure is practically useless right now on my phone!!
Anyone can confirm this?
called them and they said they disabled the function for temp as they are working on some fix, it will be up again in 3 weeks as what they said
Yep, saw this on MoDaCo. Will not be renewing my WaveSecure subscription.
Lets be honest, it was a waste of money to begin with right.
This whole thing makes me wonder...can an Android phone REALLY be protected by these kind of softwares? Even assuming there are no security issues with the app..I mean,a lot of Android phones are rooted by their owners and all are rootable (?) without booting into the OS, so even if said apps are installed as system apps (just like wavesecure can be) what's preventing a "smart/geek" thief from pulling the battery, changing the simcard,(rooting a non-rooted phone), booting into recovery, mounting system and wreaking havoc through adb, including removing the security app?? Am i going on a wild goose chase or is all this sound??
MacCarron said:
This whole thing makes me wonder...can an Android phone REALLY be protected by these kind of softwares? Even assuming there are no security issues with the app..I mean,a lot of Android phones are rooted by their owners and all are rootable (?) without booting into the OS, so even if said apps are installed as system apps (just like wavesecure can be) what's preventing a "smart/geek" thief from pulling the battery, changing the simcard,(rooting a non-rooted phone), booting into recovery, mounting system and wreaking havoc through adb, including removing the security app?? Am i going on a wild goose chase or is all this sound??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, but I don't think the average mugger/thief is that smart
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
So can I cancel my current subscription then and get a refund?
If you install wavesecure to /system/app and make sure its only there and not in /data/app as well then you should not have this problem.
Also wavesecure have gone through a rough month, got brought by Mcafee who in turn just got brought by Intel. They need to adjust to the new owners. They are (were) only a small company and lets face it their app is the best around by a long long way.
If you have any problems or suggestions on how to improve they usually listen (it was one of TeamVillain and a xda mod who suggested they make a update.zip for /system/app and a number of other improvements and they did it straight away).
Don't just say "oh no its not working" no app can protect your phone from the right people, if someone who knows all about rooting etc gets your phone then your screwed anwyay. But the average joe thug who steals your phone will get it, put in a new sim the alarm will go crazy then they panic, drop the phone and run. You can then use the tracker to find it, or give details to police.
Just put the apk in your rom next time before you flash in system/app and flash the rom. Restore data from a backup (but not the app) and you still get your market link too.
Lennyuk said:
If you install wavesecure to /system/app and make sure its only there and not in /data/app as well then you should not have this problem.
Also wavesecure have gone through a rough month, got brought by Mcafee who in turn just got brought by Intel. They need to adjust to the new owners. They are (were) only a small company and lets face it their app is the best around by a long long way.
If you have any problems or suggestions on how to improve they usually listen (it was one of TeamVillain and a xda mod who suggested they make a update.zip for /system/app and a number of other improvements and they did it straight away).
Don't just say "oh no its not working" no app can protect your phone from the right people, if someone who knows all about rooting etc gets your phone then your screwed anwyay. But the average joe thug who steals your phone will get it, put in a new sim the alarm will go crazy then they panic, drop the phone and run. You can then use the tracker to find it, or give details to police.
Just put the apk in your rom next time before you flash in system/app and flash the rom. Restore data from a backup (but not the app) and you still get your market link too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While i agree with you that a witch hunt isn't the proper response and that it is unlikely that the average thief will know his way around adb, i have personally tried to remove wavesecure from /system/app...it works...i did it without breaking a sweat. I intentionally triggered the lock by attempting to uninstall the uninstall-protection, pulled off the battery, booted in recovery and got rid of wavese cure with a single command. Reboot and presto! A free phone . So it is true that there is no full-proof way to be safeguarded, at least using this software, and in my humble opinion the guys over at wavesecure should clearly state so on their website. And they don't always listen..there is a long story of noisy silences concerning op's issue...omissions, censorship etc etc. I got a free lifetime subscription so i'm not particularly yelling at anyone, just making hypothetis, but wouldn't you be quite pissed off if someone stole your phone and rendered it's security software (for which you payed) impotent just because he knew "SU"?
MacCarron said:
While i agree with you that a witch hunt isn't the proper response and that it is unlikely that the average thief will know his way around adb, i have personally tried to remove wavesecure from /system/app...it works...i did it without breaking a sweat. I intentionally triggered the lock by attempting to uninstall the uninstall-protection, pulled off the battery, booted in recovery and got rid of wavese cure with a single command. Reboot and presto! A free phone . So it is true that there is no full-proof way to be safeguarded, at least using this software, and in my humble opinion the guys over at wavesecure should clearly state so on their website. And they don't always listen..there is a long story of noisy silences concerning op's issue...omissions, censorship etc etc. I got a free lifetime subscription so i'm not particularly yelling at anyone, just making hypothetis, but wouldn't you be quite pissed off if someone stole your phone and rendered it's security software (for which you payed) impotent just because he knew "SU"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is though, if they knew SU and other commands chances are they will get around any protection whatever it would be.
But Wavesecure offers you a way to track the phone, you can still contact your carrier and get them to IMEI blacklist it, then track the handset down via wavesecure.
hi - just check out secrep5265.blogspot.com - thats interesting information concerning your discussion.

I hate Google Support

I would like to complain about my current struggle with Google (since I have no one here to complain to. So I wrote Google a message and said I have a number of purchased programs that give me a download 403 error when i try to download them (geocaching, root explorer, titanium pro, gps status and toolbox pro etc.) and can they help me fix the issue. So they send me a canned response that says that I cannot install the programs because they are from a different userid of mine. So I respond and say that i have both user id's added as accounts on my phone so thats not it. So I get a canned response back that tells me there process of how apps are bought and how they are good forever and how you can install them on any devices. So I respond again telling them this is a download issue that I need help with. So I get another canned response that says during these issues you should try to wipe data on the play store and download manager. So I think, ok, this makes sense. I try that and nothing happens. So I respond again and tell them It didn't do anything but I have tried this on at least 6 different devices and it happens on all of them. So I get another canned response that says during issues like this you should delete your account and re-add it and if that doesnt work then wipe your phone to factory reset and try again. Now I am getting pissed. So I respond again and tell them that I just told them that it happens on many devices not just this device and I included a screenshot of the error this time and suggest maybe its having an issue looking up if i bought it and could they reset it so i could buy it again and see if that works. I get another canned response that says, it sounds like you are having issues with these apps, You should contact the developer so they can explain any issues that you dont understand on how their software works. NOW, each one of their responses comes with atleast a page of "We are sorry, we know this is frustrating, blah blah blah" with more detail on how to find the developers address etc." So I have this mile long email trail that's all canned bull sh!t I realize. So I responded again and told them to quit sending me canned responses and to read my damn issue so you can address it. I told them they should be working with the developer, not me, because this is their issue. Well - Stay tuned for there next canned response. I am going to blow a gasket if its another one that addressess nothing.
Has anyone else had a 403 download error in the playstore that they know how to fix?
Tried selecting the correct account before attempting to install?
JulianPaoloThiry said:
Tried selecting the correct account before attempting to install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that makes sense. is there a place to choose which account?
Where it shows the account name on the left side.
JulianPaoloThiry said:
Where it shows the account name on the left side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG dude, you just fixed my problem that i have been having for a year. I should know to ask xda before i ask google....stupid stupid stupid me..
Thanks Bro.
jbeitel said:
I hate Google Support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's your first mistake - you assume they care down to the individual customer level. We (humans) all exist as a necessary evil that Google's dependent on because we are the plebes who own the wallets which we open after clicking links that make money by selling advertising to the companies we buy from. If they could by-pass us and connect our wallets directly to advertisers they would. Google's taken away ActiveSync support, created a holy war in the YouTube community to push G+, created another furor by linking G+ to Gmail so anyone on G+ can e-mail anyone they can find on G+. There are tons more but you get the idea that "customer first" isn't exactly their manta. If you want to see their customer support in action look at the Nexus hardware forums. Google's support is byzantine. Your only hope of getting "real" support for s/w from Google is if you happen to stumble upon a s/w issue that intrigues them Or if you unmask a newsworthy security hole.
"Don't be Evil" has long been trumped by the need to keep revenue and margin high to keep the stock high to please both shareholders and Google'rs who's fortunes rise and fall by the value of that very same stock.
Google's an oligopoly now and not benevolent or our friends.
BarryH_GEG said:
Here's your first mistake - you assume they care down to the individual customer level. We (humans) all exist as a necessary evil that Google's dependent on because we are the plebes who own the wallets which we open after clicking links that make money by selling advertising to the companies we buy from. If they could by-pass us and connect our wallets directly to advertisers they would. Google's taken away ActiveSync support, created a holy war in the YouTube community to push G+, created another furor by linking G+ to Gmail so anyone on G+ can e-mail anyone they can find on G+. There are tons more but you get the idea that "customer first" isn't exactly their manta. If you want to see their customer support in action look at the Nexus hardware forums. Google's support is byzantine. Your only hope of getting "real" support for s/w from Google is if you happen to stumble upon a s/w issue that intrigues them Or if you unmask a newsworthy security hole.
"Don't be Evil" has long been trumped by the need to keep revenue and margin high to keep the stock high to please both shareholders and Google'rs who's fortunes rise and fall by the value of that very same stock.
Google's an oligopoly now and not benevolent or our friends.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
couldn't have said it any better. They just tricked me because the first couple canned responses sounds personal, until i started seeing a pattern and then all out ignorance.
I got the final end all be all response from google
"It appears from the apps that you are having a problem with that your device is rooted. Because of the complexity of rooted devices, we are not able to support you".
So I told them xda told me how to fix in in 5 mins. c*ck suckers.

Securing Moto G4 for my son.

I just purchased the Amazon Moto G4 edition for my son who is 8yrs old, and I understand he's a little young for a phone. However, a few of his buddies have phones and I thought it was a great way to help him read and type better through texting. I'm also not planning on paying for Cell service but rather use Wifi for SMS and Calls through hangout. And maybe get him freedom pop for in an emergency.
Now, with that said I created a gmail account that I control (my password, my recovery email/phone #, etc.) and then used this to setup the Play store. I set up all the restrictions in the play store to what I believe is appropriate and of course I locked it by setting up my own PIN code so he couldn't change them.
I also setup his own google voice number and tied it to google hangouts/dialer but I can also monitor what he is doing on my phone periodically if I wanted. I'm not interested in him using Snapchat, WhatsApp, or any other kind of social network.
I've also setup OpenDNS on the wifi account he uses at home. So I think I have things pretty much locked down with the exception of installing from Unknown sources. And although he probably isn't computer savvy enough yet, at some point he will be.
So, with that said is there anyway I can build a rom that disables installing from Unknown Sources? Also, any other recommendations and tips from others are welcome.
Thanks.
He can get rid of everything you did if he could factory reset
seth.dean02 said:
He can get rid of everything you did if he could factory reset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course he could, but he's 8! He's probably not savvy enough to circumvent my efforts yet and when he is I'll change my approach.
pabdaddy1995 said:
Of course he could, but he's 8! He's probably not savvy enough to circumvent my efforts yet and when he is I'll change my approach.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try one of the apps that allows you to lock apps. One is Applock and you may be able to lock down settings. That would prevent him from changing anything. You've probably thought of it already but some type of tracking app is a necessary safety measure for a child's phone. LOL, when he becomes a teenager you'll need the tracking for many more reasons.

Attention: this phone is a spyware device!

According to Samsung customer support and some members of this forum, this device does not have a built-in way of blocking Internet access for specific applications!
Many of those apps have permissions like "storage", "phone ID", "contacts", "calendar", "camera", "microphone", etc...
Therefore, when those applications are given Internet access they will be able to send all our data via the Internet...
That's why it would be of crucial importance and vital to have a built-in way of blocking Internet access to those apps.
For example, if an application has access to your data, to your storage or your contacts, it stands to reason that it should not have Internet access...
The only explanation for the lack of such an integrated system of blocking Internet access for specific applications can only be explained by the fact that Samsung and Google intend to have all our data and info sent over the Internet ... probably for specific domains ...
Google, Samsung or any other companies should not have, simultaneously, access to our storage data, contacts, calendar, camera, microphone..., and Internet access to send out all those data and info...
Besides, most apps are proprietary... so nobody knows what info or data the app is really sending out...
(Curiously and as a side note, my son has a Huawei P10 and that device allows the user to block Internet access to specific apps).
Therefore, given that this Samsung device does not have a way to limit specific applications from reaching the Internet, the phone is a spyware device!
Niccolò Paganini said:
The only explanation for the lack of such an integrated system of blocking Internet access for specific applications can only be explained by the fact that Samsung and Google intend to have all our data and info sent over the Internet ... probably for specific domains ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its google that doesn't want to implement an internet permission, we can block apps from access to storage/location/contacts and whatnot but not the internet, blame google not samsung.
peachpuff said:
Its google that doesn't want to implement an internet permission, we can block apps from access to storage/location/contacts and whatnot but not the internet, blame google not samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, blame them both. Samsung is knowingly 'accepting' the Google 'flaw' on it's phone. So Samsung is also culpable.
Talk about an Over the Top Melodramatic 1st post!
Stay off the internet - Get rid of your Smart TV - Live in a box... SMH
Sent from my SM-G955W ??
Niccolò Paganini said:
According to Samsung customer support and some members of this forum, this device does not have a built-in way of blocking Internet access for specific applications!
Many of those apps have permissions like "storage", "phone ID", "contacts", "calendar", "camera", "microphone", etc...
Therefore, when those applications are given Internet access they will be able to send all our data via the Internet...
That's why it would be of crucial importance and vital to have a built-in way of blocking Internet access to those apps.
For example, if an application has access to your data, to your storage or your contacts, it stands to reason that it should not have Internet access...
The only explanation for the lack of such an integrated system of blocking Internet access for specific applications can only be explained by the fact that Samsung and Google intend to have all our data and info sent over the Internet ... probably for specific domains ...
Google, Samsung or any other companies should not have, simultaneously, access to our storage data, contacts, calendar, camera, microphone..., and Internet access to send out all those data and info...
Besides, most apps are proprietary... so nobody knows what info or data the app is really sending out...
(Curiously and as a side note, my son has a Huawei P10 and that device allows the user to block Internet access to specific apps).
Therefore, given that this Samsung device does not have a way to limit specific applications from reaching the Internet, the phone is a spyware device!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't worry about it the NSA and Google already know everything about you.
without permissions 99% of your apps won't work. want to stop tracking ?dig deep into your account, real real deep to cut off a lot of privacy issues
then when you have time, google your name
pltctytc said:
....then when you have time, google your name
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Click to collapse
Not much came out for me, just a Google+, Twitter, Photobucket and my company activity...
But: I must agree with OP to some extent...at the end it is weighting between functionality vs privacy.
Gregzi said:
Not much came out for me, just a Google+, Twitter, Photobucket and my company activity...
But: I must agree with OP to some extent...at the end it is weighting between functionality vs privacy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreeing to ANY extent with the OP's RIDICULOUS and ABSURD post & a Thread Title that is Entirely Misleading and Uninformed!
While everyone is entitled to their opinion - This Thread & Particularly it's Title are perilously close to warrant being Reported to the Mods!
It's a simple process to Disable Background Data for each and every Application that you decide to disable in Settings - Apps - Permissions - Data - Background /Toggle Off.
I made reference to Smart TV's as they are constantly "listening" in order to provide functionality - Then there's Laptop cameras which could be equally used to "spy" on their users... Are we to disable the functionality offered by Ok Google - Which is also "listening" to provide the functionality that we have come to expect from our technology?
Two Tin Cans and String are the bastion of the Paranoid & Conspiracy Theorists.
Sent from my SM-G955W ??
**** this I'm going back to a Palm Pixi so the NSA can't spy on me!
What if.....
The NSA IS Google?!
Seriously? You're downloading things from F-Droid and Yalp and you're concerned with what data individual apps are sending? If you don't trust an app to have an internet connection, why on earth are you using it? If you don't trust the company behind an app to use your data appropriately, whey are you using that app? Do you shut off all data so your internet/mobile provider can't sniff out what you're doing? Tin foil is relatively cheap.
Niccolò Paganini said:
The only explanation for the lack of such an integrated system of blocking Internet access for specific applications can only be explained by the fact that Samsung and Google intend to have all our data and info sent over the Internet ... probably for specific domains ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surely this is "the only reason", surely. I'll assume you have thought through the entire process of creating a mobile phone operating system as complex as Android, and also every detail involved in creating an application ecosystem that scales to millions of user created applications access by billions of people that worldwide probably generates over a trillion dollars in overall economic revenue (including employment by business built around it, advertising money spent, etc). Surely you saw a foolproof way too easily do all of this AND follow seemingly arbitrary privacy rules? You MUST have also COMPLETELY ruled out every other innocent explanation using this model, including showing conclusively that it wouldn't cause ANRs, app crashes, or anything else. Right?
You also have data showing more than just you would revoke this permission right?
Right?
Mr. Orange 645 said:
What if.....
The NSA IS Google?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean you only just realised this NOW???!
I have to say, I'm always amazed how little people care about the spying that's being done through their phones. Saying "live in a box" or "just don't use the app" is a stupid response. You can still want to be part of society (which nowadays REQUIRES using whatsapp/facebook/google) EVEN THOUGH you're uncomfortable with the privacy implications. Someone acknowledging and being aware of this, and trying to improve upon it (or even simpler, just demanding improvements by the companies you pay a thousand dollar for a new phone) is often ridiculed as if it wouldn't matter, or people accept it as an something that is required for the systems we use. Social networks could work totally fine without being centralized, google maps doesn't actually need to send your location to google to function, and no app that i know of needs to send your usage of the phone to their company to do whatever it promises to do. Yet many apps do. It's not so much about that it is possible, the problem is that it is allowed. It shouldn't be allowed, much of the data collection should simply be outlawed. But, since hardly anyone seems to care, I don't see that coming anytime soon. I've tried to find people interested in this, but not even on reddit /r/privacy/ this seems to be a major concern.
@the_toast
There's a difference between being responsible for the amount of privacy you have and the amount of personal information that has already been made available... long before people were even aware of the amount of personal information that was already gleaned from the Products and Services that you have been using for years. To some extent trying to reign in your personal information is like closing the barn door after the horse is long gone.
The guy who originally posted this Thread is focusing his "panic" on one device and THAT is naive and Grossly Misleading!
Whether it's FB (which I don't use) or signing up for a Loyalty card - Your personal information is everywhere! Using common sense going forward is the only rational approach, but standing on an imaginary mountain top and shouting to the world that one device is "spyware" is ridiculous and deserves to be called out ?
Sent from my SM-G955W ??
Ahh, the time of the Internet where everyone knows who you are, what you're doing, what you're buying, what sites you browse, your fetishes, etc. Most importantly, here in the U.S., your IP now can sell your internet history to anyone they please, even that time you looked up 2 girls and a cup. Sorry, Charlie, your life is no longer a private one and never will be again.
MiMtnBiker said:
Ahh, the time of the Internet where everyone knows who you are, what you're doing, what you're buying, what sites you browse, your fetishes, etc. Most importantly, here in the U.S., your IP now can sell your internet history to anyone they please, even that time you looked up 2 girls and a cup. Sorry, Charlie, your life is no longer a private one and never will be again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And if you Travel into the USA... Did you know THIS?
https://www.google.ca/amp/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4494371#ampshare=http://www.cbc.ca/1.4494371
Sent from my SM-G955W ??
@shaggyskunk True, the OP is alarmist and uninformed. I was just put off by many of the answers, which basically said "why do you use Internet then". With respect to your post about searching phones - we can easily make this a scare thread (and people would be scared for good reasons). Let me continue:
- apps that want to use your microphone without apparent reason (of course also the ones WITH a good reason to use the mic) can track you through high-pitched sounds you cannot hear, which are emitted e.g. by some retailers to track you through their store.
- You talk about 1 in 13.000 people arriving in the US getting their phone/laptop looked at and potentially copied? How about knowing for 1Bn people (1 in 7 on earth) who they talk with, when they talk with them, and in which location they are whenever their phone has internet. That's Whatsapp.
@MiMtnBiker Gnn that's exactly my problem, people just accept it and believe it's never going to change. I'm not happy they know what kind of porn I'm looking at, and even less happy that they could sell the information (although I don't live in the US). If it is that way, it CAN be fixed, you CAN prohibit selling this information. Or to collect it at all. It's definitely better to know the big 5 have all my information but won't have all future information about me than to know they can continue like this forever
@the_toast
Many of the answers - including "live in a box" - "stay off the internet" were in direct response to the careless & irresponsible comments by the OP - like = like?
Not only your phone has the potential to gain access to your personal information - But your Laptop camera - Your Smart TV (that is "listening") But this technology is something that most people appreciate and expect their tech to provide them with the functionality that they want - Being aware of the capabilities of your Tech is prudent - being paranoid & frightened by it is just sad.
The issues of Privacy are extensive and if someone decides to pull on that thread - it's going to be never ending.
Common sense & being informed is the most appropriate way to go ??
Sent from my SM-G955W ??
the_toast said:
@shaggyskunk True, the OP is alarmist and uninformed. I was just put off by many of the answers, which basically said "why do you use Internet then". With respect to your post about searching phones - we can easily make this a scare thread (and people would be scared for good reasons). Let me continue:
- apps that want to use your microphone without apparent reason (of course also the ones WITH a good reason to use the mic) can track you through high-pitched sounds you cannot hear, which are emitted e.g. by some retailers to track you through their store.
- You talk about 1 in 13.000 people arriving in the US getting their phone/laptop looked at and potentially copied? How about knowing for 1Bn people (1 in 7 on earth) who they talk with, when they talk with them, and in which location they are whenever their phone has internet. That's Whatsapp.
@MiMtnBiker Gnn that's exactly my problem, people just accept it and believe it's never going to change. I'm not happy they know what kind of porn I'm looking at, and even less happy that they could sell the information (although I don't live in the US). If it is that way, it CAN be fixed, you CAN prohibit selling this information. Or to collect it at all. It's definitely better to know the big 5 have all my information but won't have all future information about me than to know they can continue like this forever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm afraid the only way you are going to change it is to completely get off the grid. Many people are oblivious to the fact that they are willingly giving up their personal information when they have their noses buried in their smartphones pert near all day. What's worse is that the politicians only seem to cater to the wealthy, and since they are salivating at the idea of getting their grubby hands on your info, this will continue. Unless there is a huge uprising and people assemble in protest of this, it will not stop. Heck, I don't even think it will stop, then. Nope, money is the reason as to why this won't change and, unfortunately, you have no say in the matter. Unless, that is, you do get completely off the grid.

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