I think my pc is compromised and running some shady tools (probably my boss installed them) will a factory reset/fresh install of windows fix the issue?
I don't want to switch to linux, some of the apps and tools I use aren't available on linux.
Thank you
algnerd said:
I think my pc is compromised and running some shady tools (probably my boss installed them) will a factory reset/fresh install of windows fix the issue?
I don't want to switch to linux, some of the apps and tools I use aren't available on linux.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very likely yes factory reset to primary state will remove suspected pre-installs of your boss. In addition I recommend install ZoneAlarm full (firewall, malware, antivirus). There'a free trial for full version for 30 days.
If you do so - mind to disable system's firewall completely ,)
Format your drive and then fresh install from an external USB Memory or try Eset online scanner.
Related
Hi,
My brother has been told by an associate, that he has hacked his phone and can track and hear everything he does and did it remotely.
Also said the App is undetectable.
His phone is a rooted Note 3 and his wife has a non rooted Galaxy S5.
Now, I have told him there is no way for for somebody to remotely install any app on your phone even if it is rooted, unless it is already compromised and or unless they have your Google account and password, which i am not 100% sure that would allow you to install anything either.
So my question is, if he flashes an original rom and creates a new Google account, can he feel safe that his phone can't have malicious apps installed with out his knowledge ?
I would assume a factory reset wouldn't be enough to get rid of an app installed as a system app ?
Is there any programs he could install to check for malicious apps.
I think my brother is just being overly paranoid and this guy is a ****
Help greatly appreciated.
Hopefully this is the right thread / board, if not please move to the correct thread please mods.
JaGuR said:
Hi,
My brother has been told by an associate, that he has hacked his phone and can track and hear everything he does and did it remotely.
Also said the App is undetectable.
His phone is a rooted Note 3 and his wife has a non rooted Galaxy S5.
Now, I have told him there is no way for for somebody to remotely install any app on your phone even if it is rooted, unless it is already compromised and or unless they have your Google account and password, which i am not 100% sure that would allow you to install anything either.
So my question is, if he flashes an original rom and creates a new Google account, can he feel safe that his phone can't have malicious apps installed with out his knowledge ?
I would assume a factory reset wouldn't be enough to get rid of an app installed as a system app ?
Is there any programs he could install to check for malicious apps.
I think my brother is just being overly paranoid and this guy is a ****
Help greatly appreciated.
Hopefully this is the right thread / board, if not please move to the correct thread please mods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say, scan with an antivirus like avast and see what can come up, and to your question, if he flashes the stock rom, everything which has been installed as a system app will get removed, also if your phone is rooted , avast has a function which is called firewall, in that you can control the internet connectivity of all the user/system app. I use it to block internet access to systems which in my view do not need any connectivity to run. Its very easy to do also. ask him to change his goole password and also user 2 factor authentication on google.
Sounds like someone's been watching a bit too much Person of Interest...
Do such 'apps' exist? Yes. Are they publicly available? Hell no.
I dont think theres a software like that in public. Thats a lot of money to be earned "IF" ever and theres laws to break.
Just do a factory reset from recovery or a better solution is to upgrade your firmware to the newest build from samfirmware
Factory reset won't delete system apps.
The least you can do is flash stock ROM using Odin to fulfill your brother's OCD.
Thanks guys, will put my mind at rest and hopefully his.
JaGuR said:
1- if he flashes an original rom and creates a new Google account, can he feel safe that his phone can't have malicious apps installed with out his knowledge ?
2- I would assume a factory reset wouldn't be enough to get rid of an app installed as a system app ?
3- Is there any programs he could install to check for malicious apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1- Yes. And no need to create a new account, just change the password of the current account.
2- Yes, in some (rare) cases.
3- I'm not sure. You can try some antivirus apps or security apps on the Play Store. But in general, you can check yourself by finding apps that have the following permissions: READ SMS + RECORD AUDIO + FULL INTERNET ACCESS... Try to eliminate well-known safe apps, plus some experiences and some helps from the other, you can identify these malicious apps.
Hi I have NewsOn apk working on my AFTS but I can't get the application to work on a coworkers AFTS. Can I copy and paste files from my device to another so that NewsOn will work the same as on my device?
The problem is NewsOn requires Google services, which I somehow was able to install on my device but can't get it to install and run on my buddy's.
Thanks for any advice in advance.
In the tech world - dependancies are nothing that you just shrug off.
If the app needs the Google Services Framework, it needs the google services framework. And it will always ask for it - ad nausium, and probably quit if it doesnt find it.
On Android in general - an easy way to copy apps and its settings ("save data") from one device to another one is Titanium Backup.
You need root to use it - btw. That are other "cloud backup solutions" that don't require root per se, all of those arent very good. Without root you run into severe limitations with restoring app data. Because of the android security framework (one app isn't allowed to write data into another apps data folder).
But that doesn't help you one bit - if the app requires a Google framework thats on your device, but not on your "buddies".
Theres no magic that will solve that.
harlekinwashere said:
In the tech world - dependancies are nothing that you just shrug off.
If the app needs the Google Services Framework, it needs the google services framework. And it will always ask for it - ad nausium, and probably quit if it doesnt find it.
On Android in general - an easy way to copy apps and its settings ("save data") from one device to another one is Titanium Backup.
You need root to use it - btw. That are other "cloud backup solutions" that don't require root per se, all of those arent very good. Without root you run into severe limitations with restoring app data. Because of the android security framework (one app isn't allowed to write data into another apps data folder).
But that doesn't help you one bit - if the app requires a Google framework thats on your device, but not on your "buddies".
Theres no magic that will solve that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your input.
It seems like there's always a catch or a road block to work around in the "Android World".
This problem I'm faced with, doesn't it seem like there has to be an achievable fix?
Im just not on that level to know exactly why or pin point what I did that gave me the ability
to use an app that from what I kind of understood isn't possible to install on a non rooted fire stick.
Isn't there a method I've must have unknowingly performed that enabled me to use NewsOn?
Or could it just be a glitch or fluke?
I haven't heard or found anything on the web indicating someone has installed an app on a non rooted fire stick that requires Google services in order to function.
What's your or anyone elses opinion on this?
Thank you for sharing.
I was able able to install and get working NewsOn on a Firestick Gen 2 without root. Installed NewsOn (Apps2fire) then dumped my Google Play and Play Services from my phone (apk manager +) and used apps2fire to install them on the Firestick too. BINGO! Unfortunately I can NOT get it working on Fire TV Box using the same method..
Hey guys all the browsers on my s8 are infected with a pop up redirecting malware. I delete the cash delete and reinstall the browsers and it didn't fix it. I used an anti-virus and a malware remover and they didn't detect anything. Help me please
Try to uninstall all third party apps that you may have installed yourself.
If this resolves the issue, just install what you are fully aware is safe.
If you are installing APK's outside of Google Play without experience then you are asking for trouble.
APKMirror is the only site I deem safe when it comes to downloading APK's.
If you can't remove the "malware" by following my steps above, my only other suggestion is that you attempt to backup your files onto a computer (LEAVE he APK's) and do a factory reset either through settings if possible and if not, use the recovery button combination and format /data
***YOU WILL LOOSE DATA IF NOT BACKED UP*** This includes old messages etc, if there's something important inside of an app such as notes, make a backup elsewhere.
Scroll all the way down in you settings / app list and there you most likely will find an app without a logo or name. Just delete this and your phone will be malware free. (at least that's what I did last week)
macweeds said:
Scroll all the way down in you settings / app list and there you most likely will find an app without a logo or name. Just delete this and your phone will be malware free. (at least that's what I did last week)
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Click to collapse
Thanks man i did find an app without a name deleted it and now everything is fine thank you
Glad to help!
Hi everyone Anyone has used Android and had problem with APK files like me? I wanna install some apps/games to relax. I also wanna try to download apk files through a few websites. However I scare that my Android device will be hacked with virus. Do you know if apk/apk bundle/.... are good for Android? And hope you guys recommend me the webs that are really safe for my mobile phone and Pc or laptop
To stay safe I would probably recommend Malwarebytes on PC and Android.
This comes with 14-day trial though you can make it 28-day free trial by selecting Personal PC and Business PC.
I think you need Antivirus
Some people are asking the same question on my facebook page. I think you need to install an antivirus. I suggest avast, easy to install and pops up when it detected any harmful thing.
Need help with my galaxy s8 +. It is restarting in loop. How can I fix it.
Stock? You add any new apps recently?
blackhawk said:
Stock? You add any new apps recently?
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Click to collapse
added few apps few days back. but they were banking apps. I think to fix it i need to update by downloading firmware but not sure
If you can access the boot menu try clearing the system cache.
If that doesn't work, factory reset.
It's likely caused by an app you recently added or uninstalled.
Think hard before installing any suspect apps or you'll be doing this again.
3rd party launcher and power management apps are prime suspects.
blackhawk said:
If you can access the boot menu try clearing the system cache.
If that doesn't work, factory reset.
It's likely caused by an app you recently added or uninstalled.
Think hard before installing any suspect apps or you'll be doing this again.
3rd party launcher and power management apps are prime suspects.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
factory reset will end up in deleting all the data I have right. I am trying to avoid losing my data.
KAMS.JOSHIS said:
factory reset will end up in deleting all the data I have right. I am trying to avoid losing my data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. You should have had it backed up. Android crashes are very rare but they happen.
You have a SD card slot?
Use it! Use the SD card as a data drive, all critical data goes here. Copies of apps and everything you need to do a complete restore as well.
Only the OS, loaded apps and the download folder go on the internal memory.
Frequently backup the SD card to at least 2 hhds that are physically and electronically isolated from each other and not attached to the PC.
You may be able to get it to boot into Safe Mode to retrieve your data. Don't count of this in the future!
I should also point out that the Android platform should be very stable; any system instability is often the only if any sign you'll get before a crash. Take any signs of instability seriously.
A crash is normally caused by poorly written 3rd party apps including malware. Pre-Pie OS's are suspectable to a rootkit that can't be eliminated by a factory reset. The phone's firmware must be reflashed. Also suspect malware when abnormal behavior is noticed and act fast to limit damage. Any download (including jpegs) or recent apps are suspect.
My current OS load is around a year or older. Still fast and stable. Not one crash. It's heavily but sanely used. This is what Android is capable of.
In 1.5 years I picked off one trojan preloader and an malicious scripted jpeg before they could do any real damage. The former didn't recieve it's needed second download before being discovered and the latter damaged some files in the download folder before being deleted that same day it was downloaded by me. The preloader was an unauthorized browser download, a real nasty one too. Always look over your download folder contents frequently especially after a questionable encounter
Delete any unknown content. Vet files before allowing them into your database from the download folder. Online Virustotal is a useful tool for malware detection in files/apps.
blackhawk said:
I should also point out that the Android platform should be very stable; any system instability is often the only if any sign you'll get before a crash. Take any signs of instability seriously.
A crash is normally caused by poorly written 3rd party apps including malware. Pre-Pie OS's are suspectable to a rootkit that can't be eliminated by a factory reset. The phone's firmware must be reflashed. Also suspect malware when abnormal behavior is noticed and act fast to limit damage. Any download (including jpegs) or recent apps are suspect.
My current OS load is around a year or older. Still fast and stable. Not one crash. It's heavily but sanely used. This is what Android is capable of.
In 1.5 years I picked off one trojan preloader and an malicious scripted jpeg before they could do any real damage. The former didn't recieve it's needed second download before being discovered and the latter damaged some files in the download folder before being deleted that same day it was downloaded by me. The preloader was an unauthorized browser download, a real nasty one too. Always look over your download folder contents frequently especially after a questionable encounter
Delete any unknown content. Vet files before allowing them into your database from the download folder. Online Virustotal is a useful tool for malware detection in files/apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your suggestions blackhawk !!