So after looking around through the forums I have learned a lot, and I have appreciated every piece of information I have been given, but there have been some things I have either not found answers to, or have not found complete answers (ie: someone only asked part of what I'm asking).
*Phone info listed in Signature*
When giving an answer, please number it according to the question and/or Quote the question, Please do not quote the entire post.
1. IMEI Device ID: Can I change it? and How?
- After Flashing and Rooting, my email exchange account no longer recognizes my phone and asks me to validate the Device ID. I did get Exchange to work when I had 2.1 and I'm not doing anything different from before. (Note: Android Device ID and IMEI Device ID are 2 different things)
Answer: Your IMEI Device ID is located on the back of your phone. You can find it by removing the battery and then it is the number above the first barcode. Your IMEI ID is something you neither can change nor want to. If a problem occurs trying to get Exchange to work again after messing with your phone, try connecting to the network at the location of your exchange account. Make sure your phone is registered, if it's not, register and wait a day before attempting to connect to exchange again. If that still doesnt work, contact their IT dept and have them manually add your phone. Also, see Post#4 or Exchange Thread
2. Android Device ID:
a)Is the number/letter sequence located on my battery, my Android's ID?
b)In the app "Android ID Changer", when I change it to said ID on battery and click "Save" nothing happens, the ID that the App gives me is still listed at the top.
Answer: If you flash and root with what I've given in my signature, your Android Device ID should be the same or there shouldn't really be anything you need to worry about that requires it. Your IMEI ID is the important one. Also Reference the Device ID Thread, and please make sure you write yours down before flashing and rooting!!!!
3. Sounds Sounds Sounds!!!!!: OK, so I know everyone wants to have their own custom tones right? Well, after looking around for a little while, I haven't really found full solutions as to what I want:
There are 6 Different Kinds of Tones, and a 7th Tone Type I would like added:
- Voice Call Tones: As main ringtone and per contact(As Title)
- Notification Tones: (Text Messages, Email, etc)
- Music: Your media, the only files that should show up in "Music Player"
- Alarm Tone: In the Default Clock App, under Alarm Creation
- Smart Alarm Tone: In the Clock App also under Alarm Creation
- Screen Touch "Pop" Tone (When you click an app)
- Reminder Tone: Reminds you that you have a text or missed call(Not included on phone currently)
a) OK, with that list, when I go in to choose for each one, you get a menu (for example Voice Call gives you: Silent, AT&T Tone, Bird loop, ..., Samsung tune, ...). I would like for my custom sound files to show in the Default list of each according Tone type as listed above. How do I do it?
b) How do I differentiate the Text message tone from the email tone? How do I make make text message tones & settings individual/separate from Notification Tones and Settings?
c) Reminder Tone: When I had a motorola back in the day, if my phone rang at me and I was too busy or not around it at the time to look at it, about every 5 minutes, it would beep at me telling me that something happened while I wasnt paying attention. Is there a way that I can add this feature to my Captivate?
4. ASTRO vs. My Files(on 2.2-Froyo): It seems like "My Files" has everything that ASTRO has, yet I've seen a lot of people saying to get ASTRO. Is there any reason to have it?
Answer: If you have enabled the Side-Loading of apps, there is no real difference between these two other than their appearance since you can bring up the .apk installer that's included in both programs. Other options to using these to programs are: Root Explorer
5. Default Samsung App: Daily Briefing: There has got to be something better than this out there, any suggestions?
- Also, I already have a big clock that has weather(Fancy Widget), so I dont really rely on Daily Briefing for it
Answer: If you are looking for something in terms of a
Widget NewsReader: try Feedr for news, Auto Express for Car News, and ScoreCenter for Sports News
Non-Widget news readers include: Google Reader, gReader, & NewsRob.
6. Tethering/I'm Tethered, What Now?:
a) I know that my laptop can access WIFI via MobileAP, but how can I connect with my Laptop via USB Tethering. I have Windows XP Pro SP3
b) Is it possible for me to use my Laptop to send Txt Msgs?
c) Assuming I have hundreds of Contacts, Is to possible to keep ALL Contacts on laptop while keeping only most used contacts on phone?
Answer:
a) USB Tethering can be accomplished through apps like EasyTether or PDANet, but most ROM's for the captivate do have it standard. It would be under Menu > Settings > Applications > USB Settings > PC Internet.
b)
c)
7. Removing the Default "Latitude" App (2.2-Froyo): I already have Maps, Navigation, and Places. Why would I need "Latitude"? What is the purpose of it?
I use Titanium Backup Pro to "Freeze" most of the default apps (freeze meaning hide them w/o deleting them) but I cannot seem to find "Latitude" in the list of Apps, is there a way to freeze it with Titanium?
8. Allshare Default App 2.2: What does it add to the phone? Do I need it or should I "Freeze" it?
I'm looking for a way to play my media from my computer to my phone, however Windows Media Player doesnt recognize my phone as something to share to, how can I change this? (I use Windows XP Pro SP3)
9. FM Radio: Is there a way I can listen to my favorite channel without using up any data? And if I listen to the channel for about an hour, how much data will I have used? (So far, I've only seen Last.FM and TuneIn Radio)
Answer: Best thing to do if you want to listen to the Radio on your phone is to do it via Wifi. Unfortunately for us, our phone originally had plans to have a FM Chip installed allowing us free FM Radio, but that's just not how AT&T rolls. Another App besides Last.FM or TuneIn Radio to try is iheartradio. Furthermore, if you are wanting to watch your Data Usage, I suggest trying 3G Watchdog, I don't know how accurate it is from month-to-month, but it is an App(and Widget) that does watch your data usage.
10. Is there a way to rename the apps in my App Drawer? Some of them have strange/long names which will break a work so that it is on both lines or the whole title doesnt fit. This bothers my OCD so I was wondering if there was an easy way to do it.
11. Random Reboots When I don't have an Alarm enabled, sometimes my phone seems to go and sleep/hibernate/reset. Meaning I pickup my phone and for some reason it has gone and turned off on me. What's the deal? Does anyone else have this problem and is there a way to fix it?
12. Save Texts: What is the best way to save your text conversations to your computer besides using KIES?
13. Save Contacts What is the best way to Export Contacts to your computer for editing and later Importing back onto the phone besides using KIES?
- I want to have a back up of all my numbers so that I can remove some from my address book, but still have them on my computer in case I need them later.
14. GPS 2.2: Many have commented about fixing the 2.1 GPS, does the 2.2 GPS also need a fix?
15. Editing the System: Where Can I find in-depth threads that tell me how to change things in the system(thread links accepted)? I would like some that cover it in general, but I'd also like ones that also include adding and removing custom ringtones to the default as well as SetCPU and other functions.
16. The Lock Screen: Is there any way in which I can change the Default Lock Screen so that it includes a message on it like "This phone belongs to _______"?
Is there any other themes for the Text Message "Puzzle" Lock Screen?
17. Contacts:
a) Sorting Method - First I would like to sort my contacts by Group, then by Alphabetical Order. Is there any way that I can do this? Basically I want my girlfriend listed first, then all my Family Contacts, then all my friends. Is there a way I can do this other than adding symbols or prefixes in front of everyone's name?
b) Once while on the facebook app, it gave me the option to set a picture to one of my contacts(without saving the image to the phone), however I havent figured out how to do it since, does anyone know how?
c)How do I sync contacts with Gmail? Ive tried clicking Sync Contacts in Contacts under Gmail, and it shows the refresh icon for about a second but when I go to my gmail contacts, nothing is there. What's the deal?
18. Way too Awesome: So we've all seen what phones can do in the movies, hacking into computers and whatnot. Is there anything that our phones can do like in the movies? I personally would love to have a phone that Tony Stark or Sam Flynn would die for. ......Is there at least a way I can use my phone to unlock my car? I'd enjoy turning my phone into a trapper-keeper lol.
19. Custom Sound Settings: Media Volume can only go down as low as 5% before going to 0%, is there any way I can make my phone lower that 5% like when it's late at night but I still want to hear an app's crappy music, just really really quietly?
20. Phone Accessories:
What is the Best phone case for Captivate that utilizes a belt clip (w/screen protector)?
In terms of a 2nd battery, are there any batteries out there that have more battery life than the stock one that comes with the phone?
If I had a 2nd battery, would it be safe to leave it in my car throughout the year in case I need it, or would temperature be a problem?
21. Data Plans: Any chance of AT&T Coming out with a plan that's between 100Mb, and 2Gb?
I'm on Wifi most of the time, so I don't use most of my 2Gb, but I can easily use 100Mb, is there any chance of there being a 1Gb plan?
As I get answers to my questions, if the answer isnt too long I will edit the OP with the answers or link a post below the question for people who might stumble upon this thread with the same question.
EDIT: (Last Edited 1/17)
Added Answers to questions: 1, 2, 4, 5, 9
Added Parts B and C to #6
Added Questions: 15,16,17,18,19,21
1.) IMEI ID is on the back of the phone and don't think you can change that.
4.) Astro also lets you install third party apps that are loaded onto your SD card. My files just lets you browse.
5.) If you dont' need daily breifing, don't use it. I don't use it either.
6.) PDAnet will let you tether via USB and there are a few others.
10.) when you add a app to your home screens, you have the option to change the name. Doesn't help with your app drawer OCD but keeps your home screens under control.
11.) There are multiple threads about random shutdowns. Read them all if you want. So far, increasing the sleep speed minimum to 2000 (in setCPU) has worked for me. Granted it's only been a few days but no shutdowns since doing that.
14.) Reading all the GPS threads will show you that it's not locked into a particular OS. Nobody really knows what the problem is. Some have great GPS, some don't. Some get it working better with fixes, some don't.
axis01 said:
1.) IMEI ID is on the back of the phone and don't think you can change that.
4.) Astro also lets you install third party apps that are loaded onto your SD card. My files just lets you browse.
10.) when you add a app to your home screens, you have the option to change the name. Doesn't help with your app drawer OCD but keeps your home screens under control.
11.) There are multiple threads about random shutdowns. Read them all if you want. So far, increasing the sleep speed minimum to 2000 (in setCPU) has worked for me. Granted it's only been a few days but no shutdowns since doing that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4. My Files has a package installer if you have enabled sideloading of apps and seems to work the same as ASTRO as far as I can tell.
10. I havent seen an option to change the name on the homescreen either, I usually just drag them from my app drawer though.
11. Could you define what the sleep speed minimum is?
EDIT: ANd big thanks on where the IMEI was. I was kind of avoiding taking the battery out, but the number on the back matched the number in the phone info so I was happy. And for some reason my phone now works with exchange. I think my phone was waiting till I knew what it knew lol.
Oh man. I'll see if I can answer them all. LET'S DO THIS!
1. Before you left 2.1 stock, shoulda backed up nv_data. If your Device ID and produce code get messed up, check out http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=881162 and http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=880223 Use these threads to try and restore it; but if that doesn't work you might be SOL without a nv_data backup.
As for exhange, check out http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=821297
I work for AT&T, so me and IMEI's are best buds. You can't change your IMEI as it's a number issued directly for AT&T. AT&T uses these IMEI's to determine what type of phone is on your account. Should you change the IMEI, it would appear to AT&T as "Unknown GSM", and you would cease to get data.
2. Read #1
3. It depends on the apps you use to accomplish said tasks. I would imagine very few of us use the stock e-mail client, i would imagine most of us use K-9 or something along those lines, in which case you can specify a sound file in said apps settings.
As for having them show up in the default menu, throw them into /system/media/audio/ringtones and they should show up in default.
I'm not sure about the reminder, although I can't see an app for this not existing. As stated above, some e-mail clients such as k-9 or SMS like handcent may have this feature. If the stock ones don't, what can ya do?
4. Don't get either, get Root Explorer.
5. If you already have a clock, I suppose all Daily Briefing offers is news and a calendar. There's plenty of awesome news readers for the Captivate. If you like the widget variant, i would go with Feedr. If you prefer non-widget news readers, Google Reader, gReader, NewsRob; all good choices.
6. It depends on the ROM. USB Tethering can be accomplished through apps like EasyTether or PDANet, but most ROM's for the captivate do have it standard. It would be under Menu > Settings > Applications > USB Settings > PC Internet.
7. Latitude is bundled in with Google Maps. Not sure how to remove it, or if you can..maybe.
8. You don't need it. It's just a global way to share pictures and videos to multiple sources. I never use it.
9. Connect to WiFi!
10. Aside from decompiling the APK, i don't think so. Maybe NinjaMorph can do it, but I don't think so. You can hide apps from the drawer though, or hide the text, with alternative launchers.
11. The captivate stock firmwares seemed to have a problem with randomly rebooting. I work at AT&T and I sell these phones daily so I can safely say it's just the stock, even the 2.2 stock seems to do it. You can use SetCPU profiles to work some magic, but it's easier to just install a Custom ROM, as I personally no longer have this problem UNLESS i am on stock. Use http://romkitchen.org from your phone, easiest way. Make sure to donate if you use it frequently, it's an awesome service!
12. Can't answer this one. I imagine there's an app to back up texts to files on the phone directly though, if not it wouldn't be very hard to make!
13. From your contacts on the phone, menu > (possibly More) > Import/Export. It will save EVERYTHING about your contacts(Ringtone info, pictures, birthdays, etc) to a .vcf file. These can be altered, edited and saved on the computer.
14. 2.2 stock needs a fix I'm pretty sure. Check out this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=881941 , all you gotta do is flash one file, so do it anyway just to be safe!
Phew. Hope this helps!
geokhentix said:
Oh man. I'll see if I can answer them all. LET'S DO THIS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Big thanks
As for my Android ID, I didnt know about it until afterwards. The posts that inform people about flashing and Rooting should mention this, because I didn't see it anywhere until after I was worrying about my phone not being able to connect to my email, but for some reason this morning when I tried it miraculously worked.
As for #3, where is my system folder? is it: I:\media\audio\ringtones ?
with my "system" being "I:"
I recently discovered setting custom sounds for my email accounts, but I am curious about all the default tones.
Are all the ones listed in different setting all just the same file with the exception that they only play for "X" amount of type depending on menu your are in?
And can the captivate not play MIDI files?....you know, old school polyphonic files........
And how the heck do I change the text tone for while my phone is plugged into the USB? omg it is the most annoying sound in the world, why does it not use the tone I have my texts set for? (I forgot this one on my list)
Thanks for your answer to #11. My phone hadnt done it at all until I dropped it down about 10 feet at a concert screen down 6 days after I got it. The next day the phone did the reset thing and I just about cried cuz I was just like I know it's because I dropped it. On the bright side when I picked it up after it fell, it didnt have a scratch on it or nothin'.
How do you alter a .vcf file?
WandererTJ said:
Big thanks
As for my Android ID, I didnt know about it until afterwards. The posts that inform people about flashing and Rooting should mention this, because I didn't see it anywhere until after I was worrying about my phone not being able to connect to my email, but for some reason this morning when I tried it miraculously worked.
As for #3, where is my system folder? is it: I:\media\audio\ringtones ?
with my "system" being "I:"
I recently discovered setting custom sounds for my email accounts, but I am curious about all the default tones.
Are all the ones listed in different setting all just the same file with the exception that they only play for "X" amount of type depending on menu your are in?
And can the captivate not play MIDI files?....you know, old school polyphonic files........
And how the heck do I change the text tone for while my phone is plugged into the USB? omg it is the most annoying sound in the world, why does it not use the tone I have my texts set for? (I forgot this one on my list)
Thanks for your answer to #11. My phone hadnt done it at all until I dropped it down about 10 feet at a concert screen down 6 days after I got it. The next day the phone did the reset thing and I just about cried cuz I was just like I know it's because I dropped it. On the bright side when I picked it up after it fell, it didnt have a scratch on it or nothin'.
How do you alter a .vcf file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, all Custom ROM threads should have a little blurb about it for people installing their ROM from a new stock device. But it seems to be fixable even if you didn't with a little work, so it's not too bad.
You can use Root Explorer to copy them to /system/media/audio/ringtones, but I think they may have to be in .ogg for them to work out of this directory. I'm not entirely positive, but all you would have to do to test it is push a non-.ogg ringtone over and try it. To copy your ringtones over nice and easy like;
Download the Android SDK and extract the android-sdk-windows folder to your desktop for easy copy pasta!
And enable USB Debugging (Menu > Settings > Applications > Development > USB Debugging)
Open a command prompt!
cd %USERPROFILE%/desktop/android-sdk-windows/tools
adb push [ringtone] /system/media/audio/ringtones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's in a perfect world where it won't complain about permissions. if it does;
cd %USERPROFILE%/desktop/android-sdk-windows/tools
adb push [ringtone] /sdcard/
adb shell
su - at this point, accept superuser request on the phone; make sure the screen isn't locked when you hit enter, prompt should change from a $ to a #
mv /sdcard/[ringtone] /system/media/audio/ringtones/
exit
exit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if the Captivate can play .MIDI files for notification sounds. Only one way to find out though, right?
And i have no idea why your text tone is different when plugged into USB...mine sounds the same.
Late edit: forgot to answer one of em, you can edit .vcf files in MS Outlook!
# 9 - unfortunately our phone doesn't have FM radio. Another one to try is iheartradio. They have a number of radio stations. Although you're still using data unless you're using wifi like mentioned above.
Are there any better phonebook editors other than Outlook express?
I am looking for something so that I can have multiple phonebooks such as one with all my contacts I've ever had, and another for just the contacts I want on my phone
if you have a custom ringtone set for something and you have the phone plugged into usb, the phone can't access the the SD card where the custom tone is stored, thus you get that annoying (and loud) built in tone.
Re: myfiles: it does indeed let you install apps, but I'd recommend estrongs file explorer. It allows you to not only browse you're phone, but your pc files too (assuming it's on the same network, of course.) And let you open, copy and edit between the 2 devices.
Re: allshare: out of the box this great app let me browse and watch all of the video files off of my PC. I didn't have to configure anything special, except that my PC was already configured to share media with my xbox 360.
But I didn't do anything on my pc after buying the phone. Just connected to wifi and everything showed up. I haven't tried sharing the other way though (watching media from my phone on my PC)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I896 using XDA App
#12. I've used Wifi Android Manager Wifi, I think it backs up text messages. It seems to back up everything else, that's for sure.
Hey, I've been working on adding answers to the OP, it's going, but I'm not done
Anyways, UPDATE 1/17/11 - I've Added Questions 15-21, please try and answer these when you get the time.
Added Answers to questions: 1, 2, 4, 5, 9
Added Parts B and C to #6
Added Questions: 15,16,17,18,19,21
Hi,
So, Android has a permission system which albeit somewhat flawed (malware can gain permissions not intended for it) and not very suitable for laymen (non rooted phones have to either accept all permissions or be denied from the app. In many programs people don't have the luxury of not using them) theoretically has merit. IOS has...well actually I'm not sure how it works security wise but I pressume it creates sandboxes for each app, layman wise it is reasonable since you (theoretically) can deny access for all programs to certain components (no need to jailbreak).
How does WP works?
Thank you.
Security is different, apps can't do as much as on android. But iOS is better in this, because capabilities are like in Android: you can see what the apps want prior to installing them, but blocking some of them isn't possible.
I am very saddened to hear this.
Is there an ability in place similar to Androids rooting?
Also, what do you mean by "apps can't do as much as on android"?
Thank you!
@th0mas96's post is technically *mostly* accurate but very confusing and doesn't actually answer your question at all.
The short version is that WP apps use a capability-and-sandbox system much like iOS and Android, with each app getting a sandbox that gives it read-only access to the app-specific install directory and the global system directory, read/write access to the app-specific data directory, and access to whatever other stuff is specified in the capabilities. Capabilities are currently all-or-nothing; you can't reject or disable any capability except by just not installing the app.
I could go into the technical implementation of the system a bit, but the short version is that WP8 apps use fairly standard NT (as in the NT kernel that is at the core of PC Windows versions) security features: each app has a unique token (rather than inheriting the token of the process that crated it, the way it normally works on PC but very much like how Windows Store apps work on Win8) which contains the app-specific Security IDentifier (SID) that gives access to the app directories, plus the SIDs of the various capabilities that the app has.
What @th0mas96 was talking about is that WP capabilities usable by third-party developers are much more restrictive than they are on Android. For example, Android allows an app have full read-write access to your contacts or to send SMS directly. WP8 doesn't allow that unless you use capabilities that are normally neither allowed on the store nor allowed in sideloaded apps (Microsoft's code can have them, of course - that's how the built-in SMS app works - but not Joe Random Dev). The downside of this is obvious; some app behaviors (like a full replacement for the SMS app or phone dialer) are not possible. The upside is that apps are *way* more limited in how malicious they can be; the most common way that Android malware makes money (remember, the vast majority of malware is for profit) is by sending SMS to "premium" numbers. On WP8, an app could *compose* such a message, but it couldn't *send* it for you (unless it had a capability that third-party apps normally can't have) so you'd have a chance to see what the app was doing and decide not to send that message after all.
This means that the ability to disable capabilities is much less important on WP8 than on Android.
Oh, then those restrictions are actually good news.
Aside from from your typical run-of-the-mill malware my main concern was actually privacy. I have a huge displeasure from apps like Whatsapp which on android takes a whole plethora of liberties and was hoping that perhaps some other system may contain their user data voracity and their ability to control the divice their on.
Is there any link in which I could see the full list of those restrictions?
I'm still downhearted from not having a more fine grained control of the system but maybe it still has it uses in some scenarios...
Also, thank you very much for your comprehensive explanation!
i found a tiny file stored inside some of the unbranded htc accord RUUs. its call disablewriteprotect.test. the only thing the file contains is a sentence stating write protection will be disabled until this file is removed. followed by a music note and some other symbol. so there you go thats how you make your entire htc 8x read and write. one file less than 1kb in size. ROOT!
but how can we flash this file. im still working on it. this file is located within the efi partition which also houses the ffuloader.efi, and severl other efi executables. check this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53687985#post53687985
you wont find that on google search.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Free mobile app
Window phone Security Issues
Your Windows Phone is secure by design. Many security features are turned on by default. For example, apps you download from the Windows Phone Store are tested by Microsoft and encrypted to make sure you don't accidentally install malicious software on your Windows phone.
Set a password
Setting up Kid's Corner
If you've ever handed your smartphone to a child, you know that they can quickly get into all sorts of apps and settings they shouldn't. No such worries with Kid's Corner, a place on your phone where your child can play with the games, apps, music and videos
Use the free Find My Phone service
Say yes to updates . check out more at Master Software Solutions - Windows Phone Update
grilledcheesesandwich said:
i found a tiny file stored inside some of the unbranded htc accord RUUs. its call disablewriteprotect.test. the only thing the file contains is a sentence stating write protection will be disabled until this file is removed. followed by a music note and some other symbol. so there you go thats how you make your entire htc 8x read and write. one file less than 1kb in size. ROOT!
but how can we flash this file. im still working on it. this file is located within the efi partition which also houses the ffuloader.efi, and severl other efi executables. check this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53687985#post53687985
you wont find that on google search.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds interesting.
Not something I'd try )) but interesting.
Aman Raien said:
Your Windows Phone is secure by design. Many security features are turned on by default. For example, apps you download from the Windows Phone Store are tested by Microsoft and encrypted to make sure you don't accidentally install malicious software on your Windows phone.
Set a password
Setting up Kid's Corner
If you've ever handed your smartphone to a child, you know that they can quickly get into all sorts of apps and settings they shouldn't. No such worries with Kid's Corner, a place on your phone where your child can play with the games, apps, music and videos
Use the free Find My Phone service
Say yes to updates . check out more at Master Software Solutions - Windows Phone Update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pressume this is an advert for Master Software Solutions, but nevertheless I did google the term you suggested and got nil results. I also browsed the main site of the company itself but haven't found anything related, nor did I find anything on their facebook page.
Regardless, I checked out this Kids corner thing, it's cute but not really security related...
Thx anyway.
After weeks of hard work we (Setmov and uncle Fab) proudly present you the first Una ROM for the galaxy Grand I9082, based on 4.1.2 XXAMF7.
DISCLAIMERAs usual, your phone your responsability, we won't take any responsability if it flies out of the window or if your girlfriend/boyfriend runs away with it.
PLEASE, DO READ OP COMPLETELY AND CAREFULLY BEFORE ASKING ANY QUESTIONS, ANSWERS TO MOST PROBLEMS ARE THERE
WHAT IS UNA?Una is a new concept that takes security to a new level.
Are you tired of seeing so much blatant, outrageous and shameless invasion of your privacy and data mining hidden behind nice sentences like "enhanced use experience" or "complete integration with the system"? We decided to develop secure ROMs where privacy means just that – Private!.
It’s free of charge, we are a non profit structure and we are not here to make big bucks.
WHAT UNA ISN'TUNA isn't a way to help you to stealthily buy massive destruction weapons to foment a coup d'etat in your favorite banana republic or to prepare the third world war:silly:.
UNA secures what leaves from your phone (ie your personnal data doesn't leak and no app can look over your shoulder to spy your activities), but it can't competely secure what comes into your phone.
Why is that?
Because it's just not possible to fully secure a phone from what comes into it, and anyone claiming to be able to do it is either a liar, or an ignorant, or both.
There are too many attacks, some not well documented, if documented at all, and some unknown to the public, and there are too many ways to hack a phone, especially if the user doesn't use his/her common sense.
If you are the type of person that installs apps from shaddy source and/or warez web sites (sites offering cracked paid apps) chances are that at some point you will unknowingly install a malware or a spyware. The same applies if you click on any link, specially on SMS' and emails, if you let any pop out window appear or if you don't protect your lockscreen with a password/pin/pattern and let anyone get physical access to your phone.
A bit of judgment and common sense can save you a lot of trouble, but there's unfortunately nothing UNA can do about it.
Then, if you use your phone to call through GSM your provider will know where you are. If he didn't you wouldn't be able to make any call, the signal has to find you and there's nothing UNA or anyone can do about it.
The only way to prevent that is to disable the phone functions (but then your phone will turn into a wifi only device) and reenable them when needed, head to the scripts section to learn how to do it.
Last but not least, bear in mind that the agencies have armies of tech savvy henchmen and 10 storeys computers, and tricks we can't even imagine, so think twice and use your brain before you attempt to outsmart them...
UNA IS FOR YOU IF:. You are willing to learn how to use an unconventional ROM and generally speaking to understand how things work, even if it sometimes requires a little effort to fix this or that little problem (bear in mind that it took us a lot of work to develop Una to where it is now),
. You don't mind a few little occasional bugs here and there that come from all the restrictions the ROM contains,
. You want to take back ownership of your phone from google’s claws.
UNA IS NOT FOR YOU IF:. All that you care about is the latest gimmick in the latest OS,
. You can't live without the google’s apps,
. You are the kind of person that never reads through the OP and only scroll down to the download section, and then complain that things don't work and/or ask stupid questions in which are answered OP. An example? One guy makes a mod and writes clearly in OP that it's specifically for 4.2.2. Then some people complain: "it doesn't work on 4.4.2"...
If you are that type of person, please do yourself and us both a favour, and close this window now.
ARE WE PARANOID TIN FOIL HATS? OR TERRORISTS? OR CARTEL BOSSES?Nope, we only are people that don't see why we shouldn't be in control of our phones. Or why our phones can be wiped remotely, why apps or updates or who knows what can be downloaded and installed without asking for our consent, why SMS' can be sent without us to know, why we should pay for the bandwidth used for data mining and unwanted downloads, and why all those activities should deplete our battery and kill our RAM.
You think we are overreacting here?
You don't have to take our word for it, just download and install Network Log from here:
https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdfilter=network+log&fdid=com.googlecode.networklog
Give it root permission, start logging and open some web pages. Come back to Network Log after a few minutes and see for yourself, you'll be surprised (or maybe horrified?) to find out that your android system, your settings, your kernel etc. connect to all sorts of funny IPs, including and foremost google’s.
Now you see what we mean?
It's time to go for Una
UNA'S FEATURES. Rooted.
. Deodexed.
. Zipaligned.
. Busybox and sqlite installed.
. Init.d support and scripts.
. Auto start disabled for most apps.
. About 120 system apps, 40 framework jars, 30 permissions xmls and 25 libs removed, plus files here and there.
. Very low RAM and CPU consumption, more than 8 hours screen time with the WIFI on, 1% battery decrease every 10-12 hours while in stand by.
. Heavily and extensively modified system, in order to make it secure and prevent it from leaking your data.
. App Settings, Firewall and Xprivacy built-in, and already applied out of the box to make sure you are well protected.
. Xprivacy is a fantastic tool but it has one big limitation, it can't restrict the Android System from accessing your serial numbers and leaking it. For that reason these IDs have been edited as follows:
build.serial (androidboot.serialno) and ro.serialno are both set to "1",
android id is set to "android",
net.hostname is set to "1".
. Wlan serial number set to "00000001" (this number identifies you everytime you connect to the internet, and Xprivacy can't do anything about it).
. USB ID (iSerial) set to 1.
. Unreadable cp access.
. Vulnerabilities patched thanks to Master Key Multi Fix and Fake ID Fix.
. ADB disabled (can be re-enabled, see below).
. By default ADB, all google access (including youtube, blogspot and google search) and the Media Storage are disabled. You can re-enable some or all of them, instructions are in the "HOW TO USE THE ROM" section.
. Plenty of under the hood modifications to make the ROM fast and fluid.
. Multi-purpose navigation keys.
. Call button in contacts.
. Because secure doesn't mean ugly, the whole ROM has been themed with a beautiful green color (if there are enough requests other themes will follow), transparency, and Lollipop HD wallpapers.
. KK style pop-up toasts.
. Multiwindows have been revamped, they are no longer only static in Samsung style but now they can float and be resized too, like on a computer.
. All apps can be opened in floating mode.
. Possibility to choose between different multiwindows layouts in KK's style.
. Heaps of hand picked and carefully scrutinized open source apps.
There are 2 non open source apps (Greenify and Quick Pic) but they are safe, believe me, I have thoroughly examined them. Still, you can always uninstall them if you feel like it.
In time we will develop our own apps, but first we want to see how people respond to the Una concept...
Installed apps/tools. 920 Editor, to create and edit scripts or text files.
. AF+ Firewall.
. Alarm clock.
. APG, to encrypt messages.
. App Settings, to restrict apps' permissions, change DPI on a per app basis and more.
. Arity, a calculator.
. Conversations, a secure and encrypted chat, modded by uncle Fab for increased security.
. Fdroid, an alternative to the Play Store, and all the apps are open source!
. Floating stickies, to make small notes on the fly.
. FTP Server, to copy files to/from your phone wirelessly.
. Ghost Commander, a very powerful dual panel root file manager.
. Gravity Box, a theming engine.
. Greenify, to make apps behave by hibernating them when not in use.
. K9 Mail, an email client.
. Kernel Adiutor, if you feel like playing with kernel tweaks (but you have to know what you are doing).
. Lightning, a fast and light weight browser.
. Multiwindows Manager.
. Network Log, to check where your apps connect and chase unwanted connections.
. Open Camera.
. Tor (Orbot) for Android, modded by uncle Fab for increased security.
. Orweb, a browser designed to work along with Tor.
. OS Monitor, to monitor and kill your phone's processes, and more.
. Pale Moon, based on Firefox for Android, for a full desktop experience with Mozilla add-ons preinstalled for enhanced security.
. PDF Reader.
. Preferences Manager, to edit the otherwise difficult to read shared_prefs files in data/data.
. Quick Dic, a good selection of free dictionaries.
. Quick Pic, a Gallery app.
. Rmaps, a maps app where you can download maps from various sources for offline use.
. Search Light, a torch.
. Terminal Emulator, fire up your commands and show your phone who is the boss!
. Text Secure, a secure and encrypted SMS app, modded by uncle Fab for increased security.
. Tint Browser, another fast web browser.
. Urecord, to record sounds with different sample rates.
. USB Mass Storage Enabler, to connect your phone to any computer (note that it only mounts the external SD).
. Viper4Android FX, a powerful sound enhancer.
. Viper4Android XHiFi, some more sound enhancements.
. VLC, a video and music player favourite.
. WI-Fi Privacy Police, to secure your connections even better than they already are.
. Xposed Installer, a great framework that enables apps like App Settings or Xprivacy to work.
. Xprivacy, last but not least, the best privacy app.
WHY IS THIS ROM 4.1.2 BASED AND NOT 4.2.2?
Because Samsung did a complete failure with its 4.2.2 version for Galaxy Grand.
High RAM consumption, no floating windows, bugs.
Plus, the newer the android version the more spying there is, despite google's sweet talk about "enhanced user's experience", the infamous Fused Location being a good example.
INSTALLATIONAs usual, make a backup first!
Do backup your contacts and whatever is important because all your apps and data will be erased (your sd card contents won't be deleted though).
Do backup your /system/csc folder, in case you need it for later.
Do backup your efs folder (VERY IMPORTANT).
Open an android terminal from your phone, first type "su" (without the quotes), enter, then type:
busybox dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p17 of=/sdcard/efs.img
This will create an efs backup caled efs.img in your sd card.
If you need to restore it type:
busybox dd if=/sdcard/efs.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p17
Before you install the ROM, download Philz recovery from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2452985
We chose Philz since AFAIK it's the only one that allows you to lock you recovery with a password (highly recommended, if your recovery is not password protected it wouldn't take more than 2 minutes for someone to disable your pattern or pin protected lockscreen and access all your personal data on the phone).
Philz' installation instructions
You need to have Samsung drivers installed.
Boot your phone into download mode (press volume down and power at the same time).
Open Odin 3.07 and connect your phone.
Click on the PDA slot, navigate to where the Philz recovery is located and select it.
DOUBLE CHECK AND MAKE SURE THAT "RE-PARTITION" IS UNTICKED (only "Auto Reboot" and "F.Reset Time" should be selected).
Click start and wait while Odin flashes Philz.
If everything went well your phone will now auto-reboot into the system. Go into recovery, you should see your brand new Philz.
If you are still on stock recovery then repeat the above steps, but this time untick “Auto Reboot” in Odin.
When in recovery, if before you reboot you see a text on the screen displaying “yes – disable flash recovery”, select it to avoid stock recovery overwriting Philz.
Now, download Una from here (scroll down until you get to the download section):
http://unaos.com/
Unzip the ROM and copy it to the backup folder that is inside the clockworkmod folder in your sd card (if there's no backup folder create it by choosing "mkdir" in Ghost Commander).
Boot into recovery.
Go to restore from sdcard, choose 2015-03-23.10.56.05, and go for it!
Once it's done reboot, congratulations, you have installed Una ROM on your phone!
The screenlock password is 23052015
IMPORTANT!!!I haven't tried the latest 4.2.2 ROMs and I don't know if they have Knox or not (the earlier versions hadn't).
If they have it and if you are on such a ROM you'll have to choose custom restore and uncheck boot in the menu, because since the bootloader you have is Knoxed you may get a brick if you downgrade it to a pre-Knox version, don't play with that!
If you choose to proceed, you do so at your own risk, but in any case look first on the internet to find out if it's doable.
If it doesn't work for you then I'm sorry, you are out of luck, shame on you Knox...
If it works please report it here so that other people will know, thanks in advance!
HOW TO USE THE ROM. Swipe down to access the applications drawer.
. Swipe up to open the notifications.
. Go to settings and set a stong password/pin/pattern protected lockscreen (recommended), default password is 23032015.
. Go in recovery and set a recovery password (recommended).
. Long pressing on the menu key toggles expanded desktop (full screen, no more navigation bar and no more status bar).
. Double pressing the menu key kills and hibernates the current application.
. Long pressing the recent key brings you back to the last application (convenient to switch from one app to another).
. Between the home and the back key there's a supplementary key that can display up to 12 apps (editable in gravity box).
Double pressing that key shows the sound panel, long pressing it shows the reboot menu (note that there's an option to take screenshots in the reboot menu).
. When you open an app you'll see a cascade icon at the top or the bottom right, press it and the app will turn into a floating window like on a computer. Now, open the notifications and check the 4 icons at the top, click any of them and the currently opened floating window (s) will be reorganised according to the layout you chose.
. Go to /system/etc/security/cacerts, check the certificates that are there (you'll find the certificate's name approximately by the middle of the file), and erase the ones you don't need/like.
When you want to transfer files to/from your phone open the USB Mass Storage Enabler app and enable mass storage, that's it. When you are done, don't forget to eject your phone from the computer and to reenable MTP from the app.
. When you install a new application, by default it will be fully restricted in both Xprivacy and the Firewall.
Before you open the newly installed app wait until the Xprivacy icon appears in the status bar, then and only then can you open it.
Most likely the app will crash.
Go to Xprivacy, open its settings and then usage data, you will see what restrictions caused the crash. Re enable some, provided that they are not too invasive.
Many apps require "load.Library" to be allowed in the shell section, that's ok.
Others may need to access the sd card, that's in the storage section and it's ok to allow it for apps that really need to access the storage, like players, cameras or file managers (for other apps try to keep it restricted).
Root apps obviously need "su" and/or 'sh", and sometimes "exec", in the shell section.
Always try to enable as few fields as possible, and bear in mind that data requested by an app is not necessarily needed for that app to work (especially true for identification, internet and mcc/mmc access).
Lastly, give the app internet access in the Firewall if, and only if, it needs it, and restrict some more permissions in App Settings.
If you can't tame the app consider uninstalling it and look for a similar one that has less built-in spyware.
SCRIPTS. As said above, by default ADB, all google access (including youtube, blogspot and google search) and the Media Storage are disabled.
If you want to re-enable some or all of them, open the folder on your home screen called "scripts". Click on the desired script and it will be automagically executed.
If you choose to enable/disable google access you ll have to go to the Firewall to reapply its script. Open the firewall, go to settings, choose set custom script, click OK.
. You will see more scripts to disable/enable the Bluetooth, the FM Radio and the Phone.
If you disable the Phone and later want to re-enable it do as follows:
untick App Settings in Xposed's modules section, re-enable Phone, reboot, then enable App Settings again.
. Some scripts will enable you to backup/restore your efs partition and flash a recovery.img (to restore or flash an .img, make sure it's in your internal sd and execute the script).
. Other scripts can enable/disable am and pm, but don't play with it unless you know what you're doing.
. You can uninstall the Wallpaper Chooser and the Media Storage if you want, or keep them disabled and resurrect them when needed.
. If you are very privacy concerned you should consider using the "uncle's phone lite" mod because it enables you to call with only the Phone and the Telephony Provider apps (CSC, Contacts, Contacts Storage, Logs Provider and STK are completely de-activated). That's the method I use to make calls, but you have to know that the dialler forces close after you complete the call (not a big deal in my opinion but still, I may look into it one of these days). You'll find the mod in the add-ons section.
BUGS. For some reason the ADW Launcher doesn't allow transparency in the navigation bars while in portrait, I'm working on that.
. You can't download anything from Lightning and Tint Browser, that's because the Download Manager and the Download UI have been uninstalled. If you need to download something, copy the link and paste it in Pale Moon, it has its own download engine.
. Part of the lockscreen and the dialer don't show in landscape mode, it's because the DPI has been modified in order multi layouts floating windows to work.
. All the installed apps work, but other apps you install may crash. I call that kind of apps "google’s henchmen", they only work if the play store services or the bla bla app are installed and of course they won't on Una since all that garbage has been removed.
If I install your app, why do you want to force me to install your boss' app too? Forget about those apps and search Fdroid, you'll find what you need...
. Depending the way you use your phone you may have to fine tune Xprivacy and reenable some permissions, I'm sorry for the inconvenience but it's impossible to set Xprivacy for all users since we all have different ways to use our phone.
ADD-ONS. Uncle's themed Sony keyboard, flash it in recovery. It's not open source and that's why it's not included in the rom by default, but it's my every day keyboard because it works fine and because I themed it to make it look nice.
. HD Wallpapers
. Universe Wallpapers
http://unaos.com/addons
If there are many users' requests then I'll upload the following:
. Uncle's phone lite (with clipboard and dialer) for hardcore users. It's safer than using the regular phone configuration, but the dialer forces close when you hang up the call. Flash it in recovery, wipe dalvik-cache, reboot.
. Completely disable internet access for the Android System. Lightning and Tint Browser won't connect anymore since they use the same web engine as the Android System (that is anyway not very safe in 4.2.2), but Pale Moon still works thanks to its build-in web engine. Flash it in recovery, wipe dalvik-cache, reboot.
UPDATES?There will be some, but no ETA, you'll have to be patient because now we have to design and release Una for three other phones.
Still, any suggestions/comments/bug reports are welcome, help us to improve Una!
FEATURES REQUESTYeah, sure, we'll see what we can do but we don't promise anything
That's all for now, enjoy the ROM!!!
The Una team
CREDITSBig thanks to:good::
F-Droid
M66B (Xprivacy)
Rovo89 (Xposed)
Tungstwenty (App Settings, Master Key, Fake ID Fix)
Ukanth (AF+Firewall)
Jecelyin (920 Editor)
Kraigsandroid (Alarm Klock)
Thialfihar (APG)
Arity (Arity calculator)
Siacs (Conversations)
Ppareit (FTP)
Ghost Squared (Ghost Commander File manager)
Mohammad Adib (Floating Stickies)
C3C076(Gravity Box)
Oasisfeng (Greenify)
K-9 Dog Walkers (K9 Mail)
Grarak (Kernel Adiutor)
Anthonycr (Lightning)
Xperiacle (Multiwindows Manager)
Pragmatic Software (Network Log)
Mdwh2(Open Camera)
The Guardian Project (Orbot and Orweb)
Eolwral (OS Monitor)
Moon Child and Cyansmoker (Pale Moon)
Droidapps (PDF Reader)
Androguide.fr (Pimp My Rom script)
Simon Marquis (Preferences Manager)
Thad Hughes (Quick Dic)
Q-Supreme team (Quick Pic)
Robert.Developer (Rmaps)
Search Light (Search Light)
Jackpal (Terminal Emulator)
Anasthase (Tint Browser And Tint Browser Adblock Addon)
Thomasebell (Urecord)
Mohammad Abu-Garbeyyeh (USB Mass Storage Enabler)
Zhuhang (Viper4Android FX and Viper4Android XHiFi)
Videolan.org (VLC)
Brambonne (Wi-Fi Privacy Police)
Did I forget someone?
If that's the case let me know and I'll put your name here.
reserved
No screens?
ishmeet1995 said:
No screens?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go
I like the effort but there are seriously some thinks you may not know what you are talking about, maybe because lack of knowledge.
Did I mention that I found google’s DNS in Tor (Orbot)? Pretty bad but fear not, I've patched it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most DNS lookups are local to the exit node with occasional use of Google DNS, changing a DNS itself is no guarantee for more security since the data needs to be anonymize too, that's possible if we use I2P together with TOR (because it's impossible to surf the web secure since not all provider/sites using a strong encryption for all stuff like content, external content and the whole site).
Open source vs closed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, mostly I agree open not automatically means it's safe at any time (see opensll and other popular projects) but here it would be help to see some source because you talking about trust and how can we trust you without looking in the code? Is there are proof for all your changes you done?
I've explored deep into the hidden depths of this Samsung ROM, and I didn't find anything questionable (but I had already removed around 150 apps, so there wasn't much left) from Samsung's side
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How you do that if you don't have the source for e.g. the radio modem or other closed parts from a stock rom? Via reverse engineering? - You must have spent a lot of time for this ... I was not able to do it and not even any expert here on xda, it's impossible to one man to reverse and understand all stuff it would take years, even with good tools like IDA and 20 years of knowledge. You can maybe, maybe! only see some parts ... but not inspecting all aspects and since there is no reference I guess nobody can't say what's really secure.
Encrypting would only attract suspicion - why does he encrypt his messages? He must have something to hide!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure you have no idea what you talking about, this shows it. It's not about "..but I have nothing to hide!" it's a common thing, maybe you should read this first.
To tag something with secure is very easy but to proof that without anything is almost impossible. One of the benefit you mentioned is to hardening the OS but that also could be done with scripts/binary's or other stuff without downloading the whole rom, xda is full of it - but sadly most of all "security" things here are never really tested or under the scope from known experts. - but people always believe in the hype and the myths!
Don't get me wrong but maybe you think about it and release something we all can work with (especially the changes only as a diff or something).
CHEF-KOCH said:
I like the effort but there are seriously some thinks you may not know what you are talking about, maybe because lack of knowledge.
Most DNS lookups are local to the exit node with occasional use of Google DNS, changing a DNS itself is no guarantee for more security since the data needs to be anonymize too, that's possible if we use I2P together with TOR (because it's impossible to surf the web secure since not all provider/sites using a strong encryption for all stuff like content, external content and the whole site).
Well, mostly I agree open not automatically means it's safe at any time (see opensll and other popular projects) but here it would be help to see some source because you talking about trust and how can we trust you without looking in the code? Is there are proof for all your changes you done?
How you do that if you don't have the source for e.g. the radio modem or other closed parts from a stock rom? Via reverse engineering? - You must have spent a lot of time for this ... I was not able to do it and not even any expert here on xda, it's impossible to one man to reverse and understand all stuff it would take years, even with good tools like IDA and 20 years of knowledge. You can maybe, maybe! only see some parts ... but not inspecting all aspects and since there is no reference I guess nobody can't say what's really secure.
Sure you have no idea what you talking about, this shows it. It's not about "..but I have nothing to hide!" it's a common thing, maybe you should read this first.
To tag something with secure is very easy but to proof that without anything is almost impossible. One of the benefit you mentioned is to hardening the OS but that also could be done with scripts/binary's or other stuff without downloading the whole rom, xda is full of it - but sadly most of all "security" things here are never really tested or under the scope from known experts. - but people always believe in the hype and the myths!
Don't get me wrong but maybe you think about it and release something we all can work with (especially the changes only as a diff or something).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I’m sorry you feel that way. Did you install the rom at all?
Dear Dev,
Thanks for the ROM for our grand community, but after 5.0 Lollipop do you think people will shift to 4.1 ICS again?
Anyways very nice effort for great customization.
:good::good::good::good::good:
unclefab said:
UNA IS FOR YOU IF:. You are willing to learn how to use an unconventional ROM and generally speaking to understand how things work, even if it sometimes requires a little effort to fix this or that little problem (bear in mind that it took us a lot of work to develop Una to where it is now),
. You don't mind a few little occasional bugs here and there that come from all the restrictions the ROM contains,
. You want to take back ownership of your phone from google’s claws.
UNA IS NOT FOR YOU IF:. All that you care about is the latest gimmick in the latest OS,
. You can't live without the google’s apps,
. You are the kind of person that never reads through the OP and only scroll down to the download section, and then complain that things don't work and/or ask stupid questions in which are answered OP. An example? One guy makes a mod and writes clearly in OP that it's specifically for 4.2.2. Then some people complain: "it doesn't work on 4.4.2"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hemant4409 said:
Dear Dev,
Thanks for the ROM for our grand community, but after 5.0 Lollipop do you think people will shift to 4.1 ICS again?
Anyways very nice effort for great customization.
:good::good::good::good::good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think everything is quite well explained and your question answered in the OP. Thank you for your interest.
hemant4409 said:
Dear Dev,
Thanks for the ROM for our grand community, but after 5.0 Lollipop do you think people will shift to 4.1 ICS again?
Anyways very nice effort for great customization.
:good::good::good::good::good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No ..never
Edit: and 4.1 is not ICS
I expected that kind of reply, from you or from one of the forum's security experts, the same people that ignored me when I offered to share knowledge and to give advices/opinions on the security thread.
CHEF-KOCH said:
Most DNS lookups are local to the exit node with occasional use of Google DNS, changing a DNS itself is no guarantee for more security since the data needs to be anonymize too, that's possible if we use I2P together with TOR (because it's impossible to surf the web secure since not all provider/sites using a strong encryption for all stuff like content, external content and the whole site). .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I m not the guy that developed Tor, what you are talking about is his business, not mine.
All what i did was to change google's DNS in Tor's code, period.
Well, mostly I agree open not automatically means it's safe at any time (see opensll and other popular projects) but here it would be help to see some source because you talking about trust and how can we trust you without looking in the code? Is there are proof for all your changes you done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody needs to trust me.
As I wrote in OP (did you read it?):
You don't have to take our word for it, just download and install Network Log from here:
https://f-droid.org/repository/brows...ode.networklog
Give it root permission, start logging and open some web pages. Come back to Network Log after a few minutes and see for yourself, you'll be surprised (or maybe horrified?) to find out that your android system, your settings, your kernel etc. connect to all sorts of funny IPs, including and foremost google’s.
Now you see what we mean?
It's time to go for Una
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install the ROM, and see by yourself how it behaves.
Another thing is that all the installed apps in the ROM are open source, apart from 2 that I have reverse engineered, inspected and restricted (Greenify and Quick Pic), and as I said in OP people are fee to uninstall them.
To be honest, on my daily ROM I do use some closed source apps that are very good, that only have legit permissions, that don t spy on me whatsoever, and that dont connect anywhere.
But sadly I couldn t include them in this ROM, because I knew that if I had done it people like you would have criticized me.
How you do that if you don't have the source for e.g. the radio modem or other closed parts from a stock rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Radio modem and the like are closed source, and I never said that I did anything there.
But that s the same in an AOSP or CM ROM, and the only way to overcome that problem is either replicant (but they don support many devices) or baseband isolation.
I have full baseband isoltaion on my daily ROM, but hey, do you think that i could make such a ROM for public release? Do you think that people would like a ROM that transforms their phone in a wifi only device, and need to connect to a modem to have data connection and to call or receive sms'?
Still, people can achieve baseband isolation on this Una Rom, instructions are in OP.
Anyway, all what I said, again in OP is that :
spying that is present on AOSP too since it's google’s material as well (compare the apps' permissions and the network connections in an AOSP/custom ROM and in a stock ROM, it's more or less the same, or better, look at the code).
You can't do everything you want on a closed source ROM (I bet you can't on AOSP either), but to edit and clean the system you don't need the full source code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You see?
I have removed over 100 system apps, dozens of jars, some xmls and libs, then I have cleaned the remaining apps and jars, then I have set very carefully and very restrictivey the firewall, App Settings and Xprivacy, then I have applied other security related tweaks and yes, Una is secure.
No more data mining, no more unwanted internet connections to google, amazon and who knows where, if that s not secure for you then I don t know what can be called secure.
To tag something with secure is very easy but to proof that without anything is almost impossible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.
Once more, you don t need to trust me.
Install the ROM, open Network Log, look at the Task Manager etc., and see what happens.
maybe you think about it and release something we all can work with (especially the changes only as a diff or something).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you need to get anything from someone like me?
You said that I don t know what I am talking about, that I have a lack of knowledge etc., so why would such an expert like you benefit from it?
By the way, did you try the ROM?
BTW again, thanks for the link but sorry, I still don't feel concerned.
I don t use my phone for bank transactions, I m not working on big secret projects, I have blocked adds in the host files and I never get any spam.
Still, thanks for remembering me about encryption, I had forgotten to add in the encryption chapter in OP that Una has encryption apps (APG, Conversations, K9 Mail, Text Secure).
@hemant4409
First, the galaxy Grand will never get Lollipop from Samsung.
From custom ROMs, maybe, but that s not the point.
If people like more gimmicks and fancy transitionts than security it s their problem....
Congrats to all your work and the time spent on the Security subject and thanks for taking the time to share your work. This is the first time I see such a custom rom on XDA (on Internet I'd say) so I wanted to express my gratitude.
Hats off.
You provide a lot of information about security and privacy and the first question is 'No screenshots?' lol
Primokorn said:
Congrats to all your work and the time spent on the Security subject and thanks for taking the time to share your work. This is the first time I see such a custom rom on XDA (on Internet I'd say) so I wanted to express my gratitude.
Hats off.
You provide a lot of information about security and privacy and the first question is 'No screenshots?' lol
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Here's screenshots
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=59640778&postcount=4
oskar01 said:
Here's screenshots
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=59640778&postcount=4
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OMG!! He was kidding:cyclops:
I’m sorry you feel that way. Did you install the rom at all?
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I'm dl'ed the rom and see what whas changed because a friend asked me to make a statement if this rom really secure anything. Btw no need to quote all stuff over and over again and again.
All what i did was to change google's DNS in Tor's code, period.
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You can't change something you don't have access to or something that is important if we talking about DNS, you can't change the exit nodes. And as mentioned changing a DNS server is no guarantee since they also can log your stuff - it's all about trust, sure - but an OpenNIC without logging (that's proofed) would more help. For more security related stuff about DNS please first read this and this. DNS is not secure anymore, no matter which provider and according to the NSA they have some techniques to identify and infiltrate some servers.
Nobody needs to trust me.
As I wrote in OP (did you read it?):
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Sure, nobody force anyone to install and use your stuff, that's what I'm not saying - but to say x and y was removed or changed is very hard to trust without anything except your words. It's no offensive at all.
Another thing is that all the installed apps in the ROM are open source, apart from 2 that I have reverse engineered, inspected and restricted (Greenify and Quick Pic), and as I said in OP people are fee to uninstall them.
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I simply not care about the apps, no matter if it contains malware or not, as long they not have any root access or internet connection is simply has no effect. Most apps today do not want to destroy the hardware, they just want to collect and grap your private data and send them back if you turn wifi on (which makes t harder, because without deep package inspection you won't ever notice that there are some wired behaviors with app xy.
... people like you would have criticized me.
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If you just one of the people that can't handle valid arguments or is unable to accept any other arguments we can just stop the whole discussion. - What I've learned from xda is that some people are unable to discuss and calling the moderator instead (for no reasons). It's not against your work, it's to inform and to show others if it's really offers that what you promise here or not. I really hope you understand it.
But that s the same in an AOSP or CM ROM,..
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No it's not some roms use (outdated) open source modem sources, like CM which is always a big discussion because people "always" complaining about signal related stuff and possible battery drains. Or in other words some people say that with a stock modem/radio they have a better signal compared to CM.
I have removed over 100 system apps, dozens of jars, some xmls and libs, then I have cleaned the remaining apps and jars, then I have set very carefully and very restrictivey the firewall, App Settings and Xprivacy, then I have applied other security related tweaks and yes, Una is secure.
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Installing security apps is the last line of defense, not the first. Read more about here. I guess you not touched the network code (because it's closed) so that won't change anything at all.
Install the ROM, open Network Log, look at the Task Manager etc., and see what happens.
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Same again that won't change something on application layer, tor is also affected.
.. so why would such an expert like you benefit from it?
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I not use it, as said a friend asked me because he usually like your work.
.. I have blocked adds in the host files and I never get any spam.
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Blocking ads via hosts file not works if you change your mobile connection from e.g. 2G/3G/wifi/lan since on most roms the hosts never gets a re-apply. If you not getting any ads you are a lucky boy but it's very decency on which www your are or which addon you use. If you use Firefox/Plae Moon just use uBlock and configurate the filter list (so no ads at all too) but that not works for apps (but there are also minminguard or adaway [hosts] for it. Sad think about the hosts seems that it coasts more battery and usually takes longer to boot - but okay, anyway matter of taste which stuff you prefer.
Text Secure
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Better link or integrate the SMSSecure it's based on Text Secure but encrypts SMS (since Text Secure removed that for some reasons).
.. security related tweaks
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Which one? TCP/IP stack hardening, protocol changes like only forcing to use latest TLS or what? You see some important details are missing.
I expected that kind of reply, from you or from one of the forum's security experts, the same people that ignored me when I offered to share knowledge and to give advices/opinions on the security thread.
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Yes, I reply'ed to this thread but my answer was way to long so I got a loading problem (the reasons I asked a mod to remove my post). I'm working on something but it's not fully done yet. The problem is that it will be the longest post here on XDA ever (if I release it here - I'm not really a xda fan) and it's very complicated so there will be a lot of people that may possible will never understand all stuff.
So, sorry if you feel that I "ignored" your post. But feel free to visit my Github stuff or just visit infosec institute to read my other stuff.
So the main question is here if you show us your mods or not? Or if you plan to release a "hardening package" or not? That's all I want to talk about.
@CHEF-KOCH
You came out of the blue on this thread, basically saying that I'm a moron that doesn't know what he's talking about and implying that this ROM is garbage, then you said you will download the rom and make a statement about whether it's secure or not.
And...?
Nothing, but you edited your post with the following:
So the main question is here if you show us your mods or not? Or if you plan to release a "hardening package" or not? That's all I want to talk about.
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Is that fair?
Seriously, what would you think and what would you do if you were me?
If this ROM is garbage, prove it.
Otherwise, go polluting another thread...
unclefab said:
@CHEF-KOCH
You came out of the blue on this thread, basically saying that I'm a moron that doesn't know what he's talking about and implying that this ROM is garbage, then you said you will download the rom and make a statement about whether it's secure or not.
And...?
Nothing, but you edited your post with the following:
Is that fair?
Seriously, what would you think and what would you do if you were me?
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Don't bother with @CHEF-KOCH. He just want you to share your knowledge with him, so he can "use" it and make you look like an idiot! Also, he is a liar, he didn't come here because of a "friend" but because of my post on your security thread. When he had some strange "loading issues" I also asked him very politely where was the problem....he never bother to reply, and he deleted the post, so what kind of person he is? He is a hater, and a spitter and "no constructive help" from him, so don't lose your time with him!
I'm giving up, useless to talk here.
CHEF-KOCH said:
I'm giving up, useless to talk here.
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Thank you mister know it all, and please don t come back, there are plenty of other threads to pollute...
Too bad that you couldn t prove that this rom is garbage
And too bad that you are too arrogant to admit that you were wrong when you implied that I m an idiot and that this rom is garbage...
i can only post one :thumbup: per post , but if i could then ........... :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: , at least some knowledgeable people are trying.
"all I can really do , is stay out of my own way and let the will of heaven be done"
Awesome thread
I do not have Grand but my brother has it. I was searching a rom for him and found your thread. I must say I did not find any thread like you in at least Samsung area. You people did a great work. Security is a great concern and if you secure the system then it itself become light weight because you take out spyware craps out of it. I appreciate your work. Good job man. Pleas e develop something in Note 3 LTE section as well.