Related
Say I download an *.apk file from some site or I get one from a friend, could it potentially harm my phone, cost me money etc.? Basically what I'm wondering is, when I install an app it generally says what the app has/wants access to, is this "warning" coded by the programmer to tell the user what it's accessing or is it determined automatically by built in functions? I don't want to install and app that has access to stuff that I'm not aware of.
Regards,
B
Edit: On a second note. Say I do download some harmful application, would uninstalling it solve the problem or could there be remaining harmful files still at work? The whole Android OS is sorta worrying me...bad experiences with Windows is making me cautious.
if you can think of it
there can always be a chance of happening
yes, a malicious hacker could do something like that
yes, a pissed programmer might including something like that into their apps to stop people from sharing their apps without buying it
yes, the apk might be legit but might have been corrupted some how
yes, you might be able to uninstall if lucky
but worse case scenario if i were a malicious hacker i wouldn't code a way to uninstall the app, instead i'll probably code a way to lock the user out of all access forcing you to Flash the phone from scratch
You didn't really answer my one major question, or maybe you did but I didn't understand. Are the services that the app is able to access programmed or are they determined by a function?
Well when installing I've resorted to checking a few things:
1) Make sure the app that I've downloaded is the same size as the one in the market (for equivalent versions...obviously)
2) Compare the system permissions when installing with those found at www.androlib.com
This way seems pretty safe to me. If the size is the same and the permissions are the same...you can be quite (not 100%) certain that they are legit/the same.
Ok heres the deal. Apps have 2 types of access.
1. Standard permissions
So if u don't do adb-install (where u dont see an app's permissions), then market / copy to sdcard and install from there u'll see the permission screen. An app cannot do something w/o permissions. If an uninstaller is askin for email permissions u know somethings wrong.
2. Root
Most dangerous. An app will ask u for 0 standard android api permissions. But when u run it, u will be asked for a superuser allow/deny request. From their its up to you. An app could do anything behind the scenes from tht point.
So read reviews/ user comments before trying root apps. Standard apps, just look over the permissions thts all.
FYI : The permissions are read by android, they're not user defined. Any permissions will always show up when installing it using the native package manager.
To be honest I wouldn't advise downloading an .apk from a non-trusted source. If its on the market, you're near certainly ok, and if its from a trusted developer (say from these boards, or some other similar dev portal) then again, you are likely to be ok. In the second case, you are unlikely to be getting a finished app if you get a straight apk from boards, because when they are finished or at least solid, they go to the app store anyway, so harm in that case is more likely to be of the force close variety rather than bricked variety.
Outside of that, I can't see why you would get an apk from a friend rather than downloading it yourself, simply because that way it makes certain you get a clean, non-corrupted version. If apps don't show up in the market for you, its mostly because your device can't run them, in which case, again, force close.
Uninstalling it is possibly too late. All smartphones suffer this issue though.
As mentioned, if you get the files from market though, you are likely to be safe..
Also, not all melicious programs are obvious..
Daneshm90 said:
Ok heres the deal. Apps have 2 types of access.
1. Standard permissions
So if u don't do adb-install (where u dont see an app's permissions), then market / copy to sdcard and install from there u'll see the permission screen. An app cannot do something w/o permissions. If an uninstaller is askin for email permissions u know somethings wrong.
2. Root
Most dangerous. An app will ask u for 0 standard android api permissions. But when u run it, u will be asked for a superuser allow/deny request. From their its up to you. An app could do anything behind the scenes from tht point.
So read reviews/ user comments before trying root apps. Standard apps, just look over the permissions thts all.
FYI : The permissions are read by android, they're not user defined. Any permissions will always show up when installing it using the native package manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thank you.
Btw, just because security on App store says an app can do stuff like make phone calls etc, doesn't mean it's malicious.
A few people were misled by an article that stated that apps with such extreme permissions were malicious, but it's untrue. It isn't always the case, but if an app uses functionality you don't believe it should, it's possible it is dodgy
andrewluecke said:
Btw, just because security on App store says an app can do stuff like make phone calls etc, doesn't mean it's malicious.
A few people were misled by an article that stated that apps with such extreme permissions were malicious, but it's untrue. It isn't always the case, but if an app uses functionality you don't believe it should, it's possible it is dodgy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aye, I know. Thanks for the advice. I've actually been comparing any app I download off the internet to the actual ones on the market (size and permissions).
Hi everyone im a noob member to the site but have read some interesting threads before membership but as usual joining when i have a problem that needs some of your help
I have had a .apk file download to my htc desire running 2.2.2. I was browsing pics of the fake kind when it started downloading. i did see some letters and numbers before the file ext. It is not an official .apk that im sure off. I have searched for it on my phone but cannot find it to delete .
can anyone help please
After hooking up htc to my pc by usb lead, I have managed to locate the file by searching. It was in the download folder, I deleted it via the pc and then did a factory reset on htc.
Would this get rid of it safely
[How to] Deal with Bloat Safely & Properly {Freeze Method/ROOT} | BIGGER LIST(S)! 3/1
UPDATE: 3/1/11 @ 23:49
BIGGER COMPREHENSIVE LIST
+
A "RECOMMENDED" LIST!
I'm holding off on a "Not Recommended" List for a bit until I get your guys thoughts on what should stay, be added, or be taken off of the recommended list!
PLEASE COMMENT WITH YOUR THOUGHTS!
(And thanks to kgeissler for a bunch of new frozen goods!)
__________________________________________________________________
You are here because...
You bought your Atrix and hate your cluttered app drawer, as well as the feeling that your phone has to fight with one hand behind it's back...hell, maybe blindfolded, too.
You want...
To get rid of as much of the bloat on your phone as possible. You want to de-Motoblur it. You want to de-AT&T it. You want to give it back its other hand, and maybe a small knife (not to mention doing away with the blindfold).
You don't want...
To modify your phone in a manner that would be harmful. You don't want a brick/paper weight/somehow broken device.
If this is you, keep reading.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
First Offs:
> This thread is meant to help, not hurt. That being said, if, after reading this thread and performing some of the procedures detailed within, you do end up damaging your phone, neither I nor any of the others who contributed can be held responsible in any way. By reading this and performing any of the said procedures, you take full responsibility for what might happen to your phone.
> Upon writing this, the Atrix has only been officially released for less than 5 days. Devs are still working to free the bootloader, and thus most users are still only able to perform rudimentary modifications to the phone. Please realize that this thread may become obsolete as developers become more familiar with the device and are able to write all sorts of one-clicks/recovery flashables to remove bloat! This brings us to...
> I will be doing my absolute best to update this as frequently as possible in the case that new methods and/or new dangers arise regarding file modification on our devices. If this thread ever becomes obsolete, it will be noted as such in both the thread title as well as being the first thing in the original post (this).
With all that said, let us continue:
One of the most valuable pieces of information regarding modifying the Atrix's files comes from TeamBlackHat's P3Droid, known on XDA as jimmydafish:
jimmydafish said:
Hello my name is P3Droid,
We (TBH) have a lot of experience in Motorola phones and hacking. This experience dates back to the Razr days.
Here is a word of caution. Do no delete apps from the System partition, I would suggest you only rename them to .bak. When Motorola pushes updates each of the files undergoes a hash check, if the file has been manipulated or is missing the entire update will fail.
Until a system only sbf or similar is released, unless you make a back up with bootstrap and recovery, you will eliminate your ability to take updates moving forward.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In summary: DO NOT DELETE APPS FROM THE SYSTEM PARTITION. This will result in the inability to receive official Motorola updates.
The thread from which the above quote was taken can be found here, and I would highly recommend that every single Atrix owner wishing to do any sort of file manipulation read it before doing anything else. It's only 4 pages, and well worth one's time.
So, how do we go about removing any bloat?
1) Any apps that are NOT in the system partition are safe to modify. Many have reported being able to remove apps by means of the standard Android applications manager. Details on this method can be found in this thread started by Fixter, who says:
Fixter said:
They can be removed by the Manage Applications settings. Very simple indeed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PLEASE NOTE: This method does NOT require root priviliges, and would be a very good place to start for more inexperienced users due to the relative ease and safety it affords. At the same time, it does not allow for access to some of the more deeply embedded apps/files you may wish to modify. This brings us to...
The Freezing Method
First suggested (to my knowledge) by acPIZZA:
acPIZZA said:
I suggest everyone that is rooted use TITANIUM BACKUP to deal with their bloatware issues. The pro version, which you will need, is only a few bucks and is worth it. TB allows you to 'freeze' bloatware apps, which to my knowledge just blocks it fro the system, but does not delete it. The apps you choose to freeze are also removed from the app tray - so no more clutter. This way when an update rolls around, you can run down the list and simply touch 'thaw' to bring those apps back to recognition. This seems like a much more efficient and easy way to go back and forth, rather than renaming the .apk's.
I apologize if someone already mentioned TB in this thread - I just skimmed quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In summary:
Use Titanium Backup's "Freeze" feature to deactivate or disable files. This method allows for the safe and long term deactivation of files in order to free up RAM/CPU resources, while allowing users to easily reactivate, or "Thaw"/"Defrost" the files if the need arises (official Motorola updates, requiring a certain functionality given by a file, etc). Note: This does not free up any storage on one's phone. It merely stops a phone process so that it does not consume RAM and/or processing power.
Prerequisites:
>Root privileges (procedure can be found here; thanks goes to designgears)
>Titanium Backup (application; can be found in/downloaded from the Android Market)
Note: The "Freeze" feature of TiBU is only available in the paid version of the app. TiBU Pro only costs $3.99, and is very useful beyond just what is discussed within this thread. (Trust me, I was hesitant to spend any money in the Android Market, but this has saved me countless hours of time and much of my sanity. It is well worth it.)
Procedure: (It's actually pretty simple)
1. Open Titanium Backup
2a. If previously unopened, click "Allow" on the Superuser dialog box- this grants TiBU the required root privileges
2b. If, for whatever reason, you do not grant TiBU superuser permission, don't panic- press the menu button and tap "Reload Application"; this should give you a second shot to give the necessary permission
2c. Alternatively, you can kill TiBU in a task manager and reopen it, also giving you that second chance
3. Navigate to the Backup/Restore section by clicking the corresponding little grey bubble at the top. This brings you to a list of all sorts of system/application elements.
4. From here, it's a simple matter of tapping (not long-clicking) on an element to bring up a dialog box. This box will contain options to, among other things, backup, uninstall, and freeze.
At this point regarding Atrix development,
YOU ARE TO TOUCH NOTHING BUT "FREEZE"...EVER. (I guess "Back up" is also fine, but that is not relevant).
Note: To Defrost/Thaw an element, simply repeat steps 1-4, instead selecting the Defrost/Thaw option.
ALSO, I personally have found that any changes made by freezing will only take effect after a reboot. Ultimately, even if this isn't the case, I suggest a reboot anyways (just for good measure). I don't believe there's a need to do this after every single time you Freeze an element, just once after you've Frozen all you'd like.
This of course brings us to...
Elements that are safe to Freeze:
Note:
This list is likely to change as more elements are found to be safe to touch. At the same time, if an element is ever found to cause problems after being Frozen, the list will be updated as soon as possible. Here we go...
The first post containing "Safe-to-Freeze" apps can be found here (Thank you, snlu178). I did not quote this post so as to avoid confusion, though I will be incorporating the list of elements in the linked post into my list. Once again, I owe a big thanks to snlu178 for the risk he took, as well taking the time to list the apps he found safe to Freeze.
The List: (Alphabetized, I believe)
*Disclaimer: Some of these elements correspond to docking/widget functionality. If something appears to be linked to a certain functionality that you need/want, DO NOT TAMPER WITH IT.
COMPREHENSIVE LIST
AdService 1.0
Alarm & Timer 2.2.1
AtCommandService 1.1
AT&T Code Scanner
AT&T Family Map
AT&T Navigator
Blockbuster 0.6
Blur.res 2.2.1
BrowserMessage 2.0.0
Cardock 1.0
com.android.providers.applications 2.2.1
com.motorola.android.extdispservice 1.0.0
com.motorola.android.syncml.service 2.2.1
com.motorola.photowidget 2.2.1
Contacts Sync 2.2.1 (google contacts will still sync)
ContactsUnconnected 2.2.1
Data Manager Service 1.1 (internet and data still works)
Desk Home 2.2.1
DLNA 0709.69
DlnaSystemService 1.0
DMService 1.0.0
DRM Protected Content Storage 2.2.1
Entertainment Center 1.0
Files 2.2.1
Forest Wallpaper 1.0
FOTA 2.2.1 (THIS DIRECTLY AFFECTS OFFICIAL MOTOROLA OVER-THE-AIR FIRMWARE UPDATES! NOT RECOMMENDED AT ALL!)
Help Center
Home 2.2.1 (this is the default Motoblur launcher; as such, have a home replacement already installed and set as the default if you wish to freeze this!)
Home Screen Tips
Live TV
LocationProxyDmPlugin 2.2.1
Mediashare 1.0.0
MediaSync 1.0.0
Mobile Desktop 1.0
Motorola Dock Service 1.0
myAT&T 1.0
News & Weather 1.3.03 (Android widget, not Motoblur, just FYI)
News 2.2.1
NFS Shift 1.1.73
Purchased Media 1.0
Quick Contact 2.2.1
Quick Tutorial 0.0.1
Quickoffice
SDMService 1.0
Social Messaging 2.2.1
Social Messaging Service 2.2.1
Social Networking 2.2.1
Social Sharing 2.2.1
Social Status 2.2.1
Sticky Note 2.2.1
Swype
SyncML 2.2.1
Task Manager 9.0
Terminal Emulator (I & others believe this may affect ADB functionality; though safe, freezing this is not necessarily recommended!)
Toggle Widgets
Universal Inbox 2.2.1
VLingo
Voice Commands
Weather 2.2.1
Webtop Connector
Work Contacts 2.2.1
YPmobile
RECOMMENDED LIST -----------------------------------> {UNDER EVALUATION |:::::|:::::|:::::| PLEASE COMMENT!}
Alarm & Timer 2.2.1
AtCommandService 1.1
AT&T Code Scanner
AT&T Family Map
AT&T Navigator
Blockbuster 0.6
com.motorola.photowidget 2.2.1
Entertainment Center 1.0
Help Center
Home Screen Tips
Live TV
Mediashare 1.0.0
MediaSync 1.0.0
myAT&T 1.0
News 2.2.1
NFS Shift 1.1.73
Quick Contact 2.2.1
Quick Tutorial 0.0.1
Quickoffice
Social Messaging 2.2.1
Social Messaging Service 2.2.1
Social Networking 2.2.1
Social Sharing 2.2.1
Social Status 2.2.1
Sticky Note 2.2.1
Toggle Widgets
Universal Inbox 2.2.1
VLingo
Voice Commands
Weather 2.2.1
YPmobile
Miscellaneous:
If you happen to SNAFU your phone, as of right now your best bet is this procedure laid out by designgears.
Thanks to:
designgears
Getaphixx
Fixter
snlu178
acPIZZA
franciscojavierleon
numerous TeamBlackHat members (esp. P3Droid/Jimmydafish, cellzealot)
our dear forum moderator, Mr. Clown (thanks for the sticky!)
reserved (just in case, I suppose)
Thanks for the mention friend. We need to make sure we tell them that Freeze is a paid feature of Titanium Backup paid version.
Hmm, so I was dump and didn't read the sentence in the parenthesis next to Home 2.2.1. I froze it without have something else and now after a reboot my phone is stuck at the AT&T Rethink Possible Screen. Any ideas?
Fixter said:
Thanks for the mention friend. We need to make sure we tell them that Freeze is a paid feature of Titanium Backup paid version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is the freeze option the equivalent of just renaming the .apk to .bak? If so, it could be an alternative to buying tibu.
This is great. Thanks for getting it stickied.
Re: the no home rebooting nag this point, check out the post on recovering from a soft boot. You will have to learn about adb, but you can get the phone back to life. Anyone else have a faster way to factory reset?
franciscojavierleon said:
is the freeze option the equivalent of just renaming the .apk to .bak? If so, it could be an alternative to buying tibu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In a sense yes. But TiBu is faster and I would argue has less user error. Plus the app is so great you should spend the money to support the dev. But, you can go through changing the names.
Thanks for staying on top of things, snlu178.
I should have a moment now to update a couple of things, including the mention that the freeze feature is paid only (something I was wondering about but didn't want to speak on too soon; thanks again, Fixter).
Also, regarding the ghetto .bak alternative, does that require Root Explorer? I guess I'd be willing to mention it, but ultimately, if it's a matter of buying Root Explorer, then I might just confine this thread to dealing with TiBU.
Let me work on a small revision, and also make sure freezing Home 2.2.1 can be risky if done so improperly.
xyrovice said:
Also, regarding the ghetto .bak alternative, does that require Root Explorer? I guess I'd be willing to mention it, but ultimately, if it's a matter of buying Root Explorer, then I might just confine this thread to dealing with TiBU.
Let me work on a small revision, and also make sure freezing Home 2.2.1 can be risky if done so improperly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just found out root explorer is also paid. Not that i don't want to pay, it's just that i am new at android (atrix will ship down here in about 2 weeks) and don't know if the market accepts credit cards from Venezuela yet. I will try...
My guess is that there should be a way to rename files from the adb shell as well. Either that, or install openssh or something on the phone and then just su and rename. It's linux, after all.
About freezing home, besides having already installed another launcher like launcher pro or adw, i guess it should be active before freezing it? To avoid force close or other problems.
Have you tried using google checkout?
franciscojavierleon said:
Just found out root explorer is also paid. Not that i don't want to pay, it's just that i am new at android (atrix will ship down here in about 2 weeks) and don't know if the market accepts credit cards from Venezuela yet. I will try...
My guess is that there should be a way to rename files from the adb shell as well. Either that, or install openssh or something on the phone and then just su and rename. It's linux, after all.
About freezing home, besides having already installed another launcher like launcher pro or adw, i guess it should be active before freezing it? To avoid force close or other problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really good idea. I don't know if it's necessary, but always better safe than sorry. I will add a notice to not only have another launcher installed, but also "defaulted".
xyrovice said:
Really good idea. I don't know if it's necessary, but always better safe than sorry. I will add a notice to not only have another launcher installed, but also "defaulted".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you install something like ADW and nothing else. Home = Motoblur is completely deactivated. Its like ADW becomes the default home app. You'll need app switcher to get back to it.
Fixter said:
When you install something like ADW and nothing else. Home = Motoblur is completely deactivated. Its like ADW becomes the default home app. You'll need app switcher to get back to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ducking out for a sec, but I'll make a note of this when I get the chance. And do you mean home switcher?
xyrovice said:
Ducking out for a sec, but I'll make a note of this when I get the chance. And do you mean home switcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Sir, sorry.
xyrovice said:
Ducking out for a sec, but I'll make a note of this when I get the chance. And do you mean home switcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there's moto home fix in the Market specifically for moto phones with blur for this.
franciscojavierleon said:
there's moto home fix in the Market specifically for moto phones with blur for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this. I was just stating a fact.
I agree to call out the need to have a new home app installed and defaulted prior.
Moto Home Fix is what switches back to Home 2.2.1 (if it's not frozen).
Also, though Home 2.2.1 is not default when you have a new launcher it still runs in the background draining CPU and RAM. And every bit you save helps in my book.
I compared running services on my Nexus One (with CM7) with my Atrix and tried disabling services that were on the Atrix, but not on the N1. I have froze the following with no ill effects yet....
I am not running Blur, I am running Launcher Pro.
If anyone recognizes any of these that I should defrost, please let me know.
AdService 1.0
AtCommandService 1.1
blur.res 2.2.1
BrowserMessage 2.0.0
com.android.providers.applications 2.2.1
com.motorola.android.extdispservice 1.0.0
com.motorola.android.syncml.service 2.2.1
com.motorola.photowidget 2.2.1
Contacts Sync 2.2.1 (google contacts will still sync)
ContactsUnconnected 2.2.1
Data Manager Service 1.1 (internet and data still works)
Desk Home 2.2.1
DLNA 0709.69
DlnaSystemService 1.0
DMService 1.0.0
DRM Protected Content Storage 2.2.1
Entertainment Center 1.0
Files 2.2.1
Forest Wallpaper 1.0
FOTA 2.2.1
Help Center 2.2.1
Home 2.2.1
Home Screen Tips 2.2.1
LocationProxyDmPlugin 2.2.1
MediaShare 1.0.0
MediaSync 1.0.0
Mobile Desktop 1.0
News 2.2.1
Purchased Media 1.0
Quick Contact 2.2.1
Quick Tutorial 0.0.1
SDMService 1.0
Social Messaging 2.2.1
Social Messaging Service 2.2.1
Social Networking 2.2.1
Social Sharing 2.2.1
Social Status 2.2.1
Sticky Note 2.2.1
SyncML 2.2.1
Task Manager 9.0
Toggle Widgets 2.2.1
Universal Inbox 2.2.1
Voice Commands
VPN Services 2.2.1
Weather 2.2.1
Work Contacts 2.2.1
Titanium Backup
Can Titanium Backup be placed on the SD card, or does it need to be kept in the main phone memory? Haven't seen this addressed anywhere and I have little experience with apps functioning from SD cards.
Fixter said:
Thanks for the mention friend. We need to make sure we tell them that Freeze is a paid feature of Titanium Backup paid version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, thanks for the mention.
Also, in my quote - I mention the paid version.
Hi All,
Having already committed the original sin on my first Droid3, and seeing the profusion of various threads (good threads, mostly) developing here, I would like to commit a thread to be stickied that will include rooting guides, safe bloat removal guides, exploit scripts, (and we hope!) ROMs and Recoveries. If this is a good idea and the Moderators will approve of it, please help me help you help me help you by posting:
1. Type of Mod/Guide/Script/Recovery/ROM/SBF/Image/etc
2. Device it applies to (eg Droid3 US, XT8xx, country, telco etc)
3. Level of Difficulty (n00b --> coding wizard)
4. Risk Level (from installing market app --> damn near microwaving your D3)
5. External thread for file hosting, cross-linked sites, etc
6. Android version (2.3.4 --> ???)
suggestions to further categories will be appreciated!
Thanks all, let's make the D3/XT a quality, fun, and safe modding platform by working together.
Obviously, I will be the maintainer of this thread, unless someone else feels they have a religious duty to take it instead!
I would love a proper list of apps that can be frozen/renamed for when I get my droid 3.
I know there's a script and several topics/posts with 'safely to remove' apps, but most still list apps that cause minor faults/bugs like calender not working etc.
DoubleYouPee said:
I would love a proper list of apps that can be frozen/renamed for when I get my droid 3.
I know there's a script and several topics/posts with 'safely to remove' apps, but most still list apps that cause minor faults/bugs like calender not working etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure that any app not relating to the Framework can be safely removed. That is a pretty short list: Citrix, the games, and that's just about it.
volcanomike said:
Something with the built in text messaging causes picture messages to not be received when disabled with your script
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's more stuff out there that make me not want to use the script.
I'd just want to remove all the obvious bloatware without destroying core features of the phone.
DoubleYouPee said:
There's more stuff out there that make me not want to use the script.
I'd just want to remove all the obvious bloatware without destroying core features of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's put it this way: if you can download it from the Market for Free or for Money, you should be able to zap (freeze, move, or delete) it without consequence.
Until then, wait for AOSP or rebased/ported ROMs to appear.
rynosaur said:
Let's put it this way: if you can download it from the Market for Free or for Money, you should be able to zap (freeze, move, or delete) it without consequence.
Until then, wait for AOSP or rebased/ported ROMs to appear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't care about deleting apps that can't be downloaded from the market as long as they don't affect anything important
Accidentally I stumbled upon the folder gangyun and pref_storekeytool inside.
I scanned the Maze with an antivirus scanner and beautysnap.apk was reported as adware.
I guess beautysnap.apk is part of the system camera?
Unfortunately no app can beautify me, so I would like to delete this app. Is it safe to do it?
TIA
bestunameever said:
Accidentally I stumbled upon the folder gangyun and pref_storekeytool inside.
I scanned the Maze with an antivirus scanner and beautysnap.apk was reported as adware.
I guess beautysnap.apk is part of the system camera?
Unfortunately no app can beautify me, so I would like to delete this app. Is it safe to do it?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What virus scanner did you use? I've just received my Maze Alpha X. There are some bad things about this phone, I'm a bit disappointed. The worst in my case is that the front camera doesn't work. It's like there's no camera at all.
Yeah unfortunately this phone is loaded with precarious apps, adupsfota for instance disguised as the ota wireless update is full of dodgy adware/spyware and if you look at the permissions your see just how worrying it is, it has permission to access banking apps, android pay, key-logger, microphone, camera the list goes on, I've disabled it several times but it manages to re-enable itself. Beautysnap is also a bad one which I have managed to disable for good, LocationEM2 is another suspect app, Fotaprovider which is also adups related. Basically this phone really needs an alternative kernel/custom rom before it can be safely used but as far as I'm aware there isn't one as yet.
The CPU usage is always very high too which is not a great sign, not good at all, I'm surprised Amazon can sell phones in this state tbh.
McSwifty said:
Yeah unfortunately this phone is loaded with precarious apps, adupsfota for instance disguised as the ota wireless update is full of dodgy adware/spyware and if you look at the permissions your see just how worrying it is, it has permission to access banking apps, android pay, key-logger, microphone, camera the list goes on, I've disabled it several times but it manages to re-enable itself. Beautysnap is also a bad one which I have managed to disable for good, LocationEM2 is another suspect app, Fotaprovider which is also adups related. Basically this phone really needs an alternative kernel/custom rom before it can be safely used but as far as I'm aware there isn't one as yet.
The CPU usage is always very high too which is not a great sign, not good at all, I'm surprised Amazon can sell phones in this state tbh.
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Could you please say what scanner did you use?
dangerous666 said:
Could you please say what scanner did you use?
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Ive used a few but the adware/malware/spyware that the phone has installed as standard on the kernal/rom it's shipped with are installed as system apps with the exception of beautysnap so you need to go through them manually. I used an app called SystemPanel2, it's a great app that gives you a really complete overview of whats running on your phone and what not, it can record system processes, memory, battery and cpu usage over a period of time as well as network stats.
McSwifty said:
Ive used a few but the adware/malware/spyware that the phone has installed as standard on the kernal/rom it's shipped with are installed as system apps with the exception of beautysnap so you need to go through them manually. I used an app called SystemPanel2, it's a great app that gives you a really complete overview of whats running on your phone and what not, it can record system processes, memory, battery and cpu usage over a period of time as well as network stats.
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I couldn't be able to find those suspicious apps. I've run a bunch of virus/malwares scanner, nothing reported. I've installed SystemPanel2 and I didn't find the processes you list. I believe our phones run different firmwares. I've got mine from Gear Best.
dangerous666 said:
I couldn't be able to find those suspicious apps. I've run a bunch of virus/malwares scanner, nothing reported. I've installed SystemPanel2 and I didn't find the processes you list. I believe our phones run different firmwares. I've got mine from Gear Best.
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Under your Wireless Update system app what does it say? On mine for instance is says "com.adups.fota". If your firmware is good/clean then that's a good sign that if I put a fresh stock rom on here it should be fine, I was thinking maybe all the maze alpha firmware's were affected.
My com.adups.fota "seems" to be clean.
For hibernating apps on my rooted Alpha X I use SD Maid Pro.
Under app control you set several things
A) Hibernate the app
B) Disallow start on boot
C) Look up where all the files of the app are located
D) Remove app completely
E) etc
bestunameever said:
My com.adups.fota "seems" to be clean.
For hibernating apps on my rooted Alpha X I use SD Maid Pro.
Under app control you set several things
A) Hibernate the app
B) Disallow start on boot
C) Look up where all the files of the app are located
D) Remove app completely
E) etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No such thing as clean addups I'm afraid dude.
A newly discovered malicious app is found on China-made mobile devices running the Android OS. This is a baked-in system app used to update the device’s firmware but is found to also steal personal information, among other things. A blog is recently published about this malware by Kryptowire.
Already we have had inquiries on whether we detect Adups or not. The answer to that is I believe we do. You see, the app in question, which goes by the package name of com.adups.fota, has a couple of variants. There is an older version seen around 2014 and a newer version that emerged mid-2016. This older version we detect and have done so since 2014. I can verify that this older version was indeed pre-installed on various Chinese mobile devices bought cheaply on online stores, mainly Amazon. I know this because ever since we started detecting this older version of com.adups.fota, we have received support tickets periodically about why we are detecting a system app that cannot be uninstall—I’ll get to how to address this later.
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https://blog.malwarebytes.com/cybercrime/2016/11/mobile-menace-monday-adups-old-and-new/
I want to know if theirs a firmware for the Maze Alpha and the Alpha X without addups baked in, I hope so because it's a great phone otherwise.
Does anyone have a list of Note 9 Android apps that can be safely removed with adb? I've not done this before but am considering it as an alternative to rooting my N9600. And if someone knows of a primer on using adb to do this I'd appreciate it. I may end up rooting anyway but thought this should at least be tried first.
Adding this link... which describes the how. (Don't know how I missed it before):
https://www.xda-developers.com/uninstall-carrier-oem-bloatware-without-root-access/amp/
I'll include a pic of the moment I deleted four facebook-related apps from my Note 9 using adb this morning. But I would very much like suggestions on what other system files could be removed in a debloating process here. I'm thinking about Bixby, for instance, but am unsure as to what will potentially be "broken" by me doing that. Other more obscure suggestions for app deletions also appreciated.
I don't think there's an actual list. There are many Note9 models, some have carrier stuff, others have other stuff. If it doesn't bother you I'd say leave it alone. I removed all preinstalled apps like MS Office ones and Facebook but that was about it. Never had problems with performance or battery life if that's your reason to remove everything there is & not just what bothers you