Database Develop

remove or disable camera

I work for the government and for the next few weeks will not be able to have a phone that can take pictures with me. Is there a way I can either remove or disable the camera function so I can show that I can not take pictures with my phone.

I was gonig to say you can request a ROM, however I just took my laptop to Best Buy today to get it fixed so i can't cook. What i suggest is that you download XDA Live 2.0 and use it for the meantime since it doesn't come with a camera.

You can download a 20270 kaiser kitchen from ppckitchen.org. I think the camera OEM is optional in it, but if not, it's easy to identify which package is the camera and delete it. As an alternive, you can probably just reassign the camera button to a non-existent app and that will essentially disable it to the casual observer.
Most secure facilities don't want you to have the hardware, regardless of whether it is functional or not.

gguruusa said:
You can download a 20270 kaiser kitchen from ppckitchen.org. I think the camera OEM is optional in it, but if not, it's easy to identify which package is the camera and delete it. As an alternive, you can probably just reassign the camera button to a non-existent app and that will essentially disable it to the casual observer.
Most secure facilities don't want you to have the hardware, regardless of whether it is functional or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will look at trying to disable the camera button. I will also look at the 2027 kitchen. I have not been able to get any kind of cooking to work though. I think the main problem is vista. I am not going to be in a very secure place, just a place that has made stupid rules haha.
kareem9nba
if that dosen't work or fly whit where I am going I will go your route thank you for the suggestions.

I also work for the government and if the phone has a camera on it period it is not allowed into secure sites period no matter if the "ROM" has it disabled. once they see that it has a camera its a security risk and the guards that do the intakes could careless that it doesn't work, as long as there is a camera there they will take it until you leave or worse take it for good. the best bet is leave it in the car when you go into secure areas that has always worked for me Also the kaiser can be used as a storage medium so it probably won't be allowed anyway. Since no type of storage media is allowed. Also it depends on how secure the site your going into is

I to Contract for the Goverment!
I agree with Austinsync since there is a Camera lens on it you will not get by Security. Also the fact that it can store data via internal memory and well as transmit via sms,mms and internet there is no way you will talk your way by Security. You could glue a piece of glass on a Sucrets can and they would take it away from you. In fact I had to sign a form stating that if I do bring in something like that in they have the right to take it. and you may not get it back. Where I am PDA's are not aloud ,Anything that can be used to transport data is a risk to them. So don't bother looking for a rom, leave the phone in the car besides most government facilities jam cell calls anyway so having a phone is of no use when your inside the building.
Ed...

I just have a "dumb" phone from back in the day. Just a basic as basic gets cellular. Still useless when im on site due to jaming

I don't work for the federal government. I work for the PA state Gov. I am being sent for training. The place I am going is not secure. No security. They say no cells because they don't want them going off during class. And since we have to stay over night they don't want people running around taking pictures of everything and everyone. We can have cells if we use them as alarms though. I think that if the camera is disabled or would say "no camera" if the button was hit that it would be sufficient for my situation. Even Kareem's suggestion probably would be enough to make the trainers happy if they would say anything. If not I will leave it in my car and go from there.
Also sorry about the post in the wrong area.

[Q] Airport Security Apps?

Good day all,
With all the hubub about airport security screening your phone I'm interested in an 'airport app'. Namely, as opposed to full encryption (meh good if needed, but I don't really want to trade battery life for security) or the hassle of backing up an image, flashing a virgin phone image for travel, and then restoring the image after travel..
Why not create a 'sandbox' app of sorts. Start it, it simulates virgin or near virgin status, have an advanced unlock sequence to close it. The only issue, I see, would be if the phone was restarted while in 'airport mode' could it be triggered to restart in said mode.
After typing out my whole idea, I'm thinking the backup and flash of virgin rom might be a lot simpler. But I'm interested if any other world travelers, or US travelers would be interested in something like this.
So I guess the question is, anyone else thought about this, anyone know of something similar out already? Anyone want to develop something like this?
~HattZ

Screening in X-rays? What does it have to do with anything?
Or some other screening (don't believe it's technically possible - too many phones)? Can you point to your info source?

I don't understand the point of this, it is not like they take your phone and play with it when you go through security. In fact, mine has never been removed from my carry on when passing through security.
Maybe you have some evidence to support your theory that our phones data is at risk when passing through security checkpoints... but I doubt it.

Are you in the US? 'cause 1) that never happened, and 2) that would be illegal (to search the content of your phone), unless they had reasonable suspicion that your phone contained data that showed evidence of criminal activity.
They might 'touch' some phones to make sure they are real (as in really work vs being a bomb or something), but they wouldn't search the content of your phone.

pconwell said:
Are you in the US? 'cause 1) that never happened, and 2) that would be illegal (to search the content of your phone), unless they had reasonable suspicion that your phone contained data that showed evidence of criminal activity.
They might 'touch' some phones to make sure they are real (as in really work vs being a bomb or something), but they wouldn't search the content of your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, wrong answer, it is the US, most national travel is not submitted to this type of search. All international (incoming) travel can be.
Lots of interesting talk on it: http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/11...r-Moxie-Marlinspikes-Laptop-Cellphones-Seized
Legal explanation: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendment04/04.html
pertinent excerpt: "Border Searches .--''That searches made at the border, pursuant to the longstanding right of the sovereign to protect itself by stopping and examining persons and property crossing into this country, are reasonable simply by virtue of the fact that they occur at the border, should, by now, require no extended demonstration.'' 87 Authorized by the First Congress, 88 the customs search in these circumstances requires no warrant, no probable cause, not even the showing of some degree of suspicion that accompanies even investigatory stops."
A google search for "international travel us border checking laptops and phones" give about a million other examples, I'll throw a few below.
from Feb 12, 2008 (this isn't a new phenomenon, just getting more press)
http://www.pcworld.com/article/142429/five_things_to_know_about_us_border_laptop_searches.html
from 21 September 2009
http://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/article.asp?articleid=86010
Don't like it? neither do I.
http://www.aclunc.org/issues/technology/blog/checking_your_privacy_at_the_border.shtml
ACLU excerpt (it's liberal, and slanted but a valid presentation of the worst case scenario): "Originally announced in July 2008, the current policy permits border agents to search electronic devices “absent individualized suspicion.” Agents may hold on to devices “for a reasonable period of time” to “review and analyze information.” In other words, border agents are legally able to take travelers’ information whenever they want at security checkpoints at airports or along the border, and hold on to it for as they long as they want. Agents may also copy information and send it off-site to be analyzed. The policy applies to all electronic devices, including computers, disks, hard drives, cell phones and cameras. Travelers have to be concerned about more than the possibility of security agents rifling through their belongings. Their private data might be compromised, erased, or kept indefinitely, and they don’t know how that data might be used."

Best I can say is nandroid + ext backup to your home computer, wipe phone before coming back into country, then recovery nandroid once you're back at home.

MaximReapage said:
Best I can say is nandroid + ext backup to your home computer, wipe phone before coming back into country, then recovery nandroid once you're back at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, sorta realized that or something similar would be the most efficient. I'm thinking even a step lazier, nandroid backup to SD, restore a stock rom / clear sim card, remove SD, maybe even backup to laptop (truecrypt FDE - custom error message at boot saying master boot record is corrupt)
walk out of security, pop in SD, start nandroid restore...
sigh.. a sandbox app would be sorta fun though.

If they have a right to detain your laptop, clone your HD and you have to submit all your passwords - it's kinda useless to try and protect the data somewhere on the computer, and it's better just to back it up on microSD hidden in the suitcase - no way it'll be detained.

Definitely keep a copy of it on your computer at home, though.

airplanemode anyone?
Or turn of your phone.

I know what will make it a quick transition through airport security when flying international..
Put some heavy encryption on my phone, obfuscate my data, and then pass it off with a flimsy cover program to make it look like there is nothing there. That way if they do find it, it's GITMO TIME.

Jack_R1 said:
If they have a right to detain your laptop, clone your HD and you have to submit all your passwords - it's kinda useless to try and protect the data somewhere on the computer, and it's better just to back it up on microSD hidden in the suitcase - no way it'll be detained.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
meh, at the lower tier of airport security a custom boot message from a full disk encrypted truecrypt volume. "please insert windows disk" "cannot find master boot record" or similar.. and a sob story about how your laptop stopped working on vacation and when you get home you have a friend that you hope can fix it..
gets by most, it's not NSA at every checkpoint. it's just over min wage, uneducated, folks..
so backing it up to laptop, and tossing micro SD card in the bottom of a bag or in a jacket pocket.. will work just fine.

[Q] Blocking Smart phone readers

Has anyone seen in the news the electronic readers the government is using which is capable of illegally stealing all private information from any type of smart phone?
Can anybody create a mod that will block a device like this from being used on the Nexus one?
http://www.prisonplanet.com/cops-us...l-cellphone-data-from-innocent-americans.html

Do you really believe what you read?
Say, 16GB of photos&data on iPhone, 1.5 minutes, count required transfer rate - quite simple - and then tell me, what kind of wireless connectivity does this "device" use to "steal data from unsuspecting people"?
Then ask yourself the first question again.
Now, if you look up the stated device's manufacturer site, http://www.cellebrite.com/forensic-products.html, you'll see that even in their photos it's perfectly clear this device has to be connected by wire to the phone. Does anyone in their right mind willingly connect the phone by USB to some device with unknown functionality? In that case, no, the data can't be protected.
Now, if you go even one more step further, and open the "supported devices" catalog on the site, you'll see that the only thing that can be done wireless to the iPhone is extracting phonebook - and I'm not sure about the requirement to allow the BT connection - but if you look up Nexus One, you'll see that it definitely has to be attached by wire to do anything with it.
And now back to the first question: do you believe everything you read?

Jack_R1 said:
Do you really believe what you read?
Say, 16GB of photos&data on iPhone, 1.5 minutes, count required transfer rate - quite simple - and then tell me, what kind of wireless connectivity does this "device" use to "steal data from unsuspecting people"?
Then ask yourself the first question again.
Now, if you look up the stated device's manufacturer site, http://www.cellebrite.com/forensic-products.html, you'll see that even in their photos it's perfectly clear this device has to be connected by wire to the phone. Does anyone in their right mind willingly connect the phone by USB to some device with unknown functionality? In that case, no, the data can't be protected.
Now, if you go even one more step further, and open the "supported devices" catalog on the site, you'll see that the only thing that can be done wireless to the iPhone is extracting phonebook - and I'm not sure about the requirement to allow the BT connection - but if you look up Nexus One, you'll see that it definitely has to be attached by wire to do anything with it.
And now back to the first question: do you believe everything you read?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But, it's on the internet, why would the internet lie? Are you calling the internet a liar?

I believe that if you soak your phone in warm, salty water overnight it will block this device - haven't tried though, so I can't confirm...

Umm... those Cellebrite devices are very real, and Michigan police are/were using them. The have the ability to pull the data off of thousands of different types of phones, over USB. I've never see Android specifically listed on their site, but I'd be willing to bet their devices can pull data from Android too.
That being said, I can't believe people are handing over their phones. This whole thing stinks of illegal search and seizure. But, they're getting away with it by saying the person willingly handed over their phone (even though I'd bet they're being coerced), There would be absolutely no way I'd hand my phone over to any LEO with out seeing a warrant first.

I was just mulling this over in my head... and I think the only way to block something like this would be to disable the data port on the phone. What that would involve from a software stand-point, I have no idea, and may not even be possible with how the hardware/software is designed... but that is basically the only way I'd see it to be possible.

Removing the USB driver (device functions) from the kernel would be enough, I believe.

In order for adb to work, you have to enable usb debugging. Wouldn't that be a requirement with this device, also?

ok just because I pulled this from prison planet doesn't mean its not true, it was the most convenient link at the time and hours later it was on front page of yahoo and all the major news sites. it would be easy for a police man to take your phone from you and hook it up to whatever they want.

Yep, saw it tonight on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Looks scary with some cops not using warrants to get your phone on a traffic stop...

Can't go past the "Verifying your account" [URGENT - I'M CAUGHT IN CHINA]

Hi there,
After the advice of John on this thread
https://groups.google.com/a/googlep...forums.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer
I finally got passed the boot loop after another attempt. I am travelling in China and this country is so beautiful that I could not stand living without a camera. So I simply tried again and it worked. (I have a software VPN that helps to reach the Google servers).
So I have setup a hosted network on my Windows 10 device with the VPN on it and went ahead with the install.
It went all fine (a bit longer as the packets have to transit via San Fransico hardware VPN hosted by VPN Express) however once I'm on the "Verifying your account" page, I enter my email and it grays out in the wait of completion but it rolls and rolls, it never ends.
I have searched on Google search engine about documentation to fix that quick and I ended in an ocean of people running around like headless chickens, sake oil dealers etc etc. So what's all these hurdles about this FPR thing???
I am scared.
I am in china and my phone helps me to get around.
It's now a useless paper weight.
What if I end up in a trap because I asked some people for my way and I get hurt? Am I allowed to blame the new fancy "security" policies?
PLEASE HELP ME FAST - I NEED URGENT ASSISTANCE - I will be refreshing my email every 30mns from now.

vonz33 said:
Hi there,
After the advice of John on this thread
https://groups.google.com/a/googlep...forums.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer
I finally got passed the boot loop after another attempt. I am travelling in China and this country is so beautiful that I could not stand living without a camera. So I simply tried again and it worked. (I have a software VPN that helps to reach the Google servers).
So I have setup a hosted network on my Windows 10 device with the VPN on it and went ahead with the install.
It went all fine (a bit longer as the packets have to transit via San Fransico hardware VPN hosted by VPN Express) however once I'm on the "Verifying your account" page, I enter my email and it grays out in the wait of completion but it rolls and rolls, it never ends.
I have searched on Google search engine about documentation to fix that quick and I ended in an ocean of people running around like headless chickens, sake oil dealers etc etc. So what's all these hurdles about this FPR thing???
I am scared.
I am in china and my phone helps me to get around.
It's now a useless paper weight.
What if I end up in a trap because I asked some people for my way and I get hurt? Am I allowed to blame the new fancy "security" policies?
PLEASE HELP ME FAST - I NEED URGENT ASSISTANCE - I will be refreshing my email every 30mns from now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a few options you can take (if you have an unlocked bootloader). The quickest would be to simply delete the SetupWizard apk from TWRP.
Another option is to download and flash a ROM without Google Apps (make sure to download the camera apk of your choice- whether it be Snap or Google Camera).
Finally, you could try another VPN service (or server).

Go to a country that allows Google services to be used, or simply be patient as the VPN is apparently the problem. Your last two questions are likely rhetorical, but if you end up in a trap and get hurt it's your fault, not Google's. So no, you can't blame them for their Factory Reset Protection.
The "issue" with FRP is a simple one. It requires knowing the last Google account used and its password. This affects two different groups of people: those with "burner" accounts, and resellers.
In the case of the burner accounts people create a Google account with a password and don't bother to remember it because they don't want to give any information to Google. Then when they have to reset their devices for whatever reason FRP kicks in and they're screwed. Since they don't know the Google account or password they can't get back into the device.
The resellers purchase used devices and try to move them. However the person selling the device often does not clear out the account information from the device or does not remove the device from their account. When the device is sold the new owner attempts to enter their information and gets tripped up by FRP as they don't have the last Google account and its password.
"Burner" accounts are a pathway to disaster. Resellers are a bit more careful, and instances of FRP on a used device from a reseller have gone down.

negusp said:
There are a few options you can take (if you have an unlocked bootloader). The quickest would be to simply delete the SetupWizard apk from TWRP.
Another option is to download and flash a ROM without Google Apps (make sure to download the camera apk of your choice- whether it be Snap or Google Camera).
Finally, you could try another VPN service (or server).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for these options!
Yes, good old TWRP... Good option however since the phone is not rooted it would require a way to root it via fastboot flash, and also a way to push TWRP the same way.
I would perhaps rather downgrade to 6.0 or even 5.0 to see if I get lucky.
I could also buy a new phone here but the pricings are rather prohibitive and the models they have would be of no use outside of China.
I have tried mucking around with other VPNs today, it allowed me to go one or 2 steps further but the procedure finally s+++t itself in the end.
I should be in Vietnam tomorrow so hopefully the local telecom towers will allow me to finish my install....
I have no idea how i'm going to tell the taxi driver that I need to go to the train station without a portable system like an android phone, time is a bit short to chase down a paper dictionary.
If you still have some more leads on your TWRP methods that would solve this, please post ahead. I have no guarantees that Vietnam will solve this at this point in time.
Cheers mate.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Go to a country that allows Google services to be used, or simply be patient as the VPN is apparently the problem. Your last two questions are likely rhetorical, but if you end up in a trap and get hurt it's your fault, not Google's. So no, you can't blame them for their Factory Reset Protection.
The "issue" with FRP is a simple one. It requires knowing the last Google account used and its password. This affects two different groups of people: those with "burner" accounts, and resellers.
In the case of the burner accounts people create a Google account with a password and don't bother to remember it because they don't want to give any information to Google. Then when they have to reset their devices for whatever reason FRP kicks in and they're screwed. Since they don't know the Google account or password they can't get back into the device.
The resellers purchase used devices and try to move them. However the person selling the device often does not clear out the account information from the device or does not remove the device from their account. When the device is sold the new owner attempts to enter their information and gets tripped up by FRP as they don't have the last Google account and its password.
"Burner" accounts are a pathway to disaster. Resellers are a bit more careful, and instances of FRP on a used device from a reseller have gone down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not Google's fault? Lets unpack this one... I am a council fixing up a foot path. The engineers have let a slight gap in the concrete due to a fabrication method process. If you trip and hurt yourself it's your fault yeah?
Secondo, it's not Google's job to make my phone safe from thieves, it's mine. Why in hell would they make my life complicated because some idiots spends $2000 on a phone a forget it in a taxi, I don't want to have to do all these things, I just want my phone to be able to be serviced easily. and especially if i'm in a critical area, my safety is more important than these people's concerns about thieves. An the cherry on the pie is that today with the cloud sync technology, who cares in the first place.
""Burner" accounts are a pathway to disaster." Mate, look up the word disaster's definition from the dictionary and see if it applied to a chum that has got his phone stolen and get back to me with that.
Kind regards

I normally don't dissect posts but...
vonz33 said:
]Not Google's fault? Lets unpack this one... I am a council fixing up a foot path. The engineers have let a slight gap in the concrete due to a fabrication method process. If you trip and hurt yourself it's your fault yeah?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not Google's fault as you have alternative options you could take. For instance, a dedicated GPS receiver from Garmin or Tom Tom. I keep both a Garmin GPS and a street atlas in my car as a backup to my N6 and I live stateside. Should I encounter an issue, I have a means to get where I need to go. It's called "being prepared".
Your argument is a strawman argument, because Google's Android software is working as intended. Your argument might have more weight if there was a bug in the software that prevented you from using it. FRP is not a bug.
Secondo, it's not Google's job to make my phone safe from thieves, it's mine. Why in hell would they make my life complicated because some idiots spends $2000 on a phone a forget it in a taxi, I don't want to have to do all these things, I just want my phone to be able to be serviced easily. and especially if i'm in a critical area, my safety is more important than these people's concerns about thieves. An the cherry on the pie is that today with the cloud sync technology, who cares in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bit of a strawman here as well, as the issue isn't the person accidentally leaving his device in a taxi, but the person who gets their device stolen. Add to that the hyperbole of a $2,000 phone and you have a funny comment.
This is Google complying with California's kill switch law that went into effect two years ago. Since people travel in and out of California all the time and it's nearly impossible to target devices with "California-only" firmware Google implemented FRP worldwide. The entire idea of FRP is to make the phone impossible to use if it is stolen.
""Burner" accounts are a pathway to disaster." Mate, look up the word disaster's definition from the dictionary and see if it applied to a chum that has got his phone stolen and get back to me with that.
Kind regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The situation you describe is exactly why FRP was implemented on devices. Burner accounts will lead to disaster because it is inevitable that the owner will have to reset his device for whatever reason. When he does, he's screwed. I will clarify one thing here: when I refer to a "Burner" account I refer to an account with a random string of letters and numbers used for both email address and password with the express purpose of preventing Google from tying data collected from the device to the owner of that device. Ideally, if you really want to use a throwaway account, you at least make up an email address and password that are both easy to remember.
For the record, here's the definition of "disaster". Definition 3 applies to this conversation.
dis·as·ter (dəˈzastər)
noun
1. a sudden event, such as an accident or a natural catastrophe, that causes great damage or loss of life. "159 people died in the disaster"
synonyms: catastrophe, calamity, cataclysm, tragedy, act of God, holocaust; accident. "a subway disaster"
2. denoting a genre of films that use natural or accidental catastrophe as the mainspring of plot and setting.
modifier noun: disaster. "a disaster movie"
3. an event or fact that has unfortunate consequences. "a string of personal disasters"
synonyms: misfortune, mishap, misadventure, mischance, setback, reversal, stroke of bad luck, blow. "a string of personal disasters"
P.S. When quoting something written in quotes, double quotes are replaced with single quotes. Thus, in quoting me you want to say, "'Burner' accounts are a pathway to disaster."

Malicious Software Removal Help

So need a little help. I have an identified attacker on my phone who has injected spyware which is actively listening to all conversations, reading messages in real time, has access to all apps and full access to the phone. Essentially its an illegal wire tap thats able to view and listen to what i am doing. My question is this, can i clone my phone with all the data on to a thumb drive? Reason i have to turn over the phone to the local police for forensic examination and id rather just give a copy then my personal phone. 2. Is there a way to isolate the program to stop the massive leak without totally wiping my phone? Thanks for your help, I know this is an odd question and a little off the norm any help is deeply appreciated.

Nuke it now.
Change Google and all account passwords after reloaded.
In the future be careful what you install and download or you'll be doing this again!

blackhawk said:
Nuke it now.
Change Google and all account passwords after reloaded.
In the future be careful what you install and download or you'll be doing this again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cant i have to give the information to the police here, long story but the person who did the attack is involved in criminal activities im witness to and my phones going to be evidence. so i need all of the data on my phone to be transfered either to another device or to a thumb drive , after that i can nuke the phone

Kjharahuc said:
cant i have to give the information to the police here, long story but the person who did the attack is involved in criminal activities im witness to and my phones going to be evidence. so i need all of the data on my phone to be transfered either to another device or to a thumb drive , after that i can nuke the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well take it offline and backup the data. It should already be backed up though.
That data may have been tainted too.
Your biggest issue is you don't know how or by what it was infected.
Keep the phone completely disconnected from the carrier/internet until it's reloaded.
At this point it is a 100% liability.

blackhawk said:
Well take it offline and backup the data. It should already be backed up though.
That data may have been tainted too.
Your biggest issue is you don't know how or by what it was infected.
Keep the phone completely disconnected from the carrier/internet until it's reloaded.
At this point it is a 100% liability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
absolutly 100% agree, i cannot use the twrp backup since the phone has another user on it. I get an error due to the inability to decrypt the data. So im hoping imiging the phone over to a SSD that i can then turn into the police will be effective enough. I was able to identify several folders that are not mine or have anything to do with the apps on my phone so they should be able to do the same. To bad there isnt a way to tunnel back through and gain access on the other side of the leak.

The only things I be concerned with be securing the data, accounts and getting it operational.
I be done with it in under a day.

blackhawk said:
The only things I be concerned with be securing the data, accounts and getting it operational.
I be done with it in under a day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im just waiting for the SSD to arrive to transfer all the data the accounts have already been secured on another device

Don't transfer to another Android platform...
Verify the data is readable and all there.

I've wiped the os a total of 6 times and putting the phone into hard brick once it still is leaking and I can't stop it