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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.
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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
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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
Ok, I understand that we should have backups with clockworkmod and/or titanium to avoid these issues.
However, what happens if I don't have a backup of an app that I've paid for and somehow lose it?
Does the market recognize that I purchased the app before and let me re-download? Do I have to re-purchase the app?
With itunes for example, if you don't have a backup of purchased music you have to jump through flaming hoops to get it back and you're still not guaranteed they will work with you.
How do this work for us?
Thanks,
Neudle
Short answer is yes if you downloaded from the Market and it's tied to your gmail account it will let you re-download it provided that it shows up in your Market at the time you want to download it.
That's the way it worked for me. When I flashed Vegan and did the market fix every app I had paid for in the past (even on my old phones) synced and downloaded. Even setcpu which wasn't even functional till this week.
FWIW I use the USB hookup to back up apk files to a computer, an external fixed disk or ZIP disks (a good use for all the old but functioning Iomega stuff around here). I do this even before installing a new app, just in case. If I have a need to do so, I just drag the folder contents back to the tablet. And with files on the computer, Carbonite also backs up the files which enables retrieval from any computer I may use when traveling. I put all bookmarks onto the Web space included with the ISP account. It makes a complete recovery or transfer to a new tablet just about as quick and easy as anything I could think of.
I use Titanium... Any app I d-load from the market or elsewhere I back up.
Even if I do not intend to use it in the future... Who knows, when time comes I might need it.
Do not rely on the publisher to keep the app on the Market. I have purchased a couple of apps that are no longer available to download on the market that aren't available anymore, Transformers G1 comes to mind. Best bet is to buy Titanium Backup and set it up for Dropbox syncing.
Thanks for the help
Thank you for the replies.
I've only purchased one app (dungeon defenders), all the others have been free and most have been downloaded for side-loading anyway.
After I got the system rebuilt I logged onto google and dungeon defenders showed up as purchased in the market.
I'll try to keep titanium up to date but still glad to know they honor the original purchase.
Thanks again,
Neudle
ok stupid question..but im thinking of buying tibu and beweather from the market.. when i purchase them..and updates continue to come out..can i update them always..or do i always to pay again when an update comes out..and if there are free updates..how does it work if i reflash a rom or something using cm7.. thanks
and while im here..one more question..im my rom experience will be complete.. lol i went to flash cm7 and when i did all the restore and stuff it should that i had 50 updates but then that went away in my market..and now my complaint is i know i have more than 100 apps and it doesnt show on my apps in my market..ive rebooted reflash all that..im using tibu 4.0.0 but when i browse for that app..it does say its installed..its just that if i got my apps some of them are not there..basically if i wanna see if theres an update i have to browse for it to see if it says update or just installed..but if recall..i think when i did an update it finally was seen in my apps in market correctly after the update..what gives please help..thanks..sorry for the two questions in one and the long ramble
I am sure you pay once and all the updates after are free. I haven't bought applications on android, but am just assuming it's like digital distribution in general.
... I can't really understand your second question/ ramble. If it's about your downloaded applications list disappearing when flashing a new rom, yeah, that happens. You could just use titanium backup to restore applications once you are done flashing the new rom. Sorry if I missed the meaning of your second question.
i have tibu pro and i get the updates on the same licence. it's one of few apps i've bought. you need to go to manage applications to the market , clear data and you will see your apps.
fractaline said:
i have tibu pro and i get the updates on the same licence. it's one of few apps i've bought. you need to go to manage applications to the market , clear data and you will see your apps.
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what you mean you get updates on the same license? i mean i get my updates like i said..but thats if i browse through the market catalog manually without going to my apps since i cant see half of my apps in my apps section..and i did do that btw..even the cache i cleared nothing..still 50 apps instead of like 104 or something.. wahhh! thats all i need is my apps showing and im all good!!! im pretty sure that if you do buy an app your good to go you can update as often it is needed for free..just need my apps to show..and i already reflashed too.. hay!
did you try to reinstall the market? after the flash... also were the apps all d/l'ed from the same market account originally? not trying to be a smartass just throwing a few more ideas out there...... back to stock???
bluerogue85 said:
what you mean you get updates on the same license? i mean i get my updates like i said..but thats if i browse through the market catalog manually without going to my apps since i cant see half of my apps in my apps section..and i did do that btw..even the cache i cleared nothing..still 50 apps instead of like 104 or something.. wahhh! thats all i need is my apps showing and im all good!!! im pretty sure that if you do buy an app your good to go you can update as often it is needed for free..just need my apps to show..and i already reflashed too.. hay!
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Click to collapse
Yeah, I think that's a common problem when restoring from TiBu...the market gets confused. Happened to me...it's an easy fix:
First, reboot the phone to make sure everything is closed. Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications. Tap the All tab. Scroll down until you find Market. Tap Market to open it's application settings. Tap the "Clear Data" button. Reboot the phone. Your market should now show everything.
If you purchase an app from the market, updates are included in the original price (i.e., you won't have to pay again). Purchases are tied to your Google account, so even if you buy a new phone, when you log in with your Google ID, the apps you purchased will show up in the "My Apps" section of the Market. You'll have to reinstall them, but you won't have to pay again.
^ this.
Although you don't have to reboot first to clear market data just clearing it will do the trick.
ok so heres the story..i did what everyone ask me to do..somehow still didnt work..then i did the market doctor thats suppose to fix the market links didnt work..i uninstalled tibu..rebooted and now i shows all my apps with like half of them needing updates..i know theres some that need updates and some that dont..but i did it ne ways just to be sure..so basically i got all my apps back! yay..thanks guys..so wait one of you said that i dont have to pay again and as long as i have my google id i can still dl it even if i flash ANY rom on here..thanks again!
Paid apps are linked to the google account that purchased them.You could sign in to your account on a completely different device and download them. So yes flashing then away will not cause you to have to repurchase them.
I hacked contract killer zombies 2 with game unlocker and after some buys it tells me -517 coins,then i delete the app the cache the obb file and recopy it show then after i open it without using unlocker it still says -517 coins,so what im asking is it there a folder on system where it could save anything a file save or something to delete it?
That was a stupid question for this forum......
Thanks,why is that,where am i supposed to post a thread like this,i though someone with better knowledge about android could answer it,the main question is if there is a place in root of phone memory that apps store files,and where is it to delete them myself since they were not by uninstalling the app itself,please enlighten me,what didi i do wrong.
Found a way to hack gold coins and got it to work,other persons job not mine,but when connected to internet glu finds out the hack and deletes all the coins and the ones you spend it makes them - coins,reuplying the hack works offline,dont got why this question had nothing with android development in general but it was a tricky way to make it work,please romwiz stop being so arogant there are people who dont know that much of android,just asked for help cause i love this game.
Hi all,
I remember from the days of Windows phone 7, when we had root access, I was able to grab some XML based files from my games on my phone, back them up and when I restored, drop these back in the folders and continue off where I was before.
The nice thing about Windows 10 Mobile, If you had some games that were DE-LISTED, you can go into your history and re-download them even though they are not in the store any more.
SO now that I have Interop unlock on my ICON/929, I would like to backup a few save games from a few games that has been de-listed that I downloaded and I am going to capture the app, so if I end up having to hard reset for the next build, I can just restore these files to the folders, like I used to.
Just 3-4 games, that I know will not be backed up by Microsoft's so called backup option that needs a Dev to update their app for (and older games that are never updated will NEVER have this feature)
Where are the app saves located for Apps on Windows Phone 8.1 / 10 ? I did a search on here and it could not find anything that would point me in the right direction, just old stuff from WP7 that is not the same on 8.1.... If there is a good link with all this info, if you can provide it for me, THANKS !
Thanks in advance !
Try with this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2624469
Thanks but, No SD card on my phone (Nokia ICON/929) but, I'll install it to see what it does...