Database Develop

[Q] Bionic and CarrierIQ

O.K. Wearing my tinfoil hat. Looked and couldn't find the processes that might operate this rootkit on my Bionic, but I really can't be certain what I am looking for.
The HTC versions were IQAgent and IQRD. Nothing similar that I have found, but I'll bet they are there somewhere.
Anyone found anything?
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/11/secret-software-logging-video
RMD

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I've heard that it could be disguised as Contacts Sync and ContactsData. They have the same icon (although that doesn't mean much).
I haven't been able to determine if its the same thing or not.
Anyone able to confirm that the Bionic is CarrierIQ free?
I tried the Logging test tool, but if they renamed the app it won't work.
Either way, this thing is going to cause such a lawsuit with huge repercussion. (which they deserve)

railmaster7 said:
I've heard that it could be disguised as Contacts Sync and ContactsData. They have the same icon (although that doesn't mean much).
I haven't been able to determine if its the same thing or not.
Anyone able to confirm that the Bionic is CarrierIQ free?
I tried the Logging test tool, but if they renamed the app it won't work.
Either way, this thing is going to cause such a lawsuit with huge repercussion. (which they deserve)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Likewise, I ran the "CIQ Checks" test in the "Logging Test App" by xda member TrevE mentioned in this article as a reliable way of testing for the presence of CIQ: http://lifehacker.com/5863895/carri...everything-on-your-phone-and-how-to-remove-it The test completed running and nothing showed up in the "CIQ File List" so I'm assuming the Bionic is clean.
I don't think the Contacts Sync and ContactsData icons are a reliable way to test for CIQ. Found this on another site: "The icon is a default icon, not specific to Carrier IQ. It can't help you determine whether or not CIQ is present."

After all the latest news about the rootkit that is allowing apps to bypass requests and can track what you're doing on the phone, I have found that particular app on our Bionics.
First, read this article:
http://www.helloandroid.com/content/are-carriers-illegally-tapping-your-android-phone
Next, go to settings, applications, manage applications, all applications tab, and look for the Fake Blur app. I am rooted and rommed and noticed that I still have this app. Is it something that we should be worried about? Has anyone tried uninstalling it and seeing if the phone still works without it?

Well, for whatever it's worth:
http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/1/2602532/verizon-carrier-iq-denial
So that would seem to strongly support the idea that the Bionic lacks CIQ.

Reverence12389 said:
After all the latest news about the rootkit that is allowing apps to bypass requests and can track what you're doing on the phone, I have found that particular app on our Bionics.
First, read this article:
http://www.helloandroid.com/content/are-carriers-illegally-tapping-your-android-phone
Next, go to settings, applications, manage applications, all applications tab, and look for the Fake Blur app. I am rooted and rommed and noticed that I still have this app. Is it something that we should be worried about? Has anyone tried uninstalling it and seeing if the phone still works without it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm tempted to use TB to remove this completely from my phone... and it's present in Liberty v2.0

Stories said:
I'm tempted to use TB to remove this completely from my phone... and it's present in Liberty v2.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's present in Shifter rom also. I was going to uninstall it using TB, but it seems like it might stop something from working, because when I attempted to force stop the application and went back to my homescreens, it was like I had just turned the phone on and they were sluggish.

Reverence12389 said:
It's present in Shifter rom also. I was going to uninstall it using TB, but it seems like it might stop something from working, because when I attempted to force stop the application and went back to my homescreens, it was like I had just turned the phone on and they were sluggish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I froze it with titanium a few hours ago and hadn't had any issues or FC's yet. I'm running Purity.

[Q] how to freeze the wifi sharing?

Hi there
There alot of roms like RoCKeT RoM for example couse alot of battary drain because this rom have alot of futures and performence but i,m sick of my battary
Any help on how to freeze the wifi
Pleeeeeezzzzzzzzzza
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

I am not sure you need to freeze it. I had a rooted Arc before, and used Android Assistant to stop apps like this starting up. The real benefit of it is you can block all the listeners' every app and service has. The listeners are what makes it pop back up again when you have killed it (like WiFi sharing does, and &*^% Social Hub & Buddies!).
Used with the start up kill as well, you have a clean fast start, more RAM, and more battery. The price is zilch too, although I recommend buying it just to support it. What's not to like?
Edit: It is autorun that stopped things loading, and listening to events. Android Asst just prevents loading on boot.

Install Titanium Backup or AntTek App Manager and freeze it/them. I've done it myself.

And how to do it with antek application manager
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

1. You must be rooted of course
2. Open the app and hit the "Apps" tab
3. Search for "Wi-Fi Sharing Manager" and "Wi-Fi Sharing"
4. Tap on it/them and choose "Freeze"
5. Done!

Thank you very much
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

Is this the only way to get rid of this? I think this is also the case for my bad battery performance as well. So, no way to stop it or kill it without 3rd party software?

Nope, it's a system process, so you'll need root to freeze/delete or do anything about it. If you kill it manually using a task manager the process with start again within seconds.

How long should it take? I'm using Titanium Backup-Pro, been sitting on "freezing Wi-Fi Sharing manager 1.0" for over 5 minutes.

Sorry noob questions, but...
What is the benefit to freeze those apps?? What is its purposes? What would be the cons?

straycat said:
Sorry noob questions, but...
What is the benefit to freeze those apps?? What is its purposes? What would be the cons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you freeze an app with Titanium (or some other system app manager), the system doesn't see it anymore. It's still there, but out of action until you defrost it.
It's a useful feature to experiment with temp shutting down of system apps - if you see that something is wrong, you defrost it, and everything's fine.
If you uninstall it, OTOH, if something bad happens, you're stuck.

straycat said:
Sorry noob questions, but...
What is the benefit to freeze those apps?? What is its purposes? What would be the cons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you mean "why freeze those particular apps?", then the answer is that if they are not used, they are just wasting battery and RAM by running. This is true of a large number of built-in apps that Samsung, and indeed carriers, put on your phone for you.
These particular ones serve no purpose for 90% of users [sorry, needed for Kies air, disregard], so are best stopped. Even if you do use them, they are best prevented from starting up until you want to use them.

freezing wifi sharing and wifi manager will cause kies air not working. unless you never used kies air and planning to freeze it too then i think it should be ok

I want to ask WHAT THE HELL IS THAT WIFI SHARING APP?! How can it be so badly done... I mean it's killing battery as once launched it never stops. I just can't get it...

And that's why we freeze/remove it If you don't use Kies, then get it over with and kill it (the permanent way)
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Fact is, after i froze them (all social hub) wifi sharing came and freezing it didn't change anything, it was still running from boot!

Freeze both wifi sharing and wifi sharing manager.
It will not come back after boot. Tested on 2 S2s and a Note.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

I use Autorun manager to disable all the 'listeners' that these apps have (one is for boot). This is in many ways better because I can still use them by actually running them, but they do not start by themselves.

Remove Google Settings App

Since last Playstore update there was a secret app in it..
ht(X)p://www.engadget.com/2013/02/27/google-settings-app-sneaks-onto-android-to-bolster-g-sign-in/
I'll got it already, but can't seem to remove it
Any idea?
Sent from my LT30p using xda app

I just hid it from my app drawer
Sent from my LT30p using Tapatalk 2

Duvel999 said:
Since last Playstore update there was a secret app in it..
ht(X)p://www.engadget.com/2013/02/27/google-settings-app-sneaks-onto-android-to-bolster-g-sign-in/
I'll got it already, but can't seem to remove it
Any idea?
Sent from my LT30p using xda app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it seems like such a pointless addition. But you can try freezing with TB or something.

Duvel999 said:
Since last Playstore update there was a secret app in it..
ht(X)p://www.engadget.com/2013/02/27/google-settings-app-sneaks-onto-android-to-bolster-g-sign-in/
I'll got it already, but can't seem to remove it
Any idea?
Sent from my LT30p using xda app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any reason you need to remove it? It looks like it's just making the Google settings more open and easier to access.
http://lifehacker.com/5987333/googl...cess-to-other-google-apps-settings-on-android

I like to remove useless apps.
Especially when they get secretly installed.
It's crap in my eyes.
Thx. for replying everyone.
Sent from my LT30p using xda app

So there is no way to remove it? Because I can't find it in TiBu and it bother me it's there. I'll never use it.

Seems you get it, when Playstore is updated.
Green icon in app drawer.
I don't need it or want it.
Can't remove it or freeze it
Sent from my LT30p using xda app

try uninstalling play store updates see if that removes it .... if so you can disable updates through TB i think?

Did that already and that works.
But there will be a next update I guess..
.
Sent from my LT30p using xda app

Duvel999 said:
Did that already and that works.
But there will be a next update I guess..
.
Sent from my LT30p using xda app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha guess you'll have to learn to live with it then

remove google settings app
For those of you who prefer not to be sheep going to slaughter.
I unistalled google play services and that removed it from the phone. Not sure what else will be affected but I am still able to download/install apps from play store. I figure I may miss the next version of play store that comes out. Better than them sneaking stuff in. You may find the actual apk inside the google play directories. Please post if you do.
Also if anyone has ever figured out how to disable E911. If you dont want to disable yours that fine. STFU because your input is not needed ok. I dont want it on, period!!!
For the rest go ahead and follow the heard. [sheep noises....lol] !

myi500 said:
For those of you who prefer not to be sheep going to slaughter.
I unistalled google play services and that removed it from the phone. Not sure what else will be affected but I am still able to download/install apps from play store. I figure I may miss the next version of play store that comes out. Better than them sneaking stuff in. You may find the actual apk inside the google play directories. Please post if you do.
Also if anyone has ever figured out how to disable E911. If you dont want to disable yours that fine. STFU because your input is not needed ok. I dont want it on, period!!!
For the rest go ahead and follow the heard. [sheep noises....lol] !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Play Store and Goggle Play Services are not related. But it was a clever move with the names.
Google Play Services are the core to a host of future functions, especially to apps relating to social contacts, location related services and in particular (paid) games playing. Also, as many have detected already, with the 3. party sign-in control Google is able to watch and possibly control to whom and how you have contact with.
If you de-install Google Services, it will be auto re-installed in shortest time again in the backgound. If you happen to be on mobile data at that time, the bill is on you. If you disable or freeze Google Play Services, it will not be auto re-enabled. At least not as of now. But some functions of the phone and some Google apps like Hangout are made dependant on Goggle Play Services. So there function will cease.
More and more people are disgruntled about the way Google is doing things now. It is absolutely Googles own thing what apps they want to develop, and what functions they want to implement. But shoving down apps onto my property without my consent is not acceptable to me.
The people are not sheeps bcs they are forced to have things installed things they don't fully understand. I believe that many simply don't think twice, if something is (superficially) free, The strategies of companies like Goggle build on that fact.

Yep, it reinstalled. I will freeze it. But the sheep are the people that say one should accept it, or come back with tin foil comments etc. Those are sheep. I agree why force it on people? Esp from software the is supposed to be opensource. As one person posted somewhere it also redundant.

I know what you mean and I share your resentments. Albeit I fear there is nothing much we can do.
Google makes more and more Android functions depend on Google Play Service being on, and up to date. Just recently I registered that Calendar synchronisation now does not work with this "Services" disabled.
Unless someone makes a hacked version of that skunk.

[Q] What update broke Usage Manager?

Usage Manager app (built-in/stock) used to work.
It no longer does. When I tap it, the screen briefly flashes dark (like it was opening), and then it instantly closes. No error message is shown.
I'm running Rooted Stock MI9 (rooted with RDLV - MJ5 doesn't seem to have anything I want that justifies risking breaking a working setup), with Wanam, TiBu, Light Manager (paid), Keyboard Manager (to use hacker keyboard with terminal and ssh, and swype everywhere else), and Pen Window manager, plus some really boring, typical apps. No games, nothing other than the listed apps that does anything exotic.
It stopped working some time during the last several weeks. I have changed no settings during this time. The only app I have installed is Light Manager Pro (I previously used the free version, until a paid one came out), and I doubt this is the problem, but I have run normal app updates.
Anyone know what it is that causes this issue? I can still get to the battery and data usage screens from settings. It's just usage manager that doesn't seem to work.

Stock MJ5, lots of other apps, no games or weird stuff. Never had Usage Manager on the screen, but I put it on now and it works. Did you try removing it and reinstalling it? (I know widgets sometimes get screwed up and you have to redo them, I've never seen it with an app, but maybe?)

Rukbat said:
Stock MJ5, lots of other apps, no games or weird stuff. Never had Usage Manager on the screen, but I put it on now and it works. Did you try removing it and reinstalling it? (I know widgets sometimes get screwed up and you have to redo them, I've never seen it with an app, but maybe?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there also a widget form of Usage Manager? I'm just using the app.
I can't remove/reinstall it, I don't think - it's a stock app, and doesn't show in application manager...
In any event, I suspect it's one of the root apps that's breaking it. But I don't know which one or what needs to be done to make them play well together.

DrAzzy said:
Is there also a widget form of Usage Manager?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, sorry if it sounded like that. I just installed the app from the long-press on the screen.
I can't remove/reinstall it, I don't think - it's a stock app, and doesn't show in application manager...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long-press the icon on the screen and you can remove the icon on the screen. Then reinstall the screen icon.
What I meant about widgets is that I've had widgets do weird things and by removing and reinstalling them, they worked again.

Rukbat said:
No, sorry if it sounded like that. I just installed the app from the long-press on the screen.
Long-press the icon on the screen and you can remove the icon on the screen. Then reinstall the screen icon.
What I meant about widgets is that I've had widgets do weird things and by removing and reinstalling them, they worked again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I've done that already - doesn't work.
It also closes instantly when launched from apps screen.

No bueno, How about unrooting, asking for a warranty swap and living with MJ5? Or isn't having the link on the desktop worth the drive? I think for a little thing like that I'd just live with it. I save my fights for nuclear war (like an OTA bootlooping the phone).

Rukbat said:
No bueno, How about unrooting, asking for a warranty swap and living with MJ5? Or isn't having the link on the desktop worth the drive? I think for a little thing like that I'd just live with it. I save my fights for nuclear war (like an OTA bootlooping the phone).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that escalated quickly....
This is clearly a software problem. I think it unconscionable and selfish to return known-good hardware for a software problem, because then the cost of this bogus warranty return gets passed on to everyone else (in other words, you and I). I choose not to make the world worse for every other AT&T customer (we suffer enough) to get one app that I am almost certainly responsible for breaking working again.
I'm sure I could fix it by reflashing stock, but I don't really want to do that, because it's so much work to get everything set back up. I was asking in the hopes that someone has seen this before.
Anyone know if there's a way to "reset app data" like you can for most apps, on the usage manager app?

I have pretty much the same setup except I'm on MI9 and don't have that keyboard setup you have. Mine does the same thing. Never could find out what broke it. Sure would like it back though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 02:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:51 PM ----------
I must stand corrected. I had the same fc issues last week with usage manager. Tried putting the shortcut back on home screen and messed with it for about a hour trying to find what broke it. Finally gave up. Just tried it now and it functions just fine. Oh well. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app

DrAzzy said:
Well that escalated quickly....
This is clearly a software problem. I think it unconscionable and selfish to return known-good hardware for a software problem, because then the cost of this bogus warranty return gets passed on to everyone else (in other words, you and I). I choose not to make the world worse for every other AT&T customer (we suffer enough) to get one app that I am almost certainly responsible for breaking working again.
I'm sure I could fix it by reflashing stock, but I don't really want to do that, because it's so much work to get everything set back up. I was asking in the hopes that someone has seen this before.
Anyone know if there's a way to "reset app data" like you can for most apps, on the usage manager app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about using TiBU to restore the app data from a previous backup?
Sent from my SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Same thing here
DrAzzy said:
Usage Manager app (built-in/stock) used to work.
It no longer does. When I tap it, the screen briefly flashes dark (like it was opening), and then it instantly closes. No error message is shown.
I'm running Rooted Stock MI9 (rooted with RDLV - MJ5 doesn't seem to have anything I want that justifies risking breaking a working setup), with Wanam, TiBu, Light Manager (paid), Keyboard Manager (to use hacker keyboard with terminal and ssh, and swype everywhere else), and Pen Window manager, plus some really boring, typical apps. No games, nothing other than the listed apps that does anything exotic.
It stopped working some time during the last several weeks. I have changed no settings during this time. The only app I have installed is Light Manager Pro (I previously used the free version, until a paid one came out), and I doubt this is the problem, but I have run normal app updates.
Anyone know what it is that causes this issue? I can still get to the battery and data usage screens from settings. It's just usage manager that doesn't seem to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe mine started after installing the ATT Allaccess app

Mine broke when I used SD Maid. It deleted a temp file that much I know. Just not sure where. I'm going to refresh the rom and attempt to recreate the break by using sd maid. When I see what file is deleted I'll see if simply putting it back does the trick. I'm using a note 3 att 900a with the Walter White lollipop rooted rom.

Malware/Antivirus Help

I wanted to know if you guys know any apks for malware or antivirus. I have been getting a lot of pop ups. I installed kapersky and malware bytes but they both do anything.

pop ups when browsing and or apps? Most likely you'll need ad blocking software and or browser extension.

raul6 said:
pop ups when browsing and or apps? Most likely you'll need ad blocking software and or browser extension.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems to be ad pop ups. I would be using an app such as whatsapp or watching a video through my gallery and the add just pops up out nowhere. it has never done that before.

If you get apps from places that are not "trusted sources" many of them have these pop up ads.

Go through and we which apps have Device Admin, Accessibility, and Draw Over Other Apps permissions
Are you using stock Gallery or another app?
Sent from my SM-N960U1 using XDA Labs

Personally, I do not use any antivirus on my phone. I tried some of them before but finally gave up due to the large consumption to the phone memory which results into a slowdown of system and a faster drain of power. Plus, the major drawbacks of these free AV, like Avira, Kapersky, Bitdefender and more in Top 5 Free Antivirus in 2018, are the ads and popups bundled with them. They keep sending annoying ads and pop-ups during running, and even worse, sometimes they downloaded and installed things automatically.
Thus, if you download apps from playstore, surf the safe websites and connect to a clean outside device, do not bother to install a AV on your phone.

juanfernandez77 said:
It seems to be ad pop ups. I would be using an app such as whatsapp or watching a video through my gallery and the add just pops up out nowhere. it has never done that before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's one of your apps... You'll have to go through the ones you installed recently and uninstall the culprit.

juanfernandez77 said:
It seems to be ad pop ups. I would be using an app such as whatsapp or watching a video through my gallery and the add just pops up out nowhere. it has never done that before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so l read this thread awhile back and thought nothing of it ............ until now!
I have "developed" the same Issue! and yes Its definitely an app that has access to "appear on top" and its under Apps> special Access> apps that can appear on top! Now for me to identify the culprit......? only issue though is if you have this issue your most likely the kind of user who experiments and installs several apps at once.... so here goes my trial by elimination process?

Hi had this problem.
I deleted the free APK that I had installed but I was still getting pop ups.
You need to go to settings / apps and right at the end of the list there was a app with no name or app logo.
Deleted it, problem solved.
I tried virus scan apps and nothing found it.
Hope this helps

clax6 said:
Hi had this problem.
I deleted the free APK that I had installed but I was still getting pop ups.
You need to go to settings / apps and right at the end of the list there was a app with no name or app logo.
Deleted it, problem solved.
I tried virus scan apps and nothing found it.
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice! I deleted all the apps I installed in the past week and still no success until your post! Issue was starting to really bug me cos I kinda hate the idea that I dont have control over a device I paid for....lol
For anyone in the same position, see attached images if it helps and yes I installed a dodgy APK editor which i deleted but didn't notice this culprit App in the app list!

william-johnson said:
Thanks for the advice! I deleted all the apps I installed in the past week and still no success until your post! Issue was starting to really bug me cos I kinda hate the idea that I dont have control over a device I paid for....lol
For anyone in the same position, see attached images if it helps and yes I installed a dodgy APK editor which i deleted but didn't notice this culprit App in the app list!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that's exactly what I saw on my list.

No AV will block an ad. They block known, to them, malware apks. Use something like Addons Detector from G Play store and/or Nice catch from S Galaxy store to list all the apks that have ads modules and then remove those you installed last or don't recognise or need.

Run Malwarebytes.