Android phone security, Any advice ?

fiendishlyclever

When you download an Android app it will ask for permission to do certain things. If a weather app needs permission to use the dialler then you know it is fishy. From a safety app it is like using PC software, look for software that has been downloaded and reviewed by lots of people and released by a reputable developer.

If it is privacy you are worried about you know that the stock (default) browser will most likely be logged into Google and possibly saving your mobile search history for them to personalise adverts. (Of course Google also knows what apps you are downloading and key interests scanned from your email). Put your tinfoil hat on now!

thegoodman

You need to read and understand what rights apps are using.
Since unlike iPhone and windows phone google do not check the malware, it's up to the user to report, once the damage is done.

Only install the apps you need and double check to make sure it is not malware.
Do not update the apps without checking the rights.
The apps on Google Play may also have malware so be careful

pingu

i use lookout on my sony main reason for that is to locate my phone feature
i dont have dodgy apps on mine
i have more or less same apps i used to have on my 3gs and 4(only difference is they are free on sony)

i dont/have not received any dodgy texts/calls anymore than i used to get on my previous phones:)

PS i report any post by the trollman as spam:p

thegoodman

pingu wrote: »

i use lookout on my sony main reason for that is to locate my phone feature
i dont have dodgy apps on mine
i have more or less same apps i used to have on my 3gs and 4(only difference is they are free on sony)

i dont/have not received any dodgy texts/calls anymore than i used to get on my previous phones:)

PS i report any post by the trollman as spam:p

This post is not about you. Many people have tricked into installing malware software via Google play or other market place.
The news such as below is not trollman or spam, are you saying newspaper such as the Guardian are spam, because the news is not what you would like to read so Guardian newspaper is anti-android.
Company fined £50,000 after nearly 1,400 people in UK were hit by fake apps that sent premium-rate text messages:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/may/25/android-users-angry-birds-malware?newsfeed=true

pingu

thegoodman wrote: »

This post is not about you. Many people have tricked into installing malware software via Google play or other market place.
The news such as below is not trollman or spam, are you saying newspaper such as the Guardian are spam, because the news is not what you would like to read so Guardian newspaper is anti-android.
Company fined £50,000 after nearly 1,400 people in UK were hit by fake apps that sent premium-rate text messages:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/may/25/android-users-angry-birds-malware?newsfeed=true

who said it was:mad:
just letting OP know he has nothing to worry about:rotfl:

DUTR

rufydoofyM wrote: »

I have checked avast privacy policy and it seems very short and ambiguous. It gives me no confidence that my personal details, contacts, messages or movements will remain private. I find this all rather disturbing. I just want to feel safe when browsing. Its my phone and my life, I don't understand why these companies need access to so much.

Be aware that this is possible with all platforms, there was a news article regarding a green fruit based brand that did just that with personal contact details etc. They may check apps but it is not away from interrogation without your knowledge.
Certain permissions are required to enhance the user experience of an app, eg a banking app may wish to know where you are to point you the the nearest ATM, weather apps will need to dial out but in a data mode to fetch the reports, things like facebook I don't like, if I'm in such n such a venue I can post it if I wish!

grumbler

DUTR wrote: »

... weather apps will need to dial out but in a data mode to fetch the reports...

Something that I've never heard off...
Is 'full Internet access' permission insufficient?

DUTR

grumbler wrote: »

Something that I've never heard off...
Is 'full Internet access' permission insufficient?

In simple terms it's part of the same thing, some apps sit in standby until a data connection is required.

grumbler

DUTR wrote: »

In simple terms it's part of the same thing, some apps sit in standby until a data connection is required.

I don't think that 'dial out' is an appropriated term for this.

So, if some 'weather' app requires permissions "to send text messages" and "to call phone numbers" (you know what I am talking about) - is it safe to assume that this is just "to enhance the user experience"?
OK, let's simplify this and ignore sending texts.

DUTR

grumbler wrote: »

I don't think that 'dial out' is an appropriated term for this.

So, if some 'weather' app requires permissions "to send text messages" and "to call phone numbers" (you know what I am talking about) - is it safe to assume that this is just "to enhance the user experience"?
OK, let's simplify this and ignore sending texts.

The only weather apps I use is accu weather and the news & weather app widget, I know there are lots to choose from one was pre installed on the handset and I loaded the other (I think) , I don't recall them requesting to send a text (although it may not be impossible for some to request that facility (which of course I would be wary) .