Develop Bugs

[UPDATED] Android Market Apps I bought for my Hero: Are they "paid for" on my Desire?

[UPDATED] Android Market Apps I bought for my Hero: Are they "paid for" on my Desire?
Updated April 18, 2010
Now I get it. See Post #6 below. Google's dragging their ass on "fingerprint" approval. They need to be SHAMED virally across the web for sheer incompetence -- or intentional malice toward purchasers of a phone that competes with their Nexus One. "Do No Evil" my ass.
========== My Original Posting =========
I bought maybe 6-7 apps for my hero -- 2 different keyboards, "Executive Assistant", some kind of alarm clock... When on my Hero, even after factory reset and resetting up my phone, when I went to MARKET and "My Downloads", those paid for apps showed up as available to install again on my Hero.
I have been using my Desire -- but thus far only for Wifi as I set it up and get acquainted with the phone. Perhaps stupidly (!) I am still using the Hero as my "phone" til I have all my apps and widgets and layouts replicated on my Desire.
Though I do not have my carrier's SIM card installed in my Desire, 90% of the device works fine, especially all wifi usages, Market downloads, email, web, etc... I did set up my Gmail account as well.
It's one's Gmail account which is your linkage to PAID FOR apps, via Google Checkout. So, I am surprised that when I select "My downloads" i don't see any indication of paid for apps.
Is this tied to a SIM card? (if so seems ridiculous)
RELATED: I can't even find BETTER KEYBOARD app in the Market now, nor "SMART KEYBOARD" ... Does the market auto-filter out apps that do not run on Android 2.1 ?
thank you

the paid apps are tied with your google account.

(no longer relevant)

From what I read, some paid and free apps should appear as soon as google finishes some signature thing related to that! so it's a matter of time.
By the way, do you see paid apps in general? For me, I always had to use Market Enabaler on the Hero to open Market to paid apps.
A temporary solution, you can use your Hero to extract the paid applications (apk files) using Root Explorer, copy them to the Desire SD card and install them using any file manager. The only limitation here is that you have to keep checking for updates on the Hero.

Re: Android Market > Apps I bought for my Hero: Are they "paid for" on my Desire?
as far as I know, and experts correct me if wrong, the ability to get access are directly connected to the sim from which you connect.
which is why market enabler used to spoof the apn's from which paid apps were available.
with no sim card you should only be able to get free apps or nothing at all.
I live in Sweden, no paid apps.
was at friends last night who has an old UK sim card, popped that in and I got access to some paid apps. but still with the limitations as previously discussed in this forum. (waiting for Google to get it straightened out)
so, yes & no, the apps are tied to your sim, cuz it tells the phone which apn/ network your phone is connecting from...
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

I just read a few other threads, with links to the official Android Market forums. First off, I have to ask some basic vocabulary:
What are "protected apps" ?
I have no idea what this means.
Second: salahag, thanks for your reply. I didn't respond initially because I didn't understand it at all. Paid apps showed up in my Hero from day 1 and that was for me October 2009. I was baffled because I had no context for even thinking "is everything that's available showing here?" because by default my brain had no reason to pose that question. I just assumed the Market worked one way, and I was seeing everything the way everyone else sees it.
I'm suddenly quite baffled by this emerging mystery now that I can't find a bunch of apps for my DESIRE. But now the mystery of "where are my paid apps that I bought on my Hero?" is solved, replaced by "why are hundreds of apps that were available on my Hero not available on my Desire?"
XDA-devs to the rescue, via another thread here about "Missing apps in the Market" linking to this posting in Android Market forums:
by nprussell - 4/8/10 (LINK to this posting at Android Market forums)
Hi all,
I'm an Android developer from the XDA forum & VillainROM.co.uk. I've primarily worked on the Hero, but I received my Desire yesterday.
I can confirm that I too am missing several apps from the market. I also have an answer to your question.
First things first, it's protected apps that are missing from the market. There are generally two reasons why apps will be missing from the market.
(1) When a new ROM/Phone is released, the manufacturer, in this case HTC, sends the build to Google, which includes a 'Fingerprint' (a unique line of text which governs its market access) in the build.prop file. Generally, it states the name of the phone and Android version in the fingerprint. With Root & system write access, this fingerprint can easily be changed... but we don't have that luxury right now.
Once Google approve the build, the fingerprint will be added to their allowed database to view protected apps on the market.
(2) The other cause for apps missing from the market in builds (such as twidroid, layar, barcode scanner etc) is that these apps require permissions to use the camera/auto focus. They are NOT protected apps. If the XML permission files are missing from system/etc/permissions, then Google Market will simply block these apps from showing.
So again... to answer your question... we'll see the protected apps as soon as either:
a) HTC chase up Google
b) Google get around to activating the fingerprint
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Un-frikkin-believable.
It's like the equivalence of a dumb low-IQ bureaucrat holding up a long line for Drivers' License renewals at the "Department of Motor Vehicles". No reason at all for the stupid delay other than some asshole letting some work order sit on his desktop til he feels like getting to it.
No wonder the author (gogol) of that other related thread recommends consumer activism or we just stand in line each time and just wait to get ****'d in the ass by beaurocratic process that sounds WAY more like Microsoft than "the smartest guys in the room" at Google -- who pride themselves on only hiring Ivy-league grads and equivalents, like from Stanford. They ought to be ridiculed out of town with this.
gogol writes: I really cannot believe Google screws this great Android platform like this. Think about the next firmware update, from Google or HTC ... We will AGAIN get this issue ... Then wait again very long. I am really mad and hate this.
If one of you guys is capable of writing a good professional article or blog regarding this issue, we could spread the voice all over the internet / twitter / facebook / blogs / news so Google could "end" or "fix" this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm game to SHAME GOOGLE into getting their f-ing act together or be ridiculed for incompetence -- everywhere we can post that message on the web. And they have the nerve to criticize APPLE for their ridiculous App Store totalitarianism?
.

xrrkrrkx said:
I live in Sweden, no paid apps. Was at friends last night who has an old UK sim card, popped that in and I got access to some paid apps. but still with the limitations as previously discussed in this forum. (waiting for Google to get it straightened out)
so, yes & no, the apps are tied to your sim, cuz it tells the phone which apn/ network your phone is connecting from...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you clarify this further. Thank you for information related to SIM card needing to be in use in order to access paid apps -- god only knows why -- it's retarded to me.
But is it correct that I have read other places that there are LOCALIZATION ISSUES? where some apps are only available to certain regions? (Like YouTube does) -- Or can you shoot that one down as rumor. I don't get this. Open source OS. Google's entire revenue model based on ads. More phones = more ad impressions = more money to Google. What possible motivation is there to block access to apps in a marketplace that I am willing to pay for -- where Google gets % of all sales, as well as transactional revenue thru Google Checkout? -- Something doesn't make sense. And usually when that's the case, SOMEONE IS BEING PROTECTED in some corporate deal.
What's the story. Is this another CARRIER-TAINTED example of holding customers hostage? If so, I can't wait til the day we can blow up that Carrier-driven model that strangles the free marketplace. They should make it or break it based on direct delivery of services at competitive pricing. I am so tired of Boardroom Protectionist Policies agreed to by major competitors, to ensure a baseline profit well above anything deserved if there was open competition. ... But I could be off on my little side rant and it has nothing to do with this issue, in which case, .... ooops. sorry

salahag said:
From what I read, some paid and free apps should appear as soon as google finishes some signature thing related to that! so it's a matter of time.
By the way, do you see paid apps in general? For me, I always had to use Market Enabaler on the Hero to open Market to paid apps.
A temporary solution, you can use your Hero to extract the paid applications (apk files) using Root Explorer, copy them to the Desire SD card and install them using any file manager. The only limitation here is that you have to keep checking for updates on the Hero.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks - I never even thought to do this. Rooted my Hero, copied the apks (they're in /data/app-private) to the Desire and installed. I now have National Rail and Locale Lockscreen back again
Ta.

you can use your Hero to extract the paid applications (apk files) using Root Explorer, copy them to the Desire SD card and install them using any file manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant to ask: Is Root Explorer an app from the Market (I'll check of course), and does it only work on rooted Heroes? Mine is unrooted. But I have used Astro app many times for moving stuff from my computer to Hero, and now my Desire. So, it would just be a matter of my knowing which folder/directory to look in on my Hero to access the .apk files.
(EDIT: I see now from daern above: they're in /data/app-private ... well Astro Explorer shows me root folder and data folder but both say "directory is empty", so I am guessing unless I root my Hero i can't access this stuff... right?)
So, thanks from ME also!

Easy. Install "InstantRook.apk" on the Hero (Google for it, download directly to the device and run from Astro).
Once installed, it will announce "your device is rooted". Now fire up Root Explorer and note that you can see the /data folder. Copy the private apk files to /sdcard and away you go.
It really is as easy as that. It may stuff your Hero (it didn't affect mine in the slightest) but as I'm assuming that you're replacing it anyway, the worst it would require would be a hard-boot anyway.
Took < 5 mins

[Q] Is a Virus scanner needed?

Lately all my friends around me have been trending using virus scanners on their phones like that lookout app. I never had to use one and I'm more technical when it comes to my phone then they are. They aren't even rooted they don't have half the amount of apps that I do or use the phone as much as me. This thing is my life.
My question is for those who are more technical then me, should we use these antivirus'? Are we in danger when downloading apps from the market directly? I scan my apk's on my pc when downloading from the net or websites so I think I'm straight. But you never know. I just want a firm answer if these things work or just kill your battery and mickery.
HTC Vision S-OFF CM6.1 Stable Oc'd to 1.5ghz on Pershoots Kernel

I installed AVG Free from the Market.
is it necessary, not sure.. but it offers more benefits than just virus scans, and I trust AVG.

A virus scanner is a huge waste of battery. There are no viruses for your phone. As far as AVG goes..... I wouldn't wish that program on my worst enemy...

in my 20+ years a using a cell phone I have never come across a virus, I have used just about every format of phones, lately there have been some reports of a virus for Android, search and read where that was found and how you can get it, basically don't download crap from some suspect website, download apps from trusted places like the market and you will be fine, in my opinion right now virus scanners are nothing but a was of space on the phone memory that use up battery slow down the phone and do nothing as there no viruses.
my $0.02 cents

I got lookout on mine. It has an anti virus built in. I mostly use the app to find my phone after I misplace it some where in my apartment.

I agree there is no need for a antivirus. If you follow any of the major
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Android is a Linux derivative. Linux needs antivirus like a fish needs a bicycle.
Sent from a Western Union telegram.

Trojans have come out of china being injected into "unknown sources" android games (not from the market but 3rd party sources). They collect info from ur phone. Not sure if anti vrius apps pick them up now..but if u only install stuff from the market and not warez from like rapidshare or other places u should be fine
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

it is so "Windowsy" to install task killers and disease killers. I wouldnt knock the windows user --- they are a strong proud people!

Regardless where you get your apps from since it does detect malicious code in apps its worthwhile if you get apps from random locations...it (lookout) doesn't seem to slow anything down on my G2
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Sure it's "windowsy" if your pc is super slow/out dated. But the thing is I do get apps from other sources/markets not just the android marketplace. Even downloading apk's people post on these forums can sometimes be dangerous to our phones that's why I download everything to my pc, it always scans my downloads and doesn't let me pick up a virus.
HTC Vision S-OFF CM6.1 Stable Oc'd to 1.5ghz on Pershoots Kernel

I was being very sarcastic in that last post -- its necessary in windows (i love windows) but I notice the windows mentality - people assume it needs what windows needs - its almost a built-in trait. but I like that saying -- linux needs antivirus like fish need a bicycle -- ha ha!

elracing21 said:
Sure it's "windowsy" if your pc is super slow/out dated. But the thing is I do get apps from other sources/markets not just the android marketplace. Even downloading apk's people post on these forums can sometimes be dangerous to our phones that's why I download everything to my pc, it always scans my downloads and doesn't let me pick up a virus.
HTC Vision S-OFF CM6.1 Stable Oc'd to 1.5ghz on Pershoots Kernel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dumb question: If your PC is Windows and the phone is Linux... why would your Windows antivrus alert you to Linux viruses? I don't think .exe's work on Android.

Because an APK is just a renamed Zip file

OK I understand the APK is a renamed ZIP file, but if someone developed a virus for Android being Linux based would a Windows virus scanner recognize it ? Can windows virus scanners recognize Android virus code ? I don't think so but I am not a programmer or coder, so scanning APK's in a windows machine is useless as it will not recognize the virus code, but any ways again I have never heard or seen a virus for any cell phone make, to me right now it is useless to have one taking up processor power battery power etc

Isn't the real threat malicious apps anyways?

I say better safe than sorry, most people have more personal stuff in there phones then computers, easier access to facebook, gmail, twitter logins, contacts, pics, as technology grows on phones, so do does the threat. Phones are getting more like mini personal computers, most of people's lifes revolve around they phone, so every time I think I dont need it, I read about lookout finding possible viruses, so install it back on my phone, plus when I heard the Droid commercial mention it, it kinda convinced me I needed it
Sent from my super G'd up G2!
Bangin' dat Android Gang!
IPK all day!!! Throw dem A's up!

I downloaded lookout and the virus scanner was at the bottom of my list for reasons to dl. I just have it for when I lose it or it gets stolen.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

So, are you feeling lucky?
IMHO, an android phone is an at-risk platform. Probably moreso than your computer. Consider how much personal information you have on your phone. Then think of the havoc that a trojan could wreak on your personal life and family. If you don't think it could happen, consider what a malicious person could do with all your the phone numbers and email contacts. Perhaps not gain any money, but certainly the possibility to steal your on-line identity is there. Just think how your parents would like to get a "posthumous" goodby email...
There are people who get a kick from messing up another person's life, just for fun.

Isn't the real threat malicious apps anyways?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly what I was saying in my previous post...they just detect apps that might do things outside of set regulations. (Spam email steal contacts etc.)
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

[Q] Virus for Android phones, what do you think ?

I read on the web that virus for android exist. Is it really dangerous ? What do they do on the phone ? What can I do to protect my phone ?
Thanks
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA Premium App

well, they do exist...i remember some article at androidpolice.com which said google had to remove like 50 apps from the market because they had malware in them...
i use lookout mobile security on my phone to avoid any damage...its free on the market and has some usefull features beside the malware scanner

AFAIK and remember, they are like keyloggers, and sending security sensitve data, like passwords, settings etc. to not wanted people. (read it in the same article about those malware programs removed).
I say, as long as you download trusted programs, there should be no problem.

i think it is not right

If they're gonna make viruses, they might as well make them for Apple's overpriced iPhones. Not that HTC's or Droids are cheap, but at least the source code is free, collaborative and transparent. Best of all, Android takes to heart the concept of consumer choice.
For me, I make sure that Lookout is updated, and apps I download have at least 5,000 downloads and 500 or preferably more ratings, that way I can at least be assured to a certain degree that the app's legit.

Its a pain but very unlikely that you will get them anyway. You have to be stupid to get them. I personally don't run security apps because there is no point.
Sent from RCMixS

Meaple said:
Its a pain but very unlikely that you will get them anyway. You have to be stupid to get them. I personally don't run security apps because there is no point.
Sent from RCMixS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to this. Read comments from apps before install and you'll be fine.

[Q] RuFraud - How do you identify if an app is malicious?

Hey Guys,
A lot of the mobilephone blogs today are buzzing with the RuFraud Malware that was detected by Lookout Mobile and later taken down by Google from Android Market. About 22 odd apps which included apps & games too. According to Google, the end-user can see the services the apps will use before installing it in Permissions, but I usually don't go through them while installing as do most other end-users.
Now my concern is, if I've installed one of these "malicious" apps without knowledge and I want to detect that and delete them off the phone, is there any way to do so? I've performed a full-scan (SD card also) with avast! Mobile Security BETA (which btw, is kickass) but it hasn't detected anything.
I could also go through the Privacy Advisor feature on it, but that would mean me checking one-app-at-a-time which may take a while seeing as I have over 400 apps.
Anyway to detect the malware that apparently sends bulk premium SMS and racks up a huge bill? I don't have premium TXT enabled on my service since I am on Prepay & usually don't send any premium TXT but it would be nice knowing that my phone is malware free.
Any inputs would be appreciated.

well, i don't do any banking on my phone, i'm on pay as you go with the BEST mobile network...Three.co.uk...so i just whack on 15 quid a month and get unlimited everything......so i personally couldn't give a to** if any malware get's on my phone....
....nothing to get off my phone, unless they like sexy birds dressed in santa outfits, then i'm screwed, coz i'll cry if i lose them
I'd say, chill, don't be too paranoid.....b4 you download and install, look at reviews of apps......if it's only recently been uploaded to market and has no/not many reviews....google it first.
I allegedly have warez markets on my phone....allegedly.....and have never had a problem.
All I use my phone for is 99.999999% of the time browsing bulls**t on the web, messing about with fun apps, very rarely use texting or calls......so not worried.
But if your one of those that uses your phone for business/work/banking/etc...and have credit/debit cards stuff stored on there, then google the f**k out of any new app with no or few reviews....get 4,000 different virus and malware scanners on there.
Oh god, i'm dronning on and don't even know what i'm talking about now....arrghhhhh.
matt

w3bhax said:
Hey Guys,
A lot of the mobilephone blogs today are buzzing with the RuFraud Malware that was detected by Lookout Mobile and later taken down by Google from Android Market. About 22 odd apps which included apps & games too. According to Google, the end-user can see the services the apps will use before installing it in Permissions, but I usually don't go through them while installing as do most other end-users.
Now my concern is, if I've installed one of these "malicious" apps without knowledge and I want to detect that and delete them off the phone, is there any way to do so? I've performed a full-scan (SD card also) with avast! Mobile Security BETA (which btw, is kickass) but it hasn't detected anything.
I could also go through the Privacy Advisor feature on it, but that would mean me checking one-app-at-a-time which may take a while seeing as I have over 400 apps.
Anyway to detect the malware that apparently sends bulk premium SMS and racks up a huge bill? I don't have premium TXT enabled on my service since I am on Prepay & usually don't send any premium TXT but it would be nice knowing that my phone is malware free.
Any inputs would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best advice is to look at the permissions the app wants. You say mist end users don't, well then they get what they deserve really. Not being mean its just that if you keep important info in your phone then you should be more careful about what you install as a simple uninstall may not remove any malware that was installed by the app. This reason is a huge deal for Android users. Too many people wanting simple and easy and well we all know Linux based OS are neither

zelendel said:
Best advice is to look at the permissions the app wants. You say mist end users don't, well then they get what they deserve really. Not being mean its just that if you keep important info in your phone then you should be more careful about what you install as a simple uninstall may not remove any malware that was installed by the app. This reason is a huge deal for Android users. Too many people wanting simple and easy and well we all know Linux based OS are neither
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I hear you. I usually don't check permissions cuz I install apps & uninstall them after I'm done with them. For eg: a game, etc. So yeah. I did find my Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit app that I paid for on Market, infact has SMS permissions. It says "malicious apps may send SMS to premium numbers" lol when I downloaded this app, it said the dev was Electronic Arts too.

[Q] Mobile Security...?

I've read an article recently (forgot the link and where, my memory is horrible) stating that creators of viruses (Malware specifically if i remember correctly.) are starting to focus in on the Android OS more and more ...
Windows gets major viruses because its easy to write viruses for, and the amount of people possible to infect is outrageous.
People don't usually write for OS's like Linux/Unix because its more difficult and they don't affect as many users...
I know most responses to these types of questions are "It's a matter of opinion", so I'm looking for responses from people that know a little something about malware, how it works, and what will work best to protect my Samsung Galaxy S2 Epic 4G Touch.
I want to know what experienced programmers and developers think the best Mobile Security would be for our android devices.
I don't care about how much system resources it uses.
I've been using ESET Mobile Security as the 30 day trial and i likes its options. Plus, it has advanced heuristics, which helps catch viruses that are not in the virus definitions received when updating.
I'm looking for an antivirus that has a high detection rate, but low false-positives. I did some research and it was found that Avast! is one of the most trusted, plus its free. But i also go by the motto "You get what you pay for"...
Another thing I want is an antivirus that will protect Operah Mobile, and not just the stock browser. Avast seems to only protect the default browser.
Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

In my opinion it's not worth it to run antivirus on our phone unless you are going to be doing alot of piracy of apps .... If you only get apps from market Google catches must stuff t really fast .... Read descriptions on apps you download and don't pirate games and such you should never need avast out such to slow down your phone ...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Epix4G said:
In my opinion it's not worth it to run antivirus on our phone unless you are going to be doing alot of piracy of apps .... If you only get apps from market Google catches must stuff t really fast .... Read descriptions on apps you download and don't pirate games and such you should never need avast out such to slow down your phone ...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use my phone for both business and recreational use. If i get a movie file sent to me from a friend and i don't know where he got it from, i want some kind of protection.
I understand that an antivirus on Android phones is usually an overkill... But i will be kicking myself in the ass if a password to my email ends up being compromised.
I understand that Android phones hardly ever have apps that contain viruses, but based upon that article i ready (I really wish i'd have kept it) its becoming a problem, although not a big problem.
I just want to be protected. For all i know, i could open an excel spreadsheet that i received from a spoofed email address that contains a virus.
You see my dilemma.... So lets start talking about which anti viruses are the most effective.
Regardless,
Thanks for you response.

Anything malicious can only be in the form of an app, because of the Linux structure. Permissions have to be enabled for any R/W access. So the prior recommendation of staying away from pirated apps will suffice.
Also, news articles prey on sensationalism to encourage reading the article. Don't believe everything you read.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

What the last person said!!! If you get a movie file that has a virus most likely its written for windows anyway and will not do anything to you're phone. Also no movie file, pic file, or file in general can gain permissions that the app using it does not have. So the biggest thing is making sure the apps you download are legit.
There are a few bugs and flaws like with htc sense where a malicious app can gain access to things because HTC sense logs things it should not. TW does not have those problems now that CIQ is gone.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

I don't run any kind of anti-virus. Even on my PC. If you stay away from anything shady, keep a throwaway gmail account for anything online you're not 100% sure about and pay attention to where things are coming from, you'll be all set. Unless there is some reason that somebody would want to hack into your phone specifically, then it's just random crap that will hurt you. If you don't know where the movie file your friend send you came from, don't open it.

Ok. So everything that you guys said I about apps being the main way to get infected, I completely agree on.
But what about websites? I'm sure sites, especially mobile websites, have some kind of way to get in through some type of Malware/spyware.
The best way to never get a virus is to watch where you download from and be wary of any sites you go to. I know this. But i use my phone frequently, browse the internet frequently, and I know that all kinds of sites have crap on them. All of them can't JUST be for windows OS. What about websites that specialize in stuff for Android phones?
Also... Can't QR Codes from websites contain malicious things?
Call me paranoid. Call me OCD. But i like things a certain way and i'm just trying to find out what I can do to ensure nothing happens on my phone that i don't approve of.

exitprogram said:
Also... Can't QR Codes from websites contain malicious things?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really think so, since it's basically pointing you to a webpage. If it points to an app you have to choose to install it from there.
It's very hard (if the end user pays attention) to actually give someone a virus.
If your downloading all your apps legit from the 'Play store' you're going to be fine 99% of the time.
I think the worst we have seen so far is status bar spam anyhow.

The only thing that an antivirus is gonna do is use up more memory on your phone.

So what you guys are telling me is...
#1 Antiviruses of any kind for an Android Phone are completely useless.
#2 These companies wrote Antivirus/Security Apps.... FREE, for no reason.
#3 Their is no possibility of anything getting infected when connecting your device to a PC or Mac.
Well. I guess I was being either way too paranoid, or you guys are wrong and don't even consider the fact that you could already be infected. I mean, how would you even know your phone hasn't been compromised and people are waiting for you to make a credit card purchase? If they want it, do you think they'd advertise it and TELL you or let it be KNOWN they've written something for it? No. They will keep it quiet so they can steal your information without you knowing it. I mean, We can't even get updates on unreleased ROMS! How do you think the hacker community deals with the viruses that they create? Make a forum about it and let Norton add it to its virus definitions? As I've said, i read an article about it, and where there is smoke, there is usually fire.
There are exploits on every device out there. I don't care what it is. People just don't take the time to write them all if the user base isn't big enough to justify the effort. But it doesn't mean they aren't out there.
Did you know gas pumps have been tampered with to save debit card transactions, along with PIN numbers, and then downloaded wirelessly by the criminal via laptop? This was not a small amount of numbers, either.
Sh*t, i didn't even know my gmail got hacked until i checked my sent box and saw spam messages being sent from my account.
I guess this is why people say it is a matter of opinion.
Didn't mean to start a "Politics" type of debate.
I will just keep using ESET Mobile Security since that is what I deem fit.
Thanks for all of your guys's input.

Most virus for Android will request su permissions to actually do any real. Damage considering only a small portion of. The Android users ever. Root their devices the time it takes to write a virus is almost wasted by the cracker, not hacker as hackers are actually coders crackers are the malicious form of hackers, coming from cracking the securities/passwords to steal info, and most ppl who root know what to look for and what to do if they get infected.. Mobile security companies don't write their apps for free, they get ad revenue from the ads in the free apps or you pay 1-10$ to get rid of ads so nothing is. Done for free, the worst virus ever created for Android was CiQ as it logged and sent almost everything you did on your device to who knows what 3rd party companies. So more or less your best antivirus for Android is you
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They are "tampering" with credit cards at gas pumps and ATMs, by creating a separate magnetic reader and putting it over top of the reader already present. Not by any software hacking.
No one has said that PC's and Macs are immune from malicious apps.
GNu/Linux is a completely separate security suite vs a PC.
On a PC, any app that is "clicked" will immediately have access to the registry. By which you can change user permissions and application permissions. And the filesystem is immediately available to do whatever the code wants to do. And by proxy, any file accessed by the application also has no limitation to the damage it can wreak. That's how mp3's carry viruses. They are attached to files that would normally have access to the more secure registry keys. Firewalls are made to limit access to the registry. That is a necessity and why people trust security programs. Their software requires it.
Whereas, in Linux, the kernel is seperated from the OS and applications are kept in a sandbox completely seperate from the OS's filesystem. You have to physically allow "permissions" which dictate how far that application can reach. Files do not have any R/W access to the filesystem. The OS just reads and views them. It is not impossible to get in this way, but it is highly unlikely and no known exploits have been found in the wild.
So for anything malicious, you are allowing the corruption, and the only way to know is to only deal with trusted sources.
And to answer your question, Security companies make the software because they can. They are making ad revenue just for you loading the app. And it helps with piece of mind having a repository of known malicious apps. No one has said they aren't what they are advertised, they are. But they are also resource hogs, and unneeded if you understand what is going to be bad content.
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I hear what you guys are saying. As far as security for an Android phone goes, just be careful and don't install anything from anywhere that you don't trust.
But like i said.... What about when connecting your phone to your PC? Couldn't something be laying dormant on a windows machine and infect an android device? I'll just be paying more attention to what i allow super user permissions to. (Not that i don't already)
Since the vital portion of the OS are kept separate or are "sandboxed" in a way... I will have to ALLOW these things, before they cause damage, right? Or did i already "allow" them when i installed the app and agreed to all of the things they have access to? Like when it sais "This app can read call history, access contacts, etc" ... I know that some apps i install seem to have access to things that have nothing to do with its functionality. Like why would a game need access to Contacts?
I think i ran across some kind of security app that has a firewall that will restrict outgoing and incoming connections for any app. I will probably just use something a long those lines to ensure none of my sensitive information is leaving the phone.
Thanks again! These are the responses that i was looking for.

exitprogram said:
I think i ran across some kind of security app that has a firewall that will restrict outgoing and incoming connections for any app. I will probably just use something a long those lines to ensure none of my sensitive information is leaving the phone.
Thanks again! These are the responses that i was looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This APP is actually an antivirus w/firewall. Its Avast. Its free.
I think the "Freeze" option in Titanium Backup would have a similar effect, but you have to pay for that feature.
Even if your not concerned with getting a virus... At least you can control the data that apps send to and from your phone.
It also could be helpful if you download an app a buddy said his friend created and your a little paranoid about it. Or if the app isn't available from your carriers market and you need to download it by other means.
Anyway. This should suffice as far as the security i (was) looking for.
Now i know viruses can't just run rampant on Linux/Unix based system like Android. But JUST IN CASE, i will restrict all apps from communicating to the outside world using that firewall =)
You guys have been very helpful and very informative and even refrained from being d*cks .... Amazing! =)
Thanks guys.

security
what about security from another person hacking into the phone. I have a disgruntled ex-wife that constantly hacks into my phone, fowards my texts and email to people and displays pictures of her for me to see when I turn my phone on. How do I stop this? to me this is much more important than a virus. A phone can always be wiped clean, but a hacker can still get in.
Jerry

jjdellorusso said:
what about security from another person hacking into the phone. I have a disgruntled ex-wife that constantly hacks into my phone, fowards my texts and email to people and displays pictures of her for me to see when I turn my phone on. How do I stop this? to me this is much more important than a virus. A phone can always be wiped clean, but a hacker can still get in.
Jerry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try calling the cops? That's more than one law she's breaking.

Take a look at this
Http://www.itworld.com/security/267484/android-apps-dont-need-permission-see-your-data
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Also for your reviews check this one out
www.droid-life.com/2012/03/07/over-...nly-7-have-malware-detection-rate-of-over-90/
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Avast!™ Mobile Security in the Google® Play™ Store (formerly the Android® Market™)
Avast!™ Mobile Security in the Google® Play™ Store (formerly the Android® Market™)
Avast!™ Mobile Security in the Google® Play™ Store (formerly the Android® Market™)
Avast!™ Mobile Security in the Google® Play™ Store (formerly the Android® Market™)
Avast!™ Mobile Security in the Google® Play™ Store (formerly the Android® Market™)
Umm... did I make my point clear?
Sent from my Samsung® Galaxy™ SII Epic™ Touch 4G running CyanogenMod9™ ICS!