Develop Bugs

Google can remotely remove apps from our phones!

This is an interesting article.
Google this week removed two applications from its Android Market, and exercised a feature that lets the company remotely delete the apps from a user's phones.
Read full article

socktug said:
This is an interesting article.
Google this week removed two applications from its Android Market, and exercised a feature that lets the company remotely delete the apps from a user's phones.
Read full article
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Old news m8

Really? I never knew they could do it.
I found it interesting anyway. Lol

cant you just reinstall the backup apk via astro?

Disappointed, Google is becoming Apple.

In no way is Google becoming apple it was a malicious app that wasn't what it said it was I am glad they look in to the apps and can pull bad ones out b4 they can do harm
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Which apps was that? The article doesn't say?

I don't mind them taking it from the app store, good for them doing that.
They intruded my phone. That is the exact same thing apple has been doing/does.
Maybe I liked that app and WANTED it on my phone?
And that sucks my dear friend.

ljesh said:
I don't mind them taking it from the app store, good for them doing that.
They intruded my phone. That is the exact same thing apple has been doing/does.
Maybe I liked that app and WANTED it on my phone?
And that sucks my dear friend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you would rather keep a malicious app that doesn't do what it says it does and can cause harm to your phone and/or steal your information?

Yes, I would rather keep a malicious app that does whatever it wants on my phone instead of Google invading your privacy.
Or lets put it this way. You better live with your malicious app instead of putting me in situation for Google to invade my privacy.
Or maybe you would like your antivirus company to have access to remove viruses from your PC? I mean, they are still doing good job, keeping your PC clean... and invading your privacy.
I (personally) am really concerned about this issue, don't know why nobody talks against this. Either you ignore it, or support it. Really strange.

ljesh said:
Yes, I would rather keep a malicious app that does whatever it wants on my phone instead of Google invading your privacy.
Or lets put it this way. You better live with your malicious app instead of putting me in situation for Google to invade my privacy.
Or maybe you would like your antivirus company to have access to remove viruses from your PC? I mean, they are still doing good job, keeping your PC clean... and invading your privacy.
I (personally) am really concerned about this issue, don't know why nobody talks against this. Either you ignore it, or support it. Really strange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i can appreciate your position on privacy. however i find your stance invades my freedom to own a phone. you state that i should live with a malicious app so you can keep your privacy. i don't know enough about programming to tell if an app is malicious or not, so i personally don't mind allowing google to remotely remove a malicious app. if you don't like or agree with this, don't use the marketplace. you agreed to allow google to use this feature the second you entered the app market. you can manually download apps and install them to your phone outside of the marketplace and preserve your privacy.

I am NOT happy with this act of google.

ljesh said:
Yes, I would rather keep a malicious app that does whatever it wants on my phone instead of Google invading your privacy.
Or lets put it this way. You better live with your malicious app instead of putting me in situation for Google to invade my privacy.
Or maybe you would like your antivirus company to have access to remove viruses from your PC? I mean, they are still doing good job, keeping your PC clean... and invading your privacy.
I (personally) am really concerned about this issue, don't know why nobody talks against this. Either you ignore it, or support it. Really strange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I agree that this capability of Google's sounds a bit shady, consider this:
-Privacy is the issue here. Yet, most Android users use Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Contacts, Google Docs, etc. Therefore, Google already has much of our supposedly private information. Ironic thing is that we, the users, willingly provide it to them.
-This "feature" of Android is relatively well-known. So, it's not like Google was deliberately trying to hide something. Moreover, they even came out to say that they utilized this "feature". They're certainly not obligated to do so and yet, they did it anyway.
-Apple fully controls the user experience on their iOS. All applications must be approved by Apple. The Android Market doesn't experience this sort of control from Google. So perhaps Google uses this remote kill feature as a form of last-resort control. I realistically can't fault Google for wanting some sort of control over their OS.

Google have never hid the fact they can remove malicous apps from peoples handsets. Keep in mind they can only do it, if the app was installed through the marketplace, i for one have nothing to hide so have none of the privacy issue others seem to worry about, and the ppl that say "ooh id rather have malicious software on my fone than have google wipe it" u shud think more about the people who dont want malicious code on there phone and that by comunicating with other android phones you could be passing it on

This all came up before when the iPhone first came around, and the discussion will be no different this time.
However, in custom ROM design there were options created as a killswitch to Apples God Mode.
I'd say the only way to resole the problem would be to follow in those steps.
Make an update.zip that will patch out the relevent code or application that allows google to do this. Then you make the concious choice on your own without affecting anyone else.

I think it's better that google has a feature like this, and to those people that talk about privacy.
How about a app that steals all the information stored on your phone or makes expensive calls.
Google has less impact on your privacy then those apps can do.

i dont like this either, how about (since people get notified anway) that google simply gives an advisory that appears on peoples phones stating why this app needs removing. that way you can ignore it if you want.
you know that this will be used to remove apps that the RIAA/MPAA mafia complain about - that's just a matter of time.
i'm curious if it's a 1 time thing. like they remove it, but you have the apk still and just re-install the sucker

ljesh said:
Yes, I would rather keep a malicious app that does whatever it wants on my phone instead of Google invading your privacy.
Or lets put it this way. You better live with your malicious app instead of putting me in situation for Google to invade my privacy.
Or maybe you would like your antivirus company to have access to remove viruses from your PC? I mean, they are still doing good job, keeping your PC clean... and invading your privacy.
I (personally) am really concerned about this issue, don't know why nobody talks against this. Either you ignore it, or support it. Really strange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please, stop with the privacy bull****. During this process google never accessed any of you data of your phone, hell they never even entered your phone, but merely pressed a button that sent a request to your phone to delete the retarded app.
You guys need to stop whinning about stuff that you accepted in the first place (yes you did, by clicking "i accept those terms" when accessing the market).

Can people stop spreading FUD? You can install whatever app you want on your phone...Google can't touch them unless you got them FROM Google in the Market. If you got malicious apps from Google I guarantee you guys would be the first on the net *****ing and moaning about it.
How do I know this? From the numerous "Swype broke my multi-touch!!" posts that followed the Swype developers BEGGING you not to install it. No matter how much they said it was unfinished leaked code, fools STILL installed it and then wanted to ***** about it breaking their phone, albeit temporarily. This proves one thing...end users are usually pretty dumb. Google is covering their back as it's been proven they can't really trust their users to use sense.

Aitese said:
Can people stop spreading FUD? You can install whatever app you want on your phone...Google can't touch them unless you got them FROM Google in the Market. If you got malicious apps from Google I guarantee you guys would be the first on the net *****ing and moaning about it.
How do I know this? From the numerous "Swype broke my multi-touch!!" posts that followed the Swype developers BEGGING you not to install it. No matter how much they said it was unfinished leaked code, fools STILL installed it and then wanted to ***** about it breaking their phone, albeit temporarily. This proves one thing...end users are usually pretty dumb. Google is covering their back as it's been proven they can't really trust their users to use sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
quoted for truth

[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] Antivirus...is it worth??

This phone cam with the Lookout security thing....so after rooting i un-installed it as i saw i can re-install it from the market and move to SD(since i do not have licensed Titanium backup yet, so can't move system apps to SD directly). So, i was wondering if it is worth to install anti-virus and if yes, which one do you guys use or prefer.

personally i don't use it
if you are careful with what you install, and from where
then there's no worry about "virus"
that term is really outdated virus are so dead, now in days we really have malwares and spywares, virus don't exist anymore, they are just not compatible with the new systems anymore

"Virus" is kind of an umbrella term these days for sure, but there are plenty of threats for Android devices, particularly if you ever install anything from outside the Market. It's pretty easy to write an app that tries to steal personal info or sends out unauthorized sms messages, etc. Beyond that, there's the constant threat of losing your phone or having it stolen. An app like https://market.android.com/details?id=com.eset.ems will cover all these bases, which is pretty sweet. It's free right now, but will likely cost a small fortune soon. But the idea is you always want to be proactive with security. Ounce of prevention really applies here. A good app like Eset isn't constantly scanning in the background or anything like that, so there's little to no performance or battery implications of using one. Whenever I install a new app, or copy new files to my SD card, it scans them once and I can know I did my part in at least protecting myself as much as possible.

android4sunny said:
This phone cam with the Lookout security thing....so after rooting i un-installed it as i saw i can re-install it from the market and move to SD(since i do not have licensed Titanium backup yet, so can't move system apps to SD directly). So, i was wondering if it is worth to install anti-virus and if yes, which one do you guys use or prefer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My personal favorite is Kaspersky Anti-Virus. Is more of a anti theft app versus anti virus. Scans new apps, but if another sim card is inserted into your phone and you have replaced your sim and phone, you will get a text with the number from the foreign sim card. So you can call or or even remote lock it down or wipe. It is pretty thorough, but its $10 :[.

Anti-virus for phones should be classified as riskware. The likelihood of you getting a virus or anything malicious on your smartphone is very slim.

USELESS !
android4sunny said:
This phone cam with the Lookout security thing....so after rooting i un-installed it as i saw i can re-install it from the market and move to SD(since i do not have licensed Titanium backup yet, so can't move system apps to SD directly). So, i was wondering if it is worth to install anti-virus and if yes, which one do you guys use or prefer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, it's Useless while you downloading from market.. and transferring files from trusted friends ,
I don't use it at all <never used it before> ^_^
Also it slows ur mobile and take some from Ram Usage..

[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
________________________________
{We are legion, for we are many}
>Sent from my Anonymous DeathStar in the depths of GalaXy S2<
-Coming soon to an Evo4G near you?: [AoSP]EViL-MoD_FReEvO v0.1[Free your phone]-

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.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

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
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

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/
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

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!

How to block spying software heeeeelp!!!!

OK so I have spying software on my phn but I do not know who or what it is I do not want to wipe my phn any app that can block others from sniffing on my phn privacy??
Sent from iPhones worst enemy THE SGS3

I use anti spy mobile free. Just got some spyware off my gf and her mom's phone.
I ran it on this one and it says suspicious activity on 2 of my apps which have suspicious activity.
White pages caller id. And the s voice apk you can install on aosp.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Very helpful I'm going to try and how the s voice helps here?
Sent from iPhones worst enemy THE SGS3

Va ya con dios!
elrene101 said:
OK so I have spying software on my phn but I do not know who or what it is I do not want to wipe my phn any app that can block others from sniffing on my phn privacy??
Sent from iPhones worst enemy THE SGS3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok elrene101, this might sound silly but please bear with me.....
How do you know that it is spying on you or like you have Spyware installed?
Do you see banners & popups? if so then it is not spyware, it is adware.
To get rid it is us usually straight forward and simple, just uninstall the app in question.
Lots of time you will probably not know which one of the apps it is with those banner that pops up in the notice area.
So Rule number one, Do not install free apps found on the internet.
Rule number two, Do not install free apps found on line.
Rule number three, Do not install free apps period.
Now I know that these rules may seem harsh, but the fact of the matter is that most of the free apps are free because the developers of these apps need to get paid and they seek payment from sponsors who place these banners or ads into these apps and even into the notice area of your android. Years ago, I too was happy to install cool apps that I found on line and I was slap happy with apps. In the early days of the androids there were very little oversight, most developers were slapping code or copying code found from other apps or from sources on line. The whole app install process was a hit or miss, apps were not being designed for the specific phone model yet. It was either an android app or a iPhone app. You had to install it and hope that it would work on your phone. The stuff that went into the apps were quite unethical with the poor Q&A or the constant freezes, random reboots. Some of the untold stories of an Android developer who has a great following in only like 12 years old. (what does that tell you about best practices?)
Then I started to notice, that these apps were causing my phone to become slow with lag and the battery life was like hole in a bucket.
I then removed all free apps, all of them. just kept the stock, then eventually went for root to get rid of them all.
Install only apps from the market or what is now call the Play & when you can, look for a pro version or a adfree version to reduce the bloat ware or ad ware on your phone. There are a lot of free apps on the market and most of them are great to use, but you have to read the fine print because they will require access to your network or phone to schedule an update or to shut down when an incoming phone call comes in.
I have my android for some time now and upgraded to the S3.... Over the months, I too have tried apps and when I see that the banners are worse the benefit of the app, the app get the boot. Over the months, I have a nice collection of paid apps that I have purchased from the market. So if the app serves no purpose, it will be removed. Now the phone has only the apps that I use on a weekly basis. If there is an app that I have not used in a month, it gets removed. This helps the phone with battery and keeps the rom running smoothly.
If you follow these principles, you will be fine and will not have to format your phone. If you do, dont be afraid to ask for assistance or for some pointers on how to make a back up or how to odin your phone.
Youtube it.
Youtube has helped me with clues and have gaven me a lot of knowledge over a wide range of topics beyound the android.
With that said elrene101, Va ya con dios!

I also would like to hear what exactly leads you to believe you have spyware on your phone....other than CarrierIQ and SysScope, Im assuming.
I HIGHLY recommend using TrevE's Logging Test App. It can detect all sorts of stuff and can even assist you in opt out of a number of companies advertising and data mining. This is one of my favorite tools around, and the dev has some wonderful information for you.
The app is free, but there is a Pro Key available on the market for only a buck. I seriously recommend getting it. It significantly increases the power of the tool and automates a lot of the removal processes. (The free version detects, and you can read his thread to learn how to manually remove any threats). Its only $1!
Note: You download the app from his website, and then the Pro Key from the store. You can disregard what Serendipityguy said about not downloading apps from the internet for this one. I am currently using it and have for quite some time. I guarantee it is safe and ad-free!
If nothing else, I encourage you to go to both his XDA thread and his website and read, read, read! There is a lot to take in, but it is absolutely worth the time!
TrevE's website and home to Logging Test App
Android Security Test Home Page
TrevE's XDA Thread
[DEV|APPv14] CIQ / HTC & Google Checkin / HTC loggers / Tell HTC Info & Removal
Good Luck, and if you need further help, please provide more details pertaining to your situation!