Samsung agreed to add a remote kill switch to their Android phones. This is supposed to make a stolen phone useless to resell. My question is... Is this even possible? Wouldn't anything they do be able to be either hacked or overridden by simply reflashing the phone? Would they have to do something that physically damages the phone to kill it? Any thoughts on this?
richb500 said:
Samsung agreed to add a remote kill switch to their Android phones. This is supposed to make a stolen phone useless to resell. My question is... Is this even possible? Wouldn't anything they do be able to be either hacked or overridden by simply reflashing the phone? Would they have to do something that physically damages the phone to kill it? Any thoughts on this?
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Click to collapse
There are namy ways Samsung could do this, from remotely wiping the IMEI which would prevent it from being used to using something hidden in the one of the unrightable partitions that would completely disable the phone and remotely brick it.
Or maybe just convert all the partitions to RAW format. Which is another way of bricking it.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
If they did this, would it be irreversible? How is that better than someone stealing my phone and my never getting it back? Either way I'd be out a phone. Wouldn't that be like requiring car manufacturers rigging a car to burn up if stolen?
I hope this is optional because I personally don't want anyone having a remote kill switch to my phone.
richb500 said:
If they did this, would it be irreversible? How is that better than someone stealing my phone and my never getting it back? Either way I'd be out a phone. Wouldn't that be like requiring car manufacturers rigging a car to burn up if stolen?
I hope this is optional because I personally don't want anyone having a remote kill switch to my phone.
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Click to collapse
It's not. The only way they could track it would be by IMEI but this can be changed. To be honest if you phone is stolen your best bet would be report it stolen and forget about it. There is almost no chance to get it back and if you do everything will be erased anyway.
Wayne Tech Nexus
The deal is to stop the phone from getting stolen in the first place. Right now, if somebody steals a phone, they can sell/use it. There is no motivation to steal it if you know it won't work. If it bricks after getting lost until you enter your Google login or something you at least have a shot at getting it back.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Not to sound too paranoid, but I think the plan is much more sinister. Remember a couple years ago when the gov shut down cell service (I think it was San Francisco) to quell a protest? I think this is what is really at the heart to why these AGs are so hell bent on this. A lot of government officials would love a remote kill switch in cell phones. If there is a kill switch, it's sure to be abused some day. Thus country is headed for a revolution and they are putting a lot of things in place for when that day comes.... gun control, cameras everywhere, gov buying so much ammo that there is a shortage, etc.
The way Apple appears to be complimenting it, is the phone is bricked after wiping until the account that previously owned it puts in their password. That leaves the power in the owners hand, not some remote teleco/govt kill switch.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
All they can do is make the IMEI useless....I already ran into this...I bought a phone from a local computer dealer and took it to an ATT store to have a micro sim put in it, and it did work for about 5 minutes till the IMEI hit the system and it stops you from making calls with the phone. I called ATT and they were like sorry there is nothing we can do and we wont do it, take the phone back where you got it and get your money back (which I did)
carriers say no
http://www.talkandroid.com/184987-u...l-switch-that-would-prevent-smartphone-theft/
dligon said:
http://www.talkandroid.com/184987-u...l-switch-that-would-prevent-smartphone-theft/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
richb500 said:
Samsung agreed to add a remote kill switch to their Android phones. This is supposed to make a stolen phone useless to resell. My question is... Is this even possible? Wouldn't anything they do be able to be either hacked or overridden by simply reflashing the phone? Would they have to do something that physically damages the phone to kill it? Any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guess what? http://www.techradar.com/us/news/ph...n-up-for-anti-theft-phone-kill-switch-1242938
I'm not an expert on this field, but these are the questions that come to my head as I think about the logistics to support a kill switch. I'm probably wrong in some of the assumptions that I'm making here. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Telcos don't have an incentive to make this work. It has always been possible for a Telco to disable an IMEI at their end thus making any particular IMEI unusable in their network. They already do this when you call them to report your phone stolen. If a worldwide database of stolen phone IMEIs existed then Telcos could have the ability to disable any IMEI in that database. The issue is... who would be responsible for maintaining such database and for the problems that will certainly come up due to inaccuracies and timing of updates (Telco, Government entity, phone manufacturer or a third party) . Can the maintaining entity monetize the overhead of maintaining and supporting such database? Who would pay for it? Who makes the final ruling to include or exclude an IMEI? The end user?... I doubt it. Where would the master database copy reside? And of course... would Telcos in all countries support it? Remember, the Telcos make money off any phone that is active in their network (stolen or not). All they care about is that the user of any active phone in their network is paying the network usage bill. For Telcos the more IMEIs that exists and that can be connected to their network... the better.
I can think of a bunch of issues that could come up when the end user is able to disable the actual phone. I doubt the user would be able to disable the IMEI remotely unless they own the phone and the telco allow it. The issue in the US is that a lot of the phones are subsidized (owned) by the Telco for the duration of the contract. So, in the case that the phone is subsidized the Telco should also have the right to trip the kill switch. I'm assuming that the phone kill switch will be tied to a password known to the rightful owner and "maybe" the renter. The password will render the phone unusable unless the correct password is entered. I'm assuming that if a phone on contract is stolen then the user would either contact the Telco or trip the switch via the Internet. (Lookout and other apps do something similar remotely, but they only wipe the phone.. they do not disable it) If the Telco also has the ability to disable the phone then if the bill isn't paid not only will they disconnect you, but they will also render your phone useless. Good bye data and apps. I also assume that the ability to trip the kill switch remotely would also depend on the network on which the phone is connected. The IMEI (physical address) is translated to an IP address when using the Internet. If I steal a phone in the US and keep it turned off until I register it in a Telco in another country how will the owner trip the kill switch as only the Telco would know which IP address is associated with the IMEI.....
Gotta go to work... Given that I don't know how the kill switch will actually be implemented I don't know if any of the stuff I just wrote above is relevant or makes sense. Just curious as to how the kill switch would work.
tamanaco said:
I'm not an expert on this field, but these are the questions that come to my head as I think about the logistics to support a kill switch. I'm probably wrong in some of the assumptions that I'm making here. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Telcos don't have an incentive to make this work. It has always been possible for a Telco to disable an IMEI at their end thus making any particular IMEI unusable in their network. They already do this when you call them to report your phone stolen. If a worldwide database of stolen phone IMEIs existed then Telcos could have the ability to disable any IMEI in that database. The issue is... who would be responsible for maintaining such database and for the problems that will certainly come up due to inaccuracies and timing of updates (Telco, Government entity, phone manufacturer or a third party) . Can the maintaining entity monetize the overhead of maintaining and supporting such database? Who would pay for it? Who makes the final ruling to include or exclude an IMEI? The end user?... I doubt it. Where would the master database copy reside? And of course... would Telcos in all countries support it? Remember, the Telcos make money off any phone that is active in their network (stolen or not). All they care about is that the user of any active phone in their network is paying the network usage bill. For Telcos the more IMEIs that exists and that can be connected to their network... the better.
I can think of a bunch of issues that could come up when the end user is able to disable the actual phone. I doubt the user would be able to disable the IMEI remotely unless they own the phone and the telco allow it. The issue in the US is that a lot of the phones are subsidized (owned) by the Telco for the duration of the contract. So, in the case that the phone is subsidized the Telco should also have the right to trip the kill switch. I'm assuming that the phone kill switch will be tied to a password known to the rightful owner and "maybe" the renter. The password will render the phone unusable unless the correct password is entered. I'm assuming that if a phone on contract is stolen then the user would either contact the Telco or trip the switch via the Internet. (Lookout and other apps do something similar remotely, but they only wipe the phone.. they do not disable it) If the Telco also has the ability to disable the phone then if the bill isn't paid not only will they disconnect you, but they will also render your phone useless. Good bye data and apps. I also assume that the ability to trip the kill switch remotely would also depend on the network on which the phone is connected. The IMEI (physical address) is translated to an IP address when using the Internet. If I steal a phone in the US and keep it turned off until I register it in a Telco in another country how will the owner trip the kill switch as only the Telco would know which IP address is associated with the IMEI.....
Gotta go to work... Given that I don't know how the kill switch will actually be implemented I don't know if any of the stuff I just wrote above is relevant or makes sense. Just curious as to how the kill switch would work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you need is flashing software, suck as cdma workshop or dsp tools. Boom bypass any lock, because you changes the calling info, such as the IMEI.
While I see this as an option on stock roms. It will most likely be easily removed if flashed with a custom rom, but as google is also part of it we may see something added to aosp as well.
Bat cave One
Dark Souls87 said:
All you need is flashing software, suck as cdma workshop or dsp tools. Boom bypass any lock, because you changes the calling info, such as the IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand that it could be bypassed in a phone with root and with an unlocked bootloader. This might not be as easy with a phone with a locked bootloader like the S5. Changing the IMEI is only an option if the IMEI you're changing it to is valid in the Telcos network. I'm thinking that a kill switch implemented by the manufacturer might be tied to the CPU id or some other unique serial number burned into the hardware..
makers, carriers embrace anti-theft initiative
dligon said:
http://www.talkandroid.com/184987-u...l-switch-that-would-prevent-smartphone-theft/
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Starting in July 2015, all smartphones manufactured by the companies will come with free anti-theft tools preloaded on the devices or ready to be downloaded, according to wireless association CTIA, which announced the agreement on Tuesday.
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New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and San Francisco District Attorney, George Gascon welcomed the voluntary agreement but said it fell short of what they have advocated to prevent theft.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/15/smartphone-theft-idUSL2N0N71WW20140415
Looks like a bit of software, not anything on the hardware layer.
No 'Killswitch Engage' . Just an OS killer or partition reformat?
[Edited for typo]
http://www.androidauthority.com/google-android-anti-thect-kill-swtich-369066/
I don't think the switch is to prevent it from being resold if it was stolen or to brick the phone but to protect your data. Last thing I want is to have my phone stolen and on top of that, the jerk to buy everything in the play store and me be broke on top of no phone or to access my bank account, etc.
It also seems you can restore it all back if you actually get your phone back.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
tamanaco said:
I'm not an expert on this field, but these are the questions that come to my head as I think about the logistics to support a kill switch. I'm probably wrong in some of the assumptions that I'm making here. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
................................................
Gotta go to work... Given that I don't know how the kill switch will actually be implemented I don't know if any of the stuff I just wrote above is relevant or makes sense. Just curious as to how the kill switch would work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dark Souls87 said:
All you need is flashing software, suck as cdma workshop or dsp tools. Boom bypass any lock, because you changes the calling info, such as the IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dark souls makes a good point. IMEI is tied to the software. That's why we can back it up and restore it, etc. and cdma workshop in combination with an old throw away phone IMEI or even buying a 20$ feature phone and using that IMEI it to easy to do. But it can a be a good deterrent I believe for most. It'll just have us XDA'ers concerned lol.
drago10029 said:
Dark souls makes a good point. IMEI is tied to the software. That's why we can back it up and restore it, etc. and cdma workshop in combination with an old throw away phone IMEI or even buying a 20$ feature phone and using that IMEI it to easy to do. But it can a be a good deterrent I believe for most. It'll just have us XDA'ers concerned lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While this is partly true the imei is also hardcoded into some of the hardware. This is why when people mess up their IMEI they cant fix it. Not to mention changing the IMEI is completely illegal. Meaning XDA doesnt advise or condone doing this.
zelendel said:
While this is partly true the imei is also hardcoded into some of the hardware. This is why when people mess up their IMEI they cant fix it. Not to mention changing the IMEI is completely illegal. Meaning XDA doesnt advise or condone doing this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow illegal?? I had no idea lol. And yea i figured some of its hardcoded. Speaking of it being hardcoded. I gitta back mine up. Why are a lot of i747 people losing theirs? Anyone know?
Related
anybody can help me telling me how change my evo to boost mobile i had tryed calling to customer service but they won't help so can somebody help me with this problem please
mhackner said:
anybody can help me telling me how change my evo to boost mobile i had tryed calling to customer service but they won't help so can somebody help me with this problem please
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Click to collapse
Dear soloboy,
Why did you make a new name on here bc u couldn't get help in the other thread? The guy said he east doing it anymore, so what's ur deal?
All spelling errors thanks to xt9 on my Evo!
Are you stupid. Im still SOLOBOY. I went with METRO PCS instead.. So mind your Business... And BOOST MOBILE DOES NOT ALLOW EVOS on BOOST
Soloboy1 said:
Are you stupid. Im still SOLOBOY. I went with METRO PCS instead.. So mind your Business... And BOOST MOBILE DOES NOT ALLOW EVOS on BOOST
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Split personalities ftw
All spelling errors thanks to xt9 on my Evo!
it's not suppose to work....you can always try this guide and see if it will work for you, but customer service won't help you do it because it "can't be done"
http://cellphoneforums.net/boost-mobile/t307946-how-get-sprint-phones-boostmobile-cdma.html
and as always, please google before posting your question in multiple sections...
thanks
wvaj said:
it's not suppose to work....you can always try this guide and see if it will work for you, but customer service won't help you do it because it "can't be done"
http://cellphoneforums.net/boost-mobile/t307946-how-get-sprint-phones-boostmobile-cdma.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wondering if anyone can confirm this working on the evo? looks promising but would still like some feedback from anyone who may have tried this... F**k sprint!!! I purchased a new Evo for me and a samsung seek (which stopped turning on after one day) for my girlfriend, but sprint charged me for two evos and they refuse to admit they are wrong... so needless to say i cancelled my contract and i am now making free calls over wifi (take that sprint) without service. But having to be in a wifi hotspot to call or text isnt always convenient. Please post any issues or non issues that you may have if you try this... Thanks
there is a way , but its illegal , its has to do with ESN change on phone , but you can go to jail for many years , its a fellony , CDMA ws ,QXDM, these programs needed , but again u can go to jail , it can be done , nd it has been done .
I guess it depends on your interpetation of the law, many peolpe are 50/50 on this. but i can confirm evo works with boostmobile.... you will go on a hunt for the info but its out there.... and no i will not provide the info or tell you where to find it... google my friends... and once you get the info and do what needs to be done you will feel good that you did it on your own, not entirely on your own...lol-
740man said:
there is a way , but its illegal , its has to do with ESN change on phone , but you can go to jail for many years , its a fellony , CDMA ws ,QXDM, these programs needed , but again u can go to jail , it can be done , nd it has been done .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not true. u can get a legit phone from boostmobile a 3g phone preffered and use that esn and flash it to your evo. thats not illegal since u own that boostmobile phone and you not using it to harm or steal no ones identity or making free phone calls withouth paying for it. so i dont see anything illegal about it. i use 2 phones 1 for work and the evo when im out of work.
dominicanodcora said:
not true. u can get a legit phone from boostmobile a 3g phone preffered and use that esn and flash it to your evo. thats not illegal since u own that boostmobile phone and you not using it to harm or steal no ones identity or making free phone calls withouth paying for it. so i dont see anything illegal about it. i use 2 phones 1 for work and the evo when im out of work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't matter whether or not you consider it illegal, it's what the fcc thinks that's important, and according to the fcc, it's a federal offence, even if it's your own phone/esn. From their website;
Fraud
Cellular fraud is defined as the unauthorized use, tampering, or manipulation of a cellular phone or service. Cellular industry estimates indicate that carriers lose millions per year to cellular fraud, with the principal cause being subscription fraud. Subscriber fraud occurs when a subscriber signs up for service with fraudulently obtained customer information or false identification.
In the past, cloning of cellular phones was a major concern. A cloned cellular telephone is one that has been reprogrammed to transmit the electronic serial number (ESN) and telephone number (MIN) belonging to another (legitimate) cellular telephone. Unscrupulous persons obtain valid ESN/MIN combinations by illegally monitoring the transmissions from the cellular telephones of legitimate subscribers. Each cellular telephone is supposed to have a unique factory-set ESN. After cloning, however, because both cellular telephones have the same ESN/MIN combination, cellular systems cannot distinguish the cloned cellular telephone from the legitimate one.
The Commission considers any knowing use of cellular telephone with an altered ESN to be a violation of the Communications Act (Section 301) and alteration of the ESN in a cellular telephone to be assisting in such violation. The Wireless Telephone Protection Act (Public Law 105-172) was signed into law on April 24, 1998, expanding the prior law to criminalize the use, possession, manufacture or sale of cloning hardware or software. The cellular equipment manufacturing industry has deployed authentication systems that have proven to be a very effective countermeasure to cloning. Authentication supplements the use of the ESN and MIN with a changing encrypted code that can not be obtained by off-the-air monitoring.
Sent from my blah blah blah blah
You can get your HTC EVO on Boost Mobile
It is possible to get your HTC EVO on Boost Mobile.
Some people will tell you it is illegal and site code of federal regulations. Well as of January congress has crushed that.
If you OWN (OWN being the KEY WORD) your device and you are not changing the device info to commit fraud. Then you are good to go.
How do you own your device, Not be under contract, have no outstanding balances, etc. Easiest way around this is to just buy a seperate phone. This way you are not playing with the semantics. You can also find info and detail guides here www evoflash . myfreeforum . org
Hope this helps everyone enjoy their EVO ON BOOST, I am
ALSO WITH 4G, How? I activated the Mac Address with CLEAR.
I love it
The text from my post above is still what's posted on the fcc website, and it doesn't say anything to the effect of "the above doesn't apply if you clone your own phone, or mess with the esn of your own device". What happened in Jan to change the law? Is the fcc just posting old info? Do you have a more current link?
Sent from my blah blah blah blah
fachadick said:
The text from my post above is still what's posted on the fcc website, and it doesn't say anything to the effect of "the above doesn't apply if you clone your own phone, or mess with the esn of your own device". What happened in Jan to change the law? Is the fcc just posting old info? Do you have a more current link?
Sent from my blah blah blah blah
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Supposedly they are suppose to change it, which makes sense. It all stemmed from Apple wanting to punish people for jailbreaking, but congress decided that as long as you own the device, and are not doing anything wrong, then you can do whatever you want. Basically, as long as you are not committing theft you are alright.
TechSoft said:
It is possible to get your HTC EVO on Boost Mobile.
Some people will tell you it is illegal and site code of federal regulations. Well as of January congress has crushed that.
If you OWN (OWN being the KEY WORD) your device and you are not changing the device info to commit fraud. Then you are good to go.
How do you own your device, Not be under contract, have no outstanding balances, etc. Easiest way around this is to just buy a seperate phone. This way you are not playing with the semantics. You can also find info and detail guides here www evoflash . myfreeforum . org
Hope this helps everyone enjoy their EVO ON BOOST, I am
ALSO WITH 4G, How? I activated the Mac Address with CLEAR.
I love it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i went to that website and i dont see any info. and why u would pay $50 for boostmobile and $45 for 4g with clear doesnt make sense just stay with sprint it will be a lot cheaper.
TechSoft said:
It is possible to get your HTC EVO on Boost Mobile.
Some people will tell you it is illegal and site code of federal regulations. Well as of January congress has crushed that.
If you OWN (OWN being the KEY WORD) your device and you are not changing the device info to commit fraud. Then you are good to go.
How do you own your device, Not be under contract, have no outstanding balances, etc. Easiest way around this is to just buy a seperate phone. This way you are not playing with the semantics. You can also find info and detail guides here www evoflash . myfreeforum . org
Hope this helps everyone enjoy their EVO ON BOOST, I am
ALSO WITH 4G, How? I activated the Mac Address with CLEAR.
I love it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, under your logic here, having two cars would, in essence give you the right to change the VIN numbers. This is not allowed. It is illegal for mostly anything out there.
I have 5 cars and I commonly switch around the VIN numbers and licence plates just to **** with the authorities.
jk.
I have one car and it's starting to break =[
In any case, I think the law would be a little more lenient on switching around phone information than car information.
I might be wrong.
egzthunder1 said:
So, under your logic here, having two cars would, in essence give you the right to change the VIN numbers. This is not allowed. It is illegal for mostly anything out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A better comparison would be an engine swap. VIN #'s don't match but you can get it registered at the DMV for legality issues. Just like phone companies have the right to not add the phone to their network the DMV has the right to deny your swap as legal.
I was under the impression that there was a recent ruling that made it totally legal to do whatever you want to your phone, as long as you are not bound by a contract. As far as phone flashing and esn adding, I believe houdinisoft is the only way to legally add an esn to a carrier, and I think it only works for metroPCS. I can confirm that the Evo works on metroPCS legally, with 1x data. I have mine sitting on my desk next to me.
Soloboy1 said:
Are you stupid. Im still SOLOBOY. I went with METRO PCS instead.. So mind your Business... And BOOST MOBILE DOES NOT ALLOW EVOS on BOOST
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an EVo on Boostmobile..!
but all those laws are TARGETED AT CRIMINAL INTENT.
first if you own both phones and are NOT defrauding boost of "subscription" ie you also have a valid subscription and you gain no service above what you would have had.
there really is no criminal intent under this law. Still illegal? hell yes. likely to be found? hell no (unless your STUPID and keep both phones on. that first phones needs to be DAMAGED to prevent it EVER turning on and connecting to the system)
Likely to be prosecuted and convicted? NOT likely. once in court (if it ever gets that far not likely) when the judge see's wait you own both phones? you own the services and pay for it? your not defrauding anyone of service or identity? you even made sure the old phone can NOT connect and still posses it so your not getting TWO phones working for the price of one.
I don't see you EVER being convicted and certainly not a felony if your lawyer has more than 50 brain cells.
illegal yes. would you be convicted? probably a better chance of you being struck by lightning. twice. and then hit by a meteor made of gold.
Remote phone access features.
I am surprised MS are not advertising their features which match HTCSense.com
HTC seem to be making a big deal about Remote location, Ringing and Erasing your HTC Desire HD or Desire Z from a browser.
I was really pleased to discover matching features at windowsphone.live.com.
Using Find My Phone on the website you can:
- Map it (to catch thieves...)
- Ring it (to locate in the sofa)
- Lock it (with onscreen message)
- Erase it
On activation the Microsoft sytem warns that it works via a hidden text message based system instead of the HTC equivalent which seems to work on mobile data, and so it takes about 30 seconds for the Windows version wheres HTCSense.com takes about 2 seconds to perform each task.
What do you think of their systems?
Q1) What if the phone can't get a data connection?
Is Microsoft GSM SMS method is better?
Q2) What if a thief changes the SIM card?
Does the HTC method still work via a phone identifier, where MS is perhaps linked to the phone number?
I wonder how they work...
Still, I am pleased! Very cool feature to have provided by the operating system and not a third party app.
I read somewhere (can't remember where) that you can change this setting so it uses the 'push' functionality to react faster, but uses more battery.
evilangelic said:
Remote phone access features.
I am surprised MS are not advertising their features which match HTCSense.com
HTC seem to be making a big deal about Remote location, Ringing and Erasing your HTC Desire HD or Desire Z from a browser.
I was really pleased to discover matching features at windowsphone.live.com.
Using Find My Phone on the website you can:
- Map it (to catch thieves...)
- Ring it (to locate in the sofa)
- Lock it (with onscreen message)
- Erase it
On activation the Microsoft sytem warns that it works via a hidden text message based system instead of the HTC equivalent which seems to work on mobile data, and so it takes about 30 seconds for the Windows version wheres HTCSense.com takes about 2 seconds to perform each task.
What do you think of their systems?
Q1) What if the phone can't get a data connection?
Is Microsoft GSM SMS method is better?
Q2) What if a thief changes the SIM card?
Does the HTC method still work via a phone identifier, where MS is perhaps linked to the phone number?
I wonder how they work...
Still, I am pleased! Very cool feature to have provided by the operating system and not a third party app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of this crap matters. If I find a GSM phone I'm going to remove the SIM card and factory reset it. Anyone that isn't retarded will do the same thing. If you care about people using/reselling you device if you lose it or get it stolen, you have no business getting a GSM phone.
Any thief or person who finds a nice device will immediately turn the phone off and both remove the SIM Card and factory reset it. Then they will pay $15 to get it unlocked and make bank with it on CraigsList or eBay.
No Cell Carrier will cooperate with police to track that phone. T-Mobile has even defied sopoenas citing "privacy issues."
As to you two quetions. None of them matter - at ALL. The phone is turned off and factory reset ASAP when it is stolen or found by someone in 95% of cases. There are very few nice people when they find or take something and no one sees them. They will wipe the phone, remove the SIM, and either keep or sell it.
Only way to be secure is to either have an iPhone or get a CDMA device. That way the phone becomes useless (unless jailbroken for iPhone, but EINs are marked dirty and the devices become useless other than as WiFi devices) and they can only profit off of it through scamming others (or selling it for parts?).
After my experience with getting my Vibrant stolen, and what I've learned... I'm definitely going with a CDMA carrier the second I can (and ETFing T-Mobile). The fact that US Carriers don't work together like Europe makes it a market for thieves and resellers. Privacy laws even protect the thieves, here.
Kinda Disagree on this
N8ter said:
None of this crap matters. If I find a GSM phone I'm going to remove the SIM card and factory reset it. Anyone that isn't retarded will do the same thing. If you care about people using/reselling you device if you lose it or get it stolen, you have no business getting a GSM phone.
Any thief or person who finds a nice device will immediately turn the phone off and both remove the SIM Card and factory reset it. Then they will pay $15 to get it unlocked and make bank with it on CraigsList or eBay.
No Cell Carrier will cooperate with police to track that phone. T-Mobile has even defied sopoenas citing "privacy issues."
As to you two quetions. None of them matter - at ALL. The phone is turned off and factory reset ASAP when it is stolen or found by someone in 95% of cases. There are very few nice people when they find or take something and no one sees them. They will wipe the phone, remove the SIM, and either keep or sell it.
Only way to be secure is to either have an iPhone or get a CDMA device. That way the phone becomes useless (unless jailbroken for iPhone, but EINs are marked dirty and the devices become useless other than as WiFi devices) and they can only profit off of it through scamming others (or selling it for parts?).
After my experience with getting my Vibrant stolen, and what I've learned... I'm definitely going with a CDMA carrier the second I can (and ETFing T-Mobile). The fact that US Carriers don't work together like Europe makes it a market for thieves and resellers. Privacy laws even protect the thieves, here.
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Some of this is correct but is heavily assuming that the person who takes the device has some knowledge of its functions and of smartphone use in general.
There has been some theft of devices in AU recently where the thieves have been caught due to lack of knowledge of the device they had stolen. It did in fact lead the cops to where they were. They had basically just replaced the sim and done nothing else to the phone.
This of course maybe different in the US and of course powered off it ain't calling anybody.
Incorrect. It's not hard to know what to do here.
If it says Verizon or Sprint (Includes Virgin Mobile, Boost Mobile, etc.), the phone is worthless if they report it stolen, aside froma WiFi media device because the ESN will be marked dirty and it won't be able to activate after the owner calls it in as Lost or Stolen.
If it says T-Mobile or AT&T, you have hit the jackpot. GSM Carriers here allow any stolen devices on their network, without prejudice. I've already spoken to T-Mobile about this, because my first Vibrant was stolen. Their words, "If you didn't have a lock code on your phone, or the new owner resets it, it's their phone." With Cloud-based storage of info the information on the phone isn't an issue, it's the $500 piece of hardware that just went bye bye that's the issue (assuming you put your Photos in Picasa/FB/SkyDrive and don't let them rot on the phone's storage, of course).
Turn phone off. Remove Sim Card. Pay $10-20 for an unlock code. List on eBay. Profit?
Yes, there are dumb people anywhere. But anyone in the projects around here who has at least a 3rd grade education will shut that phone down and have it on eBay (probably from the Public Library computers) within a matter of hours. GPS Tracking and things like MyPhone won't help with that once they reset the phone (which is easier as ever these days, since everyone is putting it in as a simple menu option that is trivial to find).
Best way to get the phone back is to have been robbed or something. If you get injured badly enough the cops and the carriers will actually track the phone down. Cops here don't track phones unless it's a life or death situation. If you allow someone to use that phone without calling the carrier ASAP to get the line suspended, you can - and will - be held liable for whatever that person does on the phone. Have fun paying for every ringtone, wallpaper, etc. and all the overages they used on the account (i.e. if they used your phone to tether a torrent client on their laptop/notebook on AT&T with a 200MB data plan).
mobile me from apple is exactly similar to microsoft's devices.live.com service...
many many times theifs have been caught using gps tracking...majority of theives are idiots and don't know what they are doing...
also GSM phones are just as secure...just because t-mobile refuses to do something does not means GSM is insecure...IMEI can be blocked from the network very easily and is done on a regular basis in NZ if phone is stolen...
If you live in Australia you can contact your carrier and have the phone blocked by using the IMEI number.
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) runs a world-leading anti-theft program at no cost to consumers. It works by detecting a mobile phone's electronic serial number, known as the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, then sharing this information with carriers to block handsets across all networks in Australia.
Here is a link to check it out:
http://www.lost.amta.org.au/
powersquad said:
mobile me from apple is exactly similar to microsoft's devices.live.com service...
many many times theifs have been caught using gps tracking...majority of theives are idiots and don't know what they are doing...
also GSM phones are just as secure...just because t-mobile refuses to do something does not means GSM is insecure...IMEI can be blocked from the network very easily and is done on a regular basis in NZ if phone is stolen...
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Im talking about the usa. No gsm carrier blocks imeis here. I thought I made that crystal clear in my us/europe comparisons.
They arent tracking a phone here without a court supoena and myphone/mobileme are useless vs 99% of thieves.
Majority of thieves arent idiots. Vast majority of stolen phones are never recovered. Theyre as easy to steal as a netbook and a phone locked there can still be used np in the us, which is why stealing gsm phones are profitable.
There are no inter-carrier databases for logging blacklisted imeis here, like there is in europe.
Lots of stolen phones also goto asia.
I hope that explains my stance. Yes. Gsm is less secure than cdma because the phones can be unlocked and used in other markets easily, unlike cdma. That portability is a blessing and a curse to gsm...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
N8ter said:
Im talking about the usa. No gsm carrier blocks imeis here. I thought I made that crystal clear in my us/europe comparisons.
They arent tracking a phone here without a court supoena and myphone/mobileme are useless vs 99% of thieves. Seriously, good luck getting said supoena... Maybe if your Barack Obama you will get it.
Majority of thieves arent idiots. Vast majority of stolen phones are never recovered. Theyre as easy to steal as a netbook and a phone locked there can still be used np in the us, which is why stealing gsm phones are profitable.
There are no inter-carrier databases for logging blacklisted imeis here, like there is in europe.
Lots of stolen phones also goto asia.
I hope that explains my stance. Yes. Gsm is less secure than cdma because the phones can be unlocked and used in other markets easily, unlike cdma. That portability is a blessing and a curse to gsm...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
N8ter said:
Im talking about the usa. No gsm carrier blocks imeis here. I thought I made that crystal clear in my us/europe comparisons.
They arent tracking a phone here without a court supoena and myphone/mobileme are useless vs 99% of thieves.
Majority of thieves arent idiots. Vast majority of stolen phones are never recovered. Theyre as easy to steal as a netbook and a phone locked there can still be used np in the us, which is why stealing gsm phones are profitable.
There are no inter-carrier databases for logging blacklisted imeis here, like there is in europe.
Lots of stolen phones also goto asia.
I hope that explains my stance. Yes. Gsm is less secure than cdma because the phones can be unlocked and used in other markets easily, unlike cdma. That portability is a blessing and a curse to gsm...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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You're incorrect about cdma. All you have to do is flash the phone to another carrier such as Cricket, Metro, or Boost. Companies that don't care about the ESN numbers.
Hi all!! Please be gentle, I'm new to all of this awesomeness. So I have a note 10+, it was given to me because they couldn't get it to work. Idk what they did to it, but they really did a number on it!! The model number on the back says sm-n9700, in the about phone stuff it says sm-n9750. I'm pretty positive the imei has been changed as well as the serial number. it's locked to tmobile I assume since that's the carrier that shows when powering on. HELP!!
badgett77 said:
Hi all!! Please be gentle, I'm new to all of this awesomeness. So I have a note 10+, it was given to me because they couldn't get it to work. Idk what they did to it, but they really did a number on it!! The model number on the back says sm-n9700, in the about phone stuff it says sm-n9750. I'm pretty positive the imei has been changed as well as the serial number. it's locked to tmobile I assume since that's the carrier that shows when powering on. HELP!!
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What shows up on the splash screen doesn't necessarily mean it's locked to the carrier. It would be if the phone was financed/leased... But I have other concerns based on what you said.
Personally I would strongly suggest you just give the phone back.
It's really nice that someone gave you the phone, but this has the "too good to be true" ring to it.. Especially if the model number is not correct, that would be a major red flag. At the same time if you think that the IMEI was changed then I would definitely give the phone back. Absolutely no reason would exist to change the IMEI other then the phone was blacklisted, financed, lost/stolen or a warranty return that wasn't returned.
scottusa2008 said:
What shows up on the splash screen doesn't necessarily mean it's locked to the carrier. It would be if the phone was financed/leased... But I have other concerns based on what you said.
Personally I would strongly suggest you just give the phone back.
It's really nice that someone gave you the phone, but this has the "too good to be true" ring to it.. Especially if the model number is not correct, that would be a major red flag. At the same time if you think that the IMEI was changed then I would definitely give the phone back. Absolutely no reason would exist to change the IMEI other then the phone was blacklisted, financed, lost/stolen or a warranty return that wasn't returned.
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kinda what I was thinking, but was hoping to get a different answer. Thanks though...
The only legal way is to pay the balance, just like that
maxpunj007 said:
i am having the same problem i bought it second hand and now phone is financial locked is ti possible to make it unlock.
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Only way is to pay company fully to unlock IMI of the phone. Nothing else going to work
Return it, buy from reliable source, easy
Well after digging deeper I have discovered that it's a freaking counterfeit (I guess that's what you'd call it). Oh well...that's my luck. But on the bright side I've managed to learn quite a bit, thanks to me being so determined, that otherwise I never would have educated myself on.
How do you change the IMEI of a phone?
I agree with the others though, give it back. If the person who gave it to you won't take it back, or is not around to take it back, and if you didn't pay any money for it, then recycle it.
Sent from my SM-T727V using Tapatalk
gernerttl said:
How do you change the IMEI of a phone?
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That is not something they allow discussions on here.
scottusa2008 said:
That is not something they allow discussions on here.
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Yeah, I figured as much. I was just curious. In my opinion, this thread smells a little sketchy.
gernerttl said:
How do you change the IMEI of a phone?
Sent from my SM-T727V using Tapatalk
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When someone asks for things like this, most surely the device is an illegal matter, what a shame with these guys
winol said:
When someone asks for things like this, most surely the device is an illegal matter, what a shame with these guys
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Yeah.
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
winol said:
When someone asks for things like this, most surely the device is an illegal matter, what a shame with these guys
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I suppose these days with carriers opening their networks to other carrier's phones....
But in the past i did this a few times. Boost mobile for instance didn't have the device i decided i wanted, bought a used Boost branded phone and changed my chosen phone to that boost imei. Put the boost phone away (still have it).
I did this maybe 3 different times to 3 different phones on different carriers....was really the only way to have the device you wanted on the carrier you had......
Again, that was when carriers had too much power and most networks were all cdma....a dark time.
To be clear, i owned the phones/imei's outright.
I used to dream about the day we'd get gsm phones....the cellular world is much better now so no need for imei swaps (on legit devices)
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
louforgiveno said:
I suppose these days with carriers opening their networks to other carrier's phones....
But in the past i did this a few times. Boost mobile for instance didn't have the device i decided i wanted, bought a used Boost branded phone and changed my chosen phone to that boost imei. Put the boost phone away (still have it).
I did this maybe 3 different times to 3 different phones on different carriers....was really the only way to have the device you wanted on the carrier you had......
Again, that was when carriers had too much power and most networks were all cdma....a dark time.
To be clear, i owned the phones/imei's outright.
I used to dream about the day we'd get gsm phones....the cellular world is much better now so no need for imei swaps (on legit devices)
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imei changing/swapping is illegal in the US.. are u sure ur not talking about sim swapping lol..
i suppose if u owned the devices outright then y not.. but its still illegal.. devices have an imei for a number of reasons so manipulating that i can also understand why its illegal some places..
think of it like a car.. if u got a cheap pinto and take that license plate with the tags n all and swap it onto a sports car to avoid paying higher insurance or w.e then if u get caught u pay the price lol..
its an identifier.. for networks, global imei blacklists, financing etc. etc. its like an ssn for a phone lol.. ppl dont go changing their ssn when they feel like it lol..
i can see both sides but more so the carrier side since most ppl (not all) that r changing imeis are for nefarious reasons.
Exactly, imei changing is illegal, any way you look at it, it is illegal
Never suggested that it wasn't...and while i had my reasons back then, these days the only reason i would imagine someone doing it would be in the case of a "stolen" device. I don't condone that
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
I bought s20 ultra from local cell phone dealer off the craigslist. The local dealer seems quite reputable however the guy said IMEI has been changed which got me bit concerned but proceeded to buy anyway. What are the reason for that? Quick search of the internet shows it could be stolen. But I dont see someone from respectable local phone dealer (at least based on their yelp google review) doing that since they are sittiing duck.
I contemplated either to resell back or keep using and for now using. It is wonderful in terms of speed comapred to junk I carried briefly (LG Q70).
However, there is just bit of an easy feeling about using it with IMEI chanegd.
For now, I am doing for e-mail, phone call and various apps but hesitant about using with fin-app (brokerage), bank, ebay apps that involves money.
Any ideas?
What are the chances of mine being compromised? I am setting a common sense here as just because I got from wireless authorized dealer does not mean it is bad and getting a brand new from authrozied dealer (verizon) not necessarly guarantee security.
guyenxda000 said:
I bought s20 ultra from local cell phone dealer off the craigslist. The local dealer seems quite reputable however the guy said IMEI has been changed which got me bit concerned but proceeded to buy anyway. What are the reason for that? Quick search of the internet shows it could be stolen. But I dont see someone from respectable local phone dealer (at least based on their yelp google review) doing that since they are sittiing duck.
I contemplated either to resell back or keep using and for now using. It is wonderful in terms of speed comapred to junk I carried briefly (LG Q70).
However, there is just bit of an easy feeling about using it with IMEI chanegd.
For now, I am doing for e-mail, phone call and various apps but hesitant about using with fin-app (brokerage), bank, ebay apps that involves money.
Any ideas?
What are the chances of mine being compromised? I am setting a common sense here as just because I got from wireless authorized dealer does not mean it is bad and getting a brand new from authrozied dealer (verizon) not necessarly guarantee security.
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Click to collapse
You bought a potentially compromised phone with a changed IMEI. That means that it's definitely stolen or was owned by someone who didn't want to be traced before being soled as a burner phone.
That being said, IMEI is just device ID. Meaning: Your device is in no way compromised just because a different ID. Surely whoever has the tools and your IMEI can track all your records across the internet and track your current location as well.
But don't worry the tools necessary for such a thing can only be accessed by authorized personnel of respective telecommunication company (Like AT&T) and your local authorities.
Also banking apps have meticulous safety checks before allowing the usage of the app, so don't worry too much.
However that doesn't mean that your phone is secured, as remains the question of how did they change the IMEI of your phone?
There are multiple ways to change an IMEI number but they all include one common point: They all directly affect some component in the device whether it be software or hardware.
So there is the possibility that your current software/hardware is compromised.
My advice? Just get a new phone, or make your phone secure again.
You can start by doing SafetyNet check. If the result is ok then you can be safe. (However as I said before whoever has the methods can still track you)
Flashing the stock ROM of the device then locking the bootloader can help. Also rooting the device then manually checking the device software for issues. Or simply changing the IMEI of your device again. (Only try those methods if you know what you're doing)
It's enough by itself that google, social media platforms and the government can track all your records across the internet whenever they feel like it, I myself wouldn't feel safe with potentially sharing my data with another unsolicited person.
So to answer your question:
Privacy is the issue when you have a potentially compromised IMEI. Not security.
Security is the issue when you have a potentially compromised system.
Hope I answered your question.
You've bought a stolen phone.
Theres absolutely NO REASON to change the IMEI.... EVER. If it has been changed, it is because the original IMEI has been reported stolen, and changing it gets around the cell network blocking it. There is NO LEGAL REASON TO CHANGE AN IMEI
I hope you are not caught with it, its essentially stolen property.
Even if I have to lose the camera
The camera loss has nothing to do with a service unlock.
You should call Verizon, give them the IMEI number, see if it's clean and the phone is paid off. If so, they can unlock it.
You can go with online services but they aren't cheap and there are few other variables. You can read more in the several posts about others' need to unlock a phone.
dirtybudha said:
The camera loss has nothing to do with a service unlock.
You should call Verizon, give them the IMEI number, see if it's clean and the phone is paid off. If so, they can unlock it.
You can go with online services but they aren't cheap and there are few other variables. You can read more in the several posts about others' need to unlock a phone.
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It's not paid off, and one of the security breach results that happened to my phone left Verizon with the opinion that the symptoms on the phone were deliberate, and that I added a second phone line. So, they think that I added services that cost money and now I just don't want to pay for them. Which is not the case. So, if I don't pay them a substantial amount of money, they will suspend my service. I am definitely not paying for something that I didn't do or legitimately don't owe to them, or anyone else. Do you know if using the same method that is used to easily hack into any android could be modified to alter the source code that locks the device to a carrier? I don't mean specifically, better said, has anyone tried using Kali Linux , with metasploit/ Wireshark to get into an android and establish permissions, then try change the source code related to carrier locking?
Tech4fast said:
It's not paid off, and one of the security breach results that happened to my phone left Verizon with the opinion that the symptoms on the phone were deliberate, and that I added a second phone line. So, they think that I added services that cost money and now I just don't want to pay for them. Which is not the case. So, if I don't pay them a substantial amount of money, they will suspend my service. I am definitely not paying for something that I didn't do or legitimately don't owe to them, or anyone else. Do you know if using the same method that is used to easily hack into any android could be modified to alter the source code that locks the device to a carrier? I don't mean specifically, better said, has anyone tried using Kali Linux , with metasploit/ Wireshark to get into an android and establish permissions, then try change the source code related to carrier locking?
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Click to collapse
Thank you for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it
No worries, it's not an uncommon issue.
Nothing I'm aware of can be done to unlock it using Odin or anything like that. You might explore the other options, but I know nothing about them. Search the forums here and you'll find a lot that ask about unlocking. There is a discussion in one about services. Might give you a direction to go and check in.
Here's the rub. If it is not paid off and you want to take it to another service, you're going to have a bad time.
If they close your account and you don't pay them money (especially paying off the phone), then they will blacklist the IMEI and NO CARRIER will ever be able to activate it on their network. Blocked IMEI's, there is no way to flash anything or root whatever or unlock anything that will get you to have it active on a service carrier until the originator has it removed from the blacklist.
I think that is going to be your biggest hurdle trying to take it to another provider.
VZW should automatically unlock it after 60 days if you bought it from them. If third party purchase, 60 days after activated.
Unlockboot.com P.S your phone will go straight to collections unless you pay it off the proper way
Most people wouldn't give info on how to unlock it because it's unethical. It's doable but the phone price will go to collections.
Hey, I am exactly in the same boat. I night s Verizon Fold 3 from someone on craigslist, they told me it was fully paid for, later I found out that it was not. Also it was not unlocked after 60 days. I know the phone cannot be used in the US, but I just want to unlock it for international use.
Did you guys found a solution? Same as Mjatta, i got f*cked on eBay, the even post that accepted returns, but got no response, and eBay didn't help either.
If anybody have a solution for this please reply I am also having the same issue and I can't even contact Verizon because I am in Nigeria.
I hope a paid service will be available soon for this to help owners who are not in the USA
banjicom said:
If anybody have a solution for this please reply I am also having the same issue and I can't even contact Verizon because I am in Nigeria.
I hope a paid service will be available soon for this to help owners who are not in the USA
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Click to collapse
You're just out of luck. There isn't anything anyone here can do. You will just have to bite the bullet and take the hit on the phone and get another one. It's going to get blacklisted as soon as it's in collections and no carrier's network, that is legitimate, will activate the device.