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With all the talk of police being able to access your phone, I looked in to the options.
I found I could use the following options....
1) unlock password.
bypassed by: if the police dont have your PIN or unlock pattern, Google can be required to provide your email ID/PW to enable unlock
2) encrypted phone
bypassed by: I am unsure how this can be bypassed. If encryption is turned on, I know it breaks CWM, but is there any way to get by it w/o knowing the PIN? Is there any reset besides a wipe of the phone, which would clear any P.I.I. on the phone, wouldn't it?
3) recovery
bypassed by: if you cant get in to the phone, and choose instead to boot into recovery, you can get access to the phones data, but how much access? If you encrypted your data, will this bypass anything? Will the data still be encrypted.
What I would love to see possible, is a PIN for recovery that is a stand alone item with no way to reset it. I know this mean you would have to ODIN if you every forgot it, but if you are more concerned about protecting your data, than data loss, this would be a non-issue, as long as your data is protected
So, is the recovery lock even needed? does encrypting your data and your SD card get the protection needed to prevent access to your phone by authorities, even with Google's help?
I would love to see some security and developers views on this, and on how "safe" you can make your phone if you go all out.
No ideas anyone?
If not.. any ideas where I can go look for answers?
DCRocks said:
No ideas anyone?
If not.. any ideas where I can go look for answers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what would kind of be an example of what your trying to hide from the cops? there is an app or a couple apps that can literally hide your data, and unless they knew the back door functionality of the apps, they would be able to access much data. i use a couple of them.
DCRocks said:
No ideas anyone?
If not.. any ideas where I can go look for answers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
k0nane?
Sent from my MIUI V4 Epic 4G via Tapatalk 2 beta 5
LORDFIRE00 said:
what would kind of be an example of what your trying to hide from the cops?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was less about hiding specific data, and more about locking down your phone in general, as in what was possible.
I was interested in how well it could be done, what would need to be put in place, and how secure it really was.
Hi everyone. I have recently been the victim of theft for my nexus 7. I had the device locked with the pattern so there is no way that the thief could get into it unless they do a software reset from the recovery mode. The thing is, either way there is no way i would be able to recover it because if in fact they do a factory reset my lookout security would be uninstalled and my nexus would be lost forever, also if they can't get through the pattern and find a way to connect to Wi-Fi, it will still be lost forever. I have read about installing lookout in the system/app folder of a rooted device so its not easily uninstalled by normal means or factory reset. But do you think it is possible to have android lost and lookout pre-configured and installed in the system/app folder so that even if the device is factory reset, the credentials will remain?
revolva said:
Hi everyone. I have recently been the victim of theft for my nexus 7. I had the device locked with the pattern so there is no way that the thief could get into it unless they do a software reset from the recovery mode. The thing is, either way there is no way i would be able to recover it because if in fact they do a factory reset my lookout security would be uninstalled and my nexus would be lost forever, also if they can't get through the pattern and find a way to connect to Wi-Fi, it will still be lost forever. I have read about installing lookout in the system/app folder of a rooted device so its not easily uninstalled by normal means or factory reset. But do you think it is possible to have android lost and lookout pre-configured and installed in the system/app folder so that even if the device is factory reset, the credentials will remain?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bump
I am thinking about this same issue... how do I make Androidlost app factory-reset-proof? I'm pretty amazed that this serious issue hasn't been answered yet in all those threads I searched regarding Androidlost.
As I understood it's possible for any rooted device to put an app in system/app and it would survive a factory reset, but the question is about the setting of this particular app, and I would be very grateful if someone who managed to do this successfully will share this step-by-step
Thanks
It seems that about 15 minutes ago my Fingerprint (and my fiance) are no longer recognized. It also would not take my backup password. The only way I could get into my phone was through the Android Device Manager and reset my password.
After resetting my password with ADM, I went to go change my fingerprint in my phone (because obviously it doesn't like the one stored in there now) and it asks me for my password (since my fingerprint no longer works) and this keeps saying it is incorrect.
I don't know what to do now other than factory reset my phone.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
You're correct. Factory reset; unless...
I thought my original fingerprints were better recognized after flashing another ROM; broke the sensor and default fingerprint password. Not accustomed to internal memory, I wiped everything but external sdcard and tried to restore the nandroid; embarrassing to say, the nandroid was gone.
You might try restoring a nandroid. Don't know if that works but I'd like to know. I had to factory reset. Per Samsung, nothing to do but that. May be locked away in Knox for theft protection.
samep said:
You're correct. Factory reset; unless...
I thought my original fingerprints were better recognized after flashing another ROM; broke the sensor and default fingerprint password. Not accustomed to internal memory, I wiped everything but external sdcard and tried to restore the nandroid; embarrassing to say, the nandroid was gone.
You might try restoring a nandroid. Don't know if that works but I'd like to know. I had to factory reset. Per Samsung, nothing to do but that. May be locked away in Knox for theft protection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thing is, I haven't even rooted my note 4 yet! I am waiting for a method that wont trip knox.
I don't understand why this could have happened on stock - Makes me worried I got a defective device.
That's a mystery to me. There is also a change fingerprint password in that setup screen. If it rejects that too, factory reset is the only option I know of.
May need to exchange the phone. Keep that in mind if you're inside of 14 days of purchase agreement.
samep said:
That's a mystery to me. There is also a change fingerprint password in that setup screen. If it rejects that too, factory reset is the only option I know of.
May need to exchange the phone. Keep that in mind if you're inside of 14 days of purchase agreement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that doesn't work either.
I hope I can still exchange my device - It's been almost a month I bought this phone 10/17/2014 - Will they let me exchange the device?
Still under warranty. It's just they may make you wait on the replacement. Depends on where you got it.
best route is to get a replacement, seems the device is corrupted somehow
eNkrypt said:
It seems that about 15 minutes ago my Fingerprint (and my fiance) are no longer recognized. It also would not take my backup password. The only way I could get into my phone was through the Android Device Manager and reset my password.
After resetting my password with ADM, I went to go change my fingerprint in my phone (because obviously it doesn't like the one stored in there now) and it asks me for my password (since my fingerprint no longer works) and this keeps saying it is incorrect.
I don't know what to do now other than factory reset my phone.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem on a fully stock phone, only way to fix is to factory reset the phone.
DEE754 said:
I had the same problem on a fully stock phone, only way to fix is to factory reset the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's some bull crap! They should fix this, it's not fair I have to loose all my texts and stuff.. Only for this to probably happen again in another few weeks.
Has this problem occured for you again?
eNkrypt said:
That's some bull crap! They should fix this, it's not fair I have to loose all my texts and stuff.. Only for this to probably happen again in another few weeks.
Has this problem occured for you again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, its been about a week since it happen. You can setup up a Samsung account on the phone to backup your texts, phone call logs and bookmarks. Then sync back to your phone after reset.
eNkrypt said:
That's some bull crap! They should fix this, it's not fair I have to loose all my texts and stuff.. Only for this to probably happen again in another few weeks.
Has this problem occured for you again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try odin flashing the firmware, others that were rooted, it fixed the issue, I know ur not rooted, worth a shot...
mine got messed up after rooting, I could not get it to work, even after flashing the firmware, but others have had success... try it, wont hurt any and won't delete ur data.
Yep happened to me as well.
Interesting thing is the password works on the lock screen but not in the settings menu.
Odd.
I had this same problem. The only way I was able to get the finger print scanner working again was by doing a factory reset. I then restored all of my apps and settings with Titanium Backup. All is good now. It sucks setting everything back up, but factory reset works.
Hello everybody,
I have xposed framework installed on my rooted Note 4. I basically uninstalled xposed and my fingerprint scanner recognised me again. I then reinstalled xposed and it was still working.
If you're not rooted this won't work for you but can someone with a rooted phone try installing xposed framework and see if it fixes it for you?
Thanks!:good:
I have the same incidence after restoring a nandroid backup to downgrade from LOLLIPOP to KITKAT, I've tried installing Xposed Framework Without Sucess.
I was able to unlock the screen using the google account and afterwards removing the lock screen by fingerprint.
When I try to change the FingerPrint asks me for the password for securty account and doesn't work (in locked screen worked fine).
So I'm afraid I'll have to do a full restore if there's no any other way to reconfigure the fingerprint scanner
snagix said:
I have the same incidence after restoring a nandroid backup to downgrade from LOLLIPOP to KITKAT, I've tried installing Xposed Framework Without Sucess.
I was able to unlock the screen using the google account and afterwards removing the lock screen by fingerprint.
When I try to change the FingerPrint asks me for the password for securty account and doesn't work (in locked screen worked fine).
So I'm afraid I'll have to do a full restore if there's no any other way to reconfigure the fingerprint scanner
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that nandroid backup is NIE, you'll need to wipe and Odin NK2. If it's NK2, try just wiping all user data to fix the finger print scanner. Password is not recognized is the indication that suggests one of the two solutions.
Installing Xposed won't fix that but temporarily uninstalling and clearing various apps' user data has helped. Personally, I've seen that work on health services and s health. If you need Xposed, you'll need the secure storage module. Just search secure or secure storage in the Xposed download search engine.
Locked out or private mode fingerprint and backup password don't work
So I'm locked out of private mode fingerprint and backup password don't work so I was wondering if I were to clear my credentials by encryptin device will it reset my backup password so I can access private mode or is there away i can backup my pravite mode files even tho I can't access them so i can do factory reset if that will fix it so i can use and access private mode with my files also can i find my private mode/ hidden files in my files on my note 4
snagix said:
I have the same incidence after restoring a nandroid backup to downgrade from LOLLIPOP to KITKAT, I've tried installing Xposed Framework Without Sucess.
I was able to unlock the screen using the google account and afterwards removing the lock screen by fingerprint.
When I try to change the FingerPrint asks me for the password for securty account and doesn't work (in locked screen worked fine).
So I'm afraid I'll have to do a full restore if there's no any other way to reconfigure the fingerprint scanner
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have similar issue after flashing a Tekxodus URV6.6 .. restoring data from a nandroid backup from Texodus URV6.5 which had all my apps installed.
I guess lesson learned is to make sure to disable the fingerprint security and wipe registered fingerprints before doing a Nandroid backup.
P.S.: for some reason the fingerprint backup password doesn't work
lewis.james.750983 said:
Have similar issue after flashing a Tekxodus URV6.6 .. restoring data from a nandroid backup from Texodus URV6.5 which had all my apps installed.
I guess lesson learned is to make sure to disable the fingerprint security and wipe registered fingerprints before doing a Nandroid backup.
P.S.: for some reason the fingerprint backup password doesn't work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63327098&postcount=1
There's no flashable so try deleting the file or files instead.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
samep said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63327098&postcount=1
There's no flashable so try deleting the file or files instead.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I'll try it later .. I already wiped data and restored a Nand backup of the a clean Tekxodus URV6.6, luckily I have a full Titanium backup of everything (including call log, text messages ..etc.)
Btw, this Dual MicroSD reader is the best $10 i spent in my life it comes in handy once you pop a 64GB MicroSD in it, to use in TWRP for Nandroid backup, or to store a backup of Titanium Backups.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2_amc_mmcbk_twingo_otg_swapable_micro_sd.html
Regardless of device encryption and fingerprint scanners and the like, couldn't someone just get your phone, boot into recovery, and factory reset it? Wouldn't that undo any security you had on device?
Yes but the actual files have been encrypted. So while they can start the device fresh and use file recovery tools to "get" the old files, they are useless.
And they would be useless to everyone after that, even you? I guess that would be pretty good. So you encrypt to protect your user data, and you fingerprint lock to make sure nobody can ever decrypt, even if they factory reset thru recovery, which will get past your fingerprint scanner but not previous encryption. That right?
Actually since lollipop you must log out of your Google account before a reset. If you just factory reset you well still have access to the device to track it out wipe your account from it.
I could be wrong here, but if you have stock recovery, a factory wipe can only be started in the phone's settings menu. If you have twrp installed, a wipe can be started with out being in the phone, but you need a password to start it.
If you do wipe the phone, it is still useless as you need the persons gmail username and password to complete the setup, so the phone is useless to all other users bar the user of the phone.
I think you can factory reset from stock recovery.
So I don't get it. I thought user data was encrypted from phone, i.e., the internal storage. If I factory reset, I don't need a Google account to start the phone up. So then couldn't I access the internal storage data with a file explorer?
You have to authorize the phone to sync with your computer so you can not get on that way either. If you do not authorize you can not push adb or anything else.
As km8j said, yes, you can factory reset the phone, but you won't be able to recover any of the encrypted data. That's why before you get rid of an old phone you should encrypt (if it wasn't) and wipe it.
jackdubl said:
I think you can factory reset from stock recovery.
So I don't get it. I thought user data was encrypted from phone, i.e., the internal storage. If I factory reset, I don't need a Google account to start the phone up. So then couldn't I access the internal storage data with a file explorer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats not quite right. If you factory reset your phone, you do need a google account to complete the initial setup wizard. The only exception is if the user releases it from his or her's google account so it can be sold on.
But yes to complete the instillation it will ask for a google account that has been authorised and wont continue until it gets it. This happens automaticly the first time you sign in to play store.
Also factory reset will fully wipe the phone, brand new out of the box. It also wipes the users data, so if you were able to get on the phone, there would be no data to access. I really do like the way google have thought about it. Also I never keep anything on the phone that I would consider critical.
A lot of inaccurate information here. You have been able to skip that Google account setup on all android phones for the past few years. Also in basically any file system, when joy delete a file, even formatting, the content is not deleted. So while the information is not there at face value when you wipe the phone it can easily be recovered without encryption.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Yeah, that keeps confusing me. I have activated so many phones without inputting a Google account. It says "skip" right there on the screen!
Didn't Google introduce the security features with the Nexus 6 and 5.0? It locks the phone to your google account even after a factory reset but requires compatible hardware.
I haven't seen it mentioned with this year's devices but when setting up a pin on the 5x I believe it asked if I wanted to enable that feature.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
jackdubl said:
Regardless of device encryption and fingerprint scanners and the like, couldn't someone just get your phone, boot into recovery, and factory reset it? Wouldn't that undo any security you had on device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. If your data is encrypted, no one can access it without your decryption key. As for access to the device, if you had set up a Google account on the device, and had a lockscreen password/pin/pattern/etc., then no one else can use the device other than you unless you remove your Google account and lockscreen password before you factory reset. This was a new feature introduced with devices that sold with 5.0+
Panzerapple said:
Actually since lollipop you must log out of your Google account before a reset. If you just factory reset you well still have access to the device to track it out wipe your account from it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes!
Stephen said:
I could be wrong here, but if you have stock recovery, a factory wipe can only be started in the phone's settings menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the stock recovery, you can reset either from within Android or from within the stock recovery.
jackdubl said:
So I don't get it. I thought user data was encrypted from phone, i.e., the internal storage. If I factory reset, I don't need a Google account to start the phone up. So then couldn't I access the internal storage data with a file explorer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Prior to devices shipped with 5.0+, this was true. No longer.
km8j said:
A lot of inaccurate information here. You have been able to skip that Google account setup on all android phones for the past few years. Also in basically any file system, when joy delete a file, even formatting, the content is not deleted. So while the information is not there at face value when you wipe the phone it can easily be recovered without encryption
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can skip Google account setup. However, IF you do set up a Google account and a lockscreen password, THEN you cannot skip the Google account setup on that device after a factory reset (if you hadn't already removed the account prior to the reset).
bblzd said:
Didn't Google introduce the security features with the Nexus 6 and 5.0? It locks the phone to your google account even after a factory reset but requires compatible hardware.
I haven't seen it mentioned with this year's devices but when setting up a pin on the 5x I believe it asked if I wanted to enable that feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1.
Hi, there!
I heard there is a method for the S8+ where you can root your phone without tripping Knox. It isn't the best root method and it has its limitations, but it would do just fine for my needs.
Is there such method for the S9+?
Thanks!
Anyone?
CapBlackShot said:
Anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No
*Detection* said:
No
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And no developers are planning to create one, that we know of? I only need root to make Cerberus a system app. In case the smartphone is stolen and gets hard reset, the app will still be there, hidden. But without root it seems impossible.
CapBlackShot said:
And no developers are planning to create one, that we know of? I only need root to make Cerberus a system app. In case the smartphone is stolen and gets hard reset, the app will still be there, hidden. But without root it seems impossible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KNOX is an e-fuse, once tripped that's it forever, no reversing, nothing devs can do
FRP lock is your hard reset security, unless they know your Google login they cannot access the device anyway
And if they have the knowledge to flash certain firmwares and bypass the lock, your system root app wouldn't be of any use either anyway, so....
*Detection* said:
KNOX is an e-fuse, once tripped that's it forever, no reversing, nothing devs can do
FRP lock is your hard reset security, unless they know your Google login they cannot access the device anyway
And if they have the knowledge to flash certain firmwares and bypass the lock, your system root app wouldn't be of any use either anyway, so....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very interesting. Can't believe I never heard of this before.
Will the device actually get wiped and then ask for my Google account or will it ask for my Google account before getting wiped? If the first option I mentioned is true, then Cerberus will be gone and I still won't be able to locate my cellphone in case it gets stolen, I'm assuming.
CapBlackShot said:
That's very interesting. Can't believe I never heard of this before.
Will the device actually get wiped and then ask for my Google account or will it ask for my Google account before getting wiped? If the first option I mentioned is true, then Cerberus will be gone and I still won't be able to locate my cellphone in case it gets stolen, I'm assuming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will get wiped first, it asks for the Google account because it was wiped from recovery and not from inside of Android, meaning anyone could have done it
It will not allow anyone past the Google account request, similar to when iPhones are locked to iCloud, you can wipe it as many times as you like but it will always request the Google account
For example, I steal your phone with Cerberus installed, I cannot access your phone so the most likely thing I`ll try is factory reset from recovery, this will wipe the phone and request your Google account login to access it again, which I do not have
Next thing I would try (If I knew about it) was flash stock firmware over the top, which will wipe again this time removing your Cerberus app, but again it will not prevent the Google login request
Final thing I would try would be FRP bypass to get past your Google account login, and if they manage that they have access to your phone, but it is wiped and Cerberus is gone
End of the day, no mod/app will survive the phone being flashed as the system partition is replaced with stock again, and the wipe will reset the data partition where user apps and data are
Best thing to do is enable the Google security settings for find my phone, lock and erase, and enable it to send GPS of last location when the battery is getting low, that way you can track it online until it is turned off/wiped