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[Q] Have you ever heard of mystery texts from 9329 saying "Your validation code is: "
I was really creeped out by this today.
Normally when you get a text saying "Your validation code is: [followed by some 8 digit code] " it's because *you* asked for it.
And if you *didn't* ask for it, you could be justifiably concerned that someone else *did* try to authenticate using your credentials somewhere.
Usually this is a harmless random occurrence, but in my case today I got three of these in a row immediately after the phone recovered from a mysterious freeze.
Today I had been downloading some unfamiliar apps ("VPN Connections", VPNC widget, and 2X (remote desktop) Client after which the phone did something I haven't seen before: I was running the maps application when it froze, stayed frozen, and after trying everything possible, I just held down the power key for like 20 seconds after which the blue skateboard CM7 boot animation appeared immediately (bypassing the usual white HTC EVO 4G screen) and the OS reloaded in just a few seconds.
Admittedly this fast boot behavior could be normal for all I know, but combined with the rest of it seems really odd and I feel paranoid.
What could I have been doing lately that might trigger this particular sequence of mystery freeze followed by mystery text?
Has anyone personally experienced anything similar?
bump - I did search google for any reports of similar experiences and got nothing which is why I thought I might ask around here..
I called Sprint. They could not tell me anything about these text messages or any text messages in fact. They said they have access to call detail but not text details. Basically unless law enforcement gets involved you can't talk to the super *duper* part of Sprint support that can retrieve information on texts. Seems a little lame not to be able to talk to customers about what is going on on their own network, but there it is.
Anyway while I was researching all this I checked my account online and while reviewing my bill I discovered a (presumably older and unrelated) mystery charge for $9.99 from
Mobile Love: Alerts - 34095 MBLLOVE
If you google this scam you will find many people receive three text messages in a row (in this case from 34095) and then discover the charge on their bill later on. Supposedly if you text "STOP" back to that number you don't get charged but it's a total scam either way. It's possible I got a text from 34095 at some point and just disregarded it. I can't remember honestly. Anyways Sprint removed the charge for me.
They also said, going forward, if any charges appear as a result of the 9329 texts (see OP) I could always call back and have them removed later. Otherwise there will not be any record of these texts or any way to find out more about them. Ever.
I'm not really as worried about getting *charged* for something as somebody untraceably signing up for some *access* to something in my name. Oh well. No point in worrying about something you can't control I guess.
Wow that's bizarre dude.
Are you sure you weren't looking for love in all the wrong places?
Sent from my Infected EVO using XDA Premium App.
KB112 said:
Are you sure you weren't looking for love in all the wrong places?
Sent from my Infected EVO using XDA Premium App.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Zing!
Sent from space
My guess is that you installed an app that had permission to modify your SMS Text Messages and Use Services That Cost You Money. Alternately, if any of the apps required root access that is the same thing.
What happens is this: the app uses it's permissions to send a SMS text to a short code and then delete the text. That way you cannot directly see that "you" signed up for a premium text service. You need to be very careful to look at permissions before installing apps of questionable origin... even if they are on the official android market... even if they do not require root.
NxNW said:
I was really creeped out by this today.
Normally when you get a text saying "Your validation code is: [followed by some 8 digit code] " it's because *you* asked for it.
And if you *didn't* ask for it, you could be justifiably concerned that someone else *did* try to authenticate using your credentials somewhere.
Usually this is a harmless random occurrence, but in my case today I got three of these in a row immediately after the phone recovered from a mysterious freeze.
Today I had been downloading some unfamiliar apps ("VPN Connections", VPNC widget, and 2X (remote desktop) Client after which the phone did something I haven't seen before: I was running the maps application when it froze, stayed frozen, and after trying everything possible, I just held down the power key for like 20 seconds after which the blue skateboard CM7 boot animation appeared immediately (bypassing the usual white HTC EVO 4G screen) and the OS reloaded in just a few seconds.
Admittedly this fast boot behavior could be normal for all I know, but combined with the rest of it seems really odd and I feel paranoid.
What could I have been doing lately that might trigger this particular sequence of mystery freeze followed by mystery text?
Has anyone personally experienced anything similar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the Sprint Visual Voicemail app uses a validation code
The other day I was in my Sprint.com account and found 2 9.99 charges on 2 of my lines for some text thing also. I called Sprint and told them I don't know where they came from. Sprint took the charges off. I asked them if there was anything I could do about it because this wasn't the first time it had happened. The lady said I can block all 3rd party text so you don't get spam text and extra charges. It didn't effect anything else. I had them do it and everything works flawlessly. It doesn't cost a dime for them to do it.
Typical SMS scam, the really messed up part is that the carrier takes a cut in exchange for looking the other way and acting like they don't know whats going on..... essentially, by NOT responding to these messages you signed up for their service. Thankfully, these have never shown up on my bill, but if they did I wouldn't call sprint....Ill call my lawyer instead.
This video explains everything....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9MQAfh-bCE&feature=youtu.be
One of my co-workers got one of these messages like a year ago, he has paid it every month because he never looks at his bill but just pays it regardless of the amount. On the flipside, people make fun of me sometimes for taking my good-ol' paper check down to the bank and not having my bills automatically pay themselves....
EDIT: Im astounded at the claim made by the poster above me, where sprint was actually willing to do something about it...I deal with a lot of cell phones and I have never seen an instance where a carrier took proactive action without hassle...they always pull the "duhhhhhhhhhhhh...we don't know whats going on so were going to transfer you around until you get frustrated and give up/hang up".
starnostar said:
Typical SMS scam, the really messed up part is that the carrier takes a cut in exchange for looking the other way and acting like they don't know whats going on..... essentially, by NOT responding to these messages you signed up for their service. Thankfully, these have never shown up on my bill, but if they did I wouldn't call sprint....Ill call my lawyer instead.
This video explains everything....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9MQAfh-bCE&feature=youtu.be
One of my co-workers got one of these messages like a year ago, he has paid it every month because he never looks at his bill but just pays it regardless of the amount. On the flipside, people make fun of me sometimes for taking my good-ol' paper check down to the bank and not having my bills automatically pay themselves....
EDIT: Im astounded at the claim made by the poster above me, where sprint was actually willing to do something about it...I deal with a lot of cell phones and I have never seen an instance where a carrier took proactive action without hassle...they always pull the "duhhhhhhhhhhhh...we don't know whats going on so were going to transfer you around until you get frustrated and give up/hang up".
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Click to collapse
It wasn't a claim. They did it. I told her what was up and she got her supervisor on the phone and they did it. I'm sorry if you think things can't be done with a good attitude and the right words.
I wanted to ask for some clarification on this actually: you said they happily took action to block "all 3rd party texts". Does that mean you have effectively disabled SMS completely?
I mean I do want to receive real texts from warm bodies. Do they have some way of detecting and blocking texts from short codes?
Does this break other notifications (eg visual voicemail or alerts from sprint letting you know about new services or when your bill is ready for viewing)?
NxNW said:
I wanted to ask for some clarification on this actually: you said they happily took action to block "all 3rd party texts". Does that mean you have effectively disabled SMS completely?
I mean I do want to receive real texts from warm bodies. Do they have some way of detecting and blocking texts from short codes?
Does this break other notifications (eg visual voicemail or alerts from sprint letting you know about new services or when your bill is ready for viewing)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The other services you are referring to are Sprint services. This blocks 3rd party. Meaning outside spam text as we call them. It does not disable SMS at all. It just blocks outside spam text and things that cost you extra charges from happening.
mdean1981 said:
It wasn't a claim. They did it. I told her what was up and she got her supervisor on the phone and they did it. I'm sorry if you think things can't be done with a good attitude and the right words.
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Click to collapse
I didn't use the term "claim" to be rude, just out of personal philosophy that this is the internet and everything is to be taken with a grain of salt, this is compounded by my experiences with carriers and their knowledge and/or willingness to take care of the issue.
I have personally never had to call sprint for this issue for myself or anyone else, 99% of the time I have to deal with this issue, its with at&t or cricket, only one on verizon and this was a while ago.
Did you get this app off the market ? There suppose to scan stuff before it goes up to keep that from happening . If you got it off the net then that's how it happens .
Did you get this app off the market ? There suppose to scan stuff before it goes up to keep that from happening . If you got it off the net then that's how it happens .
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Click to collapse
I was doing a lot of things to the phone that day. Also, just to review, the phone "crashed" (did some kind of fast boot) while using maps, and then immediately after the OS came back up, I got the three text messages telling me what my "valdiation code" was.
Amongst other activities I had been doing that day, I installed 3 apps:
VPN Connections (not downloaded from market, yes downloaded from the net)
2x Client for RDP / Remote Desktop
VPNC Widget
At the time of the crash I had already uninstalled the first one after I discovered the last one worked better for me.
None of these look like they require unusual permissions (like "Use Services That Cost You Money") that illogos mentioned above.
I actually still have the download of "VPN Connections" on my SDCard. I double clicked the apk again just to see what permissions it required, and it just said "Storage (modify/delete SD card contents)" and "Phone Calls (read phone state and identity)". I downloaded it from here, http://code.google.com/p/get-a-robot-vpnc/ , which doesn't look *that* sketchy. However it hasn't been updated since June 2010 and no longer appears in the app market, so clearly it was not going to be my first choice. I did run it, it did work; But, for the reasons above, I quickly replaced it once I found something equally functional that looked like it was better supported.
It is a credit card conformation from a half rate escort service called hoopty booty
jayshocka said:
It is a credit card conformation from a half rate escort service called hoopty booty
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Click to collapse
You need to get a life dude
Yeah. I wasn't sure, but just in case, I decided not to use hoopty booty anymore.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
CNexus said:
You need to get a life dude
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Click to collapse
Something about glass houses......
!!!!Donnie your out of your element!!!!!
My work requires a password and encrypted phone. No biggie. However, OK Google does nothing with a locked device (we can't use Trusted Agents). On my Note 5, I could still do non-personal stuff ("what's the weather?," "wake me up at 6 AM"). With my Pixel XL, I can do nothing.
Is this personal assistant? Is there an alternative? Quite annoying to say the least.
jackburnt said:
My work requires a password and encrypted phone. No biggie. However, OK Google does nothing with a locked device (we can't use Trusted Agents). On my Note 5, I could still do non-personal stuff ("what's the weather?," "wake me up at 6 AM"). With my Pixel XL, I can do nothing.
Is this personal assistant? Is there an alternative? Quite annoying to say the least.
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Click to collapse
You can't use it if you don't allow trusted voice.
toknitup420 said:
You can't use it if you don't allow trusted voice.
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Click to collapse
I think the latest update knocked it sideways.
I never had any issues until the latest GA update.
Doing a little research I have found a bloom of complaints in the last couple of weeks.
I have to continually go back and check the trusted voice attribute.
i suspect it has to do with have multiple google accounts in my phone.
I am sure it will be addressed in future updates.
parakleet said:
I think the latest update knocked it sideways.
I never had any issues until the latest GA update.
Doing a little research I have found a bloom of complaints in the last couple of weeks.
I have to continually go back and check the trusted voice attribute.
i suspect it has to do with have multiple google accounts in my phone.
I am sure it will be addressed in future updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been having issues too, does your "Trusted Voice" setting keep getting disabled in the background? That's the problem I keep noticing in my Google App Settings (in hotword detection). I talked to a support rep, just keep sending feedback from that settings page by pressing the question mark in the upper right, then selecting Send Feedback at the bottom of the page that appears. Simply type in that Trusted Voice disabled itself and submit. The only way we get this fixed is by telling them about it.
Does anyone HATE Bixby as much as I do ? I really wish someone from Samsung would read this. I hate it when Microsoft uses the public to beta test software, but Samsung has gone WAY TOO FAR! If the software is not ready, don't implement it yet!
I've been a Note user since my Note 2. I've ALWAYS relied on S-Voice to do two major things for me. I know a lot of people didn't like it, but it's been very helpful for me. One is creating an appointment while I'm driving. The other is calling customers while I'm driving. I assume you see the 'driving' portion of my need. I need and want it to work TOTALLY HANDS FREE! I use a Motorola bluetooth on my ear during my waking hours. I use it to call Bixby. I WILL NEVER hold that stupid button to talk to my phone. Very stupid idea Samsung! I will never have Samsung, Google, Amazon, or anyone else listen to me talking (or singing horribly) all of the time waiting for that magic phrase. Never happening! Sorry. my wife listens too closely as it is. I don't need the cloud to listen to me too! I ***** and gripe a lot!
On my old Note 4, and through the different versions of S-Voice (none of them publicly released for that device ... only installed via ROOT), there have been problems, but its worked almost 95% of the time. Now that I paid $1000 for the new flagship phone, I'm finding myself unable to do the same things I've been doing on my Note 2, Note 3, and Note 4 devices for the past five plus years. Since obviously I've had it more than 14 days, I can't return it.
Bixby DOES NOT work handsfree. Neither does Google Assistant either. But S-Voice actually did! Saying commands to Bixby like these produce very odd results. They worked perfectly with S-Voice.
"Create an appointment Joe Smith at 8am tomorrow morning" ... with Bixby, it will be named something like "APPOINTMENT JOE", but most likely it will be set to 8 o'clock TODAY and not TOMORROW! Sometimes it doesn't even pick up the time and it's set for 12 Noon! It also DOES NOT repeat your request, like S-Voice did. I have no idea while I'm driving if it got anything correct. So far, I've LOST a half dozen appointments because I don't know where, when, or even if they were saved. They disappeared after confirming for it to be saved. If it does get saved, it's almost always incorrect and I have to manually edit it.
Now I've tried the way they recommend making an appointment, by saying to open calendar ... blah blah ... but that doesn't work either. It stops to ask "what would you like to name this event?" ... well, you reply and it stops. So much for handsfree. I have to reach for my phone to complete creating an event, something so basic is beyond Samsung's Bixby.
This one really gets me riled up! When I say "Call Teresa Adams", sometimes it will pick up the contact correctly, but a majority of the time it won't. It thinks I said "Theresa" instead of "Teresa". The same thing happens with a lot of other names, like "Bird" instead of "Byrd", "Smith" instead of "Smyth". Or "Jon" instead of "John". It cannot find the contact to call ... meaning it's not longer handsfree. I have to pick up my phone to make a phone call while driving. In some states, it's illegal to even HOLD your phone while driving! These are only a few of the issues I've seen with Bixby. But the inconsistency of pulling names from your contacts is HIGHLY FRUSTRATING!
Another one that burns me up ... this happens for totally unknown reasons. I'll ask Bixby to do something, and the reply I get is just totally off the wall. It will come up and tell me I have to install UBER to do that. WHAT THE HELL? I don't need UBER for ANYTHING!
I had to rename my wife's contact. I guess have too many names with 'Teresa' along with a last name, It NEVER called the right one. It would find five other names (and not all were Theresa or Teresa). So I've rename her contact to 'THE WIFE', and yet ... a few weeks ago, I asked Bixby to call 'THE WIFE' and it dialed my neighbor 'Peewee' instead. He got a great chuckle out of the fact that my Note 8 thinks he's my wife. I find it disturbing it can't even do the VERY BASICS. If Bixby was my true personal assistant on the job. they would be fired instantly and shown the door.
What have I done to remedy this issue for myself? You're not going to believe it, but I still carry my Note 4 (with Verizon service) and use it to do the stuff my new and expensive Note 8 cannot handle. I use my Note 8 as my business phone, but Bixby is useless for me. I don't want my so called assistant to pull up photos I took last week based upon some request. That stuff I should do with it in my hands.
NOTE TO DEVELOPERS OF ALL ASSISTANT APPS:
1. Must be able to function COMPLETELY HANDS FREE using bluetooth.
2. Must be able to respond with audible prompts and continue the process after an answer has been given.
3. Must verify and read back the information received correctly BEFORE saving the event (or calling the number selected)
4. Must be able to save a calendar appointment/event WITHOUT asking which app to use to save it. (this is a Google Assistant issue more than Bixby). As far as I can tell ... ALL CALENDAR APPS access the SAME CALENDARS! Duh! Why ask? Bixby wants to save to the Samsung calendar, but that can be changed and it will remember which calendar to save the requested event (and future requests). It should ask which calendar to save it to ONLY once, and use that as a default.
5. If you're going to release a REPLACEMENT software program, at least make sure it's CAPABLE of doing what the previous version could do first.
I've ranted long enough ... but haven't said all there is. I find it sad that I have to carry around my 4 year old device to do something so basic that my new expensive device cannot do without being coddled into doing my bidding. I refuse to switch to another device. If I wasn't locked in, I'd go back to using the Note 4 and never give Samsung my money again.
Whew ... I feel a little better, but I know I'm only blowing off steam. No one who reads this will be able to change anything. So I'm stuck carrying around two devices for now to do the basic stuff I've been doing for the past five years. Feels like we're moving backwards, doesn't it?
I have the Pixel 3 XL, and I have a frustrating issue. When the screen is on the lockscreen, using Google Assistant to call someone, read emails, or read messages doesn't seem to work properly. It will try to call, but nothing happens, and it will display my messages but not read them. If I go to the homescreen and repeat, everything works. This also happens on the lockscreen with smart lock enabled. I verified that voice match and lock screen personal results are both enabled.
Is anyone else experiencing this, and if so is this normal?
dcorrea said:
I have the Pixel 3 XL, and I have a frustrating issue. When the screen is on the lockscreen, using Google Assistant to call someone, read emails, or read messages doesn't seem to work properly. It will try to call, but nothing happens, and it will display my messages but not read them. If I go to the homescreen and repeat, everything works. This also happens on the lockscreen with smart lock enabled. I verified that voice match and lock screen personal results are both enabled.
Is anyone else experiencing this, and if so is this normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is by design. No longer doing voice unlock. You will only get non-personal info.
Really?? You're saying that Google has removed the capability to use Google Assistant when the Pixel 3 is locked (i.e. voice unlock)? This seems like a step backwards. Can you provide a link to an official Google statement on this?
JWadle said:
Really?? You're saying that Google has removed the capability to use Google Assistant when the Pixel 3 is locked (i.e. voice unlock)? This seems like a step backwards. Can you provide a link to an official Google statement on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've actually read that this will be an option moving forward. From the lockscreen without unlocking the phone. If you've been able to use assistant without unlocking the phone, this is news to me. I know they're making it so you can't unlock the phone with your voice, hey Google, whatever though. Security apparently.
gettinwicked said:
I've actually read that this will be an option moving forward. From the lockscreen without unlocking the phone. If you've been able to use assistant without unlocking the phone, this is news to me. I know they're making it so you can't unlock the phone with your voice, hey Google, whatever though. Security apparently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok my wife just got home and I tried it on her Pixel with the same result. Guess it is a feature now...which I think sucks. I understood that you could no longer unlock the pixel with your voice, but I figured that you could still make calls and check messages with your voice. Why would the assistant show me my messages but not read them aloud from the lockscreen? That makes no sense.
dcorrea said:
Ok my wife just got home and I tried it on her Pixel with the same result. Guess it is a feature now...which I think sucks. I understood that you could no longer unlock the pixel with your voice, but I figured that you could still make calls and check messages with your voice. Why would the assistant show me my messages but not read them aloud from the lockscreen? That makes no sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. Doesn't make sense that it shows your notifications, but won't read them. I would not mind it if was enabled with Smart Lock. Like if my watch is paired, then it will read everything like before.
JWadle said:
Really?? You're saying that Google has removed the capability to use Google Assistant when the Pixel 3 is locked (i.e. voice unlock)? This seems like a step backwards. Can you provide a link to an official Google statement on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/10/19/pixel-3-drops-support-voice-match-unlocking/
No please say it's a bug I just 2 days ago tried to turn off my lights and i was annoyed because i needed to go and pickup my phone to do that. I was thinking it just a bug and tried to fix it for a while, and was thinking i need to do factory reset. But apparently it's not ;/
And it was on Pixel 2 XL
I read an article from 9 to 5 that said this may be how all phones run the Okay google unlock command in future updates not just Pixel 3.
Edit
I have a Google Assistant Routine that I activate for bedtime. From the Lockscreen, it is able to read my personal calendar events for tomorrow outloud but it is unable to play "sleep sounds". Absolutely silly to me.
This is a Google devised plot to sell more google home devices. Until this changed, our phones could do everything a smart speaker could.
Wow.. I allowed my smartwatch to unlock the phone via Smart Lock with Bluetooth.
Google Assistant still won't let me do calls, nor will it open apps from the lockscreen.
It recognizes the command just fine saying "calling person xy" but it won't do anything at all. Same with opening apps. For example if I ask it to open Spotify it says "opening Spotify" but nothing happens.
If it's by design, why wouldn't it tell me that a proper unlock is required?
It seems to me that this is more likely a bug than by design?!
dcorrea said:
I have the Pixel 3 XL, and I have a frustrating issue. When the screen is on the lockscreen, using Google Assistant to call someone, read emails, or read messages doesn't seem to work properly. It will try to call, but nothing happens, and it will display my messages but not read them. If I go to the homescreen and repeat, everything works. This also happens on the lockscreen with smart lock enabled. I verified that voice match and lock screen personal results are both enabled.
Is anyone else experiencing this, and if so is this normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same problem,but when I unlock my pixel3(rooted), open phone app and exit, then lock the screen,when you said:"call xx's mobile ",she asked you to unlock the phone.(what's the necessary of this function)the calling is working........
same question,Is anyone else experiencing this?
I've realized that some of the issues posted by the OP are related to smart lock being enabled. If I try and get Assistant to set an alarm or make a call from the lockscreen WITH smart Lock enabled it recognises the command but doesn't enact it. If I disable smartlock everything works even from the lockscreen. I have reported it to support and sent a bug report but I doubt anything will get done about it.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
Good morning everyone,
I am not super tech savvy, and need some help. I truly believe that my phone is somehow hacked, here is the situation:
My significant other and I are going through a break up in court,
She seems to know what I am saying in real time, often mentioning in it later that day or the next day; She seems to know what I am google searching, and even possibly what photos I have taken.
When I put my phone in airplane mode a few times, I could tell, even though she would have no idea that I put it in airplane mode, she freaked out by texting me repeatedly as if she was trying to get me to respond to pick up my signal or something.
Could she have hired someone from the dark web or something and they have hacked or cloned my phone?
The program I have for security is Avast.
Is there anything I can do other than trading my fold 3 in for the fold 4 to completely gain confidence I am not being spied on? I know that she would go to any extreme to find out what I am doing, her whole family is schizo like that and I am really worried, I just want to have the piece of mind my phone is safe, and as of now I dont trust it, or anything else electronic in my house.
Any comments or suggestions are truly appreciated and welcomed.
Check Google account for any unauthorized logins.
Backup all critical data, remove Google and Samsung accounts from phone.
Factory reset from settings, then reset your Google account password. Done.
Be careful what you install and don't let others use the device or connect foreign flash drives to it. Do Not install or use trash sites like WhatsApp, FB, Tiktok, etc.
blackhawk said:
Check Google account for any unauthorized logins.
Backup all critical data, remove Google and Samsung accounts from phone.
Factory reset from settings, then reset your Google account password. Done.
Be careful what you install and don't let others use the device or connect foreign flash drives to it. Do Not install or use trash sites like WhatsApp, FB, Tiktok, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree completely with the recommendation that you do the factory reset. And if you have access to a laptop or computer-- or any other device: use a web browser to change Google and Samsung passwords. Also if you use any other email provider, chat apps change those passwords too.
eliniko said:
Good morning everyone,
I am not super tech savvy, and need some help. I truly believe that my phone is somehow hacked, here is the situation:
My significant other and I are going through a break up in court,
She seems to know what I am saying in real time, often mentioning in it later that day or the next day; She seems to know what I am google searching, and even possibly what photos I have taken.
When I put my phone in airplane mode a few times, I could tell, even though she would have no idea that I put it in airplane mode, she freaked out by texting me repeatedly as if she was trying to get me to respond to pick up my signal or something.
Could she have hired someone from the dark web or something and they have hacked or cloned my phone?
The program I have for security is Avast.
Is there anything I can do other than trading my fold 3 in for the fold 4 to completely gain confidence I am not being spied on? I know that she would go to any extreme to find out what I am doing, her whole family is schizo like that and I am really worried, I just want to have the piece of mind my phone is safe, and as of now I dont trust it, or anything else electronic in my house.
Any comments or suggestions are truly appreciated and welcomed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree completely with the recommendation that you do the factory reset. And if you have access to a laptop or computer-- or any other device (not the phone in question): use a web browser to change Google and Samsung passwords. Also if you use any other email provider, chat apps change those passwords too.
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Yeah in this case I would say she definitely somehow has access to your Google account. Your best bet is to first go through and remove any recovery email / phone numbers you don't recognize from your account and then do a factory reset of your current device, if you want to go further you could reflash Android onto the device using ODIN but that does take some knowhow. Also check for any unrecognized apps on your device, as simply having access to your backups will not give her instant access to what you said so my best guess is that she has your passwords.
eliniko said:
When I put my phone in airplane mode a few times, I could tell, even though she would have no idea that I put it in airplane mode, she freaked out by texting me repeatedly as if she was trying to get me to respond to pick up my signal or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you receive any messages when in airplane mode?
eliniko said:
The program I have for security is Avast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can deinstall it. It's worthless.
WoKoschekk said:
You can deinstall it. It's worthless.
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Click to collapse
thanks, you can tell I dont know anything, can you tell me what program/app can scan my phone?
WoKoschekk said:
How do you receive any messages when in airplane mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they all come through in a flurry when I switch my phone back on. I turn it on in airplane mode when I have my son with me, this is what I am most concerned about is she is spying on me for.
eliniko said:
thanks, you can tell I dont know anything, can you tell me what program/app can scan my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
brain.exe! An anti virus app compares your installed packages (apps) with a black list on its home server. Is there a match => show a warning screen. The problem here is that it's no problem to install a package with a random generated name (Magisk users should know what I mean). So you have no chance to detect it. And that's only one method to bypass your anti virus.
Afraid of unknown apps? Check your installed apps either in your device settings or by checking the folder /data/app which is accessible without root permissions. Every app for Android has to store its APK in this directory or otherwise it is not executable.
Apart from that a Google account must be secured by at least 2FA. This is the minimum to secure your data. Find it in your Google settings. There is also listed which devices are currently logged in.
Messenger apps can't be installed with your account on 2 or more different devices without a warning or without being uninstalled on the first device. Additionally you need a verification for that which will be sent to your mobile no.
Spying on a device also means permanent data traffic. Did you check your device settings if any app shows irregular high data traffic?
eliniko said:
Good morning everyone,
I am not super tech savvy, and need some help. I truly believe that my phone is somehow hacked, here is the situation:
My significant other and I are going through a break up in court,
She seems to know what I am saying in real time, often mentioning in it later that day or the next day; She seems to know what I am google searching, and even possibly what photos I have taken.
When I put my phone in airplane mode a few times, I could tell, even though she would have no idea that I put it in airplane mode, she freaked out by texting me repeatedly as if she was trying to get me to respond to pick up my signal or something.
Could she have hired someone from the dark web or something and they have hacked or cloned my phone?
The program I have for security is Avast.
Is there anything I can do other than trading my fold 3 in for the fold 4 to completely gain confidence I am not being spied on? I know that she would go to any extreme to find out what I am doing, her whole family is schizo like that and I am really worried, I just want to have the piece of mind my phone is safe, and as of now I dont trust it, or anything else electronic in my house.
Any comments or suggestions are truly appreciated and welcomed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry to hear you are going through this. A friend of mine went through something similar. His ex had connections to email accounts and online messaging accounts by password spoofing and other means and might have had some help knowing what passwords he used or like to use. He was alerted of random locations of unauthorized access to gmail and yahoo many many times, he sent them to me along with other chat messages from things she wouldn't know unless she or someone was watching him. I believed his vehicle or phone had been tracked by gps but we never found anything. His ex knew stuff that didn't make sense and where he was were as if he was being watched, and I'm also positive he was being watched. They were living together during court for a 3 months and then separated. I told him to stop using all the online chats, reset phone and change passwords. And he did, but he was still being tracked. I said either they put in some gps tracking device like an apple air tag or cheap gps tracker or a recording device somewhere or had someone watching him. I told him to buy a temp phone with new number and he did and communicate with only a handful of people he 100% trusted and left his main phone at home most of time until the court stuff was over. He thought she had connections to a law enforcement detective. I said anything is possible. Talk about being paranoid. I went through most of it with him. He also bought a new computer and after a new phone and trading in his car, yes, he did all three. I thought he shouldn't have to go that far but there was a lot crazy stuff going that didn't make sense. So after he did those things and also got a secure place of his own, and bought video cameras for his car and house, she went completely was clueless...but also turned crazy agitated and annoying. There's so much more but its amazing what lengths some people will go to on both ends.
Oh I forgot to add she or someone had attached random different emails to two of his accounts for backup emails. He sent me pictures. I believe that is for an alternative login and forget password. So even if you changed it she could still get access. So check that too!
Do you have separate phone accounts or on the same plan? Hopefully separate or she could be accessing your mobile account.
Is she using Android or iPhone?
You can care or not care about it, but I say do what makes you feel safe and comfortable.
Definitely start with what Blackhawk wrote!
I'm so sorry to ramble on, your post just made me think of that and all the horrible stuff she did to my friend.
One day at a time my friend, it will get better!
I wish you the best of luck!
defcondoc said:
I'm sorry to hear you are going through this. A friend of mine went through something similar. His ex had connections to email accounts and online messaging accounts by password spoofing and other means and might have had some help knowing what passwords he used or like to use. He was alerted of random locations of unauthorized access to gmail and yahoo many many times, he sent them to me along with other chat messages from things she wouldn't know unless she or someone was watching him. I believed his vehicle or phone had been tracked by gps but we never found anything. His ex knew stuff that didn't make sense and where he was were as if he was being watched, and I'm also positive he was being watched. They were living together during court for a 3 months and then separated. I told him to stop using all the online chats, reset phone and change passwords. And he did, but he was still being tracked. I said either they put in some gps tracking device like an apple air tag or cheap gps tracker or a recording device somewhere or had someone watching him. I told him to buy a temp phone with new number and he did and communicate with only a handful of people he 100% trusted and left his main phone at home most of time until the court stuff was over. He thought she had connections to a law enforcement detective. I said anything is possible. Talk about being paranoid. I went through most of it with him. He also bought a new computer and after a new phone and trading in his car, yes, he did all three. I thought he shouldn't have to go that far but there was a lot crazy stuff going that didn't make sense. So after he did those things and also got a secure place of his own, and bought video cameras for his car and house, she went completely was clueless...but also turned crazy agitated and annoying. There's so much more but its amazing what lengths some people will go to on both ends.
Oh I forgot to add she or someone had attached random different emails to two of his accounts for backup emails. He sent me pictures. I believe that is for an alternative login and forget password. So even if you changed it she could still get access. So check that too!
Do you have separate phone accounts or on the same plan? Hopefully separate or she could be accessing your mobile account.
Is she using Android or iPhone?
You can care or not care about it, but I say do what makes you feel safe and comfortable.
Definitely start with what Blackhawk wrote!
I'm so sorry to ramble on, your post just made me think of that and all the horrible stuff she did to my friend.
One day at a time my friend, it will get better!
I wish you the best of luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, this is exactly happening to me. I believe she has seen photos either from google photos or on my phone, although I dont know how she could access, as well as a critical timeline of texts have just disappeared, I have no idea how to recover them, only her texts on the text app on the fold 3 phone have disappeared, a 2 month block of our conversations, I dont know how to e tthem back, I tried reinstalling my back up, but those messages are gone, even in my samsung back up and google back up, any idea how I could have my phone professionally recover those messages, i am willing to pay whatever amount, i really need those messages for court.....any ideas? I will pay for someone to try...
What happened was, she had my phone for like an hour (before the breakup) and I noticed days later those messages gone, then came the break up, seperation, court order, etc.....it is a true nightmare that was thought out by her. I know her brother stalked his girlfriend with a gps tracker, broke into her email, facebook, etc, so i know she used his know how to do the same.
Any ideas on how to ge tthose messages back? I would be extremely grateful to get those...
You should not forget that this person was part of your life for a long time. She knows a lot of your habits in daily life and there are a lot of people knowing both of you. One of them might see you somewhere and the next day this person meets your Ex and they talk about it. You can get a lot of information about a person even without having access to his/her mobile phone, accounts and so on. Sometimes you only see what you want ro see. Especially in such a challenging situation like a separation. Often you realized it by yourself when some time is passed and you have enough distance to it.
eliniko said:
Thanks, this is exactly happening to me. I believe she has seen photos either from google photos or on my phone, although I dont know how she could access, as well as a critical timeline of texts have just disappeared, I have no idea how to recover them, only her texts on the text app on the fold 3 phone have disappeared, a 2 month block of our conversations, I dont know how to e tthem back, I tried reinstalling my back up, but those messages are gone, even in my samsung back up and google back up, any idea how I could have my phone professionally recover those messages, i am willing to pay whatever amount, i really need those messages for court.....any ideas? I will pay for someone to try...
What happened was, she had my phone for like an hour (before the breakup) and I noticed days later those messages gone, then came the break up, seperation, court order, etc.....it is a true nightmare that was thought out by her. I know her brother stalked his girlfriend with a gps tracker, broke into her email, facebook, etc, so i know she used his know how to do the same.
Any ideas on how to ge tthose messages back? I would be extremely grateful to get those...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh ha, now this is definitely making more sense. So the actual SMS MMS text app? Only way to get messages back aside from a backup would be from the carrier, AFIK. I believe there is android recovery software that may be able to recover deleted messages.
defcondoc said:
Ahh ha, now this is definitely making more sense. So the actual SMS MMS text app? Only way to get messages back aside from a backup would be from the carrier, AFIK. I believe there is android recovery software that may be able to recover deleted messages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the SMS. I would have no idea how to contact them, I had Infinity at the time that the texts were sent, so would they even have those texts?
eliniko said:
Yes, the SMS. I would have no idea how to contact them, I had Infinity at the time that the texts were sent, so would they even have those texts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. I don't know Infinity, but I believe you would need to open a case with them and file a court order with other carriers. I would give them a call and ask technical support and customer relations on how you would go about getting those back. Do you have date and time when they were sent? They might need that specific information. Your attorney may have experience with this.
defcondoc said:
I'm sorry to hear you are going through this. A friend of mine went through something similar. His ex had connections to email accounts and online messaging accounts by password spoofing and other means and might have had some help knowing what passwords he used or like to use. He was alerted of random locations of unauthorized access to gmail and yahoo many many times, he sent them to me along with other chat messages from things she wouldn't know unless she or someone was watching him. I believed his vehicle or phone had been tracked by gps but we never found anything. His ex knew stuff that didn't make sense and where he was were as if he was being watched, and I'm also positive he was being watched. They were living together during court for a 3 months and then separated. I told him to stop using all the online chats, reset phone and change passwords. And he did, but he was still being tracked. I said either they put in some gps tracking device like an apple air tag or cheap gps tracker or a recording device somewhere or had someone watching him. I told him to buy a temp phone with new number and he did and communicate with only a handful of people he 100% trusted and left his main phone at home most of time until the court stuff was over. He thought she had connections to a law enforcement detective. I said anything is possible. Talk about being paranoid. I went through most of it with him. He also bought a new computer and after a new phone and trading in his car, yes, he did all three. I thought he shouldn't have to go that far but there was a lot crazy stuff going that didn't make sense. So after he did those things and also got a secure place of his own, and bought video cameras for his car and house, she went completely was clueless...but also turned crazy agitated and annoying. There's so much more but its amazing what lengths some people will go to on both ends.
Oh I forgot to add she or someone had attached random different emails to two of his accounts for backup emails. He sent me pictures. I believe that is for an alternative login and forget password. So even if you changed it she could still get access. So check that too!
Do you have separate phone accounts or on the same plan? Hopefully separate or she could be accessing your mobile account.
Is she using Android or iPhone?
You can care or not care about it, but I say do what makes you feel safe and comfortable.
Definitely start with what Blackhawk wrote!
I'm so sorry to ramble on, your post just made me think of that and all the horrible stuff she did to my friend.
One day at a time my friend, it will get better!
I wish you the best of luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stop goofing around with the runt and play hardball. Let the pros handle it. They have tools and methods that would make your head spin like Linda Blair.
&
Gps tracking device on car or other personal belonging. Relax. Sit back and look at the clues, find the cause(s), plug the leaks. Better yet, let the FBI build a case and do as directed... federal crimes will put someone deep in the hurt locker.
You could actually use this situation to your advantage, for a while, you could email/text things that would really make her happy/sad/angry/jealous etc when bored with that do the above wipe recommendations!
eliniko said:
Good morning everyone,
I am not super tech savvy, and need some help. I truly believe that my phone is somehow hacked, here is the situation:
My significant other and I are going through a break up in court,
She seems to know what I am saying in real time, often mentioning in it later that day or the next day; She seems to know what I am google searching, and even possibly what photos I have taken.
When I put my phone in airplane mode a few times, I could tell, even though she would have no idea that I put it in airplane mode, she freaked out by texting me repeatedly as if she was trying to get me to respond to pick up my signal or something.
Could she have hired someone from the dark web or something and they have hacked or cloned my phone?
The program I have for security is Avast.
Is there anything I can do other than trading my fold 3 in for the fold 4 to completely gain confidence I am not being spied on? I know that she would go to any extreme to find out what I am doing, her whole family is schizo like that and I am really worried, I just want to have the piece of mind my phone is safe, and as of now I dont trust it, or anything else electronic in my house.
Any comments or suggestions are truly appreciated and welcomed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The likelihood of your phone being hacked is really quite low. if you're truly concerned however, factory reset your phone, start from scratch, don't restore backups.
The main thing I'm certain you need to do is go and change all of your account passwords. If the account offers it, tell it to "force sign out everywhere"
Turn on 2 factor authentication, ideally not using a phone or email that she would know about.
Start here:
Account settings: Your browser is not supported.
myaccount.google.com
What to do if an unknown sign in or hacking attempt is found
FAQ for Samsung mobile devices. Find more about Continue watching videos after leaving Samsung TV Plus with Samsung Support
www.samsung.com
Goes without saying, go change facebook passwords, twitter, all your socials. change everything.
eliniko said:
Good morning everyone,
I am not super tech savvy, and need some help. I truly believe that my phone is somehow hacked, here is the situation:
My significant other and I are going through a break up in court,
She seems to know what I am saying in real time, often mentioning in it later that day or the next day; She seems to know what I am google searching, and even possibly what photos I have taken.
When I put my phone in airplane mode a few times, I could tell, even though she would have no idea that I put it in airplane mode, she freaked out by texting me repeatedly as if she was trying to get me to respond to pick up my signal or something.
Could she have hired someone from the dark web or something and they have hacked or cloned my phone?
The program I have for security is Avast.
Is there anything I can do other than trading my fold 3 in for the fold 4 to completely gain confidence I am not being spied on? I know that she would go to any extreme to find out what I am doing, her whole family is schizo like that and I am really worried, I just want to have the piece of mind my phone is safe, and as of now I dont trust it, or anything else electronic in my house.
Any comments or suggestions are truly appreciated and welcomed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you should change your phone and SIM card?