Related
A little while ago my brother had his iphone6 snatched. Now with Iphone, I know cannot be mounted to usb directly or even via recovery.
I know pin, fingerprint etc block access to the phone. I want to understand about other ways to access internal storage to gain access to photos and any other documents
That makes me ask - What security options we have for android - in particular OP3 (have 2 of them) and how can we make it more secure. ? Both my phones have Blu_spark TWRP + Freedom OS 2.10, if that matters.
Just to share, I found following to be foolproof
- Setup Pin + Fingerpints
- Setup Pin / Password for phone startup
This
- Keeps the device encrypted
- Unable to boot without pin
- Unable to access TWRP without pin
- Doesn't auto-mount on USB connect
Still, it would be interesting to hear about any cons of the above setup.
hyperorb said:
A little while ago my brother had his iphone6 snatched. Now with Iphone, I know cannot be mounted to usb directly or even via recovery.
I know pin, fingerprint etc block access to the phone. I want to understand about other ways to access internal storage to gain access to photos and any other documents
That makes me ask - What security options we have for android - in particular OP3 (have 2 of them) and how can we make it more secure. ? Both my phones have Blu_spark TWRP + Freedom OS 2.10, if that matters.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The easiest is to not get it snatched. Or if it does you chase them down and get your phone back. But barring that not alot you can really do and ill explain why.
When someone steals a phone, they dont care about the data on it. They are either gonna sell it or use it. Either way The device has the sim removed with in sec of it being taken and then it is reset or flashed to stock to remove any and all locks. This normally happens within minutes if not seconds of a device being stolen.
zelendel said:
The easiest is to not get it snatched. Or if it does you chase them down and get your phone back. But barring that not alot you can really do and ill explain why.
When someone steals a phone, they dont care about the data on it. They are either gonna sell it or use it. Either way The device has the sim removed with in sec of it being taken and then it is reset or flashed to stock to remove any and all locks. This normally happens within minutes if not seconds of a device being stolen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interestingly that was not the case. They remained in contact and kept on asking for phone passcode; which we did not give.
I'm not aware if its equally east in iPhone to enter into (kind of) fastboot mode and erase entire storage. In such case the loss remains of the phone and nothing else ; specially when we may have financial apps too on the phone.
hyperorb said:
Interestingly that was not the case. They remained in contact and kept on asking for phone passcode; which we did not give.
I'm not aware if its equally east in iPhone to enter into (kind of) fastboot mode and erase entire storage. In such case the loss remains of the phone and nothing else ; specially when we may have financial apps too on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No apple doesn't have the option. Main reason the fbi had to pay to have an iPhone unlocked not to long ago.
Part of the reason I never advise doing any sort of banking on a device as there is just too many security risks. I, mean even android keyboards monitor what you type.
hyperorb said:
A little while ago my brother had his iphone6 snatched. Now with Iphone, I know cannot be mounted to usb directly or even via recovery.
I know pin, fingerprint etc block access to the phone. I want to understand about other ways to access internal storage to gain access to photos and any other documents
That makes me ask - What security options we have for android - in particular OP3 (have 2 of them) and how can we make it more secure. ? Both my phones have Blu_spark TWRP + Freedom OS 2.10, if that matters.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cerberus is a really nice app... You have alot of options sadly it isn't free! But heyy, it's cheap and it's functional! Other then that keep your device encrypted and a boot password should do.
As long as you're not rooted and unlocked, it will be a bit hard for an thieve to have access to your phone. Leaving ADB on, might as well decrease the overall security of the phone.
I for example was given a tablet which had a Google account synced with it, and resetting from recovery only made me renter the credidentials previously used to be able to pass the setup.
My luck was that the guy left ADB on and with a simple command I bypassed the setup screen.
hyperorb said:
Interestingly that was not the case. They remained in contact and kept on asking for phone passcode; which we did not give.
I'm not aware if its equally east in iPhone to enter into (kind of) fastboot mode and erase entire storage. In such case the loss remains of the phone and nothing else ; specially when we may have financial apps too on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure about iPhone's but for newer Android phones as long as you are encrypted and have a pin/password set for boot, a thief would just wipe the phone return to stock and sell or use it. 99.9% of the time they just want money so the likely reason they wanted your pass code is they couldn't sell it cause they were blocked from resetting it temporarily. As long they have a physical device and unlimited time they will eventually reset it and get rid of it.
Renosh said:
Not sure about iPhone's but for newer Android phones as long as you are encrypted and have a pin/password set for boot, a thief would just wipe the phone return to stock and sell or use it. 99.9% of the time they just want money so the likely reason they wanted your pass code is they couldn't sell it cause they were blocked from resetting it temporarily. As long they have a physical device and unlimited time they will eventually reset it and get rid of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. If someone steals your device 99.98% of the time it is too use it or sell it. With way your data is meaningless.
As for them wanting your pass code the above is right. But as they couldn't reset it you could have reported it stolen and the police may be able to find it but most of the time they have better things to do then recover a lost cell phone.
I used to work with people that felt with stolen cell phones. I can say the normally. Withing 30 min of a device being stolen the data is gone. And when I say that I mean a complete DOJ style wipe, format and imei change.
zelendel said:
No apple doesn't have the option. Main reason the fbi had to pay to have an iPhone unlocked not to long ago.
Part of the reason I never advise doing any sort of banking on a device as there is just too many security risks. I, mean even android keyboards monitor what you type.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
....so do all iOS keyboards, both first and third party. it's required for them to function
---------- Post added at 09:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:23 AM ----------
zelendel said:
Exactly. If someone steals your device 99.98% of the time it is too use it or sell it. With way your data is meaningless.
As for them wanting your pass code the above is right. But as they couldn't reset it you could have reported it stolen and the police may be able to find it but most of the time they have better things to do then recover a lost cell phone.
I used to work with people that felt with stolen cell phones. I can say the normally. Withing 30 min of a device being stolen the data is gone. And when I say that I mean a complete DOJ style wipe, format and imei change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is exactly why that semi-recent feature added by google which requires you to log in with the previously added google account in the phone before initial setup following a factory reset is very useful - it makes the phone unusable/unsellable (unless im missing something?)
2x4 said:
....so do all iOS keyboards, both first and third party. it's required for them to function
---------- Post added at 09:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:23 AM ----------
this is exactly why that semi-recent feature added by google which requires you to log in with the previously added google account in the phone before initial setup following a factory reset is very useful - it makes the phone unusable/unsellable (unless im missing something?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That can easily be bypassed by wiping the data off the device and flash a stock rom to it. The only the the FRP does is prevent them from getting at the data.
No its not really. It's so they can send relevant ads. Those that remember smartphones before Apple or Android knows that it is not really needed.
zelendel said:
That can easily be bypassed by wiping the data off the device and flash a stock rom to it. The only the the FRP does is prevent them from getting at the data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but how can they flash a stock ROM onto the device if the "require PIN before startup" option is selected? how can they flash if recovery has a PIN on it?
2x4 said:
but how can they flash a stock ROM onto the device if the "require PIN before startup" option is selected? how can they flash if recovery has a PIN on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because that is before startup and not the bootloader, even with those set up they normally dont cover download mode or what ever mode that particular OEM uses (not all use the same). In extreme cases with some apps that make it a bit harder or people just dont want to be bothered to mess with things too deeply there are tools available that Will push the update right to the board bypassing all security. Sure its a little extra work but it is a sure bet when you cant get into a device and cant be bothered hunting down getting around it.
Also for the passwords on startup. any password cracker would take out the average password in a matter of min.
This has been very interesting and so much to learn. Thank you all for great inputs.
zelendel said:
I never advise doing any sort of banking on a device as there is just too many security risks. I, mean even android keyboards monitor what you type.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. But then Microsoft too is not clean. Browser , Windows.... That way we can never work.
Puddi_Puddin said:
Cerberus is a really nice app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have it in all my Androids Very helpful at times, even for non theft purpose..
XDRdaniel said:
Leaving ADB on, might as well decrease the overall security of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Will read more on this.
Renosh said:
for newer Android phones as long as you are encrypted and have a pin/password set for boot, a thief would just wipe the phone return to stock and sell or use it. 99.9% of the time they just want money so the likely reason they wanted your pass code is they couldn't sell it cause they were blocked from resetting it temporarily. As long they have a physical device and unlimited time they will eventually reset it and get rid of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once a phone is lost, there's little chance to get it back. Device loss is one thing and data loss (or rather data access) is another. The later at times can have more problems.
I used to keep my id papers (for ease of printing anywhere as needed) on phone (Nokia N5). Lost that phone .. and till date I hope no one used those to buy services, do illegal stuff. That was a lesson learnt hard way
zelendel said:
With way your data is meaningless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends where you are. There are places where one can avail services in other's name using fake ids or stolen data etc.
2x4 said:
. this is exactly why that semi-recent feature added by google which requires you to log in with the previously added google account in the phone before initial setup following a factory reset is very useful - it makes the phone unusable/unsellable (unless im missing something?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm.. I think I came across that in OP3. Didn't pay attention though.
zelendel said:
Because that is before startup and not the bootloader,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is better to loose one than two. Phone is anyways lost .. so at least we can try secure data. Let them wipe and then get nothing in hand.
hyperorb said:
This has been very interesting and so much to learn. Thank you all for great inputs.
Yes. But then Microsoft too is not clean. Browser , Windows.... That way we can never work.
Have it in all my Androids Very helpful at times, even for non theft purpose..
Thanks. Will read more on this.
Once a phone is lost, there's little chance to get it back. Device loss is one thing and data loss (or rather data access) is another. The later at times can have more problems.
I used to keep my id papers (for ease of printing anywhere as needed) on phone (Nokia N5). Lost that phone .. and till date I hope no one used those to buy services, do illegal stuff. That was a lesson learnt hard way
Depends where you are. There are places where one can avail services in other's name using fake ids or stolen data etc.
Hmm.. I think I came across that in OP3. Didn't pay attention though.
It is better to loose one than two. Phone is anyways lost .. so at least we can try secure data. Let them wipe and then get nothing in hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to steal someone's phone to get a fake ID with their info. 1500 usd will get you that without it.
As for getting nothing in hand. They got exactly what they wanted. The device. Unless you work for the government in a high place. Then your data is meaningless on your phone. You already put it in enough places on line while using a pc that if they want it they already have it.
I could easily steal someone identity with a little more then what they post on Facebook or other social media outlets.
dear community
I bought a new S10 plus from a Hong Kong seller online, I had the initial screen greeting in traditional Chinese where I used my other phone to translate and chose English language (noticed that the device is probably a Taiwanese version)
First few hours were fine until June 2019 was installed.
Random unresponsiveness and strange behavior (Android status bar will pull down on its own, back and home virtual buttons do not work all the time, non responsive touch screen) This will go away if I lock then unlock and will come back again or sometimes not.
This became an annoyance as it will randomly either make the screen unresponsive or ultra responsive repeating my single touch commands which is a real pain, I hope you get the picture?
I decided to do a RESET, this all went well until it rebooted to a screen where it said something in traditional Chinese and a tick next to SIM1 (I forgot my UK sim card inside) so I clicked on next
it then rebooted and with a greeting in English!
here I went through the setting up and the wireless then it could not connect to Google (how bizarre)
I had to switch off Wifi to be able to get to final home screen, then I switched Wifi back on
Google services were installed however I was unable to add my Google account
also, the random unresponsiveness came back
I tried to hard reset, now without the sim card, same as above I could not add a Google account it does time out....
I can open a browser and open web pages no problem so there is internet connection
my main problem is that the device is not working properly and I cannot add a Google account
researched the forum and I though I might give it a try and re flash official firmware.
I made short videos of this strange behavior of the phone, where I will post them if needed.
My questions are :
would flashing an official firmware solve my problem?
which version I should flash, BRI (Taiwanese) or XEU (UK EU) ?
here is my SW ver.
SAOMC_SM-F975F_OXM_XEU_PP_0018
R58M36793AR
XEU/XEU,BRI/BRI
Many thanks for your advise!
Update:
I have flashed the OXM XEU version from this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/s10-plus/how-to/asba-official-stock-fw-update-odin-t3908710
Resolved:
I can now add a Google account, the problem was that I have to insert my SIM in order for this to work
Main problem:
random issues with screen and weird behavior: as I mentioned before, I get multiple registers for one touch which is extremely annoying when trying the simplest of text typing including typing wrong passwords!
the status bar is another annoyance which will drop down randomly and unexpectedly
current version:
G975FXXU2ASF3/G975FOXM2ASF3/G975FXXU2aASF3
SW ver.
SAOMC_SM-G975F_OXM_XEU_PP_0018
R58M36793AR
XEU/XEU,XEU/BRI
any ideas?
adygadam said:
Update:
I have flashed the OXM XEU version from this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/s10-plus/how-to/asba-official-stock-fw-update-odin-t3908710
Resolved:
I can now add a Google account, the problem was that I have to insert my SIM in order for this to work
Main problem:
random issues with screen and weird behavior: as I mentioned before, I get multiple registers for one touch which is extremely annoying when trying the simplest of text typing including typing wrong passwords!
the status bar is another annoyance which will drop down randomly and unexpectedly
current version:
G975FXXU2ASF3/G975FOXM2ASF3/G975FXXU2aASF3
SW ver.
SAOMC_SM-G975F_OXM_XEU_PP_0018
R58M36793AR
XEU/XEU,XEU/BRI
any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the CSC OMC file of the UK rom get the .pit file via WinRAR.In odin put AP in AP slot,BL in BL slot,CP in CP slot and CSC in CSC slot(CSC not Homr_CSC).In pit section of Odin put the file which you got there.P.s. Use PatcheD Odin by 3B.
Hi ExtremeGrief
I did exactly what you suggested, used patched Odin by 3B from here and did extract the .pit file which in the ROM I chose reads:
BEYOND2LTE_EUR_OPEN.pit
ROM was loaded in 05:49 min/sec, however I still have the 2 issues:
1-upon fresh reset of android first setup screens will not progress to home screen unless I disable wifi (it will get stuck forever in the Checking Info screen), also I have to insert my SIM in order for me to add a Google account which is mad. so in the future if I sell my phone the next person will have hard time figuring out why they cant add google account!
2-crazy randomly popping up android status bar is back alongside with the unresponsive screen where it will get fix temporarily by pressing power button to lock then unlock, overall operation of the phone is a pain with constant random touch freezes
any other ideas on what is happening with this phone, is it hardware or software related?
shall I start RMA with the seller or try other fixes?
Are u charging ur mobile while using it??? When these touches appear?? Are you using a genuine charger... Dial *#0*# and go to touch from the menu... Swipe your finger through all the zones to check if touch panel is okay
muhammadshais said:
Are u charging ur mobile while using it??? When these touches appear?? Are you using a genuine charger... Dial *#0*# and go to touch from the menu... Swipe your finger through all the zones to check if touch panel is okay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, I am not charging it while using it and the charger is a genuine one, I usually use wireless charging for my phones.
These random glitches in the status bar and unresponsive screen touch are random but they are noticeable and I have recorded a video of this strange behavior.
Now using this GSM test screen, there are no issues with the panel, all is registering okay and the weird part that the status bar is not acting crazy or showing up, also back/home buttons are working perfectly in this mode
any other ideas?
here are links for some videos I made to show the issues:
unresponsive screen video1
unresponsive screen video2
Status bar drops on its own!
these links are available for 6 days, I will refresh the links if necessary
adygadam said:
Hi ExtremeGrief
I did exactly what you suggested, used patched Odin by 3B from here and did extract the .pit file which in the ROM I chose reads:
BEYOND2LTE_EUR_OPEN.pit
ROM was loaded in 05:49 min/sec, however I still have the 2 issues:
1-upon fresh reset of android first setup screens will not progress to home screen unless I disable wifi (it will get stuck forever in the Checking Info screen), also I have to insert my SIM in order for me to add a Google account which is mad. so in the future if I sell my phone the next person will have hard time figuring out why they cant add google account!
2-crazy randomly popping up android status bar is back alongside with the unresponsive screen where it will get fix temporarily by pressing power button to lock then unlock, overall operation of the phone is a pain with constant random touch freezes
any other ideas on what is happening with this phone, is it hardware or software related?
shall I start RMA with the seller or try other fixes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,next time you respond to my replies just quote me.Try to make the same thing that I told you to do before,but this time in Options tab in Odin 3B select:Nand Erase All,Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time.If this dors not work then it is a hardware problem but try this anyway.Maybe the seller that you bought the phone from put some malicious software on a hidden partition of the phone.Nand erase all wipes EVERY partition and writes it again.Hope this helps!
muhammadshais said:
Are u charging ur mobile while using it??? When these touches appear?? Are you using a genuine charger... Dial *#0*# and go to touch from the menu... Swipe your finger through all the zones to check if touch panel is okay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ExtremeGrief said:
Hi,next time you respond to my replies just quote me.Try to make the same thing that I told you to do before,but this time in Options tab in Odin 3B select:Nand Erase All,Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time.If this dors not work then it is a hardware problem but try this anyway.Maybe the seller that you bought the phone from put some malicious software on a hidden partition of the phone.Nand erase all wipes EVERY partition and writes it again.Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did exactly what you suggested, so far so good.
I had to disable wifi to get to home screen then I re-enabled it, it did update all Google services.
my only problem now is that with the phone without a SIM, I cannot add Google account! it is stuck in the "Checking Info" screen.
any ideas?
adygadam said:
I did exactly what you suggested, so far so good.
I had to disable wifi to get to home screen then I re-enabled it, it did update all Google services.
my only problem now is that with the phone without a SIM, I cannot add Google account! it is stuck in the "Checking Info" screen.
any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then its a hardware problem.Sorry.
adygadam said:
here are links for some videos I made to show the issues:
unresponsive screen video1
unresponsive screen video2
Status bar drops on its own!
these links are available for 6 days, I will refresh the links if necessary
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did your try clearing your cache? Normally if your had reset then you won't have to do this... But try it and see.... Shutdown your phone then pressing bixby button + vol up + power until u see recovery then clear cache.
If it's still can't resolve then get help from samsung service center.
ExtremeGrief said:
Then its a hardware problem.Sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for trying to help me.
this is the weirdest issue I had so far with any phone! seems that getting phones from another region and specially China is a journey into a dark tunnel!
I thought the same as you, maybe a malicious software, the phone was spanking new and it was sealed with a guarantee sticker, mind you if they can clone entire buildings they can do anything.
I have started an RMA process with the seller, whats funny is that their T&C state that they reserve the right to not honor the claim if its a firmware issue etc plus they would charge 10% off price for restocking fees.
Any other ideas from anyone?
ExtremeGrief said:
Then its a hardware problem.Sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ramnkc said:
Did your try clearing your cache? Normally if your had reset then you won't have to do this... But try it and see.... Shutdown your phone then pressing bixby button + vol up + power until u see recovery then clear cache.
If it's still can't resolve then get help from samsung service center.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
yes I did the following since I had the problems:
reset settings
wipe cache
hard reset
reflash with Odin
reflash with 3B Odin
reflash with 3B Odin plus erase Nand
and now I just tried wipe cache
still cant add Google account, and also I noticed this status bar drop down quickly issue occur just once for now!
adygadam said:
Hi,
yes I did the following since I had the problems:
reset settings
wipe cache
hard reset
reflash with Odin
reflash with 3B Odin
reflash with 3B Odin plus erase Nand
and now I just tried wipe cache
still cant add Google account, and also I noticed this status bar drop down quickly issue occur just once for now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then probably need to make a trip down to samsung service center then.
ramnkc said:
Then probably need to make a trip down to samsung service center then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just called the service centre near to my city in the UK, basically what he said is that I can bring the phone for them to have a look at however it being made for another region (Hong Kong/Taiwan whatever) then the software he said or parts required are difficult to get hold of and he advised me to contact the seller.
he said that probably I locked the device by mistake if I cannot add Google account.
I am going to visit them (1:30 hour drive) now to see what they can make off it.
not sure what happened nor why this all happening, for my phone software is black magic, I can happily do tinker with PCs etc and even do some basic Linux etc, I am not entirely sure what is making this phone locked and how to get rid of this or even find out if any of the hardware elements is faulty.
latest update:
I spent 3 hours round trip by car and got to the official Samsung service centre, they checked my phone and said that it is very likely the phone is genuine (not sure why they are not 100% sure) and it is designated as shipping country: Taiwan with a model of SM-G975FCKGBRI, however the product date is 1/9/2015! compared to my aging genuine UK version S7 Edge which has a product date of 1/2/2016
when I said that the phone was new in case with a warranty sticker, he said that anyone can do this including Samsung where they refurbish phones and reseal them and apply the special silver warranty sticker and goes back into sale!
upon inspection he confirmed that the right middle section of the touch screen is faulty
what is more bizarre is that he managed to log into google using their wifi connection no problem.
lastly, he said I have two options + last resort:
1-they will repair this on my cost and it could take weeks or months to get the parts for this specific Taiwanese phone (I never heard of this before specially that digitizer is just a component)
2-return it to original seller for them to replace/repair or refund
3-call Samsung care UK and try to "convince" them to take this handset and repair it eventually FOC
Now, I don't know what the Hong Kong seller has done previously to this phone if they had unsealed it then applied a warranty sticker (says Samsung etc..), what I know for sure is that I resisted common sense and ordered this phone overseas to save few bucks
to summarize, I will give up and RMA this phone maybe the seller can replace/repair etc.
thanks all for your help
ramnkc said:
Then probably need to make a trip down to samsung service center then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adygadam said:
latest update:
I spent 3 hours round trip by car and got to the official Samsung service centre, they checked my phone and said that it is very likely the phone is genuine (not sure why they are not 100% sure) and it is designated as shipping country: Taiwan with a model of SM-G975FCKGBRI, however the product date is 1/9/2015! compared to my aging genuine UK version S7 Edge which has a product date of 1/2/2016
when I said that the phone was new in case with a warranty sticker, he said that anyone can do this including Samsung where they refurbish phones and reseal them and apply the special silver warranty sticker and goes back into sale!
upon inspection he confirmed that the right middle section of the touch screen is faulty
what is more bizarre is that he managed to log into google using their wifi connection no problem.
lastly, he said I have two options + last resort:
1-they will repair this on my cost and it could take weeks or months to get the parts for this specific Taiwanese phone (I never heard of this before specially that digitizer is just a component)
2-return it to original seller for them to replace/repair or refund
3-call Samsung care UK and try to "convince" them to take this handset and repair it eventually FOC
Now, I don't know what the Hong Kong seller has done previously to this phone if they had unsealed it then applied a warranty sticker (says Samsung etc..), what I know for sure is that I resisted common sense and ordered this phone overseas to save few bucks
to summarize, I will give up and RMA this phone maybe the seller can replace/repair etc.
thanks all for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just found out why I could not log into Google and the request was timing out!
I have my router at home setup with a DNS server of 9.9.9.9 (as I dont want Google to snoop over all my activity outside Chrome) therefore the phone was not able to connect to Google server for some bizarre reason even though my web browsers have no problem using Quad9 to resolve google services.
I set the DNS up back to 8.8.8.8 and now my phone can instantly log into google!
hope this helps someone who tinkers with their DNS settings on their routers
I downloaded the September security patch and UI 2.5 update over the air for my Verizon Note 10+ the other day. Since then, my cell service is non existent. I can't make any calls or use any data, it only works using wifi. The signal bars are grayed out, or sometimes have an "x" next to them. The airplane mode is not on, but the airplane mode icon is a shade of light blue rather than being either gray for off or blue for on. I tried chatting with VZ since it was after hours....that didn't help. They had my fiddle with resetting network settings and doing a factory reset, neither worked. I've taken the sim out and reinserted, no luck. If not on wifi, SIM status says network = not available, mobile network state = disconnected, service state = radio off, IMS registration status = off. It's a non rooted virgin VZ Note 10+, SM-N975U, not 5G, running android 10.
Today I went to an authorized VZ store, who replaced the SIM. Didn't change a thing. They suggested I go to an actual VZ store, which I would have but couldn't look up on web without a signal. They directed me to one who swapped the SIM again and had me do another reset. No luck. They popped the SIM in another phone and it worked, just no luck in my phone.
VZ tech coaches said I was on my own and to reach out to Samsung or Google because it must be a hardware issue. How does a software update cause a hardware problem? They had no response.
Anyone have any ideas?
Make sure everything you want is backed up...
Try resetting network settings and clearing the system cache on the boot menu.
If that doesn't work, try a hard boot.
You can also try uninstalling the last update if it permits to go back to the factory load version.
Last if that fails, hard reset.
If that don't get it it will need to be reflashed...
blackhawk said:
Make sure everything you want is backed up...
Try resetting network settings and clearing the system cache on the boot menu.
If that doesn't work, try a hard boot.
You can also try uninstalling the last update if it permits to go back to the factory load version.
Last if that fails, hard reset.
If that don't get it it will need to be reflashed...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I've tried all of the above except the uninstall (which I don't believe it will allow) and the reflash. I haven't installed a ROM or anything like that since the HTC Touch days. Ha. So, I need to find a copy of VZ firmware or factory ROM? #Noob
john369 said:
Thanks, I've tried all of the above except the uninstall (which I don't believe it will allow) and the reflash. I haven't installed a ROM or anything like that since the HTC Touch days. Ha. So, I need to find a copy of VZ firmware or factory ROM? #Noob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's still under warranty let Samsung do it. In the US they have centers as well at Best Buys.
See what your bloody carrier says
That sucks.
If you bought through a carrier, don't you get a couple years warranty?
The Note 10 series has only been out just over a year so they should honour any warranty...
ultramag69 said:
If you bought through a carrier, don't you get a couple years warranty?
The Note 10 series has only been out just over a year so they should honour any warranty...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it the first day it came out, so JUST over a year. No more warranty. I also cheaped out on the VZ insurance since I baby my phones. The thing is pristine kit and would want insurance for loss, theft or droppage, not because a factory update bricked it.
:crying:
Reflashed to an earlier version from a month ago from sammobile....still no data.
Connections>mobile data>access point names
Is that configured?
Settings>About phone>status>Sim card status
Does it show a signal?
There are deeper settings but that's as much as I know.
I think it's a settings or firmware issue not blown hardware.
Someone here can help you... be patient.
Are you able to add Apn?
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 06:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 AM ----------
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.4gapn.com/us/en/verizon?amp=1
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
blackhawk said:
Connections>mobile data>access point names
Is that configured?
Settings>About phone>status>Sim card status
Does it show a signal?
There are deeper settings but that's as much as I know.
I think it's a settings or firmware issue not blown hardware.
Someone here can help you... be patient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the encouragement and advise. I still owe $500 on this $1,000+ phone, so it's just frustrating.
Access point name was not selected (radio button was not selected). I selected the only option "Verizon Internet/VZWINTERNET"
SIM card status says signal is -113dBm 0 asu, network not available, radio off, mobile network state disconnected
butchieboy said:
Are you able to add Apn?
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 06:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 AM ----------
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.4gapn.com/us/en/verizon?amp=1
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I don't think so. The "Add" Access Point Names is grayed out. It will only allow me to change the APN name for the existing APN, not any of the other settings mentioned in the link.
john369 said:
Thanks for the encouragement and advise. I still owe $500 on this $1,000+ phone, so it's just frustrating.
Access point name was not selected (radio button was not selected). I selected the only option "Verizon Internet/VZWINTERNET"
SIM card status says signal is -113dBm 0 asu, network not available, radio off, mobile network state disconnected
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you do have leverage with Verizon; make them own* it if possible.
Not sure how Verizon tech support is structured but ask for advanced tech support. Escalate the case if need be. Keep calling back if the reps don't know what to do until you find the smart ones.
Try their customer retainment group if all else fails, they are the ones that make the last ditch effort by the carrier to try to keep you from leaving.
A samsung Experience center might be your best bet as they can do advanced diagnostics... or so they've claimed. Never used these myself.
Their phone tech support is horrible; the US Samsung group are the best of this lot.
*Doesn't always work but many times I've gotten AT&T and Verizon (landline) to remedy situations. There been times where it took dozens of calls to find the right person and for them to feel my motivation, lol.
There's more than one way to hack...
I had the same problem as you after the update and after playing in the settings it turned out that the set data limit was turned on, I turned that off and my data is working again. Look under the data usage and see if that's it for you.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
JMat76 said:
I had the same problem as you after the update and after playing in the settings it turned out that the set data limit was turned on, I turned that off and my data is working again. Look under the data usage and see if that's it for you.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After the last few factory resets, I did get warnings from the "setup wizard" about data being limited due to time of day or a data limit....but the data limit and/or warnings are not on. The phone won't even activate, yet somehow Google recognizes the phone number and all during install. So, I'd think it could read the SIM.
Found some very helpful reps at a local Verizon store. While they couldn't fix the phone, I will allegedly receive a refurbed unit tomorrow with no deductible.
john369 said:
Found some very helpful reps at a local Verizon store. While they couldn't fix the phone, I will allegedly receive a refurbed unit tomorrow with no deductible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about time settings? Are they correct?
>It be preferable to keep this unit if you took great care of it, many don't!<
A Samsung Experience center has advanced diagnostic capabilities (allegedly) and/or could reflash it.
I think it's either a settings or firmware issue not hardware.
Play with it, Android's love attention... or get it more surrogate wuv before you give up on it.
Be patient there's a lot of talent here.
Can anyone help me carrier unlock my Verizon phone? My phone has been hacked and I hope being able to flash it will help me to get rid of whatever they have done to it. Can anyone tell me why I get this message when I reset my phone? Any help would be greatly appreciated
there is no carrier unlock for VZW models. if you can boot into recovery, sideload the OTA version that was last on your device.
What did you do that resulted in the phone being hacked? With the sectors being wiped that are shown in the images, it looks like you have provided total device access to something whilst having an unlocked bootloader or something similar. If you let us know what happened, it might help us to figure out what options you may still have.
But definitely see if you can do what @uicnren mentioned first.
Im not sure who or how they wiped anything. It happened one day after connecting to my girlfriends wifi. I got ahold of Verizon and they sent me a new phone and as soon as I started it the same thing happened to it also
How do I find what OTA version was used on my phone?
Nothing hacked here... this is an error when wiping the Secure Element (the trusted secure module).
(https://android-review.linaro.org/p...cure_element/1.0/SecureElementHalCallback.cpp line #66)
Are you initiating the wipe from the recovery? If so, that's likely the reason. If there is an account attached to the device, a wipe must first be initiated from within Android (Settings)
Woodruff87 said:
Im not sure who or how they wiped anything. It happened one day after connecting to my girlfriends wifi. I got ahold of Verizon and they sent me a new phone and as soon as I started it the same thing happened to it also
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what symptoms were you seeing that made you think you were hacked?
Those errors are normal in Recovery Mode. I see them all the time, sometimes they don't appear, usually they do.
Did you remove your google accounts from settings, do a factory reset from the reset menu and lastly in recovery mode where you posted the screenshots from.
Your Account might be hacked but the phone is unlikely hacked. You would get a message at boot telling you that the device has been modified. With a locked bootloader its extremely unlikely (unless NSO Group is targeting you).
Woodruff87 said:
Can anyone help me carrier unlock my Verizon phone? My phone has been hacked and I hope being able to flash it will help me to get rid of whatever they have done to it. Can anyone tell me why I get this message when I reset my phone? Any help would be greatly appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you unlock the bootloader? Have custom firmware/kernel installed?
A "hacker" wins nothing by resetting/wiping your phone. They want data, and that only works if the phone can turn on and works. This looks like a wipe/factory reset gone wrong, which spells user error or software error and less likely a "hacker" attack. Most hacks you will never notice. A hacker that makes you notice that something went wrong, is either an amateur or did it on purpose. Ergo, he wants you to know that something went wrong, which usually only happens in order to extort you. If there is no extortion, then an obvious act by a hacker is highly unlikely.
We need some more information. What firmware had you installed? What happened exactly when. Did you install any new apps recently? What did you do prior to something going wrong? All the information that could help us troubleshoot your issue.
You said your phone wiped itself a day after connecting to your girlfriends wifi, and that a replacement device that you got sent by your carrier, did the same. Did you check your Google account? Do you have two factor authentication activated? It sounds like your phone got wiped over wifi, which would require access to your Google account. It's just odd that you get errors, which normally shouldn't happen if someone would use the erase a lost Android device function.
It's also possible that your backup from your GAccount is simply corrupted (many people had issues with random reboots). You should try and set up your (replacement) phone anew without any backup, maybe that can fix your issue.
Beyond that Google account thing-y, anything else is highly unlikely. Even specialized companies have serious issues getting into a modern smartphone, lest alone an Android 12 phone with a Google Server grade Titan m2 chip. The newer the firmware, the less likely the chance that someone from the outside could get in, especially with a phone like a Pixel that isn't very common. Most security firms/govermental agencies can only abuse older, known security loopholes. It's more likely that very popular phones like a Samsung or IPhone are targets from "the bad guys", since there will be bigger payoff for breaking the security of those phones, since there is a greater pool of users to target. Most hacks I've witnessed weren't random, they were targeted. Ask yourself: Am I worth the trouble of getting hacked? Do you have anything of interest on your phone that would warrant an excessive use of resources? Managing to hack a Pixel is not only unlikely in terms of the security you need to breach, but also in terms of the potential payoff in relation to the necessary knowhow and resources. It's just "not worth it".
What you should do immediately, just in case, is secure your Google account. Change your password. Maybe even change your two-factor authentication, if you have one (sms is not secure, use a token generating software/device). Change the wifi password from your girlfriend and check the list of connected devices. make a list of these connected devices + history (find that in the rooter software) and check them against the devices you know of. Also check the list of connected devices to your GAccount. Use the option to log out ALL devices from your Google account, so only your device is connected.
Do any other people have access to your phone? Do any other people know your passwords? Does your girlfriend has access? Do any other people have biometric security saved on your phone? Do you trust your girlfriend completely?
Make sure you use a special, new password for your GAccount, never reuse old ones that you have used somewhere else. Also check your emails on https://haveibeenpwned.com/
Beyond that, if you are not doing already, use a password manager.
Woodruff87 said:
Im not sure who or how they wiped anything. It happened one day after connecting to my girlfriends wifi. I got ahold of Verizon and they sent me a new phone and as soon as I started it the same thing happened to it also
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait a sec. Verizon sent you a new (refurbished probably but new nonetheless) phone and when you turned it on weren't you greeted with the startup menu? Am I missing something?
Morgrain said:
Did you unlock the bootloader? Have custom firmware/kernel installed?
A "hacker" wins nothing by resetting/wiping your phone. They want data, and that only works if the phone can turn on and works. This looks like a wipe/factory reset gone wrong, which spells user error or software error and less likely a "hacker" attack. Most hacks you will never notice. A hacker that makes you notice that something went wrong, is either an amateur or did it on purpose. Ergo, he wants you to know that something went wrong, which usually only happens in order to extort you. If there is no extortion, then an obvious act by a hacker is highly unlikely.
We need some more information. What firmware had you installed? What happened exactly when. Did you install any new apps recently? What did you do prior to something going wrong? All the information that could help us troubleshoot your issue.
You said your phone wiped itself a day after connecting to your girlfriends wifi, and that a replacement device that you got sent by your carrier, did the same. Did you check your Google account? Do you have two factor authentication activated? It sounds like your phone got wiped over wifi, which would require access to your Google account. It's just odd that you get errors, which normally shouldn't happen if someone would use the erase a lost Android device function.
It's also possible that your backup from your GAccount is simply corrupted (many people had issues with random reboots). You should try and set up your (replacement) phone anew without any backup, maybe that can fix your issue.
Beyond that Google account thing-y, anything else is highly unlikely. Even specialized companies have serious issues getting into a modern smartphone, lest alone an Android 12 phone with a Google Server grade Titan m2 chip. The newer the firmware, the less likely the chance that someone from the outside could get in, especially with a phone like a Pixel that isn't very common. Most security firms/govermental agencies can only abuse older, known security loopholes. It's more likely that very popular phones like a Samsung or IPhone are targets from "the bad guys", since there will be bigger payoff for breaking the security of those phones, since there is a greater pool of users to target. Most hacks I've witnessed weren't random, they were targeted. Ask yourself: Am I worth the trouble of getting hacked? Do you have anything of interest on your phone that would warrant an excessive use of resources? Managing to hack a Pixel is not only unlikely in terms of the security you need to breach, but also in terms of the potential payoff in relation to the necessary knowhow and resources. It's just "not worth it".
What you should do immediately, just in case, is secure your Google account. Change your password. Maybe even change your two-factor authentication, if you have one (sms is not secure, use a token generating software/device). Change the wifi password from your girlfriend and check the list of connected devices. make a list of these connected devices + history (find that in the rooter software) and check them against the devices you know of. Also check the list of connected devices to your GAccount. Use the option to log out ALL devices from your Google account, so only your device is connected.
Do any other people have access to your phone? Do any other people know your passwords? Does your girlfriend has access? Do any other people have biometric security saved on your phone? Do you trust your girlfriend completely?
Make sure you use a special, new password for your GAccount, never reuse old ones that you have used somewhere else. Also check your emails on https://haveibeenpwned.com/
Beyond that, if you are not doing already, use a password manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I really appreciate the help and all the advice. I checked https://haveibeenpwned.com/ and my account has been pawned in 1 data breach... I will deactivate the Google account and start over fresh. Thanks again for all the info
bencozzy said:
Two things are they refurbished? And do they work without signing into google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first one was new, but the one I got from Google as a replacement was refurbished. Ill try resetting through the settings and deactivating all my accounts.
Woodruff87 said:
Thanks I really appreciate the help and all the advice. I checked https://haveibeenpwned.com/ and my account has been pawned in 1 data breach... I will deactivate the Google account and start over fresh. Thanks again for all the info
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This, among many other things, is one of the reasons I use GrapheneOS and NO gooble services (despite all the attention they give to sandboxed gooble services).
Woodruff87 said:
Thanks I really appreciate the help and all the advice. I checked https://haveibeenpwned.com/ and my account has been pawned in 1 data breach... I will deactivate the Google account and start over fresh. Thanks again for all the info
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your google address was found on that site for another service and you used the same password for both services, correct?
despite what some believe, your google account will not get hacked unless your password is insecure (ie. leaked or insufficient with 2FA). anything less and your asking for trouble (also using GrapheneOS).
My girlfriend can see everything I do on my phone, even listen in to my surroundings and spy on me with my camera. I've looked at all the running processes and I can't find the malware. Any advice besides a system reset? Thanks
She's probably just has your password mate. Change it or factory reset your device. If that doesn't work find a new gf.
tycox93 said:
She's probably just has your password mate. Change it or factory reset your device. If that doesn't work find a new gf.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Believe me it's not just the password. She's installed some kind of parental Spyware like MSpy
If you're sure that's what she has done, and not just a bit paranoid, then you should be able to find it if you got into safe mode. At least I believe so.
tycox93 said:
If you're sure that's what she has done, and not just a bit paranoid, then you should be able to find it if you got into safe mode. At least I believe so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm 100% convinced that's what she's done but I'm not that tech savvy when it comes to phones so I'm not sure which processes are part of the Android OS and which processes are the spy app.
Ditch gf.
Factory reset, will purge anything she loaded. The bootloader is locked so the only thing she could hack is the user data partition, a factory reset clears this.
Delete Google and Samsung accounts in settings>factory reset from settings not recovery menu>don't set up your Google account initially>change Google and Samsung account passwords on another computer (PC or Mac), write down passwords and make them complicated, setup the Google account on phone then.
It is clean. Be careful what you then load and who you give access to your phone if anyone.
I had a phone bought on eBay which I think it was cloned
It was the Xiaomi mi mix fold 2. I kept sending me messages please close the screen mirroring ect..I tried to reset it but nothing worked. Someone cracked the ROM in my opinion. eBay refunded me in full. I think you shall better buy a new phone
If you're paranoid:
reset your computer without a network connection.
reset your phone and don't connect to wifi yet.
reset your home wifi modem/router
connect your devices and use a strong password.
After this only a specialist can hack you.
simrag said:
I had a phone bought on eBay which I think it was cloned
It was the Xiaomi mi mix fold 2. I kept sending me messages please close the screen mirroring ect..I tried to reset it but nothing worked. Someone cracked the ROM in my opinion. eBay refunded me in full. I think you shall better buy a new phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No reason to replace the phone if it's a stock Samsung and it factory resets. As long as Knox isn't tripped it's still running with a stock rom and bootloader that haven't been altered and are still secure.
Odinsinces3 said:
If you're paranoid:
reset your computer without a network connection.
reset your phone and don't connect to wifi yet.
reset your home wifi modem/router
connect your devices and use a strong password.
After this only a specialist can hack you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After reset it can't be accessed until account info is entered. My solution bypasses that entirely.
If he factory resets from recovery without first deleting Google and maybe Samsung accounts from the phone he may get locked out by FRP!
FPR is more wicked than any bad gf...
In Samsung's it's always best to factory reset from Settings rather than the boot menu. I redundantly make sure FRP won't be invoked by also deleting the accounts before the reset whenever possible*
*a boot loop or total system crash trashes this option, better hope the account password works...
How to stay away from Hackers?, How they simply get the access to hack our devices.
Everett34 said:
How to stay away from Hackers?, How they simply get the access to hack our devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They don't; most victims inadvertently install the malware themselves. Social media sites like WhatsApp, Tiktok etc are hunting grounds for hackers. Poor settings and app selection, clumsy browsing habits, side loading, unlocked bootloaders, no firewall in use, being careless what's downloaded, not keeping email in the cloud, allowing others physical access to the device, sharing drives, using unsecured wifi hotspots, not using Android 9 or higher... among others.