Question Phone hacked detection - Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3

Question Phone hacked detection - Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3

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.

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.
Click to expand...
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
Maybe you should change your phone and SIM card?

Related

[Q] Forgot Lock Pattern and Gmail Password, Please Help

I'm a Sprint employee and I have a customer who's kids set a lock code that they forgot and she doesn't know her gmail password AND she wasn't able to retrieve her password. Besides resetting the phone and making a new gmail, is there any way to get back into the phone??

Nope. I have yet to find where in /data the password is stored, and none of the devs I've talked to know, either. Your only choice is to wipe the phone.

Is the phone rooted (slim chance, I suspect)? If so, would restoring a nand backup work? Just thinking out loud......

Try reseting the Google password online.
https://www.google.com/accounts/recovery

She tried the gmail password recovery, but she didn't know the answer to her security question even though she bought the phone and made the account 2 weeks ago. Thanks for your help guys. I guess I'll have to reset her phone and she'll lose her contacts.

Tazdeviloo7 said:
She tried the gmail password recovery, but she didn't know the answer to her security question even though she bought the phone and made the account 2 weeks ago. Thanks for your help guys. I guess I'll have to reset her phone and she'll lose her contacts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if she ever manages to remember the password or answer to her security question she'll get her contacts back. Tell her to take some more vitamin B, helps with memory lol.

Tazdeviloo7 said:
She tried the gmail password recovery, but she didn't know the answer to her security question even though she bought the phone and made the account 2 weeks ago. Thanks for your help guys. I guess I'll have to reset her phone and she'll lose her contacts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tell her to buy an iphone... stupid people everywhere love em

I would prefer that this question remain unanswered. I'm not calling the OP a criminal, but this is exactly what I would do if I just stole a phone that was locked.
I don't want the ability to defeat the security of my phone to be easily accessible.
If someone is stupid enough to forget thier gmail password, the answer to their security question, and allow their kids to set a lock should not be using a smart phone. Just reset her phone and she can start over.

Tazdeviloo7 said:
I'm a Sprint employee and I have a customer who's kids set a lock code that they forgot and she doesn't know her gmail password AND she wasn't able to retrieve her password. Besides resetting the phone and making a new gmail, is there any way to get back into the phone??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like complete bull**** to me............I'm just sayin'

pirish1 said:
Sounds like complete bull**** to me............I'm just sayin'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, calling bull**** on this as well & I'm pretty sure consulting xda isn't part of sprints trouble shooting protocal...heh, even if this forum is way more helpful then sprint...
Sent from my phone.

maxomus said:
I agree, calling bull**** on this as well & I'm pretty sure consulting xda isn't part of sprints trouble shooting protocal...heh, even if this forum is way more helpful then sprint...
Sent from my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wanted to interject here, and say we get at least 1 or 2 customers a week who this happens to. They'll get their phone in a store where the rep sets their Gmail up for them, or they're rushed through the process in store, and forget the info.
Our internal support system doesn't get into EVERY SINGLE THING that can happen, or will give "official" solutions to things. I have OFTEN referred to third party sites to fix issues, so I don't doubt this guy for a second.
edit: This is all from within a retail store, as a rep or in-store technician, I'm not sure if phone tech support would refer to a site such as this, but in the store we exhaust every resource we can.

Found a flaw in my evos security. Maybe is just mine or froyo. My patern security lock opens with any patern I input right after a boot or battery pull. This happens with every custom froyo rom I try. I tried fresh, cyanogen, omj, and damagecontrol. Sometimes it dosnt do it but if I do a fast random swipe of any pattern it opens. I'm in the process of making a video.......help fear for my security!
Found flaw. Titanium backup. The app is great and all and I love it. The problem is that titanium backs up my patern and I guess thers a certain flaw or conflicts when the backup and the original security interact. I fix this by making a new pattern or re entering the patern. But is alot less troubling by just not backing up HTC screen lock
sent from my EVO

when i worked at sprint alot of my stupid arse coworkers would setup gmail for people that didn't have it and not tell the customer...dont ask.... also after working in retail for 5 years lemme tell you something
People are fraggin stupid, not some of them, but like 90%, so when you look at your intelligent friends, look at them with some more respect, cause most people are completely retarded haha.
Anyhow, I can also tell you as an X sprint employee...and probably one of the most empathetic employee's and my store I would never care this much to ask on a forum, so I call BS as well.
Besides come on sprint rep, you should know damn well there aint no way around it, not unless your a super hacker.
lock code, gmail and the security questions, you mean the one like, whats your dogs name? LIES!

i work with a guy that has a hero and was drunk playing with phone and set a lock pattern. he doesn't know his gmail password either and had to go to sprint store and have it reset. lost contacts.
I say that you buy a google phone, you should be a google customer with an account. to be so stupid you forget your password is just lame. to buy a device for cool factor and not know how to use it is stupid. there should be a smart test required before someone is allowed to purchase a smartphone.
OP, make your customers download lookout from market. it saves contacts, and make them use an email they already use on daily basis and have the password the same as the password for their sprint account. then if they forget password, it is same as their account with same email provided with account.

Alanmw86 said:
when i worked at sprint alot of my stupid arse coworkers would setup gmail for people that didn't have it and not tell the customer...dont ask.... also after working in retail for 5 years lemme tell you something
People are fraggin stupid, not some of them, but like 90%, so when you look at your intelligent friends, look at them with some more respect, cause most people are completely retarded haha.
Anyhow, I can also tell you as an X sprint employee...and probably one of the most empathetic employee's and my store I would never care this much to ask on a forum, so I call BS as well.
Besides come on sprint rep, you should know damn well there aint no way around it, not unless your a super hacker.
lock code, gmail and the security questions, you mean the one like, whats your dogs name? LIES!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, and everyone in my store knows there's no way around it... we don't post to forums asking, but we do read forums for info... but I've used forums to solve several issues on phones that probably goes against policies, like using JL Commander on Blackberries, installing .cab files on WinMo phones to fix small registry issues, etc. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to make the customer happy... but no, I nor anyone I've worked with have POSTED, just read.

if you are rooted there is a way around the pattern unlock screen. Hell it might work if you're not rooted.
Code:
adb -d shell
# sqlite3 data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
sqlite> update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';
sqlite> .exit
# exit
reboot and tada
At least this works on the hero. It removes the pattern lockscreen

Alanmw86 said:
when i worked at sprint alot of my stupid arse coworkers would setup gmail for people that didn't have it and not tell the customer...dont ask.... also after working in retail for 5 years lemme tell you something
People are fraggin stupid, not some of them, but like 90%, so when you look at your intelligent friends, look at them with some more respect, cause most people are completely retarded haha.
Anyhow, I can also tell you as an X sprint employee...and probably one of the most empathetic employee's and my store I would never care this much to ask on a forum, so I call BS as well.
Besides come on sprint rep, you should know damn well there aint no way around it, not unless your a super hacker.
lock code, gmail and the security questions, you mean the one like, whats your dogs name? LIES!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there was a way to agree more, I would. I work in retail/wholesale and people amaze me every day at how stupid they are. I work at a tire store that shares a building with a collision shop. I can't tell you how many people have walked in and asked for an estimate on collision repair. I mean seriously, we've got frickin tires EVERYWHERE!
Sent from my FROYO'D EVO using xda app

So one nite i was drunk, got out of truck (not driving) and went to bed. Next AM at hotel i couldn't find phone. Because i am smart enough to remember my gmail password (been using it for years) first thing i did was go online and change my password. Phone could no longer sync and gave me a minor sense of security. Found phone in a co-workers hotel room later that nite. I then changed my password back.
For those that wouldn't do the same when they lost or had their phone stollen, you just presented a way for the person that has it access to their device.
Simple..... you forgot your lock pattern or pin (like you need a phone like this then) if you also forgot your email and password, then start over and lesson learned. But to provide this kind of info for a theif or not so honest person access to a phone that doesn't belong to them is just wrong.

unCoRrUpTeD said:
if you are rooted there is a way around the pattern unlock screen. Hell it might work if you're not rooted.
Code:
adb -d shell
# sqlite3 data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
sqlite> update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';
sqlite> .exit
# exit
reboot and tada
At least this works on the hero. It removes the pattern lockscreen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just guessing...since you are working with /data, you would not need root. Or at least not nand unlocked. I don't believe data is a protected directory.
Nice trick BTW...
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

jpwhre said:
So one nite i was drunk, got out of truck (not driving) and went to bed. Next AM at hotel i couldn't find phone. Because i am smart enough to remember my gmail password (been using it for years) first thing i did was go online and change my password. Phone could no longer sync and gave me a minor sense of security. Found phone in a co-workers hotel room later that nite. I then changed my password back.
For those that wouldn't do the same when they lost or had their phone stollen, you just presented a way for the person that has it access to their device.
Simple..... you forgot your lock pattern or pin (like you need a phone like this then) if you also forgot your email and password, then start over and lesson learned. But to provide this kind of info for a theif or not so honest person access to a phone that doesn't belong to them is just wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is that this information can be found by anyone or you could do a master reset and would still be able to use the phone. I just put this up there because people were saying there was no way to get around this stuff and there are. In no way do I condone using this info for illegal or dishonest use.

stolen phone and android market

Unluckly my phone was stolen about a week ago. Ignorant thieves didn't change my google account so when I go to android market I can see they're using it and that they changed the sim (I can see which operator they have).
I also blocked the imei but it doesn't seem to have worked because I can see they are still using it. My question is: is there any way to know the phone number of the sim? I could try to track them if it could be possible or it's just the operator? I sooo want my phone back! (even if now I've got a galaxy sl).

gianpa said:
Unluckly my phone was stolen about a week ago. Ignorant thieves didn't change my google account so when I go to android market I can see they're using it and that they changed the sim (I can see which operator they have).
I also blocked the imei but it doesn't seem to have worked because I can see they are still using it. My question is: is there any way to know the phone number of the sim? I could try to track them if it could be possible or it's just the operator? I sooo want my phone back! (even if now I've got a galaxy sl).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you install Wavesecure or lookout? If so, they let you track the phone etc...
If you use 2-factor gmail login, you can disable the one-time password that your google account uses.
But without Wavesecure or equivalent, you can't really track the number, unless your network can (and most won't do it, citing "data protection" even when you own the phone).
Stupid laws like this mean technical precautions are best. WaveSecure and other such apps can even GPS locate the phone

Sucks man, I feel for ya... Wishing you the best in your search for these idiots. Give them a firm beating.

agentfazexx said:
Sucks man, I feel for ya... Wishing you the best in your search for these idiots. Give them a firm beating.
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Click to collapse
While I couldn't condone that, having a GPS position of your device does have many uses, including directing the relevant law enforcement personnel to them, or indeed anyone else who happened to be in possession of the GPL location
I strongly recommend everyone uses some form of tracking app on their phone. There's free and open source ones available...

Well, if they're still using the phone and it's still connected to your Google account, then you can go to the marketplace from your computer, install Lookout on it, and attempt to track it down, lock it, or wipe it. It's worth a shot.
After that, change your google password. It really sucks though that the Market doesn't have an easy way for you to remove a device from your account though. I had my EVO stolen last week, and I looked for hours trying to figure out a way to separate it from my account with no success.

oh oh?
sorry dude very bad for you. change your password from gmail and save the contacts

CocoaGoddess said:
Well, if they're still using the phone and it's still connected to your Google account, then you can go to the marketplace from your computer, install Lookout on it, and attempt to track it down, lock it, or wipe it. It's worth a shot.
After that, change your google password. It really sucks though that the Market doesn't have an easy way for you to remove a device from your account though. I had my EVO stolen last week, and I looked for hours trying to figure out a way to separate it from my account with no success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ooh smart I forgot about that. Lookout won't do that unfortunately, as you need to set up an account of sorts...
/me wishes you could VNC into your droid phone via google's cloud to phone system, thus negating the issue of NAT.
I wonder... there MUST be an app that allows you to install an app to the phone, that somehow conveys location to you, without entering info on the device...
If not, perhaps we need to work out a way? The issue is how to tell it who to email... Or...
/me sees an idea emerging...
How about an app allowing you to locate phone AFTER it was stolen, without needing to set anything up?

There is!
It's called Plan B (I can't post the link because I'm too noob on this forum, just search the market)
but the market won't let me install it on any phone, I don't know why

my phone wasent stolen but i always thought if it was that they could just use my card info that is stored and buy any apps they wanted my mom uses my captivate now and for the love of god i cant fig out how to take my info out and replace it with hers when i go to add account it still want let hers add any suggestions

gianpa said:
Unluckly my phone was stolen about a week ago. Ignorant thieves didn't change my google account so when I go to android market I can see they're using it and that they changed the sim (I can see which operator they have).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can I read on the market which operator is being used on my stolen phone?

[Q] Have you ever heard of mystery texts from 9329 saying "Your validation code is: "

[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".
Click to expand...
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 .
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something about glass houses......
!!!!Donnie your out of your element!!!!!

Facebook keeping tabs on calls and sms via FB app? (Creepy!)

For a while now I've been weirded out with some of Facebook's friend suggestions that pop up on the right (desktop), because it's putting customers of mine up there that I have never corresponded with via FB or email, basically only by phone or text. And the timing was always crazy because I would work at their house or talk to them on the phone and the next day they would come up as a suggestion. Well last night I spoke with an old colleague of mine on the phone that I haven't spoken to in about a year and today I go to my profile and sure enough, he's at the very top of my friends list. I have come to the conclusion that the FB app on our phones MUST be keeping tabs of who we are talking to and making the suggestions based on that information, and god knows what else they are doing with that info. How else can this be explained? It is the only explanation that I can think of. Checking the permissions of the app, it DOES have the ability to check pretty much everything we do on our phones.
Has anybody else noticed anything like this going on?

I'm only surprised that you're surprised. I assumed this was true without even using the app.

I guess I'm not surprised but I didn't think they dug that deep into our privacy. Nowhere is it disclosed that they use that information for anything, and when I google it I find people posting about similar findings as me but never anything official from Facebook.

Permissions Denied can block most of those! It still bugs me that GPS can't be blocked without crashing the app, though (even if you've turned off posting with location).
PDroid seems to be a good option for those with Cyanogen, but it's not available for my E4GT. Anybody have a moment to put together a PDroid patch for Calkulin's ROM?

Thank you for that, pinandstutter! I use AdBlock, NoScript and Peerblock on my PC for these exact reasons. I didn't know something like this was available for my phone.

Quite frankly FB is a sack of scuzzbags.

URGENT help - need to access my phone remotely

hi guys, my mom has taken away my Samsung Galaxy S20 phone and locked it away. Problem is she has my passcode and I don't want her to see some whatsapp messages I have on my phone. Can I access Whatsapp remotely to delete messages? did some research but I never used the whatsapp web version so no luck there. I have access to find my mobile though, can you guys help please??
thank you, Jessica

jessica2005 said:
hi guys, my mom has taken away my Samsung Galaxy S20 phone and locked it away. Problem is she has my passcode and I don't want her to see some whatsapp messages I have on my phone. Can I access Whatsapp remotely to delete messages? did some research but I never used the whatsapp web version so no luck there. I have access to find my mobile though, can you guys help please??
thank you, Jessica
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to venture a guess here and suggest that the reason she took your phone might have something to do with what you've been doing with it. I'm not accusing you of anything necessarily, but parents always try to protect their kids. Maybe it's time you have a conversation with your mother and try to understand what her concerns are. You may not completely understand now, but some day when you have kids of your own, you will.
As a more direct answer to your question, no - unless you already have remote access set up on your device, there's no way to access it. There are certain apps such as Google Find My Device which will wipe the device remotely but again it has to be set up and authorized on the device in the first place.
Again, my advice here is to sit down with your mom and hear her out. If you're not an adult, she has the right to know what you're up to, and if you're trying to hide something from her, it's probably because you know you shouldn't be doing it. She loves you and she wants you to be safe, and my own personal experiences with text messages as a teenager means she probably has every right to be worried.

V0latyle said:
I'm going to venture a guess here and suggest that the reason she took your phone might have something to do with what you've been doing with it. I'm not accusing you of anything necessarily, but parents always try to protect their kids. Maybe it's time you have a conversation with your mother and try to understand what her concerns are. You may not completely understand now, but some day when you have kids of your own, you will.
As a more direct answer to your question, no - unless you already have remote access set up on your device, there's no way to access it. There are certain apps such as Google Find My Device which will wipe the device remotely but again it has to be set up and authorized on the device in the first place.
Again, my advice here is to sit down with your mom and hear her out. If you're not an adult, she has the right to know what you're up to, and if you're trying to hide something from her, it's probably because you know you shouldn't be doing it. She loves you and she wants you to be safe, and my own personal experiences with text messages as a teenager means she probably has every right to be worried.
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Click to collapse
I in Quora or XDA ? Not sure ^^
Im joke you have right! In addition if here have make a web connextion with a PC or Tablet, she can delete some tchat, but not sure about that...

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