G+_Bob Lanahan Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 BEWARE Android users! Bitdefender researchers have recently uncovered two unrelated threats that have the potential to turn some Android devices into remotely controlled bugging and spying devices: http://bit.ly/New_Android_Threats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Johan Appelgren Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 That's why you don't install apps that require the phone status permission unless it is an app that interact with your phone calls somehow like a caller id app. Or why you don't install any apps that require the send or receive sms permissions unless it is a messaging replacement app. Record audio should be easy to determine if it is really needed by an app or is there for malicious purposes or due to incompetent developers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Alan Char Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 What I don't get is why so many apps require "phone status and identity". What does that even mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Johan Appelgren Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Alan Char it's so they can get your phone's imei instead of using ANDROID_ID as they should. The reason is that imei stays the same but ANDROID_ID is changed each time the device is factory reset. It also gives the app access to when and with who you talk to on the phone which I'm sure some advertising companies is interested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Alan Char Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Johan Appelgren Thanks. So it's about as bad as it sounds. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Johan Appelgren Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Alan Char Yes, should only be needed by caller ID apps or similar. Might also be needed for apps that need to stop doing something in the background when there's a call but can't use audio focus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Johan Appelgren Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Lee Ball Handle it safer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Johan Appelgren Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Lee Ball There's no reason for an app to crash because of an incoming call regardless of it they have that permission or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Johan Appelgren Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Lee Ball True, if your phone number is stored on your sim card the app gets access to that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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