It’s a joke that this happened. And even worse that he considered installing “malwarebytes”, one of those things that smell of windows 98 shareware, to fix it. This is why I buy iPhone.
Malware on My Android Phone
111–120 of 237 posts
Re: Malware on My Android Phone
#112Earlier quoted context omitted.
Just wondering: Since you're using zxing library, why not go for the zxing barcode scanner directly? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.zxi... Another option would be to use Google's MLKit. I think they've added support for scanning QR codes in there. It requires Google Play Services though, which is not ideal.
The reviews on that app don't look encouraging: > No issues initially but now it will give full screen ads often that either force open your browser to a shady site... > ...thought I should update it. That's when I started getting full page ads and browser redirects. I don't know who hijacked this app... > Avoid!! Used to be great. Now opens adware, and pops it over the lockscreen. Goes to great lengths to cover its…
It was last updated 2019 according to the footer. Maybe the bad reviews are paid for by the devs of the other QR apps?
Re: Malware on My Android Phone
#113Earlier quoted context omitted.
I believe 'Barcode Scanner' was potentially one of the first barcode scanners on Android. Been using it since Android 1.x on the ADP1. Don't forget it is on the Google Play store too. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.zxi... There was a time when QR Code scanning was better in Android than iOS (native in iOS 11.x). The "Google" way of scanning QR Codes is Google Lens, but it doesn't work offlin…
Beware, the play store version shows full screen ads, auto redirects and needs contacts permissions.
Ah, looks like mine installation is actually from FDroid, and never realised.
Re: Malware on My Android Phone
#114Sounds like it might be related to the reviews for this app? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.zxi... A 2020 review talks about ads appearing after a recent "update", but the app hasn't pushed an update since 2018! I've always had this app installed and never experienced adware, perhaps those reviews are left by people falling victim to the copycat scam?
I had this app too, and I remember thinking it was weird because I think an official google developer blog (or something like that) mentioned the need to install it, as there was no built in QR code reader at the time. I can't remember which old phone I had it on though. I also think those reviews might be left by people who can't find the original offending app because it's been removed. https://www.apkshub.com/app/…
The one you're looking at on apkshub is definitely a different app. The version number, last update, and permissions do not match what is in Play.
Re: Malware on My Android Phone
#115Earlier quoted context omitted.
I took away another lesson: One of the early developers of Android doesn't replace his phone even after being absolutely certain it had malware. That kinda blows my mind.
That's a pretty extreme and expensive option. I think I would have just gone for a factory reset.
At the very least, yes. But I read something from a former NSA hacker once and he mentioned he replaces his computer and phone every quarter, in addition to a bunch of other paranoid things.
I'm not that extreme, but I did replace my computer once I got back from Kiev. I'd rather not worry about it.
Re: Malware on My Android Phone
#116FYI: I created a website that quickly scans QR codes so that you won't have to download or open any ads-filled QR code apps anymore: - https://scan.lol The code is open source too: https://github.com/TimDaub/scan.lol
Doesn't work for me, fyi. iPhone 11, white blank screen
Re: Malware on My Android Phone
#117Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is basically the problem I have with Windows (well, had, maybe it's gotten better): a bunch of basic tools are third-party utilities. Microsoft will even point you to them?! On macOS either the basic things are build in or easy to find from a website that isn't trying to push a new toolbar at you. On Linux you just use your package manager to install whatever it is…
I don’t think you really need any 3rd party utility on Windows anymore, for the basic tasks. Any hrowser has PDF viewing, .zip support is already there (since Win2000), it has basic image manipulation and text editing, screenshot editor, and i think even desktop-recording. Sure, none of these things is a “best in class” app, but that’s normal (and leaves market space for developers). Anything beyond that is not “basi…
Same with eg. multi-entry clipboard (although I still use a third party utility app for that out of habit).
Re: Malware on My Android Phone
#118Note that there is no evidence the security model is broken here. The 'malware' didn't access any private data.
It just popped up annoying ads, which it doesn't need special permissions to do.
Re: Malware on My Android Phone
#119The lesson here is not "oh look the author is stupid because they installed a shitty QR scanner app and didn't notice the obvious mistake". The lesson should be; even very experienced technical people fall onto the malware trap. We all have day-to-day problems, unexpected stuff happening, in short life doing its thing. We'll inevitably end up being victims of a scam that happens just the worst possible day of them al…
I took away another lesson: One of the early developers of Android doesn't replace his phone even after being absolutely certain it had malware. That kinda blows my mind.
I do not use an Android phone, is there an easy means to restore one to factory condition? Is there a simple process to save and restore your phone to your PC/Mac similar to how Apple does it?
(my father has an android phone and now I suddenly find myself curious about save/restore and how to find malware on his phone)
Re: Malware on My Android Phone
#120A QR code reader was the problem then... I am an Android user since the dawn of time and I was so surprised when my wife showed me that on her iPhone the QR code reader is embedded in her camera app... I wonder why it is not the same in any version of Android that I have used (now I am on Android One). This plus the native support for CardDav and CalDav are pushing me to try iOS next time I have to change my phone.
After going through dozens of QR code scanners trying to find one that is open source and trustworthy enough looking to install, i realised there is just one right there in Firefox.