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Malware on My Android Phone

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Re: Malware on My Android Phone

#61

Post by vSanjo »

HenryBemis wrote: post #25

I've switched to Android (Huawei) 2-3 years ago (after the Apple battery fiasco). I keep installed (and updated) the NoRoot Firewall app, which by default blocks all access. I also added to my mix the Nova Launcher. It makes it easier to tap&hold an app icon, gives you a quick shortcut straight to the specific app's Settings --> Apps --> specific app's properties, in which I (usually) block access to data/wifi/roamin…

I'm not trying to be facetious or rude, but that seems like a massive decision against something that was largely fixed? I can understand if you had software-problems with iOS but I didn't see that in your comment.

Managing those kinds of blocker apps, and security and such are all great when you're 'in the zone' and have it fresh at the forefront of your thoughts. For me, it only takes a week or so of not thinking about it before my standards slip and I have Just Another Application™ running.

Re: Malware on My Android Phone

#62

Post by georgyo »

prof18 wrote: post #13
pw6hv wrote: post #3

A 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.

QR Reader are load of everything. I went mad to find one a decent one for my parents’ android phone and apparently it doesn’t exists. So in a weekend I’ve created one without any kind of tracking, ads, permission, whatever. Here it is if you guys need one -> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.prof18.sec...

I've been using this one since the Android 1.0: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.zxi...

What's interesting, is that despite the app not being updated since 2018, open source, and containing no ads or tracking the reviews are saying it recently became adware.

Searching for barcode scanner in the app store brings you to a horrible sea of ad supported crap ware, and it seems like that crap ware wants to ensure you don't download something that might be decent.

Re: Malware on My Android Phone

#63

Post by roel_v »

neya wrote: post #59
pw6hv wrote: post #3

A 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.

On my Samsung it's the same as well. The default camera app scans any QR code, even does document scanning on the fly which I find super useful.

Yes, on my Samsung the camera app is great, and it gets better all the time. I know people like to crap on Samsung but they do some great things in some regards.

Re: Malware on My Android Phone

#64

Post by hadrien01 »

FriedrichN wrote: post #54
ce4 wrote: post #5

I trust the F-Droid store more due to its curated (FOSS-software-only/no-trackers) maintainer based model and default to them if there's an app that I need, especially simple stuff that tends to mostly be adware on the playstore

On a side note, my bank is now forcing me to use their app which can only be downloaded from the Play Store (which I will never install). When I complained they told me it's because they think it's more secure than their current method which is a card reader, I tried to explain to them the average phone is teeming with malware, but they simply wouldn't believe me. I am currently looking for a new bank.

You can use AuroraStore from F-Droid, it allows you to download apps from the Play Store without a Google account.

Re: Malware on My Android Phone

#65

Post by opensmtpd »

timdaub wrote: post #40

FYI: 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

There is also zxing.

https://zxing.org/w/decode.jspx

Re: Malware on My Android Phone

#66

Post by barnabee »

neya wrote: post #59
pw6hv wrote: post #3

A 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.

On my Samsung it's the same as well. The default camera app scans any QR code, even does document scanning on the fly which I find super useful.

Aside: on iOS the default camera app doesn’t do document scanning but the Files app does (it’s an option under the menu on the browse tab).

Took me ages to discover that, still not sure how long it’s been there.

Re: Malware on My Android Phone

#67

Post by rbg246 »

pw6hv wrote: post #3

A 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.

I recently discovered Firefox on Android has one if you focus on the address bar there is an option to scan, you just need to give Firefox permission to access the your camera

Re: Malware on My Android Phone

#69

Post by j1elo »

The 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 all, because reasons.

Thus the problem is not if we'll also fall on the trap, but what tools we'll have at our disposal when we do, and to what extent the Operating System will be there helping to protect us (and/or help us diagnose the issue...)

Re: Malware on My Android Phone

#70

Post by lethologica »

barnabee wrote: post #66
neya wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On my Samsung it's the same as well. The default camera app scans any QR code, even does document scanning on the fly which I find super useful.

Aside: on iOS the default camera app doesn’t do document scanning but the Files app does (it’s an option under the menu on the browse tab). Took me ages to discover that, still not sure how long it’s been there.

The notes app also does document scanning in iOS and I’ve found it very very useful.
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