I know that we were talking about in another thread that if some programs can be used to harm your phone if you have root. Is there a way to rename su to something else.. lets say to become super user, instead of typing su, you would type fk and it would do the same thing?
Thanks in advanced!
You certainly could rename it (you'd want something like "mv /bin/su /bin/fk"), but if enough people do this, malware writers will just start having their software check for both "su" and "fk" so it's not really much protection.
Well if fk is insecure, use something like np or something. Or name it like 6REtdZnYHOHzGpzvOrQp and then make a symlink to it called su to make it easy to remember.
I was just using fk as an example. Would this method remove su though?
Could we go as far as to password protect it?
Just install Superuser Permissions, it'll ask you if you want to allow root access to programs when they try to..
thither said:
You certainly could rename it (you'd want something like "mv /bin/su /bin/fk"), but if enough people do this, malware writers will just start having their software check for both "su" and "fk" so it's not really much protection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If we go this route, will you still be able to access su? Seems like you moved it, but you would still be able to access su
Related
I am having a problem with the security apps on the market like "MobileDefense", "SIM Checker" and so on. They are all great apps but can be easily uninstalled through the market with a little looking around. So what I need is to know how to install the .apk in /system. So basicly I figure that I need to move the .apk to "/system/app" so it is running in the system and cannot be uninstalled via market. So what I need would be the terminal commands to do this if anyone knows. Further more I was wondering if it would also be possible to go in and rename the .apk in "/system" to something like "systemapp.apk" to confuse the person trying to uninstall the app if they happen to stumble upon the manage applications section. Any help would be appreciated!
You can uninstall system apps too.
Yes but not as easy as going into the market and uninstalling. Is there any way to do what I am talking about in the first post? Btw I love your Rom.
Just go to Settings/applications there are the systemapps too...
maxisma said:
Just go to Settings/applications there are the systemapps too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Systemapps was just an example It could also be named something else How would I go about moving "MobileDefense" to /system/app using terminal commands?
maxisma said:
Just go to Settings/applications there are the systemapps too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the Settings application manager cannot uninstall applications in /system. /system is supposed to be read-only on stock Android builds.
Installing something into /system/app is easy. Just install the app normally from the Market, then open your adb or Terminal emulator, remount system, and cp the file from /data/app into /system/app. After, rm the original copy. The downside is you won't be able to update the app from the market.
jashsu said:
Actually the Settings application manager cannot uninstall applications in /system. /system is supposed to be read-only on stock Android builds.
Installing something into /system/app is easy. Just install the app normally from the Market, then open your adb or Terminal emulator, remount system, and cp the file from /data/app into /system/app. After, rm the original copy. The downside is you won't be able to update the app from the market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IIRC, this won't work anyways since they application will be reinstalled but your settings will not? Am I wrong? A wipe will still kill the application's usefulness even if it were built into the ROM.
Is there a way to setup a program default (your settings) so that short of installing an entirely new ROM, you keep your settings???
momentarylapseofreason said:
IIRC, this won't work anyways since they application will be reinstalled but your settings will not? Am I wrong? A wipe will still kill the application's usefulness even if it were built into the ROM.
Is there a way to setup a program default (your settings) so that short of installing an entirely new ROM, you keep your settings???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a good point; I hadn't thought about the matter of the settings. I have not installed any tracking/retrieval software before so I don't know how they specifically work, but it is theoretically possible for them to work without configuring any settings. It depends on whether the software needs to log into a remote server, but from what I gather some simply act on a sms message. If the action to take is already set by default then there should be no problems. However like I said I have no experience with any actual apps of this sort.
jashsu said:
This is a good point; I hadn't thought about the matter of the settings. I have not installed any tracking/retrieval software before so I don't know how they specifically work, but it is theoretically possible for them to work without configuring any settings. It depends on whether the software needs to log into a remote server, but from what I gather some simply act on a sms message. If the action to take is already set by default then there should be no problems. However like I said I have no experience with any actual apps of this sort.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even with a text message, it would need to be "set" for a default number. Mobile Defense however does use a central server to log into.
Hmm... Is there a way to pull the IMEI from the phone and use THAT as a login??? Then if it were to be incorporated with the phone's ROM, it would be pretty difficult to remove it and not have it send data to the proper people.
Just randomly throwing out ideas here, so pardon my ignorance
OK, I made a zip. Who wants to be my guinea pig? It's at the bottom of the post. (erase -signed and put it on the internal sd)
blackjackboy said:
I guess my idea would be to take the settings.apk from either the Vibrant dump or cyanogenmod 5.0 and push it to /system/app or wherever the settings.apk is located. Does anyone think that this would work or be willing to try it? I'm just worried that this will brick the touchwiz, and without an "original ROM" or RUU and custom recovery, I'm afraid to try it. Is there anyone braver than me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you check this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728121
tbae2 said:
Did you check this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728121
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is, root explorer isn't free. I want to give people an easy, free solution (maybe flashing something from recovery?). For now, ADB will work for me, but in the future I want to provide something flashable from recovery.
Well, the best thing to do, simply run a sql command along with the rooting update.zip.
I will work on this today and get back to you guys soon.
http://androidforums.com/samsung-ca...e-sideloading-apps-captivate.html#post1178618
Been done.
blackjackboy said:
The thing is, root explorer isn't free. I want to give people an easy, free solution (maybe flashing something from recovery?). For now, ADB will work for me, but in the future I want to provide something flashable from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It isn't free but it isn't expensive either. You just dropped a large wad of cash for the phone, seems like another $3 to get it the way you want it wouldn't be such a big deal.
blackjackboy said:
The thing is, root explorer isn't free. I want to give people an easy, free solution (maybe flashing something from recovery?). For now, ADB will work for me, but in the future I want to provide something flashable from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Droid Explorer is.
I'm an android noob but experienced linux user, so I came up with my own free solution: download a terminal emulator app (the one i got was free, and called, simply, Terminal Emulator, I think).
Then (in the terminal emulator):
Copy the settings.db file to the SD card:
To get superuser access so you can get to the settings.db file (need a rooted phone, obv):
Code:
$su
And confirm the popup allowing access.
Code:
#busybox cp /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db /sdcard/settings.db
Then hook up your phone via USB (mass storage method) and use your window manager to copy that from the phone to the computer, edit with an SQL database browser, save it, verify it's still good, move it back to the SD card, then, back on the phone in the terminal emulator:
To get superuser access again:
Code:
$su
Shouldn't have to confirm the popup allowing access again, as the first time appears to do it.
Move the original file to a backup name (just to be safe):
Code:
#busybox mv /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db.old
Copy the new (edited) file into place:
Code:
#busybox cp /sdcard/settings.db /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
Then reboot, and enjoy the ability to install non-market apps. My first install was Flash 10.1. Works fine on the Captivate.
blackjackboy said:
The thing is, root explorer isn't free. I want to give people an easy, free solution (maybe flashing something from recovery?). For now, ADB will work for me, but in the future I want to provide something flashable from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Grab Android Mate from the market, it is free and has root level exploration
blackjackboy said:
OK, I made a zip. Who wants to be my guinea pig? It's at the bottom of the post. (erase -signed and put it on the internal sd)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might also work, I have used it, pretty simple
http://m.androidcentral.com/sideload-android-apps-all-you-want-sideload-wonder-machine
Superoneclickroot has a one click enable non market apps next to the root button, fyi.
terrymc said:
This might also work, I have used it, pretty simple
http://m.androidcentral.com/sideload-android-apps-all-you-want-sideload-wonder-machine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Smasher816 said:
Superoneclickroot has a one click enable non market apps next to the root button, fyi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:faceplam:
bump a year old thread? with these no less....
whats wrong with bumping a (insert # here) old thread? it hasnt been closed or deleted. as long as info pertaining to the OP is being posted shouldnt it be a non-issue? now if it was bumped with something like 'why bump this fossil thread?' then that would be a pointless bump. i gained info from the 1 year late post about superoneclick and thanked the guy for posting it.
EDIT: you spelled 'facepalm' wrong.
Well first it shouldn't even be here in development. And second thread closed.
Okay unfortunately 5 mins after rooting my phone I noticed my replacement Vibrant has a bad screen. I used the one-click program to root, so I did the same thing to unroot. I downloaded ROM Manager after I unrooted to confirm the phone was unrooted and ROM Manager seems to think so (it told me to root my phone).
However, I am wondering if there is any way to *confirm* my phone has been unrooted (i.e. manually look for the root files and make sure they are not there)? I ask because I reset my phone to factory settings after unrooting, but updated.zip and chromemod folder were still present when I looked under files, which sort of scared me into thinking T-Mobile may be able to detect I had rooted.
Thanks for all the help and wish me luck for my *third* Vibrant.
DarkAgent said:
Okay unfortunately 5 mins after rooting my phone I noticed my replacement Vibrant has a bad screen. I used the one-click program to root, so I did the same thing to unroot. I downloaded ROM Manager after I unrooted to confirm the phone was unrooted and ROM Manager seems to think so (it told me to root my phone).
However, I am wondering if there is any way to *confirm* my phone has been unrooted (i.e. manually look for the root files and make sure they are not there)? I ask because I reset my phone to factory settings after unrooting, but updated.zip and chromemod folder were still present when I looked under files, which sort of scared me into thinking T-Mobile may be able to detect I had rooted.
Thanks for all the help and wish me luck for my *third* Vibrant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can test this to un-root.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pyg5sypm9qto7rw/Galaxysroot.apk
I wrote it today. with help.
its posted on another thread.
Erm.. couldn't you just download Terminal Emulator (if it already isn't installed) and type in: "su" (without quotations)
zephiK said:
Erm.. couldn't you just download Terminal Emulator (if it already isn't installed) and type in: "su" (without quotations)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^I second this, if you are not rooted, you will get a "su not found" type of error.
Also in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728471 you will find
How to unroot
su
rm -r /system/app/Superuser.apk
rm -r /system/xbin/busybox
rm -r /system/bin/su
you could also do it from adb.
rhcp0112345 thanks for the app but I think the su way sounds easier.
Thanks zephiK and d_bot! I did the su thing and got a "su not found" error so I guess I am good.
Lakjin said:
rhcp0112345 thanks for the app but I think the su way sounds easier.
Thanks zephiK and d_bot! I did the su thing and got a "su not found" error so I guess I am good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, no su, no root
New to Andriod, sry for noob question, What are the benefits to Root, What changes on your phone??
30Glock said:
New to Andriod, sry for noob question, What are the benefits to Root, What changes on your phone??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I know there will probably be a lot of people freaking out on me, but from how I use my phone the only use I've had so far is using cachemate to clear cache, and possibly modding the look of the os. I personally used to it to remove the annoying tmo boot and shutdown sounds/video.
30Glock said:
New to Andriod, sry for noob question, What are the benefits to Root, What changes on your phone??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to Android 30Glock
the main benefit of rooting is to be able to remove bloat-ware. Bloatware plagues the vibrant. Besides that there are other things you can do like custom roms(not many for the vibrant but they will come), with custom roms comes custom themes, also you can increase you cpu frequency. There are a few awesome apps out there that require root (Titanium Backup).
Basically think of it as you have just been given a new windows machine at work, and the admin gave you User permissions, so yeah you can do some cool stuff, but to really get in and have some fun you need admin permissions. To root/unroot this phone it is jaw dropping easy! Thank you samsung. Thank you DEVS!
Install Root Explorer and try to navigate to your system folder.
Moved to general section.
How can I activate God Mode on a rooted XOOM? I want to nullify some stock apps, but Root Explorer is saying they are read only.
Thanks.
[edit] Changed the thread question.
LOL. I didn't know we were playing Quake.
What do you mean by god mode. You already have root. That's all you should need.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
lol.
That might not be the correct term, and it may require a custom rom. Not sure, but on Project Elite for the OG Droid, there's an option under General>System called God Mode that gives you full access to files on the system. That may just be what Actngrezy calls it in PE.
I just want to rename some of the apps that were included on the XOOM. Specifically, I want to nullify the Quick Office apk so I can install the NI Adam version. When I navigate to the apk in Root Explorer, I get an error telling me it's a read only file. I never got that error with the Droid. I can change whatever I want to on that device.
Did you click on mount r/w in root explorer
arrtoodeetoo said:
How can I activate God Mode on a rooted XOOM? I want to nullify some stock apps, but Root Explorer is saying they are read only.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you install superuser? if so make sure you have allowed root explorer in it. Then on the top left hand side in root explorer hit mount r/w
arrtoodeetoo said:
lol.
That might not be the correct term, and it may require a custom rom. Not sure, but on Project Elite for the OG Droid, there's an option under General>System called God Mode that gives you full access to files on the system. That may just be what Actngrezy calls it in PE.
I just want to rename some of the apps that were included on the XOOM. Specifically, I want to nullify the Quick Office apk so I can install the NI Adam version. When I navigate to the apk in Root Explorer, I get an error telling me it's a read only file. I never got that error with the Droid. I can change whatever I want to on that device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im just visiting the forum to steal a few files to compare with atrix , how ever if i read your cleverly phrased question correctly and you are trying to remove/freeze some apps that came on the Xoom and you are getting read only error its because to modify anything in the /system dir you need to
1. back up anything you might remove via adb pull or via adb shell cp
2. adb shell
3.su
4. mount -o rw,remount (what ever the path to zoom block is i dont know cause i dont have one ) exp /dev/block/mmcblk0p12 /system
from there you can remove what ever you want out of system dir
5. exp. rm /system/app/quickoffice.apk
Thanks! I never noticed that button before. lol.
you can also get a system uninstaller in the market that will do it for you just the same, I usually use that in case there is more included than just the apk file
PaulG1488 said:
Did you click on mount r/w in root explorer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
x 2
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
I thought about the uninstaller thing, but I'd rather not uninstall anything that came on the XOOM just in case. I just add an extra .null at the end of the apk (and associated files, which are easy to find) in case I need to restore them.
For instance, the NI Quick Office app force closes when you just breathe on the freaking tablet, so I had to restore the default one.
Now I am a very avid linux user (used the terminal a time or two) and I bought an acer a500 yesterday. This is my first android device and the first 2 things I did were update it and root it with iconia-root1.3 (gingerbreak didn't work). Now I have 3.1 and the root checker says that I have root. And the busybox installer says I have busybox installed.
Now this is where I get lost...
The root checker says I have root but not /system/bin/su or /sbin/su. Why would I have root if I don't have the application to switch users? Also it has su in /system/xbin but it won't let me move anything to /system/bin (which I assumed I could do as root??). So is root checker giving a false positive or what? and why can't I move any files above the directory /mnt (I'm using astro)? Do I have to selectively give certain apps root or what?
Also I need someone to explain this to me. Why do we need to root it if all of the applications are already in the android marketplace? Do they allow applications to be uploaded to the marketplace that won't work on non-rooted devices?? That seems like there would be a separate marketplace for rooted-only apps like cydia on iOS.
A quick reply: 'Root' allows you to have read/write access on /system/ . After root, you can add/remove any apps in /system/app, also, after root, you can flash CWM, you can then flash custom rom and kernel ... bla bla bla ~
Root is somehow different from 'jailbreak' in iOS. I think you could find more information on google. Cheers.
ardatdat said:
A quick reply: 'Root' allows you to have read/write access on /system/ . After root, you can add/remove any apps in /system/app, also, after root, you can flash CWM, you can then flash custom rom and kernel ... bla bla bla ~
Root is somehow different from 'jailbreak' in iOS. I think you could find more information on google. Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root doesn't give you superuser(root user) access? I had always assumed that was the case, which means you can do any damn thing you please. Obviously you can't write to ro filesystems, but you could always remount them.
snowman4839 said:
Now this is where I get lost...
The root checker says I have root but not /system/bin/su or /sbin/su. Why would I have root if I don't have the application to switch users? Also it has su in /system/xbin but it won't let me move anything to /system/bin (which I assumed I could do as root??). So is root checker giving a false positive or what? and why can't I move any files above the directory /mnt (I'm using astro)? Do I have to selectively give certain apps root or what?
Also I need someone to explain this to me. Why do we need to root it if all of the applications are already in the android marketplace? Do they allow applications to be uploaded to the marketplace that won't work on non-rooted devices?? That seems like there would be a separate marketplace for rooted-only apps like cydia on iOS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.) The root app is in /system/app/ and the binary is in /system/xbin/ so you do have root.
2.) You won't be able to just write to any of those folders. You either have to remount them to be writable and use adb or use an app like root explorer that lets you remount on the fly and edit the files.
The same answer goes for the question why can't you move files to anything above /mnt. And yes to the second question. You'll have to set root permissions selectively.
Root doesn't have any effect on the marketplace or the apps you can download. This is not an iDevice.
Some apps need root to work (usually the ones that change system files) and that's why you have to have root. It's not necessary unless you either change system files or use an app that requires it (screen-shot apps, adfree,some file managers, reboot apps,...).
It's early so apologies for any mistakes I made. I hope that it's a little clearer now.