[Q] Silly question, but if... - Galaxy Note 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Silly question, but if our phone cannot be rooted, or access gained via an infection through a clicked on link/downloaded apk.. can our phones catch a virus and have things stolen from us without our knowing? Mostly asking because I always thought rooting a phone was essentially the same thing thing as infecting it. It's a silly question to me mostly because I know little about how the whole scheme of things work when talking about virus infections on a phone. But it's still something I just started to think about since our phone has yet to be rooted. Does this make sense to anyone else what I'm asking? And if so, please, if you can, explain if these phones can catch a virus/infection.

I personally don't use a anti virus. For my it's just a resource eater. But I am always on stock with no root. Maybe when you start downloading apps from unknown sources and install them you can be infected with some nasty things.
Sent from my SM-N910F using XDA Free mobile app

the only real danger is Trojans, virusses that disguise themselves as legitimate apps.
but these are actively scanned for by bouncer on the googe play store servers, and by the Google play services on your phone.
you can protect yourself against them with an antivirus, but it isn't really necessary unless you frequently make use of pirated apps or 3rd party app stores.
these trojans also won't be able to do too much unless you root and give them root access(don't pirate root apps, don't give pirated apps root access)
they can't retrieve more than you allow them.
and rooting typically happens through what could be considered a virus, except that what you install isn't malicious.
1 click root solutions act like trojans by showing as legitimate apps to the system.
flashable root solutions often behave more like rootkits, installing themselves in the bootloader or recovery partitions to automatically re-root the device after an update.
neither are a risk on the note 4 since 1 click root exploits don't work right now, and flashable root methods require some very specific user actions(reboot to download mode, flash with odin)
if you're still worried about security you can enable active knox protection.

Related

Regarding ROOTED Hero or any Droid phone..

Taken from an user in Androidforums.com ...
that kind of crossed my thoughts when I rooted my phone, what is the possibility though?
n0gik said:
This is a wonderful thread - and my apology if I've missed this question here or anywhere else.
Regarding 'rooted' Hero (or any other Android) phones, once they're rooted, can you set a root password? ('passwd' command after issuing 'su' command)
It would seem to me that leaving the superuser unprotected, with escalated execution privileges NOT protected, then downloading/installing a maliciously written application could become an issue. I'd hate to see thousands (millions?) of Android phones become disabled, DOS attack points or spamming mailer daemons.
Just trying to make an educated decision before rooting.
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no answers????
I've not done much research on the subject however the superuser apk is there to protect us with custom roms so you can be protected from potentially malicious applications.
We really cant set a password on our root, especially since this is not a "Full" linux distro, it's very watered down to fit and run "well", this includes the SElinux. The SuperUser app offers protection, when an app runs that requires Root, superuser kicks in and asked Always Allow, Allow, Dont Allow, Never Allow.
Given, superuser probably has its weeknesses all security apps do and anyone with the smarts to figure out the loop holes will. It's a cell phone, not your bank account or medical records. I can't see you or anyone carying anything too private on it, maybe some corp. emails. Viruses happen, luckily there doesn't seem to be to much circulating in the way of Android. There are even a few AV apps on the market if you look for them.
The only app I have that requires root is WiFi Tether. Maybe, oneday, when we get full kernel source someone can protect our root a little better than it currently is. If having an Android phone has taught me anything, it is that Google security policies must be Garbage. Look at how they protect paid apps, if I was a Dev that wanted to make money on his code there is no way I could cope with only having stuff in a protected folder. Looks like they would have to make their own software protection, and some have.
Lcarpenter, thanks for answering.
I can breathe a little better now..

Someone jacked my Sprint account

Just a heads up, somehow someone compromised my account, and was able to deactivate my phone, and activate their own EVO on my account, change plans, and change all the security info, PIN security question, and security email. A bit of a wakeup call, running rooted phones, installing apps that give themselves unfettered access...
Yes, "its your own damn fault", but whatever, just keep your eyes constantly peeled, and make sure your sprint "myaccount" settings are secure...
What ROM where you using? Any idea what apps you had installed that might have been compromising your data?
Take some screenshots of all your installed apps. Couldn't hurt.
This is more of a Sprint thing. They have a problem with internal fraud
Was using CM6 at the time. According to the rep I spoke with (that actually helped me, the first guy was a turd), they had been calling in between the 28th and 30th, on the 30th they were able to remove my device and add theirs.
I don't think it was any of the apps I have installed. I'm thinking it was either an inside job, or someone else (ie, haxor) on Sprint's nodes during the last week sniffing packets. Reason I think that is that they seemed to have compromised the security by way of changing the e-mail address that security updates go to. I don't know, its just a crappy feeling overall. Kind of like when I was mugged many years ago...
hondoslack said:
Was using CM6 at the time. According to the rep I spoke with (that actually helped me, the first guy was a turd), they had been calling in between the 28th and 30th, on the 30th they were able to remove my device and add theirs.
I don't think it was any of the apps I have installed. I'm thinking it was either an inside job, or someone else (ie, haxor) on Sprint's nodes during the last week sniffing packets. Reason I think that is that they seemed to have compromised the security by way of changing the e-mail address that security updates go to. I don't know, its just a crappy feeling overall. Kind of like when I was mugged many years ago...
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Sprint should should just clone that account, deactivate it, ban the new ESN.
I fail to see the benefit of account jacking (especially after account owner's phone gets deactivated)
jerryparid said:
Sprint should should just clone that account, deactivate it, ban the new ESN.
I fail to see the benefit of account jacking (especially after account owner's phone gets deactivated)
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I like what happens (and it rarely happens,Ive heard stories of things that have happened way back,which are always good for a chuckle) where I work when someone does something illegal,or commits crimes using sensitive information at work. The US Marshals come,drag them out in handcuffs for everyone to see and then they get their room and board on the US Government for the next few years.
Every phone is legally required to have GPS that is available at all times and it sounds like they are committing identity theft. Have the police, or if they are in a different state possibly FBI, go get them.
This was an inside job and has nothing to do with your ROM or the fact that you rooted your phone. Threads like this could easily scare people away from rooting for no good reason.
I think you might have gave someone your info!!
dallashigh said:
This was an inside job and has nothing to do with your ROM or the fact that you rooted your phone. Threads like this could easily scare people away from rooting for no good reason.
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This may not have had anything to do with his phone being rooted but it is possible that could have had something to do with it too. When you root your phone you are effectively bypassing just about every single security feature put on there.
You are lying to yourself if you think rooting your phone doesn't make your information much easier to steal.
jahnile said:
This is a strange story, def.ly a wake up call.
http://WWW.rootznculture.com
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NVM wrong thread
xHausx said:
This may not have had anything to do with his phone being rooted but it is possible that could have had something to do with it too. When you root your phone you are effectively bypassing just about every single security feature put on there.
You are lying to yourself if you think rooting your phone doesn't make your information much easier to steal.
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That is patently false. If you install a custom ROM then you are trusting the ROM developer not to put anything sneaky in there. Considering CM6 is open-source and used by thousands of people, it's unlikely to be the ROM's fault.
An app with root can do just about anything. That is why the Superuser app is there to make sure only apps that need it can get root access.
Installing apps from non-Market sources is much riskier than rooting your phone. Installing an SSH daemon would make it possible to access your system remotely. That would also be a security risk.
Enabling USB debugging will make it easier for someone with physical access to your device to access your information. That much is true.
There is absolutely nothing about the act of rooting that puts your information in jeopardy.
dallashigh said:
That is patently false. If you install a custom ROM then you are trusting the ROM developer not to put anything sneaky in there. Considering CM6 is open-source and used by thousands of people, it's unlikely to be the ROM's fault.
An app with root can do just about anything. That is why the Superuser app is there to make sure only apps that need it can get root access.
Installing apps from non-Market sources is much riskier than rooting your phone. Installing an SSH daemon would make it possible to access your system remotely. That would also be a security risk.
Enabling USB debugging will make it easier for someone with physical access to your device to access your information. That much is true.
There is absolutely nothing about the act of rooting that puts your information in jeopardy.
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You say any app with root can do just about anything, you just confirmed what I said. If whatever terminal app you are using can give you root(superuser) access without a password than any app can do it.
A SSH shell is for communicating over a network, it has nothing to do with root access.
If you read recently at defcon someone showed a market app that could root your phone without your permission and take some private info. So without root your screwed to. So you can probably blame an app before root. Also all data is encrypted so I doubt it was a packet sniffer.
This is a Sprint issue. I've seen and heard of it happening way too many times for me to assume that it's Android related even in the slightest bit.
I don't really think it's fair to lump rooting and basic modification in with account theft. There are always multiple sides to any story.
dallashigh said:
That is patently false. If you install a custom ROM then you are trusting the ROM developer not to put anything sneaky in there. Considering CM6 is open-source and used by thousands of people, it's unlikely to be the ROM's fault.
An app with root can do just about anything. That is why the Superuser app is there to make sure only apps that need it can get root access.
Installing apps from non-Market sources is much riskier than rooting your phone. Installing an SSH daemon would make it possible to access your system remotely. That would also be a security risk.
Enabling USB debugging will make it easier for someone with physical access to your device to access your information. That much is true.
There is absolutely nothing about the act of rooting that puts your information in jeopardy.
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Click to collapse
Then what is this article referring to? http://phandroid.com/2010/07/31/hackers-release-data-stealing-program-to-push-google-to-plug-holes-at-security-conference/
xHausx said:
You say any app with root can do just about anything, you just confirmed what I said. If whatever terminal app you are using can give you root(superuser) access without a password than any app can do it.
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Sure you don't have to enter a password, but the first time the app runs, you DO have to confirm that you want to give it root access. And again that would be the APP that is malicious and not the mere fact that your phone is rooted.
xHausx said:
A SSH shell is for communicating over a network, it has nothing to do with root access.
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I know what SSH is. I'm not an idiot. An SSH server is something that would actually put your device at risk of being remotely accessed without your knowledge or permission.
redrazr7791 said:
Then what is this article referring to? http://phandroid.com/2010/07/31/hackers-release-data-stealing-program-to-push-google-to-plug-holes-at-security-conference/
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Click to collapse
They distributed a trojan that installed malware at the same time it rooted your phone.

Anyone experience viruses on cell phones?

As the title reads, is this a problem? If so how do you keep your phone safe?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
I've never had a virus. If you are worried though, I recommend Lookout from the market.
I second lookout..i even pay for lookout
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Not that I always check, but a virus cant get on you phone by browsing naughty sites (like PCs). Typically, I dont think we can even call them viruses, its more like malware or malicious apps. The only way these can get on your device is if you install them... and before the app installs, the installer TELLS you what the apps can do.
Basically, if you want to install some pretty Asian wallpaper and the installer says: Accesses Contacts; Accesses SDCard; Accesses Internet; etc; etc.. then chances are its a baaadddd ju-ju application. User comments will filter out bad apps pretty quickly too. Stay away from 3rd party app sites. The only ones you should trust is Google and the upcoming Amazon markets.
Beware of what you install...and be cautious of 3rd party apks
Thanks for the info.
Is it recommended to keep the settings-->applications-->unknown sources box unchecked?
I would unless you completely understand the 3rd party APK.
bwheelies said:
Thanks for the info.
Is it recommended to keep the settings-->applications-->unknown sources box unchecked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is for apps you snag off the net that aren't sported on the market for whatever reason. I have mine checked but I only download from trusted sites and am aware of what it is. If you don't have any intentions to download out side of the market, then it doesn't matter.
Use droidWall to block network access for specific apps you feel not confortable.
There are no viruses for smartphones, if something to download or install bricks your phone its not because its a virus, ever. Antivirus apps are just a way to make money and/or advertise.
Sent from my stock 2.1
unrooted, fully bloated (for now) Fascinate

Rooting Nexus 7 - disadvantages (beyond blocked movie rentals)?

I've not got round to trying to root a device yet, and before I root my Nexus 7 in order to access files on USB Flash drives, I'd like to check out a few points please?
I'd heard that Google had previously blocked rooted Android devices from renting movies, eg in Wired and this very forum. Could anyone confirm please if that's still the case, or has Google removed that block since?
Secondly, does anyone know if rooted Android devices are being blocked or restricted in any other way on the Play Store? Eg after rooting, would I still have access to (and be able to re-install) all the apps I'd previously installed from the Play Store, particularly paid apps, would previously-installed apps still show up in my Play account, and would they still be automatically updated? I'd suspect so, & sorry if it may seem obvious, but I want to verify this definitively before rooting.
And what about OS updates, I assume I'd have to do those myself manually thereafter?
Are there any other major disadvantages to rooting please, apart from wiping my existing data and perhaps voiding my warranty? (I'm aware it may be possible to unroot before making any warranty claim - unless of course the fault prevents that!)
I am 99% sure that the root block on movies has now been removed for Google Play Movies
Root does not effect you installing other apps, however certain apps may be root protected i.e. won't work on a rooted device, there are not many of these and most of them you can "hide" root to use.
Lennyuk said:
I am 99% sure that the root block on movies has now been removed for Google Play Movies
Root does not effect you installing other apps, however certain apps may be root protected i.e. won't work on a rooted device, there are not many of these and most of them you can "hide" root to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers Lennyuk.
What about Play Store accounts, hopefully there's no indication of Google detecting rooted devices and disabling accounts or deleting apps from the accounts of people with rooted devices?
I really don't think Google cares. These devices are meant to be a stable platform that you can develop on, so they are going to expect people to root them.
Google don't care about root at all, people that do are usually OEM's (because they like an excuse to void warranty) and certain app makers like bskyb (they quote security reasons but deep down they just don't really understand root and are fearful of piracy)
Lennyuk said:
Google don't care about root at all, people that do are usually OEM's (because they like an excuse to void warranty) and certain app makers like bskyb (they quote security reasons but deep down they just don't really understand root and are fearful of piracy)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, thanks very much Lennyuk and pjohnson87. After the movie rental blocking, I thought I ought to check if any other restrictions had been imposed by Google, whether under pressure from app makers or for some other reason.
As long as I don't lose the ability to (re-)install paid apps from the Play Store, that's the main thing I'm concerned about!

Reasons, Advantages and Disadvantages to unlock/root the G5 Plus

I am asking myself - specifically for the G5 Plus, but probably in a more general sense - where the huge advantages and disadvantages of rooting are, considering that the G5 plus comes with a relativly clean Android 7.XXX and a not an old overloaded android version, which didn't use to have many of the capabilities that Android 7 offers. I know that my questions might particularily overlap with questions in other topics, but for sure not every question, especially specific G5 Plus questions.
Overall I am interested in the topics security and product-experience, if you want to call it like that. I ask myself: Is root still worth losing warranty or is it not? Keywords or keyquestions that cross my mind are:
OTA updates: I guess those won't be possible anymore?
Encryption: Will it still work and increase security if the phone is lost?
Backup functionality, especially in combination with cloud services: Is there something like -backup my whole phone down to the very core on some google server (best proteced with a password and some AES256 encryption)- so that I can restore it some day in an easy manner? How would you backup your phone and settings, etc. with and without root?
Safety: What could happen if I lose my (bootloader unlocked and) rooted phone: Will someone be able to read my passwords (e.g. google...) and other sensitive information directly from the phone, even if it was locked, in the moment I lost it? What is the worst thing that could happen?
Root Functionality: How does the root access / superuser specificly work, e.g. if I'd accidentally install an app or similar, which might contain a virus: Is an app like this instantly capable of messing my whole system or will I be able to manually confirm specific security related changes, especially system changes, that an app might try to do? With other words: Does root mean that the system will be wasted by even the tiniest mistake or is there some security buffer?
Unlock Bootloader only: Is it an option (or make any sense to you) to just unlock the bootloader and install a the G5 Plus TWRP recovery without rooting the phone and does this give any advantages or is this just a totally nonsensical option, which is maybe not even possible? If I got it right, rooting does not necessarily need to reset the phone in any way, while unlocking the bootloader enforces to do a reset, right? In this context I was also asking myself if unlocking the bootloader (now that I don't have wasted precious time on customizing my phone, yet) right now is a useful option (without any disadvantage besides losing the warranty) and if I ever experience the necessity to root, I will only need like 2 commands and it is done - without having to reset my phone again?
Root Must Have: Is there any specific functionality or reason - you would say - one should definitly root the phone for, as it is a must have functionality, which would be locked without root?: I only have virtual examples, e.g. if Nougat would prevent me from changing the volume to a level higher than 50 % and the absolute exclusive possibility to change this was to get root access. Another example , although really not that critical one, could be: I noticed that I am only allowed to install 5 different finger prints... root could give me the possibility to install infinite finger prints?
Feature Loss: Does one lose some other neat features or functionality that is usually provided by Google or Motorola if the phone is not rooted but not possible anymore if it is rooted?
Third Party Trust: How can you people trust the TWRP Backup or custom ROMs? Don't you fear that there might be a virus or trojan horse within?
Best regards and thanks in advance for your patience with a newbie
No response?
172 view, no answers :-/. Guys tell me: Is it due to the length of the text? Is it something else? I could split it up in several questions, but I though that this would be unwanted.
And I will be thankful for every help on either of the bold buzzwords, it is not like you need to comment on everything
Must have for me: correct timestamps when moving or copying files using TC. Only possible with root.
Unlock only: yes makes sense. Unlock is the part where you lose all data, and then you can use fastboot boot to make backup. Rooting itself should not lose any data, so it is advantageous to unlock early. Root has time.
Lost functionality: on most devices using Magisk 12 you can pass SafetyNet, which means you can use Android pay, play Pokemon go etc, but the apps trying to detect root/unlocked devices get changed and may not work anymore at some time. Probably you will have lost this possibility when starting with unlocked bootloader and need to install Magisk to get green SafetyNet. Magisk hides the unlocked bootloader.
OTA: do a backup of boot partition before rooting, do no modifications on other partitions than data, cache and boot and you should be fine restoring boot partition to do OTA. It's easy to overlook some app using root to write system, logo, recovery, something, but backup should help. Or install complete firmware, then OTA is possible again.
Note: I do not have the device, just saw the questions which have the same answers for all current Motorola Android devices - you may search in general forums or forums for similar devices for answers
OTA updates: if you are rooted you have tempered with the system partition and therefore ota are not easily installed
Encryption:it is possible to wipe the phone and use if you are unlocked
Backup functionality Google already does backup some settings natively. you can still do an adb backup even without root
Safety: if they are techies they know how to access files via twrp etc. but worst thing is they just wipe it and use the phone
Root Functionality: root gives some apps access to the system partition which is not possible normaly. if you installe some dubious app which wants access to root to mess with your system you are lost.
Unlock Bootloader only: you need to unlock the phone to root it. by unlocking your phone is wiped clean. than you can root it. the advantage of installing twrp are the "easy backups" and installing custom roms or even root. there are no real advantages or disadvantages anymore. earlier you had to unlock/root/install custom rom to have some extra functionalities but android did mature and has most functions built in
Root Must Have: there may be some system limits which you can bypass with root like headphne volume limit, reading wifi passwords or/and having systemwide adblock. I personally do not see a benefit anymore. I used to root for having system-wide adblock but I can achieve it with rootless apps like adguard.
Feature Loss: you will lose android pay. you can not use some apps like mario run or pokemon go. you will lose OTA feature.
Third Party Trust: actually I dont know. with the custom rom base growing I only trust official lineageOS as it is review by many people before building. therefore the chance is reduced to have some spyware feature in it
I too would like to know, has the source code to ANY custom ROMs been reviewed by third party to verify no malicious code?
Although I worry that some ROMs could violate my data privacy, root is something that I simply cannot willingly go without - if I don't have root access, it's simply not *MY* phone, it's a phone that is configured to someone else's [some company's] desires and priorities.
I'm disappointed that the built in tethering does an "entitlement" check - AFAIK it's actually illegal (or, at least against contracts the companies signed with the FCC) for the cell phone provider to attempt to control what a user does with their allotted amount of cell data. Yes, the cell provider company can decide how MUCH data you are allowed based on what plan you pay for, but they are not supposed to restrict HOW you use YOUR data. Therefore, I demand unrestricted "tethering" from any smart phone that I use.
There are other apps I like to use that require root access: Root file explorers, Titanium Backup, Smarter WiFi Manager, Greenify/Servicely etc., but most of all, I CANNOT STAND the intrusive obnoxious awful ads which seem to be prevalent these days! A good ad blocker is an absolute must! The blame rests squarely on the shoulders of the websites which allow such awful advertisements such as "pop behind" windows and particularly, ads which cause the web page scroll to constantly keep jumping away from what you are trying to read making the site basically unusable. There is also lately a prevalence of "click bait" ads/links which brings you to malicious/obnoxious websites which popup dialogs trying to stop you from closing the web page or navigate away - they put up big flashing red letters and say things like "We have detected a virus on your computer do not close this window or your passwords will be stolen and your data lost" and when you try to close the page it keeps popping up a dialog making it difficult. Sorry, but, such ads simply can't be tolerated - even this [xda] website sometimes has unpleasant ads, or at least there were times when I really regretted turning off my ad blocker when visiting this site in the past, that is for sure!
I usually use a "custom ROM", I miss exposed very much, but, I suspect there are too many malwares in the xposed repository these days? (I'm not sure of this, just suspicious).
I like to be able to change the color of my status bar clock to green and position it in the center as that is easier for me to use (see it quickly when I want). However, the standard launcher is far too limited in how customizable it is, so I use a combination of Nova Prime (requires root for some features) and Chronos Weather/Clock/Calendar widget which puts a larger clock right in the upper middle of my desktop so I turn off the status bar clock (Nova Prime feature, one that requires root).
Oh, and I like to use a custom "System Font", I'm not sure if we can do that without root? It really makes the phone feel like MY phone and look (and operate) how I want it to.
critofur said:
[...]
I'm disappointed that the built in tethering does an "entitlement" check - AFAIK it's actually illegal (or, at least against contracts the companies signed with the FCC) for the cell phone provider to attempt to control what a user does with their allotted amount of cell data. Yes, the cell provider company can decide how MUCH data you are allowed based on what plan you pay for, but they are not supposed to restrict HOW you use YOUR data. Therefore, I demand unrestricted "tethering" from any smart phone that I use.
There are other apps I like to use that require root access: Root file explorers, Titanium Backup, Smarter WiFi Manager, Greenify/Servicely etc., but most of all, I CANNOT STAND the intrusive obnoxious awful ads which seem to be prevalent these days! A good ad blocker is an absolute must! [...]
[...]
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Click to collapse
Could you explain the entitlement check a little further? Does it mean that with the current Android version and an unrooted/locked G5 plus it is impossible to use the Smartphone Mobile data connection, e.g. on a notebook via wifi tethering? This would be a real argument to root.
Did you try adguard, as ckret suggested? Is there a huge difference between an adblocker with root or an adblocker like adguard without root on the phone? I basically assume that with nougat it is possible to grant apps access to almost anything (except for root) - including to block features other apps use, e.g. advertisements. But I am actually not sure.
Maybe ckret knows more on this aspect, as he seems to know both adblock concepts - the rooted and the unrooted one with adguard?
Comparing DNS66 (local DNS server without root) with adaway (root):
+ You can select blocking per app with DNS66, adaway modifies hosts file which always is valid for all apps and system services
- You can not use another VPN while DNS66 is active
- You need to disable VPN under Nougat while using Download Manager (bug in Nougat, for all VPN services)
Personally I have root, but use DNS66. I don't need adblock when connecting to my computer at home (that's when I need to use another VPN) and am using Marshmallow ATM, but probably would continue using DNS66 when on Nougat. For PlayStore there is a workaround implemented, and if some download fails I'd know I need to disable VPN.
This is why I only said Total Commander copying timestamp is my only real killer app (besides Titanium Backup) which makes me need root. Android O is supposed to change the behavior implementing SDCardFS which shall allow setting timestamp without root.
sky-head said:
Could you explain the entitlement check a little further? Does it mean that with the current Android version and an unrooted/locked G5 plus it is impossible to use the Smartphone Mobile data connection, e.g. on a notebook via wifi tethering? This would be a real argument to root.
Did you try adguard, as ckret suggested? Is there a huge difference between an adblocker with root or an adblocker like adguard without root on the phone? I basically assume that with nougat it is possible to grant apps access to almost anything (except for root) - including to block features other apps use, e.g. advertisements. But I am actually not sure.
Maybe ckret knows more on this aspect, as he seems to know both adblock concepts - the rooted and the unrooted one with adguard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adaway:
adaway replaces the hosts file in your system with a custom hosts file which redirects some requests to 127.0.0.1 which results in ads not being shown
since it is deeplevel change of the hosts file the app requires root to change the file
pro:
* ads are blocked when resources are requested
* it is system-wide and everything is checked on demand
con:
* system slows down with big hosts file as every request must be checked everytime a site/app is opened
* if a wrong request is blocked your app/site might not show/work at all since it is a system-wide check
adguard:
this app has two different ways of blocking ads
vpn: a local vpn server is created on the system and all requests are rerouted through it. works the same way as adaway but without a root access.
pro:
* rootless method
* you can create a bypass for different sites/apps
con:
* you can not use a 2nd vpn connection while the app is active
* it may use a bit more battery as it creates a server but this should be negligible
proxy: this is nearly the same as vpn just you should be able to use a vpn connection
so big pro and con for me is that i do not have to reroute all apps through the adblock check
important apps (banking e.g.) are free to use the connection without being rerouted.
I know it might seem like a stupid question, but how often (and for which reason) do you use/need a(nother) VPN connection?
Does this also mean things like tethering or a WLAN access like eduroam - or is this something different?
I am actually not sure if I ever needed VPN on my smartphone
sky-head said:
I know it might seem like a stupid question, but how often (and for which reason) do you use/need a(nother) VPN connection?
Does this also mean things like tethering or a WLAN access like eduroam - or is this something different?
I am actually not sure if I ever needed VPN on my smartphone
Click to expand...
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you need a vpn connection if you want to access the intranet without being physically there
e.g. intranet of a company to access emails or if you are a student and got some special tool/e.g. which can only be accessed through the university connection
most times you will only use vpn on a notebook or pc but I hardly doubt most people will use it on their phones
ckret said:
you need a vpn connection if you want to access the intranet without being physically there
e.g. intranet of a company to access emails or if you are a student and got some special tool/e.g. which can only be accessed through the university connection
most times you will only use vpn on a notebook or pc but I hardly doubt most people will use it on their phones
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... exactly what I was thinking about it. I've never been needing a VPN on my phone. On the notebook I need it on a regular basis, thats true.
I should have been asking "I know it might seem like a stupid question, but how often (and for which reason) do you use/need a(nother) VPN connection on your smartphone?", to state my question more precisely.
Using AVM Fritzbox as router makes it possible to use the standard phone via SIP. This only does work when you're in your intranet, directly or via VPN. Also I need to access my documents on my computer, my media library at home, to configure the router and more and therefore I use VPN on a regular basis. Yes, I do these things using the smartphone. But when using VPN, I do not need adblock.

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