Android free apps gimmick

[BeVonk!]

Lately, when installing some free apps, extra unwanted apps are installed as well without warning. And then some of these will add irritating ads to my Honeycomb menu bar at the bottom. Google must stop this practice by developers as it will most definitely force me to go elsewhere.

 

[Elimentals]

Lately, when installing some free apps, extra unwanted apps are installed as well without warning. And then some of these will add irritating ads to my Honeycomb menu bar at the bottom. Google must stop this practice by developers as it will most definitely force me to go elsewhere.

Those are the apps that Norton falsley marked as malware some time back (Android Central) Also check out Lookout's statement about them over here

I do understand your problem with them but I do also understand why Google and co dont remove them. My way of avoiding them is to simply install Applications only based on reviews or what people recommend. If its something I install myself after a search I make sure and read the comments as it normally come up in them.

May I ask what app you installed that gave you this? Maybe I can recommend a better alternative.

 

[BeVonk!]

Difficult to identify the culprits. They seem to come with updates - later baked into apps I already have. Some also don't show this behaviour immediately after installation but activates the behaviour after a delay.

I take this very serious. I see this as underhanded invasive abusive marketing that will turn me against Android for sure. If Google supports this then I will turn my back on them.

 

[BeVonk!]

Example: I got a popup dialogue box that stated: Urgent Android Update Required. When I tapped on the next button an app downloaded that "improves" my battery life ... and brought some other crap with it.

 

[Bona Botse]

Install AirPush Detector, it will tell you which apps use those notification ads.

 

[mercurial]

I've never, ever had this issue.

 

[BeVonk!]

Install AirPush Detector, it will tell you which apps use those notification ads.

Thanks. Nailed'em!

 

[BeVonk!]

I've never, ever had this issue.

Your Android must get out more LOL!

 

[Elimentals]

Thanks. Nailed'em!

Just out of interest.

Can you name and shame the guilty?

 

[BeVonk!]

Just out of interest.

Can you name and shame the guilty?

Can't now remember all. Not leading well known apps. The two I specifically remember were an AC Milan theme'd analogue clock and an AC Milan news app (yes, I am a fan LOL!).

 

[Elimentals]

Can't now remember all. Not leading well known apps. The two I specifically remember were an AC Milan theme'd analogue clock and an AC Milan news app (yes, I am a fan LOL!).

All good, I just wanted to know if its not something mainstream that we should watch out for.

As for Football support, we all have our vices, nothing wrong with that

 

[Elimentals]

Lookout Ad Network Detector

Ooh Lookout finally came with their awnser to your Push add woes. (People that brought you Anti-Virus and Plan B)

Free : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lookout.addetector

Also you can look at:


AppBrain Ad Detector

Free: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appspot.swisscodemonkeys.detector

Detect potential concerns of apps installed on your phone, such as Push Notifications, Desktop icon spam or privacy concerns.

- Helps you to get rid of annoying ad notifications (Airpush, Leadbolt) and bookmarks on your desktop.
- Find out what apps have permissions to access your messages or accounts, or can use services which could cost you money.

This app detects over 70 different aspects of apps, including:

- Concerns such as Push Notifications, putting spam icons on your desktop, and privacy related concerns such as the ability to access your location, contacts, messages or accounts.

- Android Ad Networks; this app tells you which ad networks are embedded in apps, such as Admob, Millennial Media, MobClix, Tapjoy, AdWhirl, Greystripe, InMobi, Airpush, Startapp, Leadbolt, Pontiflex and more.

- Social SDKs; detect whether apps have SDKs like Facebook, Twitter4j, OpenFeint, HeyZap and more.

- Developer Tools; detect libraries like Google Analytics, Flurry Analytics, Google Play in-app billing, Google Licensing Service, ViewPager indicator, ACRA, Paypal and more.

And lets you decide if you want to live with the spam or not.

 

[BeVonk!]

Thanks Elimentals. AppBrain is awesome. I just got rid of some more apps, one being DSTV decoder that had access to my messages. Why do MultiChoice need access to my messages I wonder.

 

[BeVonk!]

AppBrain is a must-have app. I now for the first time really saw what some apps are capable of and potentially up to.

 

[Elimentals]

AppBrain is a must-have app. I now for the first time really saw what some apps are capable of and potentially up to.

Its truly scary I know.

The joke is that you gave those apps permissions when you installed them. Its just that most people ignore the Warning page and just click "yes I know, now install dammit" Button.

 

[BeVonk!]

Just got caught again! AppBrain recommended I install AppBrain's App Market which I did. This App Market then recommended Mario Kart Racing which I eagerly installed for my kids ... and then the dreaded push ads started again. I ran the app earlier reconmended to identify apps with push advertising and there Mario Kart pops up. One has to be so awake.

 

[Elimentals]

Just got caught again! AppBrain recommended I install AppBrain's App Market which I did. This App Market then recommended Mario Kart Racing which I eagerly installed for my kids ... and then the dreaded push ads started again. I ran the app earlier reconmended to identify apps with push advertising and there Mario Kart pops up. One has to be so awake.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

I take it you switched Appbrain Ad Detector to manual instead of the background. Dont blame you as I do it as well, dont like battery killers.

Edit: OMW, sis on you, dont you read the comments or permission?

axe
16 hours ago
Sounded too good to be true.. Began to play. It installed two more spam apps, and wanted to download more onto my SD. Between that, the excessive 'keywords' and crazy permissions, off it goes. Not worth the risk.

Review permissions

Mario Kart Racing requires these permissions:
Your personal information
read Browser's history and bookmarks, write Browser's history and bookmarks RED FLAG

Your location
fine (GPS) location, coarse (network-based) location, access extra location provider commands RED FLAG

Network communication
full Internet access, view network state

Storage
modify/delete SD card contents

Phone calls
read phone state and identity

Hardware controls
control vibrator

System tools
automatically start at boot, install shortcuts, prevent phone from sleeping SUPER BLOODY RED FLAG

 

[BeVonk!]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

I take it you switched Appbrain Ad Detector to manual instead of the background. Dont blame you as I do it as well, dont like battery killers.

Nope. AppBrain didn't pick it up as it is so new and AppBrain seems to work from a list frequently updated.

 

[Elimentals]

Nope. AppBrain didn't pick it up as it is so new and AppBrain seems to work from a list frequently updated.

All good, see Edit above

 

[BeVonk!]

WTF! Lookout identified an app - Solitaire 2 - that can access my device cameras and take pictures!!