Android free apps gimmick

[BeVonk!]

This is scary!

 

[Elimentals]

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

Is that not the one that you can set custom backgrounds?

I know I have Hardwood Solitaire that does the same but I can understand why it would use camera access permission, so for me its not unreleasable or scary.

 

[BeVonk!]

Not sure ... I killed it immediately. I dont want anything on my device that allows remote access to my cameras. That "own background" feature may be used to do other things. When someone discovered hackers found a way to exploit the feature it will be too late.

 

[mercurial]

This raises an interesting question - how many people actually read the permissions an app requires before installing an app?

 

[Elimentals]

Not sure ... I killed it immediately. I dont want anything on my device that allows remote access to my cameras. That "own background" feature may be used to do other things. When someone discovered hackers found a way to exploit the feature it will be too late.

I can understand your view and thats why my protection is 2 fold.

1, Read the permissions and make sure it doesn't do something that is completely out of the applications scope (This is where App Ad detector play a large role)
2. If something has access to a feature that I can see why yet I dont trust it, block its internet access (MIUI is great for this)

If the app fail for any reason of the above 2 methods used then I can live without it. (IE: use something I don't like but needs internet to function)

To help with my choice of finding apps I also follow 2 rules as well:

• Where does it gets its money from? If its not open source(where I can see the code for myself) I am the product not the customer, and
• I always only use apps based on review & recommendations. I never install something If I did not see a review of it from a trusted source.

Above never failed me yet.

 

[latro]

Recently got caught up in this as well.

Found the lookout app, and it alerted me that 'Music Download Paradise' was the culprit.

It has an opt-out though. So used that to get rid of the bloody notification bar adds.

 

[BeVonk!]

Those are good defence measures Elimental. As a person well versed in these matters you know what to do. My concern is that 90% of users don't and 50% haven't got a clue. These are easy pickings. A lot of education therefore must go with owning an Android device. I am thinking of my kids here as an example. Not wanting a fight here but I can honestly appreciate why Apple is the way to go for most. It is now up to Google to do something to make their ecosystem safer ... but considering their income model I cannot see them doing anything anout it. They will leave it to the user and most users will never have a clue and if you were to get them to understand they will want a product that does the thinking and filtering for them ... Apple.

 

[BeVonk!]

Elimentals, there is a market for an app that protects an Android device by filtering apps for the user based on set parameters. A parent can load it and it will automatically filter out all unwanted apps from the market based on ongoing research by the app developer. Make an Android device behave like an Apple device when it comes to loading apps and content (online, WiFi, BT or side load). Droidnanny.

 

[BeVonk!]

... or call it Applefication. To Appleficate an Android device ... LOL!

 

[mercurial]

I'm seeing a bunch of ads lately in my notification bar :erm:

 

[Elimentals]

I'm seeing a bunch of ads lately in my notification bar :erm:

Erm, and?