Android finnally got an android phone, want to install apks, give me security tips.

[migles]

yey, my nokia (i am not kidding about it was a nokia) can finally rest in the world of electrical waste
(i actually will keep it for emergencies or in case something happens...)

i bought a second handed htc m8.. which i am really enjoying
and now i wanted to get some apks.. and i wanted gbatempers to tell me security tips...
i am thinking in rooting if it's necessary, but would like to keep it this way..

is there a sandbox that can fake\deny permissions to data like files, internet, gps data etc?
i downloaded gta from the bay of pirates, and i am kinda scared about it can do nasty things behind my knowledge, so i wanted to keep apks i don't trust that much in a closed box...

 

[Mazamin]

yey, my nokia (i am not kidding about it was a nokia) can finally rest in the world of electrical waste
(i actually will keep it for emergencies or in case something happens...)

i bought a second handed htc m8.. which i am really enjoying
and now i wanted to get some apks.. and i wanted gbatempers to tell me security tips...
i am thinking in rooting if it's necessary, but would like to keep it this way..

is there a sandbox that can fake\deny permissions to data like files, internet, gps data etc?
i downloaded gta from the bay of pirates, and i am kinda scared about it can do nasty things behind my knowledge, so i wanted to keep apks i don't trust that much in a closed box...

When you install an apk, the phone will show you the permissions that the application needs
And about the root, you don't need it only for install apks

 

[Joe88]

theres websites were you can get trusted apk's, I wouldnt trust the ones on tbp
you can also use this site to scan apk's for viruses and malware https://apkscan.nviso.be/
you can use this program in windows to get information about a downloaded apk file http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2359373

 

[migles]

When you install an apk, the phone will show you the permissions that the application needs
And about the root, you don't need it only for install apks

i know, but the permissions don't tell me why it needs it or exactly what it is.., for example, most of games permissions say that they my galery, some games i can see why it needs access to them.. (for example it saves pictures taken inside the game), but most of them no...

i am kinda paranoid... with this stuff..

theres websites were you can get trusted apk's, I wouldnt trust the ones on tbp
you can also use this site to scan apk's for viruses and malware https://apkscan.nviso.be/
you can use this program in windows to get information about a downloaded apk file http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2359373

thank you for this info
the game i downloaded i needed to replace a folder in obb, there is 2 big files, will i need to scan them as well?

 

[Lycan911]

i know, but the permissions don't tell me why it needs it or exactly what it is.., for example, most of games permissions say that they my galery, some games i can see why it needs access to them.. (for example it saves pictures taken inside the game), but most of them no...

i am kinda paranoid... with this stuff..


thank you for this info
the game i downloaded i needed to replace a folder in obb, there is 2 big files, will i need to scan them as well?

To my knowledge, OBB folders should only have one file, not two. At least it was that way with all of the games I installed.

 

[nxwing]

If you ever decide to download APKs, download them on your PC so at least your antivirus can alarm you. APKMirror is a pretty good and trusted site.

 

[guitarheroknight]

I mostly download my APK's via Aptoide. Give it a go, it even has its own app.

 

[yuyuyup]

Hacking up android devices can range from impossible to 1 simple step. You need to make sure your device can be "unlocked" if you want to root. I've bought androids thinking I was set, but OOPS, because it was a "virgin" carrier etc, it aint happening. My old Galaxy s3 was a huge pain, you had to install specific drivers onto pc, had to use "odin" to make sure the "knox" security wouldn't trigger, etc. But I just ordered a Verizon LG Exceed 2 for $15, looks like extremely EZ root.

After root, get Superuser and Busybox from the playstore

 

[migles]

To my knowledge, OBB folders should only have one file, not two. At least it was that way with all of the games I installed.

the game i was trying was GTA SA, there was a main obb and patch obb

I mostly download my APK's via Aptoide. Give it a go, it even has its own app.

i tried aptoide in the past (on bluestacks) but it's kinda weird... and i didnt understand how it works, apparently the users make the "store" but what if users upload malware?

 

[nxwing]

the game i was trying was GTA SA, there was a main obb and patch obb


i tried aptoide in the past (on bluestacks) but it's kinda weird... and i didnt understand how it works, apparently the users make the "store" but what if users upload malware?

As for Aptoide, just make sure that the stores you add have good ratings and you should be safe

 

[migles]

Hacking up android devices can range from impossible to 1 simple step. You need to make sure your device can be "unlocked" if you want to root. I've bought androids thinking I was set, but OOPS, because it was a "virgin" carrier etc, it aint happening. My old Galaxy s3 was a huge pain, you had to install specific drivers onto pc, had to use "odin" to make sure the "knox" security wouldn't trigger, etc. But I just ordered a Verizon LG Exceed 2 for $15, looks like extremely EZ root.

After root, get Superuser and Busybox from the playstore

i will look into busybox

the only problem with this phone will be S-off, specially since its unlocked, i try the avoid the maximum carrier locked phones\devices...
apparently htc provides root (i can get the root from the htc website)
but this thing has extra security, if i want to S-off probably it will be a pain..

 

[_v3]

Misread title, ignore this

 

[nxwing]

i will look into busybox

the only problem with this phone will be S-off, specially since its unlocked, i try the avoid the maximum carrier locked phones\devices...
apparently htc provides root (i can get the root from the htc website)
but this thing has extra security, if i want to S-off probably it will be a pain..

The XDA developers forum should be able to help you in case you want to root

 

[migles]

Go to settings >> security and enable Unknown sources.

what?
what is that answer for?

 

[yuyuyup]

i will look into busybox

the only problem with this phone will be S-off, specially since its unlocked, i try the avoid the maximum carrier locked phones\devices...
apparently htc provides root (i can get the root from the htc website)
but this thing has extra security, if i want to S-off probably it will be a pain..

You could buy a cheap android to experiment with "xposed installer" (the equivalent to iphone "tweaks" requires root) see if it's worth it, I wouldn't even bother with a non-rooted android (but that's just the opinion I reached)

 

[_v3]

what?
what is that answer for?

Damn misread the title xD
Anyway, if you are not rooted apks can't do much to your phone, however, once you do root it make sure you don't give root access to apps that shouldn't be requesting it / you're not unsure what they do. I've rooted all of my android devices and have never encountered a virus (that isn't to say that there are none)

 

[Flame]

if you are worried wait for a sale.
when its like $0.10 buy it....


also get Amazon underground app a legit app by Amazon loads of free stuff.

 

[WiiUBricker]

Don't install apks from porn sites.

 

[Joe88]

Don't install apks from porn sites.

actually most of the porn sites are providing their own apk apps now

 

[nxwing]

if you are worried wait for a sale.
when its like $0.10 buy it....


also get Amazon underground app a legit app by Amazon loads of free stuff.

Thank you for that. My phone storage is about to be full thanks to that underground thingy