12 replies to this topic

[themechooser]

Hello,
im currently using lookout mobile security although i have found the find my phone feature to be useless.
also if my phone got stolen and somebody knew what they were doing they could easily just flash a new rom onto the phone.
is there any security application that can be flashed onto the phone using clockwork mod so that it cannot be removed?
thanks

[kubiczek]

What I know there is no application that doesn't allow the clockwork mode flash a new rom. IMO the best security app is Cerberus that still works after factory reset but doesn't work after flashing the new rom.

[Weezle]

I must admit it had never occurred to me that just flashing a new ROM would bypass all of the security, presumably it would equally erase any kind of SIM lock as well?

I can see the sense in wanting to lock out access to clockworkmod to prevent anyone re-flashing a stolen phone but it would backfire if the phone's legitimate user couldn't get the phone to boot properly....

If you were to flash a new ROM, the IMEI would still be the same though, so all you would need is a security app that works from the cloud and looks for the IMEI to block the phone (as mobile network providers do).


Anyway, was just thinking out loud really, but maybe of some benefit?

[targetbsp]

The thing is, you'd have to be familiar with the specific phone model to replace the rom.  How many thieves go to that much trouble?
I'd like to think any of them are bright enough to do a factory reset and wipe out anything installed to data but I can't imagine many will go to the trouble of flashing a new rom in case you have a root installed security app like Cerberus.  You're not going to be able to protect against someone that familiar with the tech no matter what you do really.
If you're that familiar with the Blade you'd just TPT the thing to be sure!

Edited by targetbsp, 22 February 2012 - 03:27 PM.

[youngsta2010]

Avast has some pretty good security features, it installs to the /system partition if you're rooted so can survive a factory reset, it has a separate anti-theft component that you can rename to something random and hides itself when you turn it on. Also it will tell you if another SIM has been put in and sends you the number, not sure if it has anything to do with IMEI. As others have pointed out though if someone knew the phone they could easily bypass it, I think most thieves would be too dumb though

Edited by youngsta2010, 22 February 2012 - 08:23 PM.

[worto03]

targetbsp, on 22 February 2012 - 03:24 PM, said:

The thing is, you'd have to be familiar with the specific phone model to replace the rom.  How many thieves go to that much trouble?
I'd like to think any of them are bright enough to do a factory reset and wipe out anything installed to data but I can't imagine many will go to the trouble of flashing a new rom in case you have a root installed security app like Cerberus.  You're not going to be able to protect against someone that familiar with the tech no matter what you do really.
If you're that familiar with the Blade you'd just TPT the thing to be sure!

Sorry to ask such a basic question but how exactly do I root install cerberus - I take it thats different to just downloading it from the market?


I'm on CM-7.1.0 ROM with CWM v5.0.2.0

Thanks,

worto.

[kubiczek]

Go to Cerberus website, to download section and download the flashable zip and flash it like you flashed a rom

[worto03]

kubiczek, on 23 February 2012 - 02:29 PM, said:

Go to Cerberus website, to download section and download the flashable zip and flash it like you flashed a rom

Thanks - will do it now.


cheers,

worto.

[cowscrubber]

I've tried Avast. It comes with an antivirus but you can uninstall it, leaving the anti-theft behind.

What  I like about it is that it can also survive a factory reset, just like paid apps like Cerberus.

[targetbsp]

Rom manager can install root cerberus for you too. That's probably the quickest way if you're a CM user.

Oops! missed that that question was old!

Edited by targetbsp, 29 February 2012 - 10:10 PM.

[Thar]

cowscrubber, on 29 February 2012 - 09:56 PM, said:

I've tried Avast. It comes with an antivirus but you can uninstall it, leaving the anti-theft behind.

What  I like about it is that it can also survive a factory reset, just like paid apps like Cerberus.

I trialled Avast mobile security and installed it via the root install method. I no longer want this feature but still have the "install update.zip" in the Clockwork menu which I can't figure out how to get rid of. I've tried to find it using root explorer but without success, can anyone advise how best to remove it? Sorry if I sound like a n00b

[targetbsp]

Install update.zip from sdcard is a feature of clockworkmod - not avast.  So you won't be able to get rid of that.

As for uninstalling Avast, their website recommends using Titanium backup to uninstall the root version.

Edited by targetbsp, 04 March 2012 - 02:17 PM.

[Thar]

My bad. For some reason I thought the update.zip option had only appeared after installing the Avast trial but I see it's a feature of Clockwork Mod. Although I can't be that n00b as I did manage to uninstall the app somehow

Edited by Thar, 04 March 2012 - 08:29 PM.