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Ask Slashdot: How Can I Protect My Android Devices From Hackers?
SternisheFan writes "My Android phone (an unrooted OptimusV running 2.2.2) and my Android tablet (Arnova 7g3 running 4.1) have been subjected to hacking via either 'forced Bluetooth attack' or through the Wi-Fi signals in the home where I currently rent a room. I got an Android phone at the start of this year after my 'feature phone' was force Bluetooth hacked hoping for better security, yet I still have major security issues. For instance, my Optimus's Wi-Fi again shows an error, although I am sure that a hack is causing this since when I reset the device when it's out of range from this home's signal the Wi-Fi works fine. And now the tablet (as of recently) can't access this home's open Wi-Fi, though it works fine when at other outside hot-spots. So, my question is: Are there any good (free?) security apps out there that would actually prevent this from occurring? It's not like I'm doing nefarious things on the internet, I just want to keep it private."
if you don't use bluetooth turn it off; as for wifi there are lots of reasons why it won't work (overcrowded airspace, microwaves that interfere, etc). If you are not using WPA2; then you need to upgrade. I would try changing the channel your wifi is on as well (e.g. if it is 6 now, go to 1 or 11)
Why don't you turn Bluetooth off until you need it?
I am not convinced you are being 'hacked'.
This IOS versus Android stuff is as tired as the Windows 95 versus OS/2 screeds of 1995.
1. Put bluetooth in invisible mode unless you require somebody to find it. 2. Don't put the devices you add on auto send/receive. 3. Try putting an antivirus with a firewall. There are quite a few on the market. 4. Ask the network admin (of the WiFi at your home) to disallow listing of devices on the network. I suppose that should get you started.
Turn the devices off.
Not Farraday. Damnit, timothy!
Everything is better with chainsaws.
Be wary of "any ol' bob's" android distro. Try to stay mainstream and stay up to date. If you're not using bluetooth, turn it off. If your vendor's version of Android isn't as secure as it could be complain with much loudness, if you don't get satisfaction switch vendors.
Your Wifi issues seem to me to be related more to your AP than the devices themselves. Perhaps try a different AP/Router?
I'm not sure how you could be sure a hack is causing a Wifi error. Even if it popped up and said "Hi! Your wifi is disabled because we're haxoring you" I'd be skeptical. You should try some of the mainstream android support forums with that and see what they say.
Good luck!
If the vectors you're being "hacked" through are BlueTooth or WiFi, it would seem that they're both occurring from fairly close to your physical location. Maybe you should figure out which of your housemates is hacking your devices and take appropriate action.
Correlation is not causation.
You assume that since you were hacked via bluetooth before at a particular place (maybe) that since your connection to an unsecured wifi hotspot (!!! seriously? you're *really* worried about getting hacked but you're connecting to an open wifi connection?) doesn't work, it must be because of hacking.
Most routers have the ability to allow specific MAC addresses to connect, and to deny connections to MAC addresses not in that list. My guess is that's what's going on...hard to say, since you didn't mention whether you spoke to the person who pays for the internet connection associated with the previously-mentioned wireless access point.
"Murphy was an optimist" - O'Toole's commentary on Murphy's Law
Why are you a target? If you are actually a victim here, and not some person suffering from paranoid delusions, what makes you worthy of the risk of a close range attack?
You aren't being hacked, the owner of the wifi in your house is fed up with you skanking his wifi and blocking you.
How did this get posted?
So you have two devices having problems connecting to your home access point, and you assume you need protection for your android devices? It sounds more like you need to fix a problem with your access point, in that it's stopped accepting connections. Maybe it's exhausted DHCP assignments for your devices, or your MAC addresses are being blocked - maybe because someone was trying to spoof them, maybe because of a bug in the access point.
Going from "my devices are having problems connecting to my access point at home only" to "help, hackers are attacking my android devices" is a bit of a stretch, isn't it?
And more of a stretch is how this got front page...
Okay so you are paranoid about someone attacking your device via Bluetooth, yet you're connection is a unsecured unencrypted WiFi network. Also if you believe someone is coming in via Bluetooth, then it's limited range, and someone in your home is doing it. Time to file criminal charges or move. This might be legit. However this strongly reminds me of a client we had to deal with that we had to finally tell to stop calling us, as he believed "hackers" were out to get him, and installed a virus in his phone line. As in the wire. Despite hours and hours of patiently explaining how it was impossible, and local phone company replacing and checking for wire taps according to him. He believed it because a person would always join the AOL Chat room he was in and tell him his phone conversations he just had. This was in dial up days. Within the last year, the same guy stopped in. (Only I recognized him as others who were working for our business at the time have all left). He claimed hackers kept installing viruses on his smart phone and he wiped it and they kept coming back.
Maybe he's being blocked because it's not his access point?
I've had enough of a crash course in android this year to know it's real, especially when I have family members who are in law enforcement and gov't jobs that they can't/won't talk about. Those people do have access to the 'interesting' toys...
I don't know, dude. The most logical answer anybody here can give you: your wifi access at home is crap because a) both of your devices work fine using other hotspots and b) both of your devices don't work at home. Btw, Android 2.2.x (aka Froyo) is known to have wifi problems in enterprise settings. Google fixed that in 2.3. Just another example how other explanations make a lot more sense than "I am being hacked." And the quote above makes you sound a bit of a looney.
Everyone knows it was the Atari 800 versus the Commodore 64 that was the holy war of the 80s!
Or was it Amiga versus the Atari ST?
Coke versus Pepsi.
These comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or colleagues...
...that SternisheFan is not being "hacked". I do get the impression that he's somewhat clueless, though, and could benefit from the wisdom of the /. community.
For one thing: do not keep BT on all the time - that's going to sap a bit of energy from your battery. Not terribly much, but since it's also a potential safety risk, there is absolutely no need to have Bluetooth on unless you need it.
It's when the wi-fi situation was mentioned, that I realized the poster is clueless.
"The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
Doesn't sound like you're hacked really.
But generally:
don't: ..run old versions of android (upgrade your devices - upgrade hardware if you can't run latest software) ..install apps from non-appstore sources, be vary of malicious appstore apps as well (read reviews, do research before install, generally avoid "freebie" versions of paid software). ..surf on strange pages, click strange links or scan QR-codes ..have bluetooth/wifi/nfc on when not needed ..connect to unsecure free wi-fi, ever. ..don't use public USB loading stations (airports, malls etc). ..have sensible information on your phone/tablet.
do ..use encrypted device / sd-card ..use passphrase to lock the device screen ..use remote wipe/anti-theft service (most AV-vendors offer this) ..keep backups ..consider using a VPN service for those moments you can't avoid connecting to unsecure wi-fi.
That's it for starters.
Wait, no you guys.... Emacs vs. Windows XP!
Which is the more bloated operating system?
DRM: Terminator crops for your mind!
WTF.
The OP obviously is not "hacked". That doesn't make the first bit of sense. Even if the problem wasn't presenting on *two different devices*, why in god's name would any 'hacker' disable your WIFI (and only at your own home). What is the possible motivation for this imaginary criminal mastermind who has invested their time in ruining your WIFI when you are at home? Is he perhaps funded by The Others in a plot to steal your mind waves???
Or maybe... just maybe... (and I know, I'm reaching here)... YOUR ACCESS POINT IS BROKEN, OR HAS BEEN CONFIGURED TO BLOCK THESE DEVICES??? It's just a theory based on the fact that two different devices work fine with every other access point, but not this one. Wild, I know.
How did the editors not notice that this is complete ignorant crap?
PS
the entire question is retarded.
thank you
-Lod