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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.
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.
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...
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...
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