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Ask Slashdot: How Can I Protect My Android Devices From Hackers?

Posted by timothy on from the farraday-cage-in-a-farraday-zoo dept.

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."

13 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. open WiFi? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    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)

    1. Re:open WiFi? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      100%, absolutely, positively, this. There is no app out there that will effectively protect you from yourself -- and, make no mistake, it is you creating the problem. If you run around roaming from AP to AP, run unsecured at home (what?!), and leave your BT on even when not in use, you're gonna have a bad time.

    2. Re:open WiFi? by jtownatpunk.net · · Score: 5, Funny

      I shouldn't have to lock my car but I lock it and most people would agree that I'd be stupid if I left my car unlocked.

      Yay, car analogy!

  2. Try.. by mschoolbus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why don't you turn Bluetooth off until you need it?

    I am not convinced you are being 'hacked'.

    1. Re:Try.. by Samantha+Wright · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I've found at least one reliable citation. Note: if, in the future, someone says their Wi-Fi is "showing an error" and equates this to "being hacked," they're completely clueless. This shouldn't be on Slashdot.

      --
      Bio questions? Ask me to start a Q&A journal. Computer analogies available for most topics!
    2. Re:Try.. by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Informative

      Knowing the phone and the OS level, It's not being hacked. it's the craptastic phone and out of Date OS.

      2.2.2 had MAJOR problems with wifi. the phone needs to be sold and buy a unlocked nexus from google.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  3. Re:Good fix by djl4570 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This IOS versus Android stuff is as tired as the Windows 95 versus OS/2 screeds of 1995.

  4. A few tips.... by abhi2012 · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.

  5. Some tips: by kiriath · · Score: 5, Informative

    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!

  6. Short-range attacks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.

  7. hacked?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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?

  8. Is this a joke? by DigitAl56K · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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...

  9. Re:Why are you a target? by dave420 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Have you seen a doctor? You have given a pretty decent account of what life feels like to a paranoid schizophrenic. I'd rule that out first before assuming that all your devices are hacked. Do you even have any evidence they were hacked? Or did they just start acting weirdly, and you assume them to be hacked? Give us something to go on, at least.