Question about security?

[markrb]

Hi, I'm new to the forum but recently ordered a new MK808 and looking forward to the many mods and reading all the topics.

I am a little unsure about entering my Google password in my new MK808 to get my emails, access the app store etc. I also check the permissions of all apps I install to feel a little safer about what info I'm giving away.

As these units can come from China or any location it is possible they could have any spyware or monitoring software embedded in the code which makes me a little uneasy about entering anything confidential. Are there any topics that relate to the security side of these devices that I have missed and can read ?

This is also one of the reasons i'm looking into the Finless mod as I trust it more than some programmers on the other side of the world that may have lower levels of integrity.

Would I need to update the kernel and install Finless to be sure all standard installed software is removed ?

Thanks for any help.

[leolas]

Re: Question about security?

Hi, I'm new to the forum but recently ordered a new MK808 and looking forward to the many mods and reading all the topics.

I am a little unsure about entering my Google password in my new MK808 to get my emails, access the app store etc. I also check the permissions of all apps I install to feel a little safer about what info I'm giving away.

As these units can come from China or any location it is possible they could have any spyware or monitoring software embedded in the code which makes me a little uneasy about entering anything confidential. Are there any topics that relate to the security side of these devices that I have missed and can read ?

This is also one of the reasons i'm looking into the Finless mod as I trust it more than some programmers on the other side of the world that may have lower levels of integrity.

Would I need to update the kernel and install Finless to be sure all standard installed software is removed ?

Thanks for any help.

I was a little paranoid with privacy too, but after a lot of headaches I decided to create differents account and assign them security levels, this makes me feel a little bit secured, but sorry, Bob put off the bloatware of the roms, but we dont have the full rom sources so we can't assure 100% spyware or monitoring software is out.

[markrb]

Thanks for the information. Creating a separate Google account is a good compromise to keep it separate from my main Google account.

I thought the new Roms were created from Googles fresh Android images but I guess thats not so easy. So are the roms original MK808 roms with bloat taken aways and new features added, rather than Google images and all the drivers added ?

[lion]

What about Google who spies your each and every web surfing activities? Ever thought about that?

[markrb]

Oh yes. Just like your phone provider and Internet provider too.

If Google gets found to be doing something they shouldn't they have lots to loose as well as the financial loss. Also there are guide lines they must be seen to follow as a global company. This does not prevent anything but as a business they want to be seen to dong the right thing and they get money from having us as clients. If we leave due to some behaviour they will close.

Some company in China has nothing to loose, actually selling email bots, email accounts, and hijacked devices for future use is worth good money for some. For what its worth I can read Googles privacy policy for every Google Android app they make but cannot find one from the MK808 software suppliers.

As I mentioned previously even Bob has more to loose than the suppliers of the MK808 so going with a supplier that has more to loose means they are less likely (but not impossible) to be doing something they shouldn't.

A list of gmail account details, and devices that can be used for attacks, for everybody that uses the MK808 i'm sure would sell for big bucks.

Just trying to reduce my odds of being hijacked.

[Finless]

I will just say this. After all the poking around I have done in these ROMs I do not believe there is any kind of added spyware etc in the ROM or framework itself. Now as for the bloat APPs I always remove, I cant say but thats one reason I remove them!

The ROMs out of China are not even that great let alone them being good enough to cook something like this into the framwork of the ROM. So I kind of doubt it. Again though, the added China APPs.... Your on your own with those if you reinstall them!

Bob

[markrb]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the reply and good to know your thoughts. Your point about the Apps they install is a good one and the most likely point for any problems.

Im looking forwarding to getting my MK808 and learning how to install your ROM. Not since the days of the old iPhone 2G have I rooted, or jail broken a device.

Thanks again.

[ididmytime]

Ask yourself this question.

Do you honestly think a company that release such poor firmware as they do, who still can't make a decent kernel which actually displays the correct CPU speed frequency, would have some spyware so sophisticated, that nobody has spotted it in months?.

Despite them being cheap, they are making decent money on these, nobody would touch these devices if anything like that was found. It's not in their best interests.

[markrb]

I havent received one yet so dont know the quality of their software but you have a good point.

I'm sure the makers of the apps that are installed on top of the device are paid virtually nothing per install. But a list of live Google accounts can get as much as a few dollars per account if you compare it with other discoveries of found malware in the Google play store.

I agree "It's not in their best interests" or anybody's, but the fact is it does happen and often with Chinese hardware and software, just as certain routers are now banned from US government usage due to discovered hidden malware.

All I would like is to choose a supplier that has less to gain and more to loose from such activities. This is a choice I make with every software I purchase, install and give full access to my details/account. Just as we all choose not to use pirated versions of Windows and bit torrents due to malware and prefer to use legitimate versions, or only give our bank details to people we trust more than others.

It's an interesting topic and one where I would trust Bob more than an unnamed person, that I cannot contact, to provide some of the software I use.