scouseefc

after readin Android permissions explained, security tips, and avoiding malware

i have some concerns about my apps i will list my apps and type what the permissions are and if someone can see whether its a app that needs the permissions and its ok to keep that would be great hopefully someone can help me,

1. ad service ( dont even know what this is ? ) permissions are :
your personal information - read internet history and bookmarks
network communication - full internet access
phone calls - read phone status and id
system tools - retrieve running applications
network communication - view network state, view wi fi state

2. AVG permissions are :
your personal imformation - add or modify calender events and send emails to guest, read contact data, read internet history and bookmarks, read sensitive log data, write contact data, write internet history and bookmarks
your messages - edit sms or mms, read sms or mms, receive sms
your location - coarse ( network based ) location. fine (GPS) location
network communication - create bluetooth connections, full internet access
your accounts - manage the account list
storage modify/delete usb storage contents
phone calls - read phone status and id
system tools bluetooth administration, change wi fi state, connect and disconnect file systems, delete app applications cache data, disable keylock, format external storage, modify global system settings, retrieve runnin apllications, write subscribed feeds, write sync settings
network communications - receive data from internet, view network state, view wi fi state
your personal info - write to user defined dictionary
your accounts - discover known accounts
hardware controls - control vibrator
system tools - auto start at boot, end background processes, install shortcuts, read sync settings, uninstall shortcuts, write home settings and shortcuts

3.bbc iplayer i think this is fine? permissions are just full internet access thats about it

4.bbc weather i think this is fine too ?

5.best apps which is an app market supposedly one of the best ? only permission that makes me wonder is the network communication - market billing service, view network state?, other permissions are ( i wont add details as i have above so pointless rewriting the same info for the permissions because it can be seen as above in the first few apps i have explained ) network communication, system tools, hardware controls system tools install shortcuts

6.break the bricks - this is a game permissions are
storage - modify/delete usb storage contents
network communication - full internet access
phone calls - read phone status and id
network communication view network state view wi fi state

7.darts 3d - this is a game permissions are
network communication - full internet access
phone calls - read phone status and id
system tools - prevent phone from sleeping
network communication - market billing service, view network state?

8.device booster permissions are
your personal info - read/write internet history and bookmarks
network communication - full internet access
phone calls - read phone status and id
network communication - view wi fi state
system tools - end background processes, install shortcuts, read home settings and shortcuts, uninstall shortcuts

9.dolphin browser hd this is an internet browser supposed to be one of the best permissions are
your location - coarse ( network based ) location. fine (GPS) location
your personal info read internet history and bookmarks. read sensitive log data, write internet history and bookmarks
network communication - full internet access
storage - modify/delete usb storage contents
system tools - prevent phone from sleeping
network communication - view wi fi/network state
hardware controls - control vibrator
system tools - auto start at boot, install shortcuts set wallpaper

10.drippler samsung galaxy s2 this is an app for the latest sgs2 news i think, permissions are just the same as most as above storage,network communication system tools

11.ebuddy permissions are
your location - coarse ( network based ) location.
network communication - full internet access
hardware tools - take pictures and videos ???
system tools - prevent phone from sleeping
network communication - market billing service, view network state? receive data from internet

12. espn goals this has been advertised on the tv so not too concerned about the permissions besides services that cost your money directly call phone numbers????

13.everton fc fan club forum nothin concerns be here besides the network communication - market billing service, view network state?

14.facebook - dont think there is much to worry about is the besides services that cost your money send sms messages
your messages - edit sms or mms, read sms or mms, receive sms
your personal info - read contact data write contact data
your accounts act as accounts authenticator manager accounts list/discover known accounts

15. filmontv - an app to watch live tv this is ok isnt it? the permissions seem the ordinary like network communications system tools

16. fontmizer - this is where you can change your font its got an android robot as the app so i guess it should be ok seein as it has that on only concern is yet again services that cost your money directly call phone numbers????

17. football highlights nothin of a concern here really normal permissions storage network communication

18. game hub

19. getjar an app where there is also free but also can get some free paid apps, shall i delete this ?

20. go keyboard why would go keyboard need your personal info? network communication? storage? hardware controls ( audio ) ?

21. go launcher it this app ok? services that cost your money directly call phone numbers????
system tools make app always run, modify global system settings retrieve running apps?
personal info - read contact data

22. google sky map is this ok? usual permissions your location network communications storage phone calls system tools

23. need for speed hot pursuit - this is a game
[B]storage
network communications full internet access, market license check, view network state view wi fi state what is market license check??

24. kies air this should be ok as u need this for samsung updates but why is there
services that cost your money send sms messages
your messages - edit sms or mms, read sms or mms, receive sms

25. mp3 music download is this ok? permissions storage network communication phone calls thats all seems like nearly every app needs these permissions?

26. music monster is this ok? storage network communication ( create bluetooth connections ) phone calls system tools bluetooth administration

27. paper toss this is a game, nothin of a concern the same old storage your location network communication phone calls this ok?

28. wattpad this ok? same old basic permissons storage phone calls network communications etc

29. zedge this is an app for ringtones message tones, can get real voices from tv programmes etc etc permissions are storage your personal info network communication system tools is this ok?

well thank f... for what lol that was a longggggg time typin hopefully someone will help me after takin all this effort to type this long post, i guess all apps need full internet access because you wont be able to use the apps without it?

what exactly is your personal info read contact data? is that my contact list or what? when it says write contact data what will or can it be doin?

what is modify/delete storage? an app can delete any app or anythin i have installed it wants to?

what is phone calls why does it need to know if i am on the phone or not?

service that could cost me money by sendin a sms or phone call? why is that on apps ? what exactly is it? a scam ? what?

what is market licensed ? i think i got a game off a site that had some free paid apps like getjar maybe that means they can check if i have actually paid or not ?

i looked at applant today but took it off my phone because some people say its dodgey some people say its safe, some people say its unfair which yes it is because the devs who made them apps arnt gettin money they deserve if they are good apps, but it also comes in handy for the people who struggle to pay for every app, is ******** safe? i dont want a full convo about is but is it safe? can you get a virus off it? also what about getjar? i may make a new topic about this

anyway hopefully someone can help me, thanks all

scouseefc

wow no help?

itsallgood

Wow, what a list. Hope this helps. Just be careful what you down load and if ever in doubt, don’t down load it.


1) Not sure what this is. Depends on what the app does.
2) “ “
3) if this is to stream from the internet, its fine.
4) “ “
5) I would think ok. But not sure. It might need access to all those permission depending on the apps it list.
6) Seems fine. Most apps read phone state and communication so when you get a phone call, it know to pause your game, then resume after your finished with your phone call.
7) “ “
8) Not sure what this app is and suppose to do.
9) This ones fine.
10) I guess
11) if this is a social networking apps, all permission seem fine.
12) Sounds like you can call phone numbers from within the apps. (But not sure.)
13) Seems fine.
14) Fine
15) Fine
16) Not sure. If it’s only to change fonts, don’t think it should have access to make phone calls.
17) Fine
18) Don’t know
19) I would if it didn’t come from the android market.
20) Not sure. Storage could be to store new words to dictionary. Network Comm. Might have to use the internet when doing spell check/word suggestions. Hardware controls, probably giving the option to choose input methods.
21) if this a replacement launcher, might be ok.
22) Fine.
23) fine.
24) if this is a stock app, leave it.
25) fine.
26) Sounds fishy
27) fine. I believe this has adds.
28) fine
29) fishy

Personal info, is anything in your contacts. You might be able to modify or add a contact with in the app. (It might not do it on its own, but allows you to.)

Modify/delete storage, most apps have to save settings and data on the SD card or internal storage. It has to create a folder, for that app, to place all this info in. It can only delete/modify the things in that folder, unless it’s an app like a file manager, which needs access to all folders.

Phone calls. So it knows to pause/stop so you can answer the call.

Services that can cost you money. Most people don’t realize that almost every action will use mobile or data services. This way, know surprises. Also, most have limits per month for data usage and SMS.

Market Licensed – you are correct.

scouseefc

thank you so much mate, anyone else that can share there views on my app permissons please reply thanks

scouseefc

Services that can cost you money. Most people don’t realize that almost every action will use mobile or data services. This way, know surprises. Also, most have limits per month for data usage and SMS.

so is it fine to keep apps what have this permission?

Nor3X

is it fine??....hmmm........well if you really need that app very much, if its so important to you, you can keep...

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chanchan05

Don't know what this app is, so I feel its fishy

Its an antivirus so it needs access to everything. Personally though I'd uninstall this. You don't need it and it only slows the phone down.

both are fine

FIrst time I heard of this, but of course it will need network communications, its a market. There's billing for paid apps so it needs this.

Games need storage for saves, phone calls for pausing when someone is calling you, and network communication for ads or for options to pay if there is a paid version.

I don't know this app

location for checkins and other location related features (like going to google maps in desktop mode, facebook, etc) personal info and network communication is obvious, so as storage for browsing cache. not sure for hardware controls, dolphin does have an option to use the hardware volume keys for scrolling. system tools is also understandable.

I dont know this app

Its a messenger app. It has a location service so you can show your friends where you at the moment. It can take pictures and videos so you can send them via the chat as well. the others are understandable: you need internet from chat, you also need to view network state so it can shif from wifi to data plan, and it needs to receive data even when idle so as to get incoming messages.

-data via network costs money

Does it have add ons you need to buy or something? not sure about this one.

There is nothing to worry about this seriously. Services that cost money does not only mean the "send sms part". It does more than that. Its a single permission for a lot of things.

seems fine

again, services that cost money is a single permission. It refers to data plans, send sms and call phone numbers. Even if an app only needs to send sms, it will need the entire permission.

18. game hub

That site is legit. The devs get paid here even if the apps are free. That site is even older than Android itself and provided apps for older smartphones like the Nokia N70.

personal info to add the names of contacts to dictionary, storage for saving words to dictionary, audio controls for TTS and voice dictation, network communication for downloading themes etc.

Its perfectly fine. phone calls for the Go Contact Widgets. The Launcher handles all the permissions for widgets, make the app always run. Its a Launcher to change the UI, of course it should always run. It also has a built in task manager to see running apps. Read contact data again for the widgets

Its fine

storage for saving, it needs access to see if you pirated it or bought it.

Kies Air is not for updates. Kies program on PC is for updates. Kies Air is a phone to PC interface using a web browser. You use it to view your phone's content on a PC. FOr example your phone is on the other side of the room, and its connected to the PC via Kies air. if someone sends you a message, you can read it and reply directly on your PC without going anywhere near the phone.

of course its needs storage and network communications, how is it supposed to download if it doesnt have network connection and where is it supposed to save stuff if it cant access storage?

blue tooth headset

ads

fine

This is fine. Zedge as a site I think is even older than mainstream android. I used to get wallpapers and ringtones from them when Nokias were still the hottest phones.


Basically looking if an app needs those permissions is just common sense really./

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Last edited by lunatic59; February 8th, 2012 at 09:35 AM. Reason: fixed tag

lunatic59

A bit of information that would be helpful would be which phone are you using, Android version and if you've rooted or not (or if you've installed a custom rom). It also might me useful to know your carrier network and country. From some of the apps/info it looks like you have the Samsung i9100 in the UK, but I don't want to make an assumption.

In any case, let me address a few of these.

I've never heard of ad service. I'd be concerned that it's an ad delivery app at best, or something a little more malicious. I'd recommend you install Addons Detector and see if any of the apps you've installed has added some background services. If you've been seeing ads in odd places, this is quite likely. A nefarious practice and something to be avoided. If you do find something, all you need to do is uninstall the app and please let the developer know why.

AVG is an anti-malware/security app. I have no experience with the mobile version, but I have seen a good number of reports that rate it's effectiveness from marginal to zero. The lion's share of malware is social engineering and if you are even only slightly diligent about where you get apps, then all it is doing is slowing your phone and running down your battery quicker. That is only my opinion. I'm sure there are people who find it useful.

If you don't use getjar, you can get rid of it, but the apps there are relatively safe, and sometimes you can get paid apps at a greater discount or free. (legitimately)

Go launcher is an alternate launcher. If you don't use it, you can get rid of it. Because it is an alternate launcher, it's going to need to access most of the file system and services. It's a very popular launcher alternative, so I would assume it's fine.

As far as the warning about services that cost you money, it would be for any app that accesses mobile data since some have tiered or limited or pay-as-you-go data plans. It doesn't mean they are going to start billing your account.

Your personal info means it can identify you by name or account and read contact info means it will have access to your contact data. Being able to write to contacts means it can create new contacts for you. Let's say you have an app for SMS messaging. To send a message it must be able to access communications to send, it might cost you extra depending on you plan, to look up a number in your contacts list, it needs to be able to read you contacts and if someone were to send you a text that wasn't in your contacts list, it would need to be able to write to contacts if you wanted to add that person to your list from within the app.

Some apps need access to SMS or phone calls for communications. They don't arbitrarily start calling people or sending messages (although a malicious app might try that). For example, in Google maps, if you search for an address to a restaurant, you can see the address and phone number. Maps will let you dial the restaurant directly to make a reservation, or if you see a friend online in latitude, you can send them an SMS message to meet you there. Sometimes it looks like unnecessary permissions, but really they add a good deal of functionality to the app.

Market licensed means you got the app through the market and the market has tied it to your account. That way, if you switch phones or reset your existing phone, you can get the paid apps again without paying for them twice. It also handles updates when the developer posts new versions. If you use legitimate alternates like Amazon's app store or getjar, then you'd have to get your updates from them. Market updates won't work for those apps.

As far as other sites offering paid apps for free, there are very few legitimate ones that have the permission of the developer to distribute them. Avoid them. They are stealing from the developers and potentially distributing malware. Is it really worth $.99 to compromise your moral and legal standing? (yes, it's illegal. That's why they call it piracy) Or expose your data and devices to those who do?

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scouseefc

thanks, are the apps i have ok then yes? isnt avg the best protection for your phone? if not what is the best? look out ? my phone is the samsung galaxy s2 i am on o2 and i am from the uk android version is 2.3.5 and not my phone isnt rooted i dont mess around with anythin like that

chanchan05

The best protection is you yourself, and it will work better than any app. Viruses don't affect Android, and malware can get into your device to steal info if you allow them to be installed, hence look at what you are installing before agreeing. That said, antivirus/security apps are good for locating your phone if lost though.