Invasion of Privacy

[joedonahue]

I need some help here guys. I have a student who sent a text message to me (Motorola Droid/Verizon) and since has been able to track my location GPS. He posted pictures on facebook, and then also showed me my current location this past weekend.

So it seems, because of the one text message he sent (I replied), He is now able to track my coordinates wherever I go. Obviously, I am really bothered by this invasion of privacy.

The text message he sent was : "GPS my Droid"
And I responded: "Huh?"

I would like to know what I can do to block whatever he is doing.

I am rooted, running Ultimate Droid.

Thanks - and any help you can give me that can block what he is doing would be awesome.

 

[SinfulDragon]

Did he get a hold of your phone at some point in time?
Sounds like an app like Mobile Defense or Wheres my Droid running on your phone. but he would have to have gotten his hands on your phone to install it there as well, not just a txt would do. The txt is just the hand shake between the web and the phone to start tracking.

Google L attitude would give him this info as well without installing any extras, just sending you a request and accepting it, but then again you wouldn't have gotten the strange email.

So look through your apps, and I don't mean in your app drawer. by default I know at least one of them hides from there. Look in manage apps to see if either of those are installed, if so. uninstall and problem solved, then break his ****ing fingers for touching your stuff.
If not in Manage apps section it could be installed as a system app. Check out the mobile defense site if needed for ideas on how to install sys apps and remove sys apps (if you don't already know of course, not trying to be insulting to anyone's know how.. just giving as much info as I can)
https://www.mobiledefense.com/

 

[joedonahue]

Sinfuldragon,

Thanks. I probably won't take your advice to break his fingers... although...

I do have "Where's My Droid" app installed on my phone - but I put it on there in case I ever lost it. My understanding that the app would only turn off the silent mode, and ring for five minutes or until found. I also was aware that I could track it through logging into Google.

What I was not aware of, is that another phone could pinpoint my location.

Does anybody else know if there is a backdoor to our Droid phones?

I have uninstalled the "Wheres My Droid" app but would like to reinstall it. Is there anything else I could do?

Thanks.

 

[takeshi]

Did you read the instructions for Where's My Droid at all? It sounds to me like you didn't bother to change the default words used to locate your device:
Where's My Droid - alienmanfc6

The app is designed to provide your device's location when sent specific words via SMS and that's what the student did to you. You need to change the words that the app responds to. I mean, it's a bit like changing the default password on your router after you buy it. It's not a "backdoor" really but a door that you left unlocked.

See also:
http://lifehacker.com/5551969/wheres-my-droid-helps-locate-your-android-phone-near-and-far

The default text messages the application listens for are "Wheres my droid" and "GPS my droid", you can change them to something more innocuous like "Where you at Zebediah Balthazar? There's a crunk-off at 83rd and Washington!"

 

[thaDroidz]

Sorry but this is funny as hell, wish I had a Droid in high school. (Wondering if cells were around yet)

 

[DDG]

Sorry but this is funny as hell, wish I had a Droid in high school. (Wondering if cells were around yet)

if you have to ask, then "no".

 

[jmt9779]

I need some help here guys. I have a student who sent a text message to me (Motorola Droid/Verizon) and since has been able to track my location GPS. He posted pictures on facebook, and then also showed me my current location this past weekend.

So it seems, because of the one text message he sent (I replied), He is now able to track my coordinates wherever I go. Obviously, I am really bothered by this invasion of privacy.

The text message he sent was : "GPS my Droid"
And I responded: "Huh?"

I would like to know what I can do to block whatever he is doing.

I am rooted, running Ultimate Droid.

Thanks - and any help you can give me that can block what he is doing would be awesome.

Now that some good technical responses have been offered... it sounds like you're a teacher/advisor to this student (or something along those lines). You might not want to be handing out your cell number to students...

 

[allanlaw]

Now that some good technical responses have been offered... it sounds like you're a teacher/advisor to this student (or something along those lines). You might not want to be handing out your cell number to students...

And how would the student know that this particular piece of software was on your phone?

 

[brnr17]

3 posts and joined in December of 09! whoa





and no invasion of privacy to find that out, it's in your profile ... just sayin

 

[barry99705]

And how would the student know that this particular piece of software was on your phone?

I used to be a computer tech for a fairly large school district. If you ever wanted to find a work around or exploit to any software, give it to a bunch of 8th graders. They'll have it figured out in a few weeks. The kid probably saw that the teacher has a Droid and just tried the phrase.