I'm afraid of adding my credit card to Google Checkout because of Android! Help!

[OM2]

OK... maybe I'm being paranoid and behind the rest of the world who has already done this: I'm afraid of adding my credit card to my Google Checkout account!

My main concern being a super intelligent user of my Android phone who will buy a million apps (potentially!) - my 5 year old son

I used to have a credit card on my account - but that's expired
Knowing that the card had expired, I thought I would test out the buying of an app
I was surprised that it only took a few pages of my clicking yes to buy the app
(The purchase didn't go through - I got an email saying this because my credit card couldn't be charged)

Question: is there a secure pass code system to buy applications?
Like needing to input a code at the last step of buying
(I think this is how iPhone works - I say this not having owned one)

I don't think there is a secure pass system - I've played around with my phone loads and have never come across anything

BUT, EVEN if there was such a pass system: there's still something wrong!
I've bought my phone. Not made any changes. Just started using. I would imagine that's what everyone does - as opposed to buying and then customising and making secure (and maybe optimising the use of energy so that it doesn't die within a few hours of use)

Buying an application: you can cancel within 24 hours (I think that's the time limit)
Over the weekend, I let go of business life and only pick up on Monday - so if my son purchased and installed an application on Friday evening, I wouldn't find out until some time later - because I don't look at my phone OR my emails over the weekend!!
(+ Say if an application was purchased that I then managed to cancel - I then lose the right to buy again and trial with the right to cancel - a small point, but valid regardless I think)

Would be interested to hear what others say - maybe I'm missing something and maybe I'm using incorrectly

Thanks


OM

 

[Demache]

I don't think there is a way to password protect the market (yet, there should be though). My best advice is setting a password/security pattern lock for the entire phone so that way he can't mess with it without your knowledge. The inconvenience of having to enter a passcode everytime you unlock the phone is a small price to pay in order to avoid him from using the phone without your permission. And its generally a good idea anyway. If your phone would ever get stolen, you don't have to worry about them getting to your personal information.

Or you can tell him that you shouldn't install or buy apps from the market without your permission if he IS allowed to use your phone. However, since I'm not a parent, I have no idea if this is something that a five year old can grasp.

 

[OM2]

I don't think there is a way to password protect the market (yet, there should be though). My best advice is setting a password/security pattern lock for the entire phone so that way he can't mess with it without your knowledge. The inconvenience of having to enter a passcode everytime you unlock the phone is a small price to pay in order to avoid him from using the phone without your permission. And its generally a good idea anyway. If your phone would ever get stolen, you don't have to worry about them getting to your personal information.

Or you can tell him that you shouldn't install or buy apps from the market without your permission if he IS allowed to use your phone. However, since I'm not a parent, I have no idea if this is something that a five year old can grasp.

all sounds like great advice
but I think it's like advising someone who buys a car with no door locks, how to best protect by taking a few measures
it's crazy!!
there HAS to be a final pre purchase password protection system!
is this an issue that has been talked about and discussed looods?

I remember there was an article in the news a I saw a few months ago about how the iphone was really dangerous because the password for purchasing stayed in memory - and they're little one managed to stack up big bills by playing an adventure game where u could by credits within a game that cost money!

apple need to have the 15 min thing there for some good reason

but ur saying on android we have no protection at all?

that's crazy!

 

[OMJ]

there are apps on the market that you can use to add a password to other apps such as the market app. [aa]App Protector Pro[/aa] is the only one I know of off the top of my head but I assume there are other similar ones.

 

[OM2]

had a look at ur link
also saw a few other applications of a similar nature
all seemed to be the same - they protect applications that uve got installed on ur phone from being used
they don't do what i wanted though - to passcode protect the last step

yes, it would make sense that someone wrote an application for it
i had a search, but couldn't find anything

besides, that's the other point i mentioned in my original post: it's no good if u have to customise and then get the damn protection - how many people will do this or will know it's available??

it should be there by default!

i think android phones should come a warning about not giving ur phone to others (especially 5 year olds!)

 

[tricksy_rabbit]

You could always just use a prepaid credit card instead of your real one. Then, if your kid got ahold of the phone he would only be able to waste a few dollars. You can also get refunds to the prepaid cards.

 

[Bnice]

Don't use one that's link to your bank account.

 

[wayrad]

they don't do what i wanted though - to passcode protect the last step

You want him to be able to view the market but not buy anything? I'm not sure I'd want to deal with questions from a five-year-old about some of those apps...

 

[happy0506]

i think android phones should come a warning about not giving ur phone to others (especially 5 year olds!)

i think 5 year olds should come with a warning.

 

[lordofthereef]

Just curious, are you wanting your 5 year old to be able to browse apps and just not buy them? I guess I am simply not understanding why you don't pw protect the entire app instead?

 

[AndroidSPCS]

Agree, not only that, you have 48 hours to request a refund if he does accidentally buy an app. iTunes has no such refund policy - once you buy, that's it.

 

[lordofthereef]

Agree, not only that, you have 48 hours to request a refund if he does accidentally buy an app. iTunes has no such refund policy - once you buy, that's it.

FWIW I have read of a LOT of people complaining that their refunds never came through on apps they legitimately didn't want.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

FWIW I have read of a LOT of people complaining that their refunds never came through on apps they legitimately didn't want.

Really? If so I'd think they could just escalate to Google, or just dispute it on their credit cards.

 

[lordofthereef]

Really? If so I'd think they could just escalate to Google, or just dispute it on their credit cards.

Again, just going with what I have read, but there are plenty of complaints where people claim there was nothing they could do beyond what they already tried to do.

 

[OM2]

guys, i think a lot of u r missing the point here
forget about a 5 year old - i don't see how some of u see why this is the main issue

why why why why have apple chosen to have a secure passcode needed as the last step required for purchases?
are they all mad and crazy?
or maybe there is some logic for needing this?

i used to own an apple laptop
i used to love it - but there where some things about it that JUST wound me up
like not having a delete key (on small apple laptops) and not being able to have a complete full screen for applications + many other things
i asked on some apple forums and got MANY replies from die hards that couldn't see any logic and then started questioning and attacking my questioning!!

some of u guys seems to be die hards as well
am i missing something or what?
do i stand alone with my view on this?
HELLLO!!! is anyone out there that sees any logic to my questioning??



ps before anyone gets upset - none of the comments above were meant to cause any offence to anyone

 

[AndroidSPCS]

Again, just going with what I have read, but there are plenty of complaints where people claim there was nothing they could do beyond what they already tried to do.

I have not read anything of the sort, so I'd be curious from first hand experiences. Not all buyers are savvy and aware of their rights and dispute process.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

guys, i think a lot of u r missing the point here
forget about a 5 year old - i don't see how some of u see why this is the main issue

why why why why have apple chosen to have a secure passcode needed as the last step required for purchases?
are they all mad and crazy?
or maybe there is some logic for needing this?

i used to own an apple laptop
i used to love it - but there where some things about it that JUST wound me up
like not having a delete key (on small apple laptops) and not being able to have a complete full screen for applications + many other things
i asked on some apple forums and got MANY replies from die hards that couldn't see any logic and then started questioning and attacking my questioning!!

some of u guys seems to be die hards as well
am i missing something or what?
do i stand alone with my view on this?
HELLLO!!! is anyone out there that sees any logic to my questioning??



ps before anyone gets upset - none of the comments above were meant to cause any offence to anyone

I agree with you it would be a nice feature, but not a huge deal. I have a couple of iPhones and it's kind of a useless feature, to tell you the truth.

If I can't trust giving my phone to someone and not trust them to buy apps, then they shouldn't have my phone in the first place. Buying apps is the last thing I'd worry about.

I'd worry what they could do with my email, social apps, texting, and other apps that could harm me with inappropriate messages to my family / friends.

 

[OM2]

If I can't trust giving my phone to someone and not trust them to buy apps, then they shouldn't have my phone in the first place. Buying apps is the last thing I'd worry about.

I'd worry what they could do with my email, social apps, texting, and other apps that could harm me with inappropriate messages to my family / friends.

yes, ur right about worrying about other things like email

but i just don't see why they don't have the application purchase password/passkey protector i've been ranting about
it's ok to have it - and then maybe have the option of disabling (if ur brave)

i know lots of people who have their iphones hijacked by their kids who love playing with it - protection IS needed
maybe androids excuse is that there's nothing worth playing with because no developers bother developing decent games or applications for - so no need to have the protection

still seems very bizaare and a big gaping hole in the system

 

[takeshi]

I secure the entire device and don't give it to kids or even offer them the opportunity by leaving it anywhere where a kid (or anyone, for that matter) would get a hold of it (I don't have any of my own). IMO, it's not a big deal. Obviously, YMMV. IIRC there are apps out there to restrict access to other apps if you need such a solution. Everyone has this-or-that feature that they personally think is a "must have" feature. The list of such features would be endless.

 

[OM2]

I secure the entire device and don't give it to kids or even offer them the opportunity by leaving it anywhere where a kid (or anyone, for that matter) would get a hold of it (I don't have any of my own). IMO, it's not a big deal. Obviously, YMMV. IIRC there are apps out there to restrict access to other apps if you need such a solution. Everyone has this-or-that feature that they personally think is a "must have" feature. The list of such features would be endless.

that's like having a car and having no way of locking the doors - and then u saying that u live in a safe area and keep and eye on the car 24 hours just in case someone tries to break in!
YMMV? IIRC? don't understand the acronyms

i might be standing alone on the one - but i think google are nuts for omitting this feature

so much so, i'm going to start a massive campaign and blog on this one - errr... well when i get some free time (which won't be any time soon)

 

[roadkizzle]

Well, actually putting a passcode to gain access to your phone would be comparable to locking the doors to your car. You can leave your car, or phone, wherever you want, but the only way someone can get into the car/phone is to give them the key/passkey. This will give them access to the car to do what they want in it. If you password protect your app market, I'd say that'd probably be comparable to setting the window lock, or a switch/cover blocking the ignition switch that you'd have to remove for a person to turn on your car.

People on here have tried to be helpful, they have informed you that there is no passcode capability for the final payment of apps, but instead of just leaving you out to dry, they tried to help you by telling you what you can do in order to protect yourself from your child downloading apps uncontrollably and racking up charges.

If you want to try to petition google to add the final password lock then that is up to you. I personally feel that the passcode to access the app market is more useful, and provides a much more secure ability to monitor your phone. With this, your child will not be able to get access to peruse the market without you knowing, and you have the ability to only allow him to view it when you will actually have the opportunity to monitor what he decides to try to download from it.

By the way, the acronyms YMMV and IIRC mean "Your Mileage May Vary", and "If I Recall Correctly", respectively.

 

[OM2]

thanks for the reply

People on here have tried to be helpful, they have informed you that there is no passcode capability for the final payment of apps, but instead of just leaving you out to dry, they tried to help you by telling you what you can do in order to protect yourself from your child downloading apps uncontrollably and racking up charges.

in my replies, i wasn't trying to be hostile or angry or abusive
just a question that i was baffled about

i appreciate all replies - for or against

i still haven't changed my opinion though

i'll post back to this thread with a big smile if google ever decide to introduce a passcode - after seeing the light

 

[roadkizzle]

You are convinced and adamant that nothing short of a passcode to confirm proof of payment is acceptable. Why is this required though? Can you please explain to me why it is so different from locking access to the entire app market?

I honestly can only see a couple of minor issues with locking the app itself, but I don't see how they would be resolved with a purchasing keycode.

 

[OM2]

You are convinced and adamant that nothing short of a passcode to confirm proof of payment is acceptable.

I honestly can only see a couple of minor issues with locking the app itself, but I don't see how they would be resolved with a purchasing keycode.

erm, i think u've got the wrong end of the wrong stick
this isn't what i was ranting about at all
see original post and subsequent posts

 

[AndroidSPCS]

Well, actually putting a passcode to gain access to your phone would be comparable to locking the doors to your car. You can leave your car, or phone, wherever you want, but the only way someone can get into the car/phone is to give them the key/passkey. This will give them access to the car to do what they want in it. If you password protect your app market, I'd say that'd probably be comparable to setting the window lock, or a switch/cover blocking the ignition switch that you'd have to remove for a person to turn on your car.

People on here have tried to be helpful, they have informed you that there is no passcode capability for the final payment of apps, but instead of just leaving you out to dry, they tried to help you by telling you what you can do in order to protect yourself from your child downloading apps uncontrollably and racking up charges.

If you want to try to petition google to add the final password lock then that is up to you. I personally feel that the passcode to access the app market is more useful, and provides a much more secure ability to monitor your phone. With this, your child will not be able to get access to peruse the market without you knowing, and you have the ability to only allow him to view it when you will actually have the opportunity to monitor what he decides to try to download from it.

By the way, the acronyms YMMV and IIRC mean "Your Mileage May Vary", and "If I Recall Correctly", respectively.

Great post, and welcome to Android Forums!! Always great to have intelligent, articulate folks like you join us here!