Help! Is this a serious security problem?

[andy_48]

I have a notification that I do not recognise: "Slides requests sensitive permissions". It is in red with an icon that is a red key on a white background in a red triangle. When I clicked on it it seemed to start an app analysing my phone and SD card memory.

I freaked out, powered off the phone immediately and whipped out my SD card. I powered it back on and this notification reappeared.

Any idea what this is and is it safe? If not, how do I get rid of it?

Samsung Galaxy S4, Android 5.0.1

 

[Unforgiven]

Can you post a screenshot?

 

[andy_48]

Can you post a screenshot?

Sorry, no. I powered it down again (extreme paranoia). Just turned it on and it hasn't reappeared. If it does I'll take a screenshot.

Now worried it's loaded deep in my OS and I can't see it!

 

[Unforgiven]

Is the phone rooted? If not, it can only get so far, and a factory data reset should clear it up. Have you installed any potentially pirated apps or from weird 3rd parties? Not asking to be accusatory, but that's a common vessel for the transport of malware.

 

[andy_48]

Is the phone rooted? If not, it can only get so far, and a factory data reset should clear it up. Have you installed any potentially pirated apps or from weird 3rd parties? Not asking to be accusatory, but that's a common vessel for the transport of malware.

Not rooted. Haven't loaded any new apps for weeks.

 

[andy_48]

Not asking to be accusatory, but that's a common vessel for the transport of malware.

Thanks for you reply, by the way. Appreciate it.

 

[Unforgiven]

Thanks for you reply, by the way. Appreciate it.

That's what are little community is about. Welcome to AF.

I've tried searching based on the error message or the description but am coming up empty. Maybe another member will chime in with ideas or if you see it again, we can get a peak at the screenshot.

 

[Thom]

I've not seen it.

Is Clean Master from Cheetah Software installed on the device?

... Thom

 

[andy_48]

I've not seen it.

Is Clean Master from Cheetah Software installed on the device?

... Thom

Yes. Might that be the culprit?

 

[jjhuopa]

I got this notofication also. Here's a screenshot. Looks evil. My phone is rooted and with TWRP, Galaxy K Zoom, Android 4.4.

 

[jjhuopa]

I don't have Clean Master installed.

 

[andy_48]

I got this notofication also. Here's a screenshot. Looks evil. My phone is rooted and with TWRP, Galaxy K Zoom, Android 4.4.

That's the one! Agreed, it looks evil hence my panic!

 

[jjhuopa]

Ran a scan with Avast, no malware found.

 

[evanrmurphy]

I'm seeing this too. Looks like a brand new phenomenon. This thread is the only search result on Google for the query android "requests sensitive permissions".

Here's a large screenshot from my Moto X running Android 4.4.4, not rooted:

 

[evanrmurphy]

Powered my phone off and then back on and it hasn't reappeared.

Is Clean Master from Cheetah Software installed on the device?

No, I don't have Clean Master installed.

 

[jjhuopa]

Mine reappeared after reboot.

 

[subsonic170]

Long press on the notification and you'll see it's from ES File Explorer. I've been thinking I should remove this anyway since they keep adding crap I don't want.

 

[rnicolson]

I have just removed ES File Explorer as well and all the notifications went away. Seems to be the problem.

 

[evanrmurphy]

Long press on the notification and you'll see it's from ES File Explorer. I've been thinking I should remove this anyway since they keep adding crap I don't want.

Ohh good find! I also have ES File Explorer installed.

 

[andy_48]

Long press on the notification and you'll see it's from ES File Explorer. I've been thinking I should remove this anyway since they keep adding crap I don't want.

Thanks, subsonic170. I too had ES File Explorer which I have now uninstalled. Panic over!

 

[toggeli]

I'm developing a program on my phone which does nothing special apart from requesting publicly accessible files from the external SD card. After upgrading, ES-File Exploring started saying that my program demanded sensitive permissions!
ES Explorer goes too far!

 

[Brian706]

Honestly I'd get rid of clean master as well. Cheetah mobile is notorious for malware apps. I guarantee if you search the site for cheetah mobile you will come across many threads telling you to uninstall anything made by them.

Also, as far as clean master or similar type apps, take a look at these threads as you might change your mind about using them:

http://androidforums.com/threads/why-you-dont-need-a-task-killer.335110/

http://androidforums.com/threads/pu...k-killers-ram-optimizers-and-the-like.896663/

 

[Deleted User]

Es File explore used to be good back in the cupcake/gingerbread days as a free root browser with a good ui and networking abilities; however, they did a ui update with ice cream sandwich and it went downhill from there. The best free one from the store at this point in time is probably JRummy's Root Browser; although, i use CMfilemanager because it works great and has no ads only thing its missing is the ability to read .db files.

 

[Brian706]

+1 for root browser. I use that along with x-plore file manager. I settled on those two a long time ago and have never looked back.

 

[Crashdamage]

+1 for X-plore. Easy 2-panel UI, very fast, secure. Does everything and does it well.

Also, you might want to check this out:

http://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?p=4752098