Android Privacy Software

Discussion in 'privacy technology' started by driekus, Feb 10, 2015.

  1. driekus

    driekus Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2014
    Posts:
    489
    My dilemma is that I like the Blackphone but the price tag is horrendous (particularly when shipping and customs added). Unless a new Blackphone is announced at MWC at a decent price with decent specs ill stick with trying to customize a stock phone.

    I would like to build a guide for self customization guide for android (once my encryption guide is complete). The goal is to take an off the shelf Android phone and replace it with a friendly ROM (where Google Play and associated items removed or removable). Some of the core questions are:

    *Custom ROM to choose?
    *Permission control app (use xPrivacy)
    *Wifi control (eg. disabling wifi when away from home)
    *Browser
    *Texting application
    *VPN application?
    *Replacement for Google Play

    Other suggestions?
     
  2. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2005
    Posts:
    5,554
    Location:
    USA still the best. But barely.
  3. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2009
    Posts:
    8,738
  4. driekus

    driekus Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2014
    Posts:
    489
    Thanks for that, great replacement for Google Play
     
  5. driekus

    driekus Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2014
    Posts:
    489
    Yes seen the Guardian Project but think are going to be three ways to get the desired outcome
    1.) Purchase a BlackPhone
    2.) Purchase a Nexus for Guardian Rom (hard to assess option given current availability)
    3.) Take a high end phone supported by ROM makers and replace ROM and then customize from there.

    Currently the third option makes the most sense because it is a known entity and offers broad range of hardware.
     
  6. mirimir

    mirimir Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2011
    Posts:
    9,252
    Independent of Guardian ROM, the Guardian Project documents many useful apps.
     
  7. driekus

    driekus Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2014
    Posts:
    489
    Good source, thanks mirimir.

    Does anyone know a good app for disabling wifi when you go outside of your home area?
     
  8. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2005
    Posts:
    5,554
    Location:
    USA still the best. But barely.
    Shouldn't that already be on there already. Something like don't connect automatically to unknown networks.
     
  9. driekus

    driekus Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2014
    Posts:
    489
    Slightly different to what I mean. The Blackphone disables wifi completely when you are outside of your home area. Presumably does this by roughly approximating your position through cell tower triangulation.

    Normally wifi will not connect automatically to unknown networks but it will let them know that you are there.
     
  10. GreenStreetHooligan

    GreenStreetHooligan Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2015
    Posts:
    12
    For:
    *Custom ROM to choose? May Be Cyanogenmod? Not as secure as Guardian or Blackphone. But better than Stock Android.
    *Permission control app (use xPrivacy) - Privacy guard in Cyanogenmod
    *Wifi control (eg. disabling wifi when away from home): Smarter WiFi Manager - Open Source (compiled app for Android is paid)
    *Browser : FireFox - Open Source, Non Profit
    *Texting application : Text Secure - Open Source, Free
    *Replacement for Google Play - as Zapjb mentioned: f-droid

    Additional:
    Android IMSI Catcher Detector - Catch fake base stations and stingray type devices - open source, free
    Customize the list of approved Trusted Root Certs - Manual process
    AdAway - Update hosts file from free sources for ad and malware domains - open source, free
    Guardian Project Apps (Multiple)

    Good luck
     
  11. Kiebler

    Kiebler Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2015
    Posts:
    17
    I agree with GreenStreetHoligan and would like to add https://blog.torproject.org/blog/mission-impossible-hardening-android-security-and-privacy

    rom: cyanogenmod base or slim rom
    xprivacy is good + if their is a Privacy (app) guard is essential
    ---
    Browser: I love Naked browser personally because it is stripped down and the developer for now has the privacy of the users at heart, imho. Firefox is apparently good as well (about time). Orweb (w/ Orbot) is decent but it leaks your IP address thru HTML5 videos, even if the video is not played.
    http://xordern.net/why-you-really-shouldn't-use-orweb-anymore.html
    ChatSecure

    Also, if you post pics on the web I would definitely consider ObscuraCam.
     
  12. RedPhone & TextSecure.

    Both are open source and coded by Moxie Marlinspike who is a really really smart guy and knows his crypto.

    Then maybe use CCleaner or some other Android cleaner and your on solid ground.

    But first thing is #1 on the list upgrade and install firmware updates to your phone.
     
  13. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2009
    Posts:
    8,738
    Trying them out, but nobody in my contacts use them... Even after telling them about it, they don't really see the point.
     
  14. tlu

    tlu Guest

    Yes, unfortunately it's not yet Android 5.x ready as the Xposed framework is not yet fully compatible. There is an Xposed alpha version and an unofficial alpha for 5.1 but it seems that they still cause problems. For now I'm sticking with the CM privacy manager in combination with Adaway (with some additional hosts files), AdblockPlus (with acceptable ads disabled, of course) and AFWall+.
     
  15. tlu

    tlu Guest

    Well, I've been successful in convincing some people to use TextSecure in order to communicate with me. For all their other contacts they still use WhatsApp, though ... :eek:
     
  16. safeguy

    safeguy Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2010
    Posts:
    1,797
    LOL. People would look at me as though I went nuts even if I as much mention the word "privacy". I gave up.
     
  17. Kiebler

    Kiebler Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2015
    Posts:
    17

    I've had the same problem myself. TBH, it is hard to convince 'normal' folks to take privacy into consideration with regards to phones, cpu, etc. Yet, it was easy to get a handful of people a couple of years ago to use the Textra app (many regrets for that).
     
  18. driekus

    driekus Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2014
    Posts:
    489
    Since I have started turning into a big Qubes OS fan of late I have started wondering how this could be applied in the android environment.
    Is there any readily available virtualization for android?
     
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.