Why does my phone or some app allow Unknown Sources to be checked?

[CreepyWolf]

I got an android phone and I recently did a factory reset. It wasn't because of that though because I didn't have that problem before I reset everything. Now some app or whatever is allowing Unknown sources to download apps from Google Play Store.. Some apps come trough but I unistall them as soon as I see something I haven't installed. I've never had this problem before.. Also when I boot up the Phone it comes with Unknown Sources checked/allowing it to download apps outside of play store.

 

[belodion]

Welcome to AC.

Is the device rooted?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[CreepyWolf]

No it's not rooted. It's running KitKat 4.4.2 with a ROM that comes with the phone.

 

[belodion]

Pardon me for welcoming you when you are in fact already a member.

I'll pass this on to more knowledgeable friends.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[itguyjax8430]

What phone is it?

 

[CreepyWolf]

It's a Zopo ZP 998 or C2 II something. I think they're the same but in the box it came with it says Zopo ZP 998

 

[Javier P]

Check what's included in settings - security - device administrator. It sounds like an app is messing with your settings and downloading by itself. Which apps are being downloaded without your consent?

 

[Golfdriver97]

Welcome to the forums. I would do a reset, and then slowly start adding apps. A few every few days. When you notice this happening again, you know which set of apps it must be and then go from there.

 

[CreepyWolf]

I just did a factory reset. Yesterday I checked on Device Administrator and 4 apps were there. I did a lot of restarts and allowing 1 at a time to check what apps might have caused it. I had Android Device manager, didn't do anything, AcDisplay did a few times, 360 security, didn't do anything and Delayed lock. I checked the permissions at Google play and when you're about to allow it to control stuff on your Device Administrator page. But none of the apps had the permissions to do anything in the settings unless Android Device manager which never changed Unknown Sources.

I logged into my personal Wi-Fi at home and as soon as I connected to it Unknown Sources got checked without me doing anything.

Not a single app is allowed on Android Administrators. I only have Android Device Manager since I just factory reset the phone
After that I took a restart and booted up as normal. At first it's unchecked and a few seconds later it's checked again :/ All the stock apps and I haven't even signed into my google account yet.

I also ''logged' in with my Sim card with the pin code. Now I'm gonna try doing it all in airplane mode... Nope didn't make any difference! As soon as I connect to a Wi-Fi network Unknown Sources gets checked.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Ok. Since you have already reset, i would do so again, and see if the box gets checked without any extra apps on the device when you connect to wifi.

 

[CreepyWolf]

I haven't installed any third-partys apps. As soon as I connect to Wi-Fi it allows Unknown Sources.

I am able to uncheck it it gets checked again as soon as I restart the phone. And it's not exactly a thing I want to do every time.

 

[Golfdriver97]

I haven't installed any third-partys apps. As soon as I connect to Wi-Fi it allows Unknown Sources.

I am able to uncheck it it gets checked again as soon as I restart the phone. And it's not exactly a thing I want to do every time.

If I were in your situation, I would be screaming at the OEM. This is a security flaw of nearly epic levels. As for what to do for now, I am not sure, since this sounds like a bug in the ROM.

 

[CreepyWolf]

Alright, I'm gonna report it. But is it THAT bad ? And can it seriously harm my phone? Is is a big deal if I leave it on?

 

[belodion]

Despite having no third-party apps, what happens if you use Safe Mode?

Edit...posted same moment as above two posts.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[CreepyWolf]

Is it possible to factory reset and boot right into safe mode though? I guess I can factory reset the phone, turn off and try then?

 

[CreepyWolf]

I just did a factory reset and booted into safe mode. As soon as I boot up and it connects to Wi-Fi it checks Unknown Sources.

 

[CreepyWolf]

If I were in your situation, I would be screaming at the OEM. This is a security flaw of nearly epic levels. As for what to do for now, I am not sure, since this sounds like a bug in the ROM.

But like I said. Is it a big deal to leave it on ? Since all my apps are from Google Play store and are all pretty much social media and a few trusted games? And tools?

 

[Javier P]

The culprit could be something in your rom, as Golfdriver said, or part of the bloatware that came preinstalled. I can think of two different ways to deal with that.

- Do nothing for a little while Wait until those apps start to be installed on their own and check if they are related to anything in your phone (same developer, part of a security app, carrier, phone brand, etc).

- Disable as much preinstalled apps as you can, starting with antivirus and carrier bloatware. Every time you disable anything check if the unknown sources stays off after you switch it.

 

[CreepyWolf]

The culprit could be something in your rom, as Golfdriver said, or part of the bloatware that came preinstalled. I can think of two different ways to deal with that.

- Do nothing for a little while Wait until those apps start to be installed on their own and check if they are related to anything in your phone (same developer, part of a security app, carrier, phone brand, etc).

- Disable as much preinstalled apps as you can, starting with antivirus and carrier bloatware. Every time you disable anything check if the unknown sources stays off after you switch it.

I could try! But I also started wondering if it was like that and it's just a temporary thing.

Another thing I tried was reset the phone, turn off, boot into safe mode and uninstall the bloatware or preinstalled apps. It didn't make any difference. So I think it is the rom cause the apps that comes with it is : Twitter, skype, YouTube, a darts game, compass, Adobe Flash Player, Documents on the go,

Also I downloaded 360 Security and it spotted an app or something called Caivs which it said was a Trojan virus thing built in the rom. I disabled it but I don't think it's that. I knew about that app or program or whatever back when I didn't have this problem with Unknown Sources.

 

[Javier P]

Just a thought. Which method are you using to factory reset your phone? From the settings or from recovery after the phone was powered off? It's better doing that from recovery mode.