Could the flashlight app I have contain Malware?

[olgeezer44]

Flashlight Malware @#$%*

Today I just saw the Youtube from Bret Baire's show about various flashlight apps malware. I have the Flashlight list and it's on the bad list. It's file size is 19mb. Not totally sure about what I've heard, but it seems that the only way to fix the problem is to do a factory reset. I'm confused about how to back up my contacts and account info. It looks like you completely lose everything? I have Box so I can backup pictures and data there. Not sure about how to back up my contact info. I have a Google LG Nexus 4 with the latest update and I use TMobile. I bought the phone directly from Google and the sim card from TMobile. I don't have a clue how to restore the backed up data though. I sure would appreciate some pointers from you folks. Thanks for any help.

Stan

Yes, my contacts (people?) are sync'd. If I do a factory reset, what happens to my TMobile?

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Flashlight Malware @#$%*

Are your contacts all associated with your Google account? When you go to Google Contacts on the web, are all of the contacts there as well? If so, then you don't have to back them up, since they're syncing with the web. If you do a factory reset, then set the phone up again with your Google account, all of your Google data (including your contacts) will be automatically synced back to your phone.

For a good widget that includes a flashlight function, consider Power Toggles.

 

[olgeezer44]

Re: Flashlight Malware @#$%*

I appreciate your response. I did export my contacts to somewhere and they are also part of my gmail. I did download the mobile version of Malwarebytes, but the scan didn't show any malware. Now I'm wondering what I should do next. I did uninstall Flashlight and ran Malwarebytes again, but nothing showed up. I'm wondering if this is just a Malwarebytes issue?

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

It could contain malware, but if you got it from the play store it probably doesn't.

I've never heard of this show you're talking about, but I'm gonna call FUD...

Do you really want to factory reset your phone when you've got no evidence there's anything wrong with it?

But, if your contacts are synced they'll auto sync back to your phone when you log in. I don't know what you mean by "what happens to my T-Mobile?"

EDIT: Just watched the clip you were talking about. Yup, it's FUD. From that 5 minute clip the best advice I can give is to not watch that show anymore.

If you're really worried about it, and have trouble understanding permissions (as many do) post a link or the exact name of the app you use and I'll tell you if it has permissions you should be concerned about.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[B. Diddy]

Is there a reason you still think you have malware installed?

 

[olgeezer44]

Thanks. The video did say that just uninstalling would not fix the problem. I did get it from the Play Store. It was almost 16mb in size. You know how the internet is. You're never 100% sure what to believe. I'm just going to leave it now that I've put Malwarebytes on. I also have Avast. I did have malware on my pc once that resulted in a BSOD. 2 different tech services could not remove it and I had to reformat the drive. Thankfully, I have Carbonite. I will be putting another flashlight app on because I actually use it sometimes. Too bad it's not part of the original package as it is with iphone. I wouldn't get an iphone for that though. There was a long list of permissions that came with that flashlight app. I was stupid not to read them all. I will from now on though. Guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed for awhile, too.

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

Re: Flashlight Malware @#$%*

As I said, that video is mostly FUD. But it's good you worry about your customers.

Use this, it has less of those scary permissions and explains the ones it does use:

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...id=de.gnissek.nexus5flashlight&token=bglM-Fcn

Posted via Android Central App