Android Mobile Security SMS Remote Commands

[Precision 0]

Hi there,

​

I have noticed on the latest version of Android Mobile Security 3.3.17 0-0, that Remote SMS command feature has changed. When sending a remote command such as: eset find password , the SMS and response now appear in the target device SMS inbox as well as sending the same response to the interrogating device - before they were intercepted on the target device i.e. did not appear in the target device inbox.

 

To the best of my knowledge this did not happen in previous versions, and the old behaviour made sense i.e. you want to locate your phone first without any potential thief knowing you are tracking the device.

 

The target device is a Galaxy S5 running Android 6.0.1

 

Has anyone else observed this different behaviour?

 

Many thanks in advance for any assistance, confirmation etc.

[Marcos 5,074]

I assume that you have upgraded Android in the meantime, haven't you? As of Android v6, it's possible only for one application to access SMS.

[Precision 0]

I assume that you have upgraded Android in the meantime, haven't you? As of Android v6, it's possible only for one application to access SMS.

 

Hi Marcos,

 

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. The sequence was 6.0.1 then a new copy of ESET, as buying a new licence and trying to upgrade the installed AV failed in a continous loop of 'update the components, updated them, update the components' and thus I resorted to removing the AV then installing the version from Google Play (directed there by ESEt website).

 

Thank you for advising that only one application can access SMS - I am presuming the stock message reader, correct?

 

Is the fact that there is no longer a version update checker built into the ESET app, also a result of 6.0.1? Or put it another way, will Google Play now let me know when ESET AV program components needs updating?

 

Many thanks Marcos for your time in this matter - most appreciated.

[angie viaene 0]

Hi there,

I have noticed on the latest version of Android Mobile Security 3.3.17 0-0, that Remote SMS command feature has changed. When sending a remote command such as: eset find password , the SMS and response now appear in the target device SMS inbox as well as sending the same response to the interrogating device - before they were intercepted on the target device i.e. did not appear in the target device inbox.

To the best of my knowledge this did not happen in previous versions, and the old behaviour made sense i.e. you want to locate your phone first without any potential thief knowing you are tracking the device.

The target device is a Galaxy S5 running Android 6.0.1

Has anyone else observed this different behaviour?

Many thanks in advance for any assistance, confirmation etc.

[planet 232]

When creating the SMS password, if you tick 'Use my Security password in SMS text commands (not recommended)', a dialogue box appears with an explanation. It seems that this is standard behaviour with Android and is why a custom password is recommended. It seems that text commands will be visible on the target device.

This would be why using the Web Portal (my.eset.com) as a primary method for Anti-Theft would be recommended, and if that doesn't work, resorting to using SMS commands instead.