Security setting on my tablet

[dewaltdisney]

I have a cheapo 7" tablet that I use when travelling so I can check e-mails and stuff. It has Android 4 Ice Cream Sandwich operating systean . I have installed AVG on it and it is coming up with a warning in 'Settings' that says 'Unsecure privilege mode detected Your device is running in High Privilege mode (i.e it has been rooted) We recommend you only use genuine firmware

I do not have many apps loaded and presumably the threats come from these?

Can anyone advise me what steps I should take please.

On holiday the server in the hotel we go to is not secure so I take this to mean that someone could view what I am looking at? Natch I do not use passwords that I type in and my e-mail auto links through installed passwords. Any precautions I should take other than not using it?

Thanks

DWD

[BillyGoat]

Nothing to worry about.

If it's saying you have been rooted, it's not the 'root' that you might be associated with PCs. On an android tablet, having 'root' access means that you are able to run applications that access deep inside the system (security type things) or make changes that someone without root could not.

An example is backing up your apps and data using titanium backup. You need root to use this fully. Typically, you will be prompted when an app requests root access - check your apps list, see if you see something called SU or superSU.

All my tablets/phones are rooted - it gives most flexibility.

Unsecured wireless is another matter. Wireless is a broadcast medium, which means everyone can see everyone else - that's why you should always try login to sites that use httpS:// in their addesses. Even if you tablet autocompletes the login, it's still being sent - it's just a question of 'is it encrypted login or is it plain text'.

You need someone sat there with the intentent to steal your details/information - it don't just happen.

Just roll with it, but make sure anything you use (email, sites, etc) have upto date information for recovery of passwords. For example, Googlemail has an extra security option, where if your password is changed or your account compromised, it will text you a new password. Without this, you are up sh*t creek without a paddle - account gone.

Make sure you use the secure login pages - what sites are you accesssing, perhaps we can find the secure ones or advise of any extra security you can enable THEIR side to better protect you.

BG

[dewaltdisney]

Okay, thanks for that Billy.

I only access my Yahoo e-mails to keep in touch whilst away. I would never use banking or sensitive sites, it is usually just maps and Google Earth and other information type sites for getting around.

My tablet has my e-mail log in's embedded as it automatically accesses my mail as soon as I boot it up.

Anything you can suggest for Yahoo security enhancements

Thanks

DWD

[BillyGoat]

All that stuff is fine DWD, wouldn't worry about it.

To secure your Yahoo! account a bit more:

- log in to the website: https://mail.yahoo.com
- Click Settings on the top right > account information
- Set Up Your Second Sign-in Verification

This means if someone does get your password, it'll mail another email account for you to confirm access OR it'll txt your mobile phone.

To protect your password from being captured, really need to know which mail servers your tablet is configured to use - more importantly, the bit you are looking for is if it is configured to use SSL (there will be a checkbox that mentions SSL or encrypted log in). Have a look around settings > accounts > Yahoo! for this, but don't change anything!

BG

[dewaltdisney]

Okay, cheers Billy that has reassured me

Thanks

DWD

[wine~o]

Okay, cheers Billy that has reassured me

Thanks

DWD

I know from my own experience that Yahoo mail is vulnerable..

I would suggest changing your passwords every 3 months...

[BillyGoat]

Okay, cheers Billy that has reassured me

Thanks

DWD

I know from my own experience that Yahoo mail is vulnerable..

I would suggest changing your passwords every 3 months...

I don't think it matters if you've got a super strong password or not - the problem with Yahoo mail is a scripting/backend issue, not the user (providing you have a reasonable strength password). Setting the extra security will help you get it back under your control, but it won't stop it being taken in the first place.

As an aside, if you have a Yahoo account you've not used in a long time and wish to keep it, log in now. They are do a big 'hand back' of accounts that havn't been used in a long time. The problem with that, is if you still have reset accounts/alerts to an old account and just left them.

Scary.

BG

[dewaltdisney]

I have set up the 'message my mobile' if anything changes. I have used my tablet a few times out in Mallorca with no probs but a pal had problems with his Yahoo account after using his mobile for reading e-mail abroad.

Thanks for the advice

DWD