Reddit: guy's stolen Android phone and Cerebus

[pm]

I saw this on Reddit today... for those of you who aren't addicted to don't read Reddit, this is an interesting story.

http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/17p1qx/guy_gets_phone_stolen_tracks_it_via_cerberus/

and this newspaper article which is a bit more comprehensible.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/984...to-track-stolen-phone-becomes-online-hit.html

Basically a guy in the UK has his phone stolen and he tracked the thief, took pictures, recorded audio, using Cerebus and then the police recovered the phone from the house and arrested the thief.

There's debates over whether or not recording the alleged thief is a violation of wiretapping laws and lots of other things, but leaving aside the legal part of it, it's an interesting story and it's kind of cool to imagine remote controlling a stolen phone to figure out who took it and where the phone is.

 

[wirednuts]

well, if this doesnt raise Cerberus stock, i dont know what will

 

[RedRooster]

If I wasn't so damn careful with my phone and didn't refuse to socialize out in public, I'd totally get this app. I watched the demo video of it on the play store, scary how much it can do!
Maybe I'll read that reddit thread on Monday when I'm bored at work.

 

[WelshBloke]

well, if this doesnt raise Cerberus stock, i dont know what will

And bought.

:biggrin:

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

is cerebus the best anti theft app out there?

 

[TheStu]

is cerebus the best anti theft app out there?

Well, it sounds like this guy's phone got stolen anyway, so perhaps post-theft is a better descriptor.

 

[gevorg]

is cerebus the best anti theft app out there?

maybe, although NSA prefers direct access via carrier/ISP "channels"

 

[Anonemous]

So the alleged burglar said he just bought it and got off scot free.

 

[Kenmitch]

App does look interesting. The reviews are kinda hit and miss tho. Might just get it with my leftover Nexus 7 credit....Hmm

Anybody have some hands on use with the App? Any issues?

 

[ImDonly1]

If you do a factory default will it just delete the app and it becomes useless?

Edit: Cerberus website says if you root you can integrate it into the rom, so it will stay installed even after a factory default.

 

[SandEagle]

i have cerberus and love it. someone here turned me on to it awhile back. yes its a scary app. sometimes when im taking a dump and using my phone, i get that suspicious feeling that the CEO of cerberus is watching me.

 

[s44]

sometimes when im taking a dump and using my phone, i get that suspicious feeling that the CEO of cerberus is watching me.

LOLOL

Anyway, I have Cerberus on all my devices and all my family's devices.

 

[lothar]

is cerebus the best anti theft app out there?

Hell yes.

 

[wirednuts]

is cerebus the best anti theft app out there?

it is now... once something goes viral its the best.

 

[wirednuts]

LOLOL

Anyway, I have Cerberus on all my devices and all my family's devices.

yeah i have it on mine and my families and all my families friends and families.

 

[kyrax12]

So what would happen if a thief steals an android phone then immediately cover the camera lenses with tape, goes home, and root/custom rom'ed it.

wouldn't this bypass all types of "find my phone" apps?

 

[pm]

Yes. A custom-ROM would disable it. That said, the vast majority of thieves - at least in my limited experience with them - are not super smart.

 

[wirednuts]

So what would happen if a thief steals an android phone then immediately cover the camera lenses with tape, goes home, and root/custom rom'ed it.

wouldn't this bypass all types of "find my phone" apps?

well i pin lock my phones so the theif probably would just throw it in the sewer drain

 

[RossMAN]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2299362

Police make arrest at page 40, so read around that.

I guess I'll start reading there.

 

[kyrax12]

well i pin lock my phones so the theif probably would just throw it in the sewer drain

Can't they bypass a pin lock on a computer with some programs?

 

[Muyoso]

Can't they bypass a pin lock on a computer with some programs?

yea, easily.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Can't they bypass a pin lock on a computer with some programs?

Sure, but hopefully you nab a picture, location and whatever else of the schmuck before s/he gets the chance. As mentioned, most thieves aren't exactly super smart people and likely won't be ROMing or flashing the kernel, etc...

 

[mikegg]

Yes. A custom-ROM would disable it. That said, the vast majority of thieves - at least in my limited experience with them - are not super smart.

If they were that smart, they wouldn't need to be thieves.

 

[Oyeve]

I got and love this app. I have so many pics of my GF trying to unlock my phone!

 

[Red Storm]

I got and love this app. I have so many pics of my GF trying to unlock my phone!

Well?