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General => Tech, Science, IT discussion & News => Topic started by: DarkestEx on December 09, 2015, 08:31:00 AM

Title: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: DarkestEx on December 09, 2015, 08:31:00 AM
[Did you know android has a way to wipe the full phone just by entering a phone number?

Go into the phone application and enter:
[spoiler=WARNING, this will reset your phone!]
*2767*3855#[/spoiler]
It will wipe everything.
Title: Re: Unlock full mobile data speed on phones
Post by: brentmaas on December 09, 2015, 08:40:12 AM
It seems shady already, but the trollface totally confirmed that xD
Title: Re: Unlock full mobile data speed on phones
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on December 09, 2015, 08:48:19 AM
Erm, I'm unsure if topics intended to fool unsuspecting visitors/members into damaging their data have their place on CodeWalrus (in this case, *2767*3855# does a factory reset on many Samsung phones).

I have added a warning to your post and a demo video that shows people what the code really does. I'll also be editing the forum rules because it seems like "malicious content" is missing from there. In the future, let's try to keep misleading codes/softwares/links that can result into data loss outside CodeWalrus.


EDIT: Ok thanks for the edit. It's better to inform people about such codes than pranking people with them since it can result into data loss.
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: p4nix on December 09, 2015, 03:30:56 PM
Older versions of Sony smartphones could run those codes from the emergency call menu without unlocking the phone, and with a special debug menu you could access a phone without knowing the PIN or something.
AFAIK this is fixed now, but knowing this helped a classmate out when he forgot his PIN.

(Not talking about the SIM pin here)
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: aetios on December 09, 2015, 03:32:50 PM
That's harsh. Things like this should definitely ask for confirmation by some code.
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: p4nix on December 09, 2015, 03:35:45 PM
Those codes can also be automagically executed by websites. This should be fixed now on most devices or can be fixed over special apps.
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: DarkestEx on December 09, 2015, 03:37:29 PM
Yes. A simple callto link on all pre-jellybean devices will erase the contents just by clicking the link. Even a redirect would work.
Almost nobody has such a link blocking app installed so many people are in risk. This code works on all stock Android phones. This might not apply to custom ROMs.
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on December 09, 2015, 05:20:04 PM
Quote from: aeTIos on December 09, 2015, 03:32:50 PM
That's harsh. Things like this should definitely ask for confirmation by some code.
Yeah I agree.

Quote from: p4nix on December 09, 2015, 03:35:45 PM
Those codes can also be automagically executed by websites. This should be fixed now on most devices or can be fixed over special apps.
I wonder about people who can't afford a new phone and are stuck on Android 2.2.2 or something...
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: p4nix on December 09, 2015, 05:21:10 PM
I wonder about people buying a new phone each year. But well, maybe I'm just a communist :P
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: Snektron on December 09, 2015, 05:25:10 PM
Well you can often install a different ROM, though that needs some android knowlege and not everyone has that.
More on secret codes in android: you can access a version-based easter egg by clicking on the version number (in settings -> about the phone).
You can also become a developer (enabling developer options) by clicking on the build number (again settings -> about the phone).
These should work regardless of manufacterer, as long as its android.
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: alexgt on December 17, 2015, 02:49:20 PM
I know my next prank :P

But seriously if you said that was your phone number for your calc and they believed you...
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: ben_g on December 17, 2015, 04:15:34 PM
Why does android have this feature? Is it to be able to reset phones with really bad software or virus problems?
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: alexgt on December 17, 2015, 05:12:44 PM
I don't know, may be it is meant as a joke :-\
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: p4nix on December 17, 2015, 05:15:49 PM
Well, as I told, Sony had a code for a menu which helped people repairing broken phones. So I guess it's kind of that reason. On the other hand, not protecting this at all with a confirmation is a little bit strange too.

Oh and guys, please be nice and don't do such pranks. It doesn't makes you cool, it makes you immature :P Being destructive is only cool if you don't harm anyone else then yourself. Such data loss can be really nasty, and you don't want that happen to yourself, do you?
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: alexgt on December 17, 2015, 05:17:17 PM
I wouldn't do that I was joking, I was just wondering who would fall for it xD
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: ben_g on December 17, 2015, 05:23:26 PM
Quote from: alexgt on December 17, 2015, 05:12:44 PM
I don't know, may be it is meant as a joke :-\
In that case, the should make a rickroll code :P
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: alexgt on December 17, 2015, 07:27:34 PM
That would be awesome xD
Title: Re: Scary secret codes in Android
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on January 11, 2016, 06:51:48 AM
Quote from: p4nix on December 09, 2015, 05:21:10 PM
I wonder about people buying a new phone each year. But well, maybe I'm just a communist :P
For Apple, some people just love them so much that they want to have the latest iPhone to look in. For others, I think it has to do with mobile carriers offering stuff like $0 phone if you subscribe to certain mobile plans, because a phone alone costs more than a laptop or desktop.
Quote from: p4nix on December 17, 2015, 05:15:49 PM
Well, as I told, Sony had a code for a menu which helped people repairing broken phones. So I guess it's kind of that reason. On the other hand, not protecting this at all with a confirmation is a little bit strange too.

Oh and guys, please be nice and don't do such pranks. It doesn't makes you cool, it makes you immature :P Being destructive is only cool if you don't harm anyone else then yourself. Such data loss can be really nasty, and you don't want that happen to yourself, do you?
Yeah the lack of confirmation is what concerns me. It was definitively not meant for public use, unless they were stupid enough to offer such feature without a confirmation screen, especially considering it could at one point be used as an exploit on websites.

Quote from: p4nix on December 17, 2015, 05:15:49 PM
Well, as I told, Sony had a code for a menu which helped people repairing broken phones. So I guess it's kind of that reason. On the other hand, not protecting this at all with a confirmation is a little bit strange too.

Oh and guys, please be nice and don't do such pranks. It doesn't makes you cool, it makes you immature :P Being destructive is only cool if you don't harm anyone else then yourself. Such data loss can be really nasty, and you don't want that happen to yourself, do you?
I agree. THose pranks are not prank. They're vandalism. Imagine if a "friend" used your computer then reformated it without your consent. Same thing.