/e/OS is android lol. Yes it’s better than the version of android that ships with phones by default, but grapheneos is still way better than e/os (even though they’re all android)
Not only is it still Android but the thing that the article says is special about it, blocking trackers and stuff, is trivial to do without installing a custom OS image. Change your DNS, trackers/ads gone.
We need hardware requirements so that not just pixel phones can get grapheneOS. Giving into Google hardware to escape Google software is a step I don’t want to take. I’ll take calyxOS or disvestOS until then.
We need hardware requirements so that not just pixel phones can get grapheneOS.
GOS has strict hardware requirements to increase security that currently only Pixels meet. They won’t, and shouldn’t, compromise their standards which would give you a weaker OS. Want GOS on other vendors? Convince those vendors to up their hardware game.
Yes, hardware requirements for Android need to be higher. That’s the only way you get other manufacturers.
My main issue with Pixels is their price, even the Pixel A. They are completely unaffordable new, and only hit below $300 when they barely have any support yet (or are used). I don’t mind using an EOL phome because with short support like on phones it is unavoidable, but that would be after alreafdy overpaying.
My main issue with Pixels is their price, even the Pixel A
Have you priced out any comparable phones? They’re practically a steal at their discounted prices.
Most people around me carry budget phones under $200. so no, far from a steal.
I mean, that’s fine, but that absolutely does not make a $450 phone “completely unaffordable”…
Most people around me carry $1k+ iPhones.
You live in a richer area then. Most people where I live make less than 1k a month.
They’re not rich, they’re just stupid. They pay $25/mo or whatever for 80 years.
I would only buy a used one anyways. Even when they’re pretty new you can get good deals on swappa, even for new in box ones
Been using GrapheneOS for close to 2 years, love it. Not perfect, but it’s solid & does everything I need well enough. Even with the minor bugs, it’s a hell of a lot better than having Google’s or any other vendor’s proprietary bloatware stuck on there.
I would say you should use GrapheneOS first, if you don’t have a Pixel, use DivestOS, if you can’t use that, use /e/. That’s the order I would put them in for security and privacy.
Almost every paragraph is it’s own, self-sufficient, malignant cancer. How did this even get published?
AI: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Even the name is a marketing turd
I love /e/OS, but it’s not better. I’ve had a lot of issues ranging from GPS being inaccurate, MMS not working, and most annoyingly : the play store alternative works (app lounge) works 1% of the time…
Iirc E/OS is based on Lineage, but takes a horrifying long time to patch in security updates on top of Lineage’s already somewhat laggy patches. If you choose to use it make sure you’re aware of that going in.
Also, like IIGxC said it’s a android. Maybe slightly more private that most stock versions on most phones. But that’s like saying [insert Linux distro] is better than Linux.
LineageOS will only patch Android. It will not patch hardware vulnerabilities after the device no longer has support from the manufacturer.
Both of these OSes are dangerous for privacy and security.
What’s your suggestion for hardware patches after the manufacturer ends support?
There is no option. There is too much variation in the various phone chips for the hardware hacking community to reverse engineer more than a bare handful. And as soon as the hardware has been reverse engineered, it will never be used again by a manufacturer making the exercise largely pointless.
Add to that, the fact that Qualcomm actively discourages long term support of their chips….
Exactly my point. Thank you.
100% you are correct.
Shame on the down voters.
Running a phone without firmware and driver security patches is a huge risk, that goes up geometrically the longer the phone is out of support.
Lineageos is great for making older devices useful but they are not secure, and they shouldn’t be used for anything sensitive like money
Although using an up to date Android userspace is still less bad than stopping all the updates once the vendor jumps the ship.
It’s not going to stop a dedicated attacker, but having a somewhat secure webview that’s not going tu crumble under the first piece of malicious javascript goes a long way towards the peace of mind.
If a rootkit is hiding at the hardware level, it may not matter what operating system or web browser you’re using on your phone. A rootkit at this low level could potentially evade detection by the OS and modify files or memory without the operating system’s knowledge. It may also be able to disrupt secure boot processes and monitor radio transmissions like Bluetooth, WiFi, and NFC.
Once an exploit is found that works on a particular device model, and attackers know the device manufacturer will never release firmware updates again, they could start searching for any users of that phone model. A rootkit installed this way may remain on the phone permanently since firmware updates are no longer being provided. The phone user may be unaware their device has been compromised.
LineageOS does not employ a dedicated security engineer for each phone model. Maintainers with LineageOS typically take the latest firmware from the original device manufacturer and import it into their build process. But if the latest firmware release from the manufacturer is already three years old, it’s possible there may now be several undiscovered vulnerabilities in that outdated code.
So for the average users that only want to go on with their lives and not buy brand new phones every 2-3 years (or don’t live in places where fairphone and pixel phones are available) what would be the solution?
If a person is not some POI, don’t you think that wouldn’t be better to flash something that at least includes some relatively up to date security patches?
And how those rootkits are being loaded to phones with outdated firmware? Bundled with the last OS that was flashed or remotely by exploiting security flaws? Not a dev, but curious about it.
It’s generally best to get a phone that receives software updates and security patches for more than 2-3 years. This is because vulnerabilities can be discovered in older hardware that cannot be fully fixed with a software update alone. While updating the OS helps with security at that level, flaws in the underlying hardware may still exist. Additionally, threats can come from various sources like malicious apps, texts, USB devices, or physical access, not just online attacks. Choosing a manufacturer that supports phones longer can help reduce these risks over the life of the device.
It’s generally best to get a phone that receives software updates and security patches for more than 2-3 years.
See first paragraph again, not everybody is as affluent as you’re, look at the problem from the other perspective
Additionally, threats can come from various sources like:
malicious apps,
will take control of the phone from the inside out, nothing will withstand that
texts,
Pegasus will use 0day, nothing to do about that
USB devices, or physical access,
Once somebody have physical access because you’re some POI and not an average Joe, not much you can do
Choosing a manufacturer that supports phones longer can help reduce these risks over the life of the device.
See first paragraph, parenthesis content. Also phones are made with short lifespan on purpose, this gives steady inflow of money for the manufacturers, only few will give you what you want
See first paragraph again, not everybody is as affluent as you’re, look at the problem from the other perspective
There is no blanket advice for which device to use. You will have to look it up yourself. But if you’re using a phone beyond its supported time, then you are vulnerable.
will take control of the phone from the inside out, nothing will withstand that
Nothing can withstand a 0-day attack, but it’s on your manufacturer to prevent a 1460-day attack.
Pegasus will use 0day, nothing to do about that
See above statement.
Once somebody have physical access because you’re some POI and not an average Joe, not much you can do
You can be a random person walking in a busy metro area and happen to get in range of someone who is scanning for a particular device to use a side-channel attack on. You don’t have to be a POI.
See first paragraph, parenthesis content. Also phones are made with short lifespan on purpose, this gives steady inflow of money for the manufacturers, only few will give you what you want
The manufacturers are still responsible for patching their devices. Once they stop doing that, you should know that device can’t be trusted with your privacy and security. This is the minimum baseline standard. If you are trying to extend the life of a device by yourself, and use it as a daily driver, you have decided that your data is free for anyone to have.
