Security on Boyue Likebooks

drawingbreath · 03-21-2021, 08:13 AM

I'm looking for user's opinions on the security of Boyue Eink tablets. I've only had Samsung, Amazon and Nokia android devices in the past and have never considered the security of using my Google account on them. However, the janky way Google accounts have to be enabled on the Boyue devices has given me pause for thought, not least of which is the country of origin of the devices.

Am I being overly concerned about this? Has anyone with technical knowledge noticed anything untoward in the traffic packets that leave the device when connected to WiFi? Would rather not be giving account details to foreign governments if I can avoid it.

Quoth · 03-21-2021, 09:05 AM

You don't have to enable a Google account unless you want to use the Playstore. Then the Mars is no different to any other Android thing I have or have had. So I don't know what you mean by Janky.

I'd not give the Playstore ON ANY DEVICE, my paypal or credit card. Google is obnoxious in how they do that. A Playstore gift card from the supermarket seems to be the only sane way to buy Playstore items. It was a nightmare getting Paypal disconnected from Google! That was long before I got a Boyue Likebook Mars.

And Google is MUCH worse than a foreign government, unless it's your OWN government and you live in the Nation State with malicious tracking, which they can do external to the device via your ISP or mobile operator.

ottischwenk · 03-21-2021, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drawingbreath

Security on Boyue Likebooks

If China reads my Boyue-Likebook activities, I don't care, but not with the NSA - the latter is much more likely.

drawingbreath · 03-21-2021, 09:53 AM

Had a feeling this would turn into "Google is worse than CCP".

Quoth · 03-21-2021, 09:54 AM

NSA puts backdoors in network equipment used by USA corporations. Maybe Huawei wouldn't cooperate?

Quoth · 03-21-2021, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drawingbreath

Had a feeling this would turn into "Google is worse than CCP".

Unless you live in HK or PRC!

JSWolf · 03-21-2021, 04:45 PM

I'm getting a vibe of paranoia.

drawingbreath · 03-21-2021, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I'm getting a vibe of paranoia.

It's more a question of trust. Until a month ago I had never heard of Boyue. I'm just careful with where I type passwords for accounts that contain identifiable information.

But I mitigated the situation by using a gmail account I use for spam anyway.

Sirtel · 03-21-2021, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

You don't have to enable a Google account unless you want to use the Playstore. Then the Mars is no different to any other Android thing I have or have had. So I don't know what you mean by Janky.

I'd not give the Playstore ON ANY DEVICE, my paypal or credit card. Google is obnoxious in how they do that. A Playstore gift card from the supermarket seems to be the only sane way to buy Playstore items. It was a nightmare getting Paypal disconnected from Google! That was long before I got a Boyue Likebook Mars.

And Google is MUCH worse than a foreign government, unless it's your OWN government and you live in the Nation State with malicious tracking, which they can do external to the device via your ISP or mobile operator.

Eh? I've used both credit and debit cards with Google Play for years, without ANY problems.

JSWolf · 03-21-2021, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Eh? I've used both credit and debit cards with Google Play for years, without ANY problems.

I've bought eBooks from Google Play. I probably used my debit card.

bazz2004 · 03-22-2021, 04:34 AM

I'd not want to use an android device to make any financial transaction. It's open source and apart from the better android mobile phones you get an OS way behind the current versions. Development is hopefully much concerned with keeping an OS secure. It isn't worth taking the risk.

ottischwenk · 03-22-2021, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bazz2004

I'd not want to use an android device to make any financial transaction.

I wouldn't do it with any mobile device, including Apple

bazz2004 · 03-22-2021, 06:48 AM

We're shifting from cash to contactless and increasingly to payment via smart phone. I don't see much option but to go with the flow unless shoplifting or fleeing a restaurant before the bill arrives is your thing. In the UK at least progress is fast and accelerating.

JSWolf · 03-22-2021, 06:52 AM

When I can use contactless payments, I use my iPhone to make the payments via Apple Pay. I've never had a problem.

ottischwenk · 03-22-2021, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bazz2004

We're shifting from cash to contactless and increasingly to payment via smart phone. I don't see much option but to go with the flow unless shoplifting or fleeing a restaurant before the bill arrives is your thing. In the UK at least progress is fast and accelerating.

- Coins and banknotes are still valid means of payment and must be accepted.
- Credit cards are also gladly accepted.
- and if I pay via the Internet, then only via a wired connection to the provider, but never wirelessly.

03-21-2021, 08:13 AM	#1
drawingbreath Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Boyue Likebook Mars, Kobo Touch	Security on Boyue Likebooks I'm looking for user's opinions on the security of Boyue Eink tablets. I've only had Samsung, Amazon and Nokia android devices in the past and have never considered the security of using my Google account on them. However, the janky way Google accounts have to be enabled on the Boyue devices has given me pause for thought, not least of which is the country of origin of the devices. Am I being overly concerned about this? Has anyone with technical knowledge noticed anything untoward in the traffic packets that leave the device when connected to WiFi? Would rather not be giving account details to foreign governments if I can avoid it.

03-21-2021, 09:05 AM	#2
Quoth the rook, bossing Never. Posts: 12,040 Karma: 88064427 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11	You don't have to enable a Google account unless you want to use the Playstore. Then the Mars is no different to any other Android thing I have or have had. So I don't know what you mean by Janky. I'd not give the Playstore ON ANY DEVICE, my paypal or credit card. Google is obnoxious in how they do that. A Playstore gift card from the supermarket seems to be the only sane way to buy Playstore items. It was a nightmare getting Paypal disconnected from Google! That was long before I got a Boyue Likebook Mars. And Google is MUCH worse than a foreign government, unless it's your OWN government and you live in the Nation State with malicious tracking, which they can do external to the device via your ISP or mobile operator. Last edited by Quoth; 03-21-2021 at 09:08 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ADE Security Update & Security of Old Versions	bookmarked	General Discussions	9	03-09-2016 09:40 PM
I am looking for feedback on Boyue T61 T62 and Boyue C61R	treehugmug	Which one should I buy?	0	09-29-2014 07:53 PM
security	coeus	enTourage Archive	6	05-16-2011 02:15 AM

03-21-2021, 09:53 AM	#4
drawingbreath Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Boyue Likebook Mars, Kobo Touch	Had a feeling this would turn into "Google is worse than CCP".

03-21-2021, 09:54 AM	#5
Quoth the rook, bossing Never. Posts: 12,040 Karma: 88064427 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11	NSA puts backdoors in network equipment used by USA corporations. Maybe Huawei wouldn't cooperate?

03-21-2021, 04:45 PM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 75,243 Karma: 133361584 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I'm getting a vibe of paranoia.

03-22-2021, 04:34 AM	#11
bazz2004 Groupie Posts: 197 Karma: 14745 Join Date: May 2020 Device: Boyue Alita	I'd not want to use an android device to make any financial transaction. It's open source and apart from the better android mobile phones you get an OS way behind the current versions. Development is hopefully much concerned with keeping an OS secure. It isn't worth taking the risk.

03-22-2021, 06:48 AM	#13
bazz2004 Groupie Posts: 197 Karma: 14745 Join Date: May 2020 Device: Boyue Alita	We're shifting from cash to contactless and increasingly to payment via smart phone. I don't see much option but to go with the flow unless shoplifting or fleeing a restaurant before the bill arrives is your thing. In the UK at least progress is fast and accelerating.

03-22-2021, 06:52 AM	#14
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 75,243 Karma: 133361584 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	When I can use contactless payments, I use my iPhone to make the payments via Apple Pay. I've never had a problem.

Advert

Advert