Need some more experienced devs on this.

[Zaggermeister]

Hey guys and gals, hope all is well. Lately to practice my coding skills and ability to adapt to new situations I've started to create challenges in the forms of "hacks" if you can call it that. First of all, don't diss me for this but I did find game hacks interesting, so I dabbled in that for this week and learned how pointers work and had to do with memory writing and reading (Stuff we haven't really touched in my first two years). No, I don't cheat and I can't play because of the unstable internet I have now. Go check my steam profile if you doubt me.

So now I'm moving on and I want to try creating apps for Android. Once again I want to challenge myself by creating a simple app that can record phone calls and take screenshots periodically, perhaps even log keypresses. Reason for this is that we have several businesses and we want the people using the work phones strictly for that, but mainly because clients who owe us money tend to resort to death threats and recording that could possibly result in a safer work environment. Now I know there are apps like that out there, but it could be a fun learning experience for me.

1.) What languages do you prefer to write android apps in? I have experience in Java, C# and C++. But I am guessing most people use Java?
2.) If your preferred language differs from these, can you link the documentation?
3.) If you have created something similar, mind assisting with the logic behind it all or is it as simple as calling a bunch of built in functions and getting everything?

Please don't get stuck on the game hacking, I'm way too scared of VAC bans to even attempt hacking online games.

Also, if the admin or mods feel like this is against the rules, feel free to lock or delete the thread. I however don't believe I'm overstepping any boundaries.

Thanks for any help.

 

[ViVceptioN]

I don't see anything wrong But I am moving this to the dev section for you

 

[CarboVan]

Ahoy,
So, pure native Android is Java of course. As soon as you start using other languages, you are probably moving onto cross platform territory (Xamarin/Phonegap/React native etc)
Given the low level OS/hardware access you will require, I'd personally rather cut my satchel off with a used prison shank, before trying this in a non-native language (eg platforms above).

I'm guessing you'd want this to always lurk in the background, so you need to check out the droid https://developer.android.com/guide/components/services.html
From a quick google, the MediaProjection API seems like it will treat you well :victorious:

Sounds like it could be a fun project. Good luck!

 

[Zaggermeister]

Thank you good sir and you too miss.

 

[mradovan]

So, pure native Android is Java of course.

That.
Recording calls sounds like "going into the guts", any higher level from Java probably won't help.
From my experience, knowing Java is only a tiny first step... there is still a massive Android SDK to conquer.

Back in the days I used Eclipse, but today the norm is Android Studio - endorsed by Google and all.
It's quite a demanding IDE, especially if you debug in the emulator - likes a fast CPU and lots of RAM.

 

[Gingervitus]

Hey guys and gals, hope all is well. Lately to practice my coding skills and ability to adapt to new situations I've started to create challenges in the forms of "hacks" if you can call it that. First of all, don't diss me for this but I did find game hacks interesting, so I dabbled in that for this week and learned how pointers work and had to do with memory writing and reading (Stuff we haven't really touched in my first two years). No, I don't cheat and I can't play because of the unstable internet I have now. Go check my steam profile if you doubt me.

So now I'm moving on and I want to try creating apps for Android. Once again I want to challenge myself by creating a simple app that can record phone calls and take screenshots periodically, perhaps even log keypresses. Reason for this is that we have several businesses and we want the people using the work phones strictly for that, but mainly because clients who owe us money tend to resort to death threats and recording that could possibly result in a safer work environment. Now I know there are apps like that out there, but it could be a fun learning experience for me.

If you are doing this to put something on your CV, I would suggest rather doing a practical piece of code that companies might not frown upon.

1.) What languages do you prefer to write android apps in? I have experience in Java, C# and C++. But I am guessing most people use Java?

Java is the preferred language in the Android SDK, but a new language has arrived called Kotlin. It has been officially endorsed by Google and we have converted our android apps to Kotlin. Its functional like language written by Jetbrains. It has complete interop with Java and can even be compiled into JavaScript. If you know Java then Kotlin will be a breeze and will increase productivity a lot.

2.) If your preferred language differs from these, can you link the documentation?

Google is your friend.

3.) If you have created something similar, mind assisting with the logic behind it all or is it as simple as calling a bunch of built in functions and getting everything?

I haven't created something similar, but all the functions you mentioned will probably be accessible in Android, more so than iOS. In Lollipop and up they introduced stricter permission schemes so you might have some issues there and you will probably have to ask the users for permission to record calls, keystrokes, etc. If you create the apps for the phones that you own, you might be able to get admin type privileges and access the MDM level functionality. This will allow you to do whatever you want on the phone.

Please don't get stuck on the game hacking, I'm way too scared of VAC bans to even attempt hacking online games.

Also, if the admin or mods feel like this is against the rules, feel free to lock or delete the thread. I however don't believe I'm overstepping any boundaries.

Thanks for any help.

*

 

[Ezekiel]

Due to the security requirements on Android, no one will or should really delve into the whole record a conversation thing.

Reasons:
1. As a business, clients need to be aware of recorded calls. This is a legal requirement.
2. Devices don't like apps like this. It's invasion of privacy. A big no-no.

Screenshot - Cordova (https://github.com/gitawego/cordova-screenshot) || Java (https://code.google.com/archive/p/android-screenshot-library/wikis/DeveloperGuide.wiki)
Key logger - Not going to research this for you as I believe this is not something that should be done.

If there are threats being made, rather switch the company over to using VOIP with a 086 contact centre. This is easier to control, goes through a switch, allows for recording. All incoming calls to cellphones can be redirected to the call centre line.

The app you want to make is heavily frowned upon because it is a direct invasion of the user's privacy. I would suggest you find alternatives.

You can capture screenshots based on the device's state, which is possible in native or using JavaScript (stuff like cordova). Quite easy.

Doubt the key logger would be a breeze to make.

If you want to limit a user's usage of the device, android allows for enterprise setups which limit device functionality, I would suggest this avenue.

Let's say you ignore this and go ahead and create an app that can do all this. You will be sued and/or go to jail. It's serious boiling water.

So my suggestion:
Switch to VOIP for calls (Could be a good source - http://www.whichvoip.co.za/compare/voip)
Setup devices to use enterprise (https://www.android.com/enterprise/)

 

[Zaggermeister]

Due to the security requirements on Android, no one will or should really delve into the whole record a conversation thing.

Reasons:
1. As a business, clients need to be aware of recorded calls. This is a legal requirement.
2. Devices don't like apps like this. It's invasion of privacy. A big no-no.

Screenshot - Cordova (https://github.com/gitawego/cordova-screenshot) || Java (https://code.google.com/archive/p/android-screenshot-library/wikis/DeveloperGuide.wiki)
Key logger - Not going to research this for you as I believe this is not something that should be done.

If there are threats being made, rather switch the company over to using VOIP with a 086 contact centre. This is easier to control, goes through a switch, allows for recording. All incoming calls to cellphones can be redirected to the call centre line.

The app you want to make is heavily frowned upon because it is a direct invasion of the user's privacy. I would suggest you find alternatives.

You can capture screenshots based on the device's state, which is possible in native or using JavaScript (stuff like cordova). Quite easy.

Doubt the key logger would be a breeze to make.

If you want to limit a user's usage of the device, android allows for enterprise setups which limit device functionality, I would suggest this avenue.

Let's say you ignore this and go ahead and create an app that can do all this. You will be sued and/or go to jail. It's serious boiling water.

So my suggestion:
Switch to VOIP for calls (Could be a good source - http://www.whichvoip.co.za/compare/voip)
Setup devices to use enterprise (https://www.android.com/enterprise/)

Setting up voip for a small office with just one person is a tad overkill, yes the company deals with big contracts but the admin work is barely enough to keep one person busy in a day. Key logger isn't that much of a deal breaker, the screenshots alone would suffice for monitoring the device. Although I do realize that the call recording is an invasion of privacy, this is a business device and whatever can be said over the phone should be suitable for an audience, yes, I'm sure that the person handling the device would alert the people on the other end of the phone that the call is being recorded, so it's not a biggie. Thanks for the tips and links, I'll revisit all of this once I get back home from the festive season.

 

[Vip3r011]

^ what if he/she forgets to mention to the other person, the calls are recorded?

 

[SavageJay]

I would recommend getting into Kotlin. Its a new and better android language.

 

[Gabushna]

^ what if he/she forgets to mention to the other person, the calls are recorded?

As a matter of interest, if you are part of the conversation you are allowed to record it and it can be used in court.

If however you are not part of the conversation i.e. recording as a 3rd party (recording your girlfriends calls), that is illegal if they are not aware you are recording.

That is why call centres always say "all calls are recorded...." As they are a 3rd party not part of the conversation.

Same goes for recording meetings on your phone.

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