About PilferShush Jammer
PilferShush Jammer blocks other apps attempting to utilise the microphone without your knowledge. Some apps use hidden processes to record tracking audio in the background that is either generated by nearby beacons,...
PilferShush Jammer blocks other apps attempting to utilise the microphone without your knowledge. Some apps use hidden processes to record tracking audio in the background that is either generated by nearby beacons, television commercials, streamed music services or websites. This tracking audio is transmitted between 18 kHz and 22 kHz (near ultra high frequency) which is beyond the range of typical human hearing but within the recording range of a typical Android phone.
To block unwanted use of the microphone by hidden app processes, PilferShush Jammer requests use of the hardware microphone from the Android system and holds it. This technique locks up the microphone from any other apps attempting to gain access to it. This technique has been tested only on user apps, not system apps. The Android system should halt PilferShush Jammer from blocking the microphone whenever a phone call is received or made.
When the jamming technique is running and the microphone is locked up, PilferShush Jammer posts a notification to keep the user informed that it is running. Tests have shown that it uses 0% CPU, 0% network and 43.6mb RAM when running for over an hour.
This is an experimental app made as part of research into audio counter-surveillance methods within the Android and IoT world.
It requires RECORD_AUDIO permission so that it may access and lock up the microphone.
It does NOT record or listen to any audio.
It does NOT connect to the internet.
Version 2.0 Active Jammer addition:
Tones can be emitted with a carrier frequency and a drift limit with rate all constrained to NUHF of 18 kHz to 24 kHz depending on the device capabilities. For instance 20000 Hz carrier, drift limit 1000 Hz and rate slow - will output random frequency between 19 kHz and 21 kHz approximately every second.
Version 3.0 Jammers run as a service:
Both the active and passive jammers now run as a (foreground) service that should accurately indicate whether they are running or not. This is dependent on both the Android OS (power management) and any App Managers that may destroy running services.
As this app seeks to block microphone use it is important to NOT dismiss or hide the notification otherwise you may forget it is running.
Also includes a scanner to check user installed apps for NUHF and Audio Content Recognition (ACR) SDKs as well as any services or receivers.
Version 4.0 Redesign
Major overhaul of the design to make information clearer and to simplify typical uses of the app
Android 10 (Q) concurrent audio update: audio capture policy that means other recording apps can bump a prior recording audio app from the microphone.
(see https://source.android.com/compatibility/android-cdd#5_4_5_concurrent_capture )
If another user app tries to take over the microphone from PilferShush Jammer, the latest build (4.4.1) will try to restart a running passive jammer service automatically so that it complies with "the one that started capture the most recently receives audio" (quote from Android API docs). Apps that try to record audio but do not have access to the microphone will be given zeroed audio data (silence) by the system even though they may still appear to be recording audio.
Notes:
White noise output may not be very effective at blocking and is a somewhat annoying sound.
The speaker output may not have enough amplitude to block unwanted NUHF signals - testing will determine.
Active Jammer code rewrite for version 4.5.0
Source code is available here: https://github.com/kaputnikGo/PilferShushJammer
Research and Project webpage : https://www.cityfreqs.com.au/pilfer.php
Previous Versions
Here you can find the changelog of PilferShush Jammer since it was posted on our website on 2019-11-04 17:56:10.
The latest version is 4.6.2 and it was updated on 2024-04-19 18:24:23. See below the changes in each version.
PilferShush Jammer version 4.6.2
Updated At: 2022-06-21
Changes: * dupe/move fdroid metadata en-AU to en-US
* fixes for TR translation
* bugfix for Android 12 notification changes causing crashes
* versionCode 43
PilferShush Jammer version 4.6.0
Updated At: 2021-02-24
Changes: Testing a new Voice Assistant/Omnibox jammer.
- min API bump to 21 (5.0, Lollipop)
- github branch archive2 prior to min api 21 bump
- Android 11 add foregroundServiceType
- add intent for browser package access
- prototyping Assistant/Omnibox jammer
- add excessive retrigger warning
- catch MediaRecorder placebo exception in some devices
- update Android Studio
- add SDK name
PilferShush Jammer version 4.5.3
Updated At: 2021-01-02
Changes: Bugfixes and improvements from ongoing research.
- android manifest config for screen off display rotate
- audioManager property support near ultrasound check
- packageInfo exception handling
- removed notification xml icon crashing some devices
- build tools update
- add SDK name
- German translation from https://github.com/c-4-m
- Excessive retrigger counter for concurrent audio loss via UI focus
- revert back to VOICE_COMM as mic source due to Android 10 concurrent audio
PilferShush Jammer version 4.5.2
Updated At: 2020-10-16
Changes: - bugfix for adding already added fragment
- mediaRecord check catch for exception on some devices
- revert to DEFAULT as VOICE_COMM may cause Process_VoIP
- added Settings switch for VOICE_COMM or DEFAULT
PilferShush Jammer version 4.5.1
Updated At: 2020-10-13
Changes: - micInfoList for multiple mics print
- change Inspector to caution for AudioRecord with SDK name
- improve and increase info from Inspector
- move micInfo check to Home
- appEntry dialog view
- update gradle 6.5, Android Studio 4.1
- permissions bugfix for mic info check
PilferShush Jammer version 4.5.0
Updated At: 2020-10-09
Changes: - added passive control appwidget for Android 11
- add boot receiver
- updates to Spanish translation
- microphone info
- API check for requestAudioFocus check method
- Inspector Fragment has mic info check print
- remove Color.Accent resource need
- add ActiveJammer shadow method
- removed click artifacts from NUHF tone active jamming
- add sine/sqr/saw waveforms
- config optional AudioFX equaliser to NUHF preset
PilferShush Jammer version 4.4.2
Updated At: 2020-08-26
Changes: - upgrade build target to API 29, Google Play comply
- update buildtools, platform-tools
- remove lockscreen notify as can cause dupe activity
- getActivity npe bugfix
- auto-backup to false
- remove old drawable xml, possible ex cause
- update gradle dep
- add new SDK
- prep code for Android 11
PilferShush Jammer version 4.4.1
Updated At: 2020-07-12
Changes: - Android 10 concurrent audio mitigation build
- centered popup toast warning for concurrent audio capture state
- passive jammer service auto restart during C-1-4 conflict
- caution text to system YELLOW
- mediaRecordPlacebo to VOICE_COMM source
- browser intent ex null
- add accessibility service permission to background check
- updated Inspector and Readme text
PilferShush Jammer version 4.4.0
Updated At: 2020-06-27
Changes: - bugfix : context entryLogger
- language : improvements
- Spanish language translation via https://github.com/sguinetti
- add README dialog to app menu for more detailed info and link to project page
- test release for Android 10 concurrent audio capture
- audio source set to VOICE_COMMUNICATION
- for API > = 29 ALLOW_CAPTURE_BY_NONE (for VoIP vs VoIP)
- added popup toast warning for concurrent audio capture state
PilferShush Jammer version 4.3.0
Updated At: 2020-06-13
Changes: * fragmentPager bugfix
* added headset receiver to passive service for autoswitch inputs
* code clean up
* update AndroidStudio 4.0, Gradle
* new SDK name
Disclaimer
Official Google Play Link
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