Help What Is GMSNet2.jpg???

[kblanco]

I've had this follow me through two Android devices and a few factory resets - resets happen from time to time. I'm thinking it's possibly on the SD card as I always take the SD card out before performing a factory reset lest I loose all my music and pictures. So that's why I think this thing has followed me. I'll delete it and it'll keep coming back. I'm ready to wipe everything, including the SD card but it was such a chore to put my music on it as my laptop and new Android device didn't initially like each other (don't ask...).

When I look at it it's just a white square and the .jpg indicates to me that it should be a picture. I'm thinking it's some form of intended advertisement that's tagged along with with an app I've downloaded and stuck around after I deleted the app (if the app is burdensome with ads I'll usually delete it and find something else). I've used McAfee Anti-virus, ESET and a number of cleaners that I trust to take out the trash and the thing just seems very persistent. It doesn't seem to hurt anything, it just pops up in my gallery app from time to time which is how I know it's back. I've since told my gallery app to ignore the folder, but I'd like to know if it's adware, something else, something worse and maybe how to kill it for good if it's not something my device actually creates and/or needs.

 

[girolez]

I believe its a coded file created by Google play services which provides information about the state of your device to other apps which need your device to be secure eg banking apps. It's part of a system called SafetyNet from Google.

See. https://koz.io/inside-safetynet/

You won't and don't need to get rid of it - it's for your protection. According to the article it is about, and saved on, your sd card.

 

[Bg260]

@kblanco
Jpeg is an image file. You should be able to find it with a file browser in:

0/android/data/com.google.android.gms/files

It is a 1x1 picture. It is harmless, cache you can delete it but it will return. Unless you are rooted, you will not be allowed to manipulate sensitive files. Your emulated O and your sdcard can be completely wiped without serious damage. It may take a little while longer to load a page until the cache is restored. If you do not want to see this in your gallery then locate the folder containing this file. Inside the folder create a file and name it .nomedia Reboot. The file you created will be hidden and the contents of the folder will no longer be visible in your gallery. If the picture is still there let me know.

 

[kblanco]

Well I appreciate the responses... If it is indeed security related, and I've got no reason to doubt girolez, then I'll just leave it alone. My device, or Google, creating it as a check would explain why its pesky. The article in the link from girolez did reference it and made for an interesting read although technical... The gallery app I use while searching the entire device for pics can also be instructed to ignore specific folders. I ran down where this thing is and selected that my gallery app ignores the folder. I'm sure at some point I'll forget the thing is there.

If girolez is correct, and again I'd have no reason to believe otherwise, then it might be to combat code in-bedded in pics. I've read about those before, someone seeking to take control of a device or snoop such as a criminal or someone seeking to communicate without the authorities knowing have been putting code into pics. You think you're looking at a particular picture, but behind the scenes it's running manipulative code or if you have the key you can decipher a hidden message. It might have something to do with that...