N8: Vodafone UK 360 Update Unremovable App - Remov...

Question

I'm writing this mainly for the UK vodafone forum. but it might be useful to one or two people here.
Background:
Those of you who routinely delete the operator tat installed on your phone will have noticed that the app Vodafone 360 Update can not be removed. the uninstaller fails and displays a blank message.
I'm concerned about this app because it has the ability to launch itself, install other applications, access all your data, access the cameras etc. once an app has the power to change it's own code and without any interaction it's basically a rootkit.
additionally the app comes with terms and conditions, they are viewable within the application. But since the application comes pre-installed, runs itself and you can't uninstall it you don't have chance to review the terms. They are meaningless at the same time as important.
I've been after removing the app for a while, I'd not seen it launch itself until last night when i was driving and using it as sat nav. App has to go. so instead of doing what i usually do in bed i played with my phone.
What you need:
You need a decent file browser, one that allows access above that of the phone's browser. I used Y-Browser. A self signed version is available free from the developer's site:
http://www.drjukka.com/YBrowser.html
I'm sure X-Plore would work aswell, or any of the many other file browsers, just NOT the one built into the phone.
Method:
the method is simple once you know the working directory of the app.
1 - use your 3rd party file browser to navigate to c:\system\data\ see the directory 'hugocl' delete or rename this.
2 - the app should now uninstall normally settings - application manager - installed applications - Vodafone 360 update, long press and uninstall.
What i did:
I obviously didn't know the method when i started. so after i removed the working directory i ran 360 update. it started to repair itself over the ubiquitous WAP connection. when i realised this i killed the process with Y-Tasks. i then uninstalled it in the normal way.
flagpole
There's no dignity in begging for kudos. Do it for the karma.

Answer 1

it's just nonesense isn't it. if vodafone spent the money they spend on messing up your phone on doing what they were supposed to do they'd have a lovely network.
it takes up 6meg of relatively premium c: drive spave too.
I won't ever buy anything from them whilst they keep installing tat on my phone. it's like people who put fliers under the wipers on my car. flier goes in the bin and the company goes on the list.
There's no dignity in begging for kudos. Do it for the karma.