Pulse of Truth

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krogoth@infosec.pub

Android VPN apps used by millions are covertly connected AND insecure (www.helpnetsecurity.com)

submitted 1 week ago by lemmydev2@infosec.pub to c/pulse_of_truth@infosec.pub

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Three families of Android VPN apps, with a combined 700 million-plus Google Play downloads, are secretly linked, according to a group of researchers from Arizona State University and Citizen Lab. Finding the secret links Virtual private networks (VPNs) are widely marketed as tools for enhancing privacy, securing internet traffic, and shielding users from surveillance. Unfortunately, the consumer VPN ecosystem is decidedly opaque, making it difficult (and sometime impossible) for users to make an evidence-based decision … More → The post Android VPN apps used by millions are covertly connected AND insecure appeared first on Help Net Security.

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[–] pentastarm@piefed.ca 36 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Saved you a click:

[–] calmluck9349@infosec.pub 14 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Thanks. I figured it would be apps I have never heard of and/or the free ones which are known to do that.

[–] TherapyGary@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

You've never heard of Fast Potato VPN? It clearly reeks of high standards

[–] RangerAndTheCat@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 week ago

Is it normal to smell fry’s when’s it’s trying to connect? Asking for a friend

[–] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

When do you suppose people will grasp the age-old saying:

"If you're not paying for it, you're the product"

[–] calmluck9349@infosec.pub 2 points 1 week ago

As a former sysadmin in k12 I know kids will use any means to bypass content filter to get their snapchat and tiktok

[–] Rentlar@lemmy.ca 31 points 1 week ago (1 children)

All these apps sound like ones Google puts at the top of search results ahead of the exact app name you were looking for.

[–] ultranaut@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I used the Play store search for the first time in awhile recently and was shocked how bad it has become. Google is shoving crapware in your face every chance they get. I ended up using Kagi to find the link to the app on the Play store.

[–] Aussiemandeus@aussie.zone 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Bloody yesterday my TV wifi card stopped working, so I dug out my old Chrome cast went to download the app to use it and the top of the list was some scamware app with a subscription service or a lifetime fee.

For a chrome cast that i bloody well own from 6 years ago.

[–] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Didn't they brick the old hardware recently with an update, though? IIRC, people got "oopsie" emails and nothing's been done about it. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[–] Aussiemandeus@aussie.zone 1 points 1 week ago

Not that i know off but I've not kept up with the news.

It certainly worked when I got the right app on my phone though.

Has saved the missus and I from needing to buy a new TV because I'm dreading that day.

I'm currently looking into an LG wifi card to replace mine

[–] subignition@fedia.io 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

How much you wanna bet this is crowdsourcing a botnet or something equally despicable?

[–] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 week ago

The trick is getting someone to take the other side of said bet...