Pulse of Truth

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

submitted 1 month ago by lemmydev2 to c/pulse_of_truth

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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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[–] Rentlar@lemmy.ca 31 points 1 month 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 month 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 month 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 month 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 month 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