privacy threats Archives

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

The Tor Project quietly launches a beta Android VPN – and looks for testers

The Tor Project has launched a VPN app for Android users, currently in beta, aimed at enhancing online privacy and circumventing censorship. The app is available on the Google Play Store and operates under an open-source model. It routes user traffic through the Tor network to conceal real IP addresses and features split tunneling, allowing users to select specific applications for Tor traffic. The app is built on advanced infrastructure using Arti, the Tor Project's next-generation implementation, and includes built-in bridges to disguise Tor traffic. Users are cautioned against using the beta version if they face severe surveillance threats, as it is primarily a testing platform.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

The Digital Privacy Paradox: Encrypted Messaging App ‘Session’ Solves What Others Won’t

Instant messaging has become a crucial part of global communication, connecting billions of users while raising concerns about privacy and security. Many popular messaging apps, despite encryption, still expose users to privacy threats through metadata collection, which can reveal personal information. Session is a messaging platform that aims to address these issues by minimizing metadata usage and ensuring user anonymity through anonymous sign-ups, a decentralized infrastructure, and advanced encryption techniques. Session does not require personal details like phone numbers or emails for registration and operates on a network of over 2,200 nodes, making it difficult for any single entity to access or censor user data. The app is open-source, allowing for transparency and independent audits, and employs onion routing to enhance security. Session is particularly beneficial for journalists and activists who need secure communication in surveillance-prone environments. The platform is governed by the non-profit Session Technology Foundation, which prioritizes user privacy over profit. Session's upcoming token, $SESH, will incentivize individuals to operate nodes, contributing to the decentralized nature of the network and enhancing security through staking mechanisms. The transition from Oxen to Session Token on Arbitrum aims to improve efficiency and scalability while planning for a future where privacy-first messaging competes with mainstream platforms.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Delete These 12 Android Apps That Are Secretly Recording Your Conversations

Smartphones are essential in daily life but pose risks due to malicious applications that threaten privacy and security. ESET security researchers identified 12 Android apps that covertly record conversations and steal sensitive data, disguised as legitimate messaging platforms. These apps were distributed through a cyberespionage strategy that exploited the Google Play Store. Victims were initially lured through online romance scams, leading them to download apps for "secure communication," which then operated covertly. The malicious apps fall into three categories: 1. Basic Spyware: Apps that offer basic messaging features while secretly gathering personal information, including contacts and location data. 2. Advanced Interception: More sophisticated apps that intercept messages from platforms like WhatsApp and Signal, and can activate the microphone to record calls. 3. The “Innocent” App: Apps that appear benign, such as a news platform, but still request personal information and can access contacts. The 12 identified apps to delete include: Rafaqat, Privee Talk, MeetMe, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Chit Chat, YohooTalk, TikTalk, Hello Cha, Nidus, GlowChat, and Wave Chat. These apps were available on the Google Play Store and collectively had over 1,400 downloads before being removed. The main danger of these applications is their ability to operate silently, compromising user privacy by recording audio, tracking location, and stealing information without user awareness. Users are advised to uninstall these apps immediately and conduct security scans with reputable antivirus software. Caution is recommended when downloading apps, emphasizing the importance of using trusted sources and being skeptical of unsolicited recommendations.

AppWizard

November 19, 2024

Remove these 12 Android apps that capture your conversations

Certain Android applications have been identified as covertly capturing conversations and personal data without user awareness. A cyber espionage campaign uncovered by ESET revealed that twelve malicious apps were distributed through the Google Play Store and alternative channels, designed to mimic legitimate applications. These apps include: 1. Rafaqat 2. Privee Talk 3. MeetMe 4. Let’s Chat 5. Quick Chat 6. Chit Chat 7. YohooTalk 8. TikTalk 9. Hello Chat 10. Nidus 11. GlowChat 12. Wave Chat The first six apps were available on the Google Play Store and had over 1,400 downloads each before being removed. The malicious apps can steal contacts, SMS messages, call logs, and more, with some leveraging Android’s accessibility features to intercept communications from secure platforms. Users are advised to uninstall these apps immediately and take steps to protect their privacy, including changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.

AppWizard

November 7, 2024

Uninstall these 12 Android apps that record your conversations

Twelve malicious Android applications have been identified that can take control of devices to record audio and perform other harmful activities. These apps include: 1. Rafaqat 2. Privee Talk 3. MeetMe 4. Let’s Chat 5. Quick Chat 6. Chit Chat 7. YohooTalk 8. TikTalk 9. Hello Cha 10. Nidus 11. GlowChat 12. Wave Chat The first six were available on the Google Play Store and were downloaded over 1,400 times before removal. Users are advised to uninstall these apps immediately and remain cautious about downloading unfamiliar applications or clicking on suspicious links.