unencrypted Archives

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

5 Best Alternatives to WhatsApp in 2026 (Private & Secure)

The rise of encrypted messaging apps is driven by privacy concerns, as users seek alternatives to traditional platforms that may compromise security. Corporations, hackers, and governments actively monitor online communications for various reasons, making secure messaging essential. Several leading secure messaging apps have been identified: - Signal: Known for robust security features, including end-to-end encryption and open-source transparency. It requires a phone number for registration. - Threema: Allows anonymous communication without personal identifiers and offers end-to-end encryption. It does not have a free version and has a smaller user base. - Telegram: With over 500 million users, it offers self-destructing messages and works across multiple devices, but not all communications are end-to-end encrypted by default. Messaging platforms to avoid include WhatsApp, which collects extensive metadata, Keybase, which has credibility concerns after being acquired by Zoom, and regular SMS, which lacks encryption. When selecting an encrypted messaging app, users should look for end-to-end encryption, third-party testing, open-source code, self-destructing messages, limited data collection, and compatibility with other services. Signal is frequently cited as the most secure messaging app.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

Wire Secure Messenger Review (2026 Test Results)

The rise of online conversations has highlighted the vulnerabilities of traditional messaging platforms, making secure messaging essential for protecting private communications. Entities such as corporations, hackers, and government agencies aim to monitor and exploit these communications. Without secure messaging services, users' messages are susceptible to interception. Remote work has intensified these risks, as home networks often lack necessary security measures. Several secure messaging apps have emerged, each with varying levels of protection. Signal is noted for its end-to-end encryption, open-source foundation, and self-destructing messages, although it requires a phone number for registration. Threema offers anonymous messaging without data collection and does not require personal information, but it lacks a free version. Telegram has over 500 million users and offers some end-to-end encryption features, but not all communications are secure by default, and it logs user data. Messaging platforms to avoid include WhatsApp due to privacy concerns from its ownership by Facebook, Keybase after its acquisition by Zoom, and regular unencrypted SMS messages. When selecting a secure messaging app, look for end-to-end encryption, third-party testing, open-source code, self-destructing messages, limited data collection, and anonymous signup options. Signal is widely regarded as the most secure and private messaging app.

AppWizard

December 11, 2025

Why Facebook Messenger says “this chat is no longer active”

A recent update to Facebook Messenger has caused users to lose access to long-standing conversations, displaying a warning that states, “This chat is no longer active,” and redirecting them to a different encrypted thread. Users have reported that they can still view past messages but cannot reply, react, or forward content, effectively turning conversations into archives. This change is part of Meta's initiative to make end-to-end encryption the default for Messenger, which was announced in 2023. When two chats exist with the same contact—one regular and one encrypted—users must choose which chat remains active, archiving the other. Users have expressed confusion and concern over this abrupt transition, despite the privacy benefits of default encryption.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

‘Big Brother cannot watch us’: Indian government phone app plan sparks outrage

India has directed smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a government-operated cybersecurity application called Sanchar Saathi on all mobile devices manufactured or imported for use within the country. The app is designed to enhance protection against fraud and cyber threats, allowing users to block and track lost or stolen phones and identify fraudulent mobile subscriptions. Major smartphone companies have a 90-day compliance window, and the app must be visible and accessible during device setup. Critics, including the Internet Freedom Foundation, have raised concerns about user privacy and governmental control over personal devices, while the Indian telecom minister described the app as a voluntary system. The government also requires that the app be pushed to devices already in circulation through software updates. Political opposition has emerged, with calls for the order's retraction, citing constitutional concerns.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

New Albiriox MaaS Malware Targets 400+ Apps for On-Device Fraud and Screen Control

A new Android malware named Albiriox has emerged, marketed as malware-as-a-service (MaaS). It features a hard-coded list of over 400 applications, including banking and cryptocurrency platforms, and is distributed through social engineering tactics using dropper applications. Initially advertised in late September 2025, it became a full MaaS offering by October, with Russian-speaking threat actors behind its development. Albiriox allows remote control of compromised devices via an unencrypted TCP socket connection and Virtual Network Computing (VNC), enabling attackers to extract sensitive information and perform overlay attacks for credential theft. One campaign targeted victims in Austria using German-language lures and counterfeit Google Play Store listings. Albiriox also utilizes Android's accessibility services to bypass security measures and employs a novel distribution strategy involving a counterfeit website that collects phone numbers. Additionally, another Android MaaS tool, RadzaRat, was introduced, masquerading as a file management utility while offering extensive surveillance and remote control capabilities. RadzaRat can log keystrokes and maintain persistence through specific permissions, highlighting a trend in the availability of sophisticated cybercrime tools.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

Musk unveils X Chat, a messenger with encryption ‘similar to Bitcoin’

Elon Musk is set to launch a new messaging app called "X Chat" within the next few months to compete with Telegram and WhatsApp. The app will feature a peer-to-peer encryption system and prioritize user privacy by eliminating advertising hooks that competitors use to collect data. Musk claims that X Chat will provide a fully encrypted environment for texting, file sharing, and audio/video calls, and will be available as part of the X platform as well as an independent application.

AppWizard

October 25, 2025

OWASP Mobile Top 10 for Android – How AutoSecT Detects Each Risk?

Mobile applications account for 70% of global interactions, with over 6.8 billion smartphone users. In 2023, 40% of data breaches are linked to vulnerabilities in mobile applications. The OWASP Mobile Top 10 outlines critical security risks for mobile apps, including: 1. Improper Credential Usage: Mishandling of passwords and session tokens. 2. Inadequate Supply Chain Security: Risks from unverified third-party components. 3. Insecure Authentication/Authorization: Failures in verifying user identities. 4. Insufficient Input/Output Validation: Lack of checks on incoming and outgoing data. 5. Insecure Communication: Unprotected data during transmission. 6. Inadequate Privacy Controls: Poor safeguards for personal data. 7. Insufficient Binary Protections: Lack of defenses against reverse engineering. 8. Security Misconfiguration: Improperly secured application settings. 9. Insecure Data Storage: Weak protection of sensitive information on devices. 10. Insufficient Cryptography: Use of weak or improperly implemented encryption. AutoSecT, an AI-driven mobile app security testing platform, detects these risks through various methods, including static code analysis, software composition analysis, and dynamic testing. It helps developers identify and mitigate vulnerabilities effectively.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

Arattai App Statistics (2025) – Users, Downloads & Insights

Arattai, a messaging application developed by Zoho Corporation, was launched in January 2021 as an internal communication tool and has since grown significantly, with user sign-ups increasing from 3,000 to 350,000 in three days and monthly active users exceeding 1 million. In September 2025, app downloads rose from under 10,000 to 400,000. The app allows file sharing of up to 2 GB and supports group creation with 1,000 members. It remains ad-free and does not use AI integration or data tracking. Arattai is designed specifically for Indian users, supporting multiple regional languages and optimized for low-cost smartphones and slower internet connections, with all data stored in Indian data centers. Despite its growth, it faces competition from WhatsApp, which has 2.95 billion global monthly active users, including 535.8 million in India. Arattai's security features include end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, but text messages are unencrypted.

Tech Optimizer

September 3, 2025

Malwarebytes Ultimate

Malwarebytes offers a cybersecurity suite called Malwarebytes Ultimate, which includes antivirus protection, VPN services, and identity theft remediation. The pricing starts at .99 per year for a single device, with higher costs for additional devices. The suite provides coverage for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The identity theft protection is powered by TransUnion but lacks the extensive features of competitors like Bitdefender and Norton. Malwarebytes Ultimate includes a VPN with over 60 server locations across 34 countries, though it does not cover regions like Africa or certain countries. The VPN features include an automatic activation option and split tunneling. Malwarebytes has received high scores in independent testing for its antivirus capabilities on Android but did not appear in some recent evaluations. The identity theft protection system allows users to monitor personal information and receive alerts if their data is found on the dark web. Users can also track financial transactions for suspicious activity and access resources for identity and credit protection. Malwarebytes provides a dedicated resolution specialist for identity theft cases and offers a personal data removal service.

Tech Optimizer

August 25, 2025

Norton VPN features explained: AI-powered protection, Dark web monitoring, IP Rotation and more

Norton VPN offers a variety of features including: - Integration of artificial intelligence for real-time detection of scams and threats such as phishing, malware, and ransomware. - Cloud storage options ranging from 10GB with the Plus plan to 50GB with the Ultimate plan, providing secure online storage for sensitive data. - Dark web monitoring that scans for users' personal information and alerts them if it surfaces. - A Kill Switch feature that halts internet traffic if the VPN connection drops, protecting users' real IP addresses and unencrypted data. - IP masking that conceals users' real IP addresses and encrypts data before it reaches its destination. - IP rotation that changes the assigned IP address every 30 seconds to complicate tracking attempts. - A Double VPN option that routes data through two servers for enhanced privacy. - A no-log policy ensuring that users' IP addresses, browsing histories, and DNS queries are not logged, with independent audits for validation. - A Norton Password Manager included in select plans for creating and storing complex passwords and securely managing online transactions. - Parental controls and location supervision available with the Ultimate plan, allowing parents to monitor web access and track children's locations.