Security Researchers Discover 10 App Store Apps Engaging in Ad Fraud

[Unregistered 4U]

No, it isn't. A filter that catches 75% is *worse* than nothing because it cultivates an false sense of security.

For those in the PNW, an air filter that catches 99% of airborne particulates is *worse* than just breathing in all the ash and soot from those wildfires because it gives a false sense of clean air!

Even though having 1% of those particulates in your home is mathematically better than having 100% of those particulates in your home.

 

[dk001]

Oh I agree, but without substantiation from some accredited source, it's only an opinion that's a 50000 foot generalization.

Okay.
You and I both know that no matter what we could come up with, many would not accept.

 

[dk001]

No, we can say which is worse. For starters, follow the money. Google gets 80% of their revenue from targeted ads. Only made possible by massive data collection. Without this data they cease to exist. A company that relies on something to survive is far more likely to abuse it to stay in business and keep the money flowing.

Google is an advertising company, first and foremost. Apple makes so little off ads it’s a rounding error on their earnings reports (despite many trying to over-inflate their ad business in some lame attempt to say Apple is no different than Google).

Then there’s data collection. Google has trackers in millions of websites around the world that not only collect massive amounts of user data/habits, but does so without your permission. You don’t need to use any Google services in order for them to mine your data. Same goes for Facebook and many others (even Adobe is in this game). Can you show me any website with an Apple tracker embedded?

We can also look at their behaviors. Remember when Google found an error in Safari that allowed them to track users even when they didn’t want to get tracked? Instead of reporting it to Apple they exploited it. They got caught and were fined a measly $22 million. I imagine if they did the same today the fine would be substantially higher. Or Facebook, which is now being sued for trying to bypass App Tracking Transparency. Companies that need this data to survive can’t be trusted. Their own history proves this.

Nice try attempting to spin what I posted.
I was not talking about any of this. All I am talking about is what is done with the data for user visibility and how much the company allows the user to control that in terms of use.

Not sure what your point is.

 

[I7guy]

Okay.
You and I both know that no matter what we could come up with, many would not accept.

Oh for sure. But the devil is in the details and it's difficult or nearly impossible to say one doesn't know what Apple does with your data but you do know what Microsoft and Google does with your data.

 

[Mousse]

Oh the sweet sideloading war again.

Nowadays, even Linux is trying to create the App Store system (flat packs and whatnot) to mimic the convenience and easy to manage app distribution that App Store has, despite Linux being highly customisable and more secure (than iOS id guess?) If sideloading has SO MANY benefits, why Linux is trying to move away from it?

Convenience. I remember the early days of Linux. There were no binary; we had to compile from source any app we wanted to run. Those were not fun times.😬

It's not as if they're doing away with sideloading completely. Striking a balance is key. Something Apple and its zealots have a hard time understanding. Sideloading only sucks. No sideloading at all sucks as well. Missing the mark 3 feet to the right is no different than missing 3 feet to the left.

The worry of “opening the floodgate” on iOS is just talking points provided by apple and other influencers to sound reasonable and echo chamber does the rest, while in reality, people are ignoring sideloading more and more as time goes on, except enthusiasts, hobbyists and developers.

Give us a choice. Most will ignore sideloading like you say.

 

[I7guy]

Agree, but Snowden showed facts not an "opinion".

Snowden didn't say Apple doesn't list what they do with your data and Google does. Or maybe he did...if he did can you point to where that was said?

 

[Bawstun]

Police don't catch 100% of criminals either. Does that mean there should be no law enforcement?


This is the result

"The BSA's most recent Global Software Survey revealed that 37 percent of software worldwide is unlicensed and the BSA estimated that the commercial value of unlicensed software worldwide was $46.3 billion"


I'm sure Chinese people say the same about American Apps

Have you seen the apps? Their icons alone give them away, then the descriptions which sometimes aren’t even proper English. Try downloading one…they’re just adware, most of their promoted features aren’t there or don’t work. I wouldn’t be surprised if they held malicious code and are collecting info for the Chinese gov’t.

 

[Bawstun]

Snowden didn't say Apple doesn't list what they do with your data and Google does. Or maybe he did...if he did can you point to where that was said?

Snowden said that the NSA has the ability to spy on any American citizen that they want to, and that they do and have. All they have to do is enter any email account they want and blammo, they can instantly see all of it. Same with phones.

 

[Bawstun]

Guess we are using different search criteria to find apps... *shrug*

Just go look at the photo apps. Look how many are glitzy, diamond-studded app icons and apps with no features other than to collect data. Not sure why so many are defending the App Store, the app quality is about on par with Android now. Which is to say it’s flooded with crap. There are about 100 useful apps.

 

[dk001]

Oh for sure. But the devil is in the details and it's difficult or nearly impossible to say one doesn't know what Apple does with your data but you do know what Microsoft and Google does with your data.

Yes and no.
Love to know what Apple does with my data.
With Google I have a good idea.
MS is app side - no real mobile devices these days (excluding tablet pc’s)

 

[Mousse]

It's Apple. Nobody bats an eye when Are Technica reports on new malware found in the google play store, but find a few in the iOS App Store and suddenly, the sky is falling.

Each company is being judged by the standard they set for themselves. Google doesn't make any claim of the PlayStore being a safehaven. Apple doesn't shut up about privacy and security thus are judged by their own crippling standards.

 

[I7guy]

Yes and no.
Love to know what Apple does with my data.

See my answer below about google. However, that answer is a stock answer.

With Google I have a good idea.

Ok I'll bite. Since I'm (or we) are the product, google uses it to serve up advertisements. But does it use my name any differently than my dob, for example? How does google use my name? How does Apple use my name?

MS is app side - no real mobile devices these days (excluding tablet pc’s)

Would love to know what MS does with all of the data it collects from windows.

Can you tell us what data Apple, google and MS collects and how these companies use your data? Let's start small. Can you describe how apple, google and MS use your name, dob, address, zip code state? Please be specific.

 

[Aoligei]

I kinda think they are. There might be 100 actually useful apps in the App Store. The rest are thousands of useless Chinese crap apps.

This is second most racist comments ever.

 

[boyarka]

So based on the context of my post. You are suggesting Google have higher standards? Wow.

Did I even mention Google? I didn't, did I? Projection much?
Back to the topic: Apple claims "safety" a priority and specific reason to app store monopoly... and fails (also this time). Meaning all those apps... Apple didn't actually review. Because only a lack of review can explain why so many got trough and a THIRD PARTY reviewed them adequatly.

So then, back to my claim: "apple standards" are a joke. From the extremely hostile use-and-discard rapid obsoleting to "safe" app delivery which is also a joke. Just as much of a joke that Cook had to meet Uber's CEO (or was it a company rep?) to talk about the abhorrent wiretapping Uber was engaged in. That also - flew under "app store radar". Because f*** you customer - we made money off that s***.

 

[I7guy]

Each company is being judged by the standard they set for themselves. Google doesn't make any claim of the PlayStore being a safehaven. Apple doesn't shut up about privacy and security thus are judged by their own crippling standards.

So a company turns a blind eye is better off in MacRumors eyes than a company that acknowledges an industry problem and tries to do something about it? Doesn't work that way outside of these forums.

 

[deevey]

The police are reactive while the App Store and Play Store are supposed to be proactive.

Alcohol checkpoints are Proactive. Responding to a 911 call is reactive.

In the case of the App review process, it's like an alcohol checkpoint.

Have you seen the apps? Their icons alone give them away, then the descriptions which sometimes aren’t even proper English. Try downloading one…they’re just adware, most of their promoted features aren’t there or don’t work. I wouldn’t be surprised if they held malicious code and are collecting info for the Chinese gov’t.

1. Name a couple.

2. If they were missing promoted features, or are indeed adware, did you report them ?

 

[Aoligei]

So a company turns a blind eye is better off in MacRumors eyes than a company that acknowledges an industry problem and tries to do something about it? Doesn't work that way outside of these forums.

If Apple like to bragging about how safe iOS is and how they value your privacy better than other, then they are holding to higher standards.

 

[I7guy]

Did I even mention Google? I didn't, did I? Projection much?
Back to the topic: Apple claims "safety" a priority and specific reason to app store monopoly... and fails (also this time). Meaning all those apps... Apple didn't actually review. Because only a lack of review can explain why so many got trough and a THIRD PARTY reviewed them adequatly.

So then, back to my claim: "apple standards" are a joke. From the extremely hostile use-and-discard rapid obsoleting to "safe" app delivery which is also a joke. Just as much of a joke that Cook had to meet Uber's CEO (or was it a company rep?) to talk about the abhorrent wiretapping Uber was engaged in. That also - flew under "app store radar". Because f*** you customer - we made money off that s***.

So it's better not to have any standards that can be judged, rather than to set some standards and not attain 100%.

 

[I7guy]

If Apple like to bragging about how safe iOS is and how they value your privacy better than other, then they are holding to higher standards.

I have no issue in holding Apple to a high standard, but there are posters who think with the "throw the baby out with the bath water" mentality. That I disagree with.

 

[macfacts]

Id rather pay the Google tax (tracking me) vs the apple tax (real money).

 

[Mousse]

So a company turns a blind eye is better off in MacRumors eyes than a company that acknowledges an industry problem and tries to do something about it? Doesn't work that way outside of these forums.

Those who exalt themselves shall be humbled...

Apple's hubris placed themselves too high so got knocked down a notch. If I were to use a beef grading for the companies: Apple self grades as Prime when it's real grade is Choice. Google self grades itself as Cutter and its quality is Cutter.

 

[nvmls]

Snowden didn't say Apple doesn't list what they do with your data and Google does. Or maybe he did...if he did can you point to where that was said?

Watch Citizenfour - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data

 

[dk001]

See my answer below about google. However, that answer is a stock answer.

Ok I'll bite. Since I'm (or we) are the product, google uses it to serve up advertisements. But does it use my name any differently than my dob, for example? How does google use my name? How does Apple use my name?

Would love to know what MS does with all of the data it collects from windows.

Can you tell us what data Apple, google and MS collects and how these companies use your data? Let's start small. Can you describe how apple, google and MS use your name, dob, address, zip code state? Please be specific.

I am speaking generalities and now you are speaking specific single data point actual use.

Yawn.......

 

[ponzicoinbro]

You left out:

- app buyers who'd rather support a developer/company directly instead of seeing a cut of sales go to a middle person

- people who want a legit app (e.g. VPN), but Apple caved to a country's (PRC) demands and removed them from the App Store

- Apple removing legit apps just because they haven't been updated in a while even if the apps don't require an update. (If it's not broke, why would the developer need to provide an update for it?)

- people who want a legit app (e.g. Fortnite), but the developer doesn't think Apple should get a cut of revenue for doing nothing and so Apple removed it from their App Store

Let’s answer your misinformation.

1 The middle person in this case is doing hosting, marketing, payment processing, giving customers control of all their apps and subs in one place…and most importantly…create the best SDKs and development environment around.

2 Apps should be removed if they haven’t been updated for a long time, haven’t been patched to support the latest OS and if the developer isn’t answering emails. This is what has been happening, nothing else.

3 That’s not a decent developer. It’s not even a decent person.

 

[ponzicoinbro]

The ONLY sideloaded app on my android phone is AFWall+ (a real firewall that isn't available on the PlayStore) and it makes my phone even more secure. Heck, my phone is more secure than your iPhone since any tracking data never leaves my phone.

OS developed by Google. Your data never leaves your device….