Author Topic: Over three-quarters of the 300+ analyzed Android apps contained trackers  (Read 3546 times)

rcjordan

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Mackin USA

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Re: Over three-quarters of the 300+ analyzed Android apps contained trackers
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2017, 01:27:59 PM »
"While the study was based on Android apps, researchers say many iOS applications will most likely contain trackers, too."

IMO: They should take the time to SHOW ME the iOS APPS
Mr. Mackin

rcjordan

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Re: Over three-quarters of the 300+ analyzed Android apps contained trackers
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2017, 01:39:14 PM »
In my reader, I've only seen a smattering of IOS apps mentioned as trackers/malware vs android but I wonder if that's because of Apple's higher-walled garden for their apps.  I feel like IOS has fewer problems but they have fewer apps available, too.

Anyone even half-aware of security and tracking should keep apps to an absolute minimum.  They should also explore options their phone may have that force stop apps running in background. I've posted before that I depend on Samsung's Ultra Power-Saver feature to force stop sneaky apps.

Rooftop

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Re: Over three-quarters of the 300+ analyzed Android apps contained trackers
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2017, 05:32:19 PM »
Looks like this is mostly counting any apps that uses Crashlytics. Crashlytics can be used for tracking (conversion tracking I think). Mostly it isn't though. Crashlytics is also pretty widely used on iOS, hence the researchers expecting similar results in the Apple eco system.

Mostly this seems to be tabloid reporting trying to deliberately confuse about what "trackers" are: Scare people about the worse ones whilst counting anything that can be called a tracker.  It's Cookies all over again.

rcjordan

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Re: Over three-quarters of the 300+ analyzed Android apps contained trackers
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2017, 06:44:38 PM »
Even if they're not outright tracking, apps constantly pinging location are a drag on the battery and cpu.  (Waze is one of the worst.) I'm currently suggesting to Louise that she has a choice; aggressively cull some apps OR put up with a phone being drug down by them.  Period. End of story.  She's not particularly happy with having reached this decision point.

related: AFAIK, Cray doesn't make smartphones.

Rooftop

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Re: Over three-quarters of the 300+ analyzed Android apps contained trackers
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2017, 08:55:49 PM »
Yeah, but the article isn't about apps draining battery.

ergophobe

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Re: Over three-quarters of the 300+ analyzed Android apps contained trackers
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2017, 09:40:04 PM »
Lately my phone is being dragged to a halt by something or other running in the background. It's like a Windows PC from 90s lately.

related: AFAIK, Cray doesn't make smartphones.

The Cray II was dubbed "the supercomputer that won the Cold War" (because it allowed modeling of nuclear explosions without having to set off bombs). Last I checked and if I recall correctly, it was more powerful than an iPhone 5, but not quite as powerful as an iPhone 6. If I'm wrong, it could be in between 6 and 7. Definitely less powerful than a 7. That thing you have in your pocket *is* a supercomputer.
« Last Edit: November 28, 2017, 10:44:46 PM by ergophobe »

rcjordan

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Re: Over three-quarters of the 300+ analyzed Android apps contained trackers
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2017, 05:24:17 PM »
Researchers Find (More) Hidden Trackers in Android Apps

Quote
Hidden trackers are even being inserted into apps which deal with users health information and financial information. Researchers discovered hidden trackers in apps from PayPal, Wells Fargo, American Express, Discover, Aetna, WebMD, and the American Red Cross.


https://www.deepdotweb.com/2017/12/10/researchers-find-hidden-trackers-android-apps/

rcjordan

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Re: Over three-quarters of the 300+ analyzed Android apps contained trackers
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2017, 05:23:03 PM »
>Lately my phone is being dragged to a halt by something or other running in the background. It's like a Windows PC from 90s lately.

If you're running android, EG, try the Datally app to whitelist apps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.freighter&hl=en


>apps constantly pinging location are a drag on the battery and cpu.  (Waze is one of the worst.) I'm currently suggesting to Louise that she has a choice; aggressively cull some apps OR put up with a phone being drug down by them.

This *may* be a Samsung Note 4 problem that developed after the OS update back in April.  Forums said to try the "Wake Lock - PowerManager" app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.thedarken.wl&hl=en

Seems to be helping considerably, even if not a total fix.

gm66

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Re: Over three-quarters of the 300+ analyzed Android apps contained trackers
« Reply #9 on: January 10, 2018, 11:41:37 AM »
Malwarebytes anti-malware is great for analysing Android apps, dunno about IOS.

I'm dumping my phone when the contract is up this year, the MW radiation from a modern smart phone is well above safe levels as regards power per centimetre.
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