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Thread: Problem Flashlight Apps

  1. #1
    Shelter Dweller PorkChopSandwiches's Avatar
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    Android Problem Flashlight Apps

    SNOOPWALL FLASHLIGHT APPS

    THREAT ASSESSMENT REPORT

    Summarized Privacy and Risk Analysis of Top 10 Android Flashlight Apps

    by SnoopWall mobile security experts and the Privacy App scanner

    October 1, 2014



    Summary: We tested and installed the Top 10 Android Flashlight Apps on various smartphones and tablets. Windows and Apple iOS flashlights behave in a similar fashion, however, more restricted in their spying capabilities due to the hardened OS features of Windows 8.1RT and Apple iOS 7 & 8.

    All of the applications below appear to obtain access and information way beyond the needs of a Flashlight. Some appear specifically designed to collect and expose your personal information to cybercriminals or other nation states. In addition, you are at significant risk if you are doing Mobile Banking on the same device as one of these free Flashlight Apps.

    Our strong recommendation is to uninstall your flashlight app immediately.download-pdf-button



    #1

    Super-Bright LED Flashlight

    Surpax Technology Inc.

    Developer website link on

    google play store leads to

    driveby malware

    4.9Mb install size

    between 100m – 500m installs

    Privacy risks:

    retrieve running apps
    modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
    test access to protected storage
    take pictures and videos
    view Wi-Fi connections
    read phone status and identity
    receive data from Internet
    control flashlight
    change system display settings
    modify system settings
    prevent device from sleeping
    view network connections
    full network access


    Developer Email: contact.android.surpax@gmail.com

    Developer Website: MALWARE – DO NOT VISIT GOOGLE PLAY LINK

    Developer Location: Unknown



    #2

    Brightest Flashlight Free

    GoldenShores Technologies, LLC

    between100m – 500m installs

    settled with FTC for privacy breaches

    1.2Mb install size



    Privacy risks:

    approximate location (network-based)
    precise location (GPS and network-based)
    modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
    test access to protected storage
    take pictures and videos
    view Wi-Fi connections
    read phone status and identity
    disable or modify status bar
    read Home settings and shortcuts
    control flashlight
    prevent device from sleeping
    view network connections
    full network access
    install shortcuts
    uninstall shortcuts


    Developer Email: BrightestFlashlightFree@gmail.com

    Developer Website: http://www.goldenshorestechnologies.com/

    Developer Location: Unknown



    Lawsuit by FTC.gov: http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press...flashlight-app



    #3

    Tiny Flashlight + LED

    Nikolay Ananie

    1Mb install size

    between 100m – 500m installs



    Privacy risks:

    take pictures and videos
    control flashlight
    prevent device from sleeping
    control vibration
    full network access
    view network connections


    Developer Email: support@tinyflashlight.com

    Developer Website: http://tinyflashlight.com/

    Developer Location: Unknown



    #4

    Flashlight

    Mobile Apps Inc

    4.6Mb install size

    between 1-5m installs



    Privacy risks:

    take pictures and videos
    read Home settings and shortcuts
    write Home settings and shortcuts
    view network connections
    full network access
    disable your screen lock
    prevent device from sleeping
    install shortcuts
    uninstall shortcuts


    Developer Email: ay678890@gmail.com

    Developer Website: Unknown

    Developer Location: Unknown



    #5

    Flashlight

    Crazy Softech

    2.3Mb install size

    between 100k – 500k installs



    Privacy risks:

    take pictures and videos
    read phone status and identity
    view network connections
    full network access
    read Google service configuration


    Developer Email: sureshkumar996633@gmail.com

    Developer Website: http://www.crazysoftech.com/

    Developer Location: India

    Located in Begumpet, Hyderabad

    Andhrapradesh, India 500016



    #6

    Brightest LED Flashlight

    Intellectual Flame Co., Ltd.

    6.0Mb install size

    between 10-50m installs



    Privacy risks:

    retrieve running apps
    modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
    test access to protected storage
    take pictures and videos
    view Wi-Fi connections
    read phone status and identity
    receive data from Internet
    control flashlight
    change system display settings
    modify system settings
    prevent device from sleeping
    view network connections
    full network access


    Developer Email: contact.android.if@gmail.com

    Developer Website: http://d31e8vei1l16lv.cloudfront.net...port/index.htm

    Developer Location: Unknown



    #7

    Color Flashlight

    Notes

    1.4Mb install size

    between 10-50m installs



    Privacy risks:

    take pictures and videos
    full network access
    view network connections
    control flashlight


    Developer Email: flashlightsupport@socialnmobile.com

    Developer Website: http://blog.socialnmobile.com/

    Developer Location: Unknown



    #8

    High-Powered Flashlight

    iHandy Inc.

    4.7M install size

    between 5-10m installs



    Privacy risks:

    retrieve running apps
    approximate location (network-based)
    precise location (GPS and network-based)
    modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
    test access to protected storage
    take pictures and videos
    view Wi-Fi connections
    read phone status and identity
    receive data from Internet
    control flashlight
    change system display settings
    modify system settings
    view network connections
    full network access
    prevent device from sleeping


    Developer Email: android@ihandysoft.com

    Developer Website: http://www.ihandysoft.com/

    Developer Location: Unknown



    #9

    Flashlight HD LED

    smallte.ch

    5.4Mb install size

    between 50-100m installs



    Privacy risks:

    take pictures and videos
    view Wi-Fi connections
    full network access
    view network connections
    read Google service configuration
    control flashlight
    prevent device from sleeping


    Developer Email: Unknown

    Developer Website: http://www.smallte.ch/

    Developer Location: support@smallte.ch



    #10

    Flashlight: LED Torch Light

    Mobile Apps Inc



    Privacy risks:

    take pictures and videos
    read Home settings and shortcuts
    write Home settings and shortcuts
    view network connections
    full network access
    disable your screen lock
    prevent device from sleeping
    install shortcuts
    uninstall shortcuts


    Developer Email: ay678890@gmail.com

    Developer Website: Unknown

    Developer Location: Unknown



    THREAT REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

    We’ve come up with a list of what we think are best practices for increasing privacy and security on your device without spending any money. This is based on SnoopWall’s counterveillance research for improving your privacy from eavesdroppers and helping you from getting infected with spyware that could cost you your identity. They are:

    Disable your GPS at all time except in an emergency or when you need to use your smartphone for navigation purposes;
    Disable your NFC (Near Field Communications) or on Apple devices, iBeacon, permanently (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6048);
    Disable Bluetooth at all times except when you are in your car, driving, if you want to have hands-free calls, if supported by your car;
    Verify Apps behavior and privacy risk BEFORE installing – do some research and ask the questions “why does this app need GPS, MICROPHONE, WEBCAM, CONTACTS, etc.?” – most apps don’t need these ports unless they want to invade your privacy. Find an alternative before installing risky Apps;
    Either put masking tape over your webcam and microphone when not in use or pull the battery out of your smartphone when you are not using it.


    Obviously for #1, there’s no need for geolocating you, unless you don’t mind being spied upon by these malicious flashlight apps – or worse – your children’s location being monitored by online predators. Best to keep this hardware port disabled until you really need it.

    For #2, you’re probably wondering “what the heck is NFC and why should I care?”. We’ll it’s a new protocol for ‘bumping’ or getting close to other devices, within 3 meters or so, to exchange information such as photos and contacts. Is it secure? No. Can it be hacked just like Bluetooth? Yes. Go into your device settings, find NFC, if you see it, disable it.

    Ok, for #3, you’re thinking ‘that makes sense’ – Bluetooth is an easily hacked protocol and folks can eavesdrop on communications over Bluetooth; broadcast into your earpiece (yes, it’s been done); access your contacts list and hack your smartphone device over Bluetooth. So, if you disable this protocol everywhere except when you are in the car, wanting a hands free experience for making and receiving calls, you should be much more secure.

    For #4, how many times do you install an app with excitement about promised features and functions, only to find that it requires incredible privacy risk? If it’s too good to be true it probably is and nothing in this world is free. There are 9 major advertisement networks and some deploy spyware. Free apps use these networks to monetize their businesses and some are developed by professional cyber criminals, enemy nation states for spying or by hackers for malicious reasons.

    We really don’t like making recommendation #5 but until you try out our SnoopWall product, there’s really nothing you can do to block webcam and microphone eavesdropping, so why not make it hard for the bad guys to see or hear anything useful?



    SOLUTION

    Because some of the Flashlight Apps write settings and have access to your device storage, it may be to install additional backdoors or remote access Trojans (RATs), therefore you might need to reset your phone completely after an uninstall of your favorite Flashlight App. Some might even wish to go to FACTORY RESET or a WIPE. Once you’ve cleaned off the Flashlight RAT, you might still want a flashlight app on your phone that you can trust.

    WARNING:Don’t reset or wipe without backing up ONLY those contacts and files you are certain to trust. If you do a complete device backup and restore, you risk also restoring malware. Ask a friend who is an expert with your kind of phone or the staff at the store you purchased your smartphone or tablet on how to do this the right way.

    We developed the SnoopWall Privacy Flashlight for Google Android, Apple iOS and Microsoft Windows smartphones and tablets. The file size of the SnoopWall Privacy Flashlight application is approximately 72 kilobytes. It only accesses the light of the webcam and the screen display which is all a flashlight app should be doing anyway. Get it today at: http://privacyflashlight.snoopwall.com

    We’ve also developed another free application called Privacy App which will scan your Android or Windows device and show you which apps are spying on you. If you have suspicions, confirm them with Privacy App. Learn more about our technology and products at: http://www.snoopwall.com/products/






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  3. #2
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    Or you could always just buy one of those little pocket LED flashlights and forgo the apps that waste battery life completely. Just sayin'.



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    Shelter Dweller PorkChopSandwiches's Avatar
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    I only posted it because I had the second one on the list, have had it forever. Who realized a flashlight would be so evil






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    They do make weaponized flashlights. Those could be used for nefarious purposes.


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    Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it.

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    Shelter Dweller PorkChopSandwiches's Avatar
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    Crazy, they even have the ability to steal your photos and videos. Wonder why google would even allow that as an option. On second thought I guess apps like facebook and instagram would need that kind of access






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    So I guess your naked selfies will be popping up on the web in a little while...


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    Quote Originally Posted by DemonGeminiX View Post
    Or you could always just buy one of those little pocket LED flashlights and forgo the apps that waste battery life completely. Just sayin'.

    And you could carry a purse to carry all that shit.. No, a flashlight app is great for use in a pinch.. Providing it isnt malware.

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    21-Jazz hands salute Muddy's Avatar
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    Mine was the #1 btw..

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    Ok, and I downloaded "privacy flashlight"... Thanks Porky.

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    Shelter Dweller PorkChopSandwiches's Avatar
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    Me too






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    Quote Originally Posted by Muddy View Post
    And you could carry a purse to carry all that shit..
    All what shit? A mini flashlight? I have one of those pocket LED flashlights. They fit in your pocket. Minimal space.


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    I actually went and found the native HTC app that verizon removed for some reason.






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    Shelter Dweller PorkChopSandwiches's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DemonGeminiX View Post
    All what shit? A mini flashlight? I have one of those pocket LED flashlights. They fit in your pocket. Minimal space.
    I carry a mini flashlight in my pocket too, inside my phone






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    apps>widgets>assistive light>done

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