Free VPN Apps for iOS Found to Have Serious Security Flaws
A recent study by the Open Technology Fund has uncovered serious security and privacy flaws in many free VPN apps for iOS. The findings reveal that these apps, often used by consumers and businesses, may not provide the protection they claim.
More than 6% of iOS VPN apps were found requesting private entitlements, which could grant them deep access to the operating system. Additionally, 25% failed to provide a valid privacy manifest, a requirement under Apple's rules. The study concludes that many free VPNs offer little real security and can serve as vehicles for surveillance and credential theft.
Many free VPN apps request excessive permissions, such as access to microphones, location data, or system logs. Some even allow Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks, which can intercept and decrypt traffic, affecting about 1% of apps. Organizations with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies are particularly vulnerable to these risks.
The study also found that many free VPN apps use outdated libraries, including those vulnerable to the Heartbleed bug. Consumer-grade VPN apps and browser extensions often lack audits, leaving users vulnerable to weak encryption.
The findings highlight the importance of careful consideration when choosing a VPN app. While free options may seem appealing, they can pose significant security and privacy risks. Businesses and consumers alike should prioritize robust, reputable VPN services to protect their data.
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