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Aptoide, one of the popular marketplace software for installing mobile applications, has suffered a security breach of over 20 million user data, as reported by ZDNet.
The marketplace app made an official statement regarding the security breach on April 19. Aptoide made it known that all logins, sign-ups, comments, and reviews are suspended until the company completes the comprehensive forensic analysis.
The Aptoide security breach caused multiple reactions in the hacker community since many IT professionals are the Aptoide app’s active users. Aptoide made it known that 97 percent of the Android app store users have never signed up for an Aptoide account. And that people can download apps through Aptoide without any sign-up at all.
However, the Android app store claims it has over 150 million users across the globe. Wherein, 3 percent of Aptoide users who signed up for an account are still a few million people.
What is Aptoide?
Android’s open nature allows users to download applications from various marketplaces. Aptoide is a Portugal-based marketplace software linking different application repositories.
The Android app store offers access to over 1 million Android applications for tablets, mobile phones, Virtual Reality (VR) devices, and smart TVs, and accommodates over 150 million users. Aptoide Android app store is very famous in Asia (for the most part in China), where people can purchase Android gadgets without Google’s pre-installed applications pack.
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Has Aptoide Made Any Public Statements
The Aptoide security breach was first disclosed on April 17 via the Twitter account of the data breach monitoring and prevention service – Under the Breach. 39 million Aptoide accounts were copied, with 20 million of those accounts surfacing on a public forum.
Documentations that were copied include Secure Hash Algorithm 1 (SHA-1) hashed passwords, email addresses, account status, birthdays, names, Internet Protocol addresses (IP address), and user agents from the previous logins.
Aptoide later pitched in new information with different numbers, which showed up to 49 million Aptoide accounts could have been breached. Nonetheless, roughly 32 million accounts are held by OAuth logins utilizing Facebook and Google accounts, thus, there are no passwords connected with those accounts. Passwords for the remaining Aptoide accounts were hashed with Secure Hash Algorithm 1, which no longer weighed up a tight hashing algorithm.
The Android app store responded to the cyber attack through its blog. The post mentioned that the company is investigating the hack notification which means up to this point it is not confirmed from the Android app store side. The company noted that “Meanwhile, we would like to rest assured that all user passwords were encrypted. Besides your email address used for login and encrypted password, no Aptoide user’s data is in the database. Aptoide users were never requested for physical addresses, credit card information, telephone numbers, or other personal data.”
How Did The Aptoide Security Breach Occur
The notification of the Aptoide cyberattack was first spotted by Under the Breach. The leaked data divulged that the data breach contains Aptoide users’ information. It also contains information on sign-up tokens, account status, and developer tokens.
ZDNet reported that the PostgreSQL database file that surfaced on the hacking forum is still accessible for download. The business technology news website already reached out to the Android app store to alert them.
What Are The Best Privacy Measure When Using An Unknown Third-Party App
Your mobile phones or other mobile gadgets’ apps can be convenient tools for you to get directions, access the news, play games, or pick up rideshare. Nonetheless, these tools can also endanger your privacy. When people download an application, the app may ask for permission to access their personal information. This includes calendar inputs, email contacts, location data, and call logs, from their devices. Applications may collect this information for legitimate purposes.
One way to cut down risk from third-party app outlets is to keep away from them. However, even if people do, there is also a possibility to download an application from one of the official app stores and have their devices susceptible to malware.
So how to keep devices and people’s data safe and secure? It is part of sensibleness and protection. For example, it is ideal to ponder before downloading an email attachment from an unknown person to purchase an application. However, people can use cybersecurity products (such as Surfshark VPN) to help them keep their data safe from cybercriminals.
Secure Your Connection with a VPN
Nowadays, security breaches are a common issue in the digital age. The privacy of its users is in danger since hackers and phishers can simply target apps or websites that are known to be susceptible and from which they can obtain a wealth of information.
While Aptoide is only one of many apps that this can happen to, the best approach to secure your data is to do it as soon as possible. And using a VPN is the best and simplest way to do this.
A VPN, such as Surfshark, will mask your IP address, allowing you to watch or browse the web anonymously. By doing this, the risk of data breaches is reduced because your personal information won’t be accessible on servers operated by unaffiliated parties. In addition, here are some other Surfshark features:
- There are 3,200+ quick servers accessible in 100 locations to disguise your IP.
- Allows for an unlimited number of simultaneous protected connections.
- Comes with an ad-blocker feature called CleanWeb that blocks malicious ads and adware.
- Also features a cookie consent pop-up blocker that blocks annoying popups while browsing.
- Two-factor authentication will provide additional protection for your account.
Note: For more information about Surfshark, please read our Surfshark Review.
Install Surfshark on Firestick
YOUR INTERNET ACTIVITY IS BEING WATCHED
ReviewVPN cannot attest to the legality, security and privacy of the applications discussed on this site. It is highly recommended that you use a VPN service while streaming or using Kodi.
Currently, your IP 181.199.61.217 is visible to everyone and your Browser is being tracked by Advertisers & ISP Provider.
Here are the main reasons why you must use a VPN:
- Your activities are hidden from your ISP, the government, and from the apps you are using.
- You can access additional movies and TV streams.
- ISP attempts to throttle are thrwarted thus reducing buffering issues.
- Geographically restricted content like Netflix and Hulu can be unblocked.
A VPN works be replacing your ISP-assigned IP address and creating an encrypted tunnel. We recommend the no log service offered by IPVanish. It works well on a Firestick and offers the fastest possible speeds.
How to Install Surfshark VPN on Firestick
If your Firestick still has the older interface, read this article to learn how to update it: Update Firestick Interface.
Follow our screenshots below to install the SurfShark VPN app on your Fire TV stick.
1. Go to the Home screen of your Firestick.
2. Navigate toward the Find tab. Press the Search button from the resulting dropdown.
3. Type in the keyword of SurfShark and select from the suggestions that will appear.
4. Click the official SurfShark icon from your search results.
5. Press the Download (You own it) button.
6. The SurfShark VPN installer will download on your device.
7. SurfShark VPN’s app will automatically install itself on your Fire TV stick.
8. Press the Open button after completing SurfShark VPN’s installation process.
9. Please wait for the SurfShark VPN to load its user interface.
10. You can now log in with your SurfShark VPN account credentials.
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Best Alternatives To Aptoide
If you are worn out of the American digital distribution service – Google Play Store, remember that you can try other Android app stores in the vast world of the web. Huge respect for the Google Play Store offerings, such as numerous games, apps, e-books, and a lot more. These have made people’s lives more enjoyable and productive. Nevertheless, individuals always want something new. This is where the Aptoide application comes in. An Android app store where people can find software for their Android devices.
While some Android-powered devices are not compatible with the Aptoide marketplace software, the best solution is to search for alternatives rather than solving compatibility issues. Here are the best Aptoide alternatives:
- Mobo Market– focuses on the top free Android Games and Applications
- Amazon App Store– the most competent app store aside from the Google Play Store
- AppBrain– formerly Android Market, a unique pay-per-install app promotion service
- Aurora Store – users can update existing applications, download apps, get details about in-app trackers, search for apps, spoof location, and a lot more.
- Uptodown – offers enriched editorial content on apps
Conclusion
Word of advice, turning on unknown settings means that the applications installed don’t have the seal of approval of Google. Also, apps downloaded through these third-party Android app stores may not have the in-house security of the American multinational technology company.
