Expose spyware applications on Android – PC World

 

Most users of Smartphone or tablet with Android installed on your mobile device a few dozen applications – or at least a few. Usually instant messaging such as WhatsApp Messenger programs giving the weather forecast or news, and games. Users of Android very eager to install applications, because most of them are available free of charge. But bear commercials, which more or less takes its toll.

But it turns out that some applications do not only what belongs to them or what they expect from their users. In addition communicate via the Internet behind their backs with the manufacturer’s servers, servers, Internet operators, investigating preferences and servers dealer advertising.

Applications examine when and how to use them

Delivery producer statistical data can be considered relatively harmless. For this type of data include information such as how often to run the application by a particular (though closer to the unknown) user, by their actions and not used by the function. The argument that the manufacturer needs these data to improve their software and adapt them to the needs of users, it seems reasonable.

She knows almost every user of Android – Flurry analyzing service is a component of more than 500 000 applications. In your portable device is installed probably at least one of them.

Services analyzing create user profiles

The situation becomes more problematic when the manufacturer instructs external firms to collect and analyzing such data. For example, analyzing the preferences Flurry.com service has gained popularity presumably because it offers manufacturers the application free Flurry Analytics service. Just that the manufacturer put in an application a few extra lines of code, and the software will provide firm Flurry detailed statistical data that a software developer can then preview the form of suitably prepared.

Flurry Analytics service is free for a reason. The operator also uses the collected data for their own purposes – including global reach many applications. The company examines the frequency and intensity of use of the programs. Based on the results of the service assigns each user interest groups, for example. Connoisseurs of music, cinema lovers, professional businessmen, born players or enthusiasts. In this way not only the manufacturer of the application obtains information about the target group of users of its software. These data goes, of course, also in the hands of the operator Flurry.com. Can it be used to build a second pillar of its business – its own distribution network of advertising, which manufacturers can just as easily and quickly put in their applications. Meanwhile, the advertising market information, which individual users are interested in, is at a premium. With it you can manage the advertising theme to the right audience.

The Service Provider Flurry.com boasts that receives data from approx. 1.3 billion devices around the world as it is in so many devices installed at least one application service Flurry Analytics. The average number of such applications in a mobile device is seven. No, it is not surprising, because if you believe the operator, the service is part of the more than 500 000 different applications.