Appearing on Google Play today is an app called iMessage Chat. It was created by developer Daniel Zweigart and according to 9to5Mac it works. However, I would avoid it like the plague. Here’s why:
If you’re really curious about how the app works, software developer Adam Bell has discovered that it connects to Apple’s iMessage server posing as a Mac mini. Cydia creator Jay Freeman (aka saurik) has also noted on Google+ that the app forwards all communication from Apple to a server running in China. That means every message you send or receive using this app is being processed—and possibly stored—on a server run by the creator.
Well, what could possibly go wrong under that scenario? It could grab your Apple ID and password and then all sorts of nefarious things could happen. Such as purchases on the Apple App Store to someone pretending to be you. I can think of other things but you get the idea. They’re all bad things. And for Android phone users, there’s this:
However, Steven Troughton-Smith also points out that the app has the ability to download and install software in the background, meaning it is capable of putting malware on your phone without your knowledge. Given this information, we highly advise staying away from the app.
That’s Trojan like behavior. Not good. Thus this app is a must avoid.
UPDATE: The app has been pulled from Google Play according to CNet.
Related
This entry was posted on September 24, 2013 at 1:14 pm and is filed under Commentary with tags Android, Apple. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
iMessages App For Android Appears… Don’t Install It! [UPDATED]
Appearing on Google Play today is an app called iMessage Chat. It was created by developer Daniel Zweigart and according to 9to5Mac it works. However, I would avoid it like the plague. Here’s why:
If you’re really curious about how the app works, software developer Adam Bell has discovered that it connects to Apple’s iMessage server posing as a Mac mini. Cydia creator Jay Freeman (aka saurik) has also noted on Google+ that the app forwards all communication from Apple to a server running in China. That means every message you send or receive using this app is being processed—and possibly stored—on a server run by the creator.
Well, what could possibly go wrong under that scenario? It could grab your Apple ID and password and then all sorts of nefarious things could happen. Such as purchases on the Apple App Store to someone pretending to be you. I can think of other things but you get the idea. They’re all bad things. And for Android phone users, there’s this:
However, Steven Troughton-Smith also points out that the app has the ability to download and install software in the background, meaning it is capable of putting malware on your phone without your knowledge. Given this information, we highly advise staying away from the app.
That’s Trojan like behavior. Not good. Thus this app is a must avoid.
UPDATE: The app has been pulled from Google Play according to CNet.
Share this:
Like this:
Related
This entry was posted on September 24, 2013 at 1:14 pm and is filed under Commentary with tags Android, Apple. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.