News

SpyBuster Helps Identify iOS Apps With Servers In Russia And Belarus

When you launch SpyBuster, it automatically begins examining installed apps, looking for connections with Russia or Belarus.

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2022

David Morelo

spybuster helps identify ios apps with servers in russia and belarus

Soon after Russia invaded Ukraine last February, the number of cyber attacks launched against both countries surged. Because targeted attacks against specific government entities are what usually makes the headlines, it’s easy to overlook the role we all play in today’s cyber warfare.

As we use our beloved iPhones to help us navigate our daily lives, we rely on a large number of apps, many of which send potentially sensitive information to remote servers. That’s usually not a problem except when the servers that the app is communicating with are located in Russia or Belarus, and the iOS version of SpyBuster by MacPaw is here to help you discover all apps on your device that do just that.

“In 2016, Russia adopted legislation that requires telecom providers to store private user data, including the content of voice calls, images, and text messages, for 6 months. It also orders them to retain metadata like sender and recipient information, sending time, and location, for 3 years,” explains Eugene Kalnyk, PR Specialist at MacPaw. “The so-called Yarovaya Law allows FSB and other Russian law enforcement agencies nearly unlimited access to any user data on Russian servers without a court order.”

SpyBuster debuted in March 2022 as a macOS privacy tool. It took MacPaw only three months to release it as a Chrome extension. With the recent release of the iOS version, users can finally protect their privacy everywhere — from desktop computers and laptops to the web to mobile devices.

Just like CleanMyMac X and other software applications developed by MacPaw, SpyBuster is designed to be user-friendly, and it shows through and through.

Also Read: DDoS Attacks Are A Growing Threat In Gaming

When you launch SpyBuster, it automatically begins examining installed apps, looking for connections with Russia or Belarus. It then presents a list of suspicious apps, allowing you to see at a glance why the apps should be avoided. Less experienced users may also appreciate the inclusion of detailed uninstall instructions.

spybuster by macpaw screenshots

The settings section of the SpyBuster app lets you adjust your detection accuracy setting, which influences how many privacy offenses an app has to commit before being flagged as suspicious.

To learn more about SpyBuster, visit its official website, where you can find download links for iOS, macOS, and Chrome.

News

Viasat Satellite Messaging Tech Showcased In Saudi Arabia

The direct-to-device (D2D) demonstration highlighted the technology’s potential to revolutionize remote communication.

Published

3 days ago

November 28, 2024

Nour Nasir

viasat satellite messaging tech showcased in saudi arabia

Satellite communications firm Viasat announced yesterday that it had completed its first demonstration of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity technology in Saudi Arabia. The live broadcast took place during the “Connecting the World from the Skies” event in Riyadh, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) alongside the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Attendees witnessed successful satellite-based two-way messaging and SOS alerts sent using commercial Android smartphones and a combination of Viasat’s robust L-band satellite network and the Bullitt over-the-top messaging app. Signals were transmitted using the company’s L-band spacecraft positioned over the Indian Ocean, while the infrastructure for 3GPP NTN services was deployed by Viasat’s partner Skylo.

Sandeep Moorthy, Viasat’s Chief Technical Officer, emphasized the significance of the demonstration, explaining, “By expanding our direct-to-device innovation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we’re showcasing the potential for D2D services in the fast-growing Gulf and Asia-Pacific region. D2D could help reduce barriers to connectivity in regions where terrestrial services are spotty and unavailable to help transform industries and supply chains, enable new opportunities, and to become more efficient, sustainable and safer. We’d like to thank the CST for their support in carrying out this exciting demonstration”.

Also Read: Joby Begins Construction Of Dubai’s First Vertiport For Air Taxis

D2D technology allows devices like smartphones, vehicles, and industrial equipment to connect seamlessly to both satellite and terrestrial networks. Unlike traditional satellite setups, D2D eliminates the need for extra hardware, thanks to emerging global standards that are gaining traction among satellite operators, mobile network providers, and tech manufacturers.

What makes this approach particularly promising is that Viasat uses a licensed, dedicated satellite spectrum to deliver its D2D services. This avoids any interference with existing terrestrial networks, allowing smooth integration with mobile network operators in the future.

The demonstration clearly showed the potential of D2D technology to bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions while opening up opportunities for innovation, improved safety, sustainability, and efficiency.