JAKARTA - Not a few cellphone users and personal computers (PCs) choose to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). The reason is to smoothly surf the internet without being restricted. However, recently Google found a dangerous VPN service provider application. Is SuperVPN, this popular application has been downloaded more than 100 million times by Android users. So, we provide a VPN alternative that can be used as a substitute.
SuperVPN contains vulnerabilities that open the door to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks that can expose messages sent between a user and a provider. Even more worrying, users will be redirected away from the bona fide VPN server.
Launching Forbes, Saturday, April 11, Google is known to have removed the popular VPN from the Play Store after a vulnerability was discovered in the service that allowed hackers to redirect users to malicious servers.
Rigorous testing has also revealed the app allows sensitive data to be sent over insecure HTTP. While the information sent between the user and the back end is encrypted, the decryption keys are stored within the app itself, making it an easy target for hackers.
In fact, SuperVPN has drawn a lot of criticism for its suspicious practices and the origin of the app is still unclear. It listed publisher SuperSoftTech, registered based in Singapore, but an investigation into the lineage of the app revealed that it was owned by Jinrong Zheng, an independent developer likely from Beijing.
Zheng is also in charge of LinkVPN, ostensibly based in Hong Kong and linked to Shenyang Yiyuansu Network Technology, an application developer registered against SuperVPN on the Apple App Store.
SuperVPN was first identified as a security threat in 2016, when Australian researchers ranked it third in the analysis of VPN applications that use malware. This means that the app has been posing a risk since arriving on the Google Play Store. Fortunately, not many users are tempted by this application because only 10,000 users have downloaded it.
These malicious developers also manipulate app ratings on the Google Play Store by creating fake reviews to keep the app in the top rankings and downloadable for users who need unrestricted access to their devices.
Alternative
In order to reduce the risk, the VOI team looks for recommendations for a VPN that is sure to be safe to use. Here are some VPN references that you can use.
1. ExpressVPN
There's a lot to love about ExpressVPN for Android. This particular application is very easy to operate, it also offers many options. Like some excellent location selection options, detect unsafe networks and prevent them to increase privacy as well as security.
ExpressVPN is a quality app for a wide variety of devices, and Android is no exception. The Android app provides access to high-speed servers in 94 countries and is compatible across Android phones, tablets and TVs. What's more, the app is now available in a mix of 12 languages.
2. VyprVPN
This VPN provider based in Switzerland, offers a capable Android VPN. There is a dedicated application which is very well optimized and offers several protocols including OpenVPN, L2TP / IPsec, PPTP and Chameleon, the latter being a solution designed by the company itself. Its performance is impressive overall, and it has the capability of some really good download speeds.
VyprVPN also has auto-connect capabilities for untrusted networks, DNS options, protocol switching and URL filtering. While some other VPNs make Android apps feel like an afterthought, Vypr has really focused on creating classy apps.
3. NordVPN
This VPN application is very popular with five million downloads, and has a fairly high rating on the Google Play Store. NordVPN also has several important strengths including 'Double VPN' technology which passes the user's connection through two separate VPN servers instead of one, for an added layer of security (there are only a limited number of Double VPN servers). NordVPN also has a 'zero logs' policy, meaning it doesn't track users' online activity.
Despite its clear focus on security and privacy, NordVPN doesn't lack in other areas. The Android app is easy to use, but it doesn't have any configuration options nor is there a button to kill the app. However, NordVPN has some good features such as the ability to automatically connect to NordVPN whenever a user connects to a Wi-Fi network. This app also provides a live chat feature for customer support 24 hours a week.
4. TurboVPN
The application with the rabbit logo is guaranteed quality with users being able to access various sites that are blocked by the country. Turbo VPN is claimed to have high speed, 100 percent of which can be used for free, and also supports WiFi, 4G LTE, 3G, and other data networks.
5. Cloudflare 1.1.1.1
The application previously known as DNS 1.1.1.1 to speed up internet speed for Windows is now known as Cloudflare 1.1.1.1. with Warp. This application is claimed to be able to increase internet speed by an average of 28 percent when compared to the default DNS settings.
The app is available for Android and iOS which is designed to increase the speed of the user's mobile broadband connection and provide several security benefits, effectively making the user's roaming traffic invisible to prying eyes on the local network, but not providing an anonymised connection to the sites visited.
Like a VPN, Warp's performance is very dependent on the speed of the internet connection. Users will need a modern device powerful enough to use 1.1.1.1 or any VPN service effectively, as this kind of app takes up a lot of the resources of the smartphone. Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 application can be accessed for free and paid.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
