A paid Tor browser app available on Apple App Store is not a genuine one and serves Adware and Spyware, users have warned.
Last updated in November 2013, the Tor Browser costs $0.99 and claims to use Tor to encrypt users’ Internet traffic and then hide it “by bouncing through a series of computers around the world.”
However, it seems that users who have paid and downloaded the app aren’t too pleased with it as the Tor Browser apparently serves malware and adware. First complained about back in December by highly respected Tor volunteer Phobos, the app is still available on the App Store.
“Tor Browser in the Apple App Store is fake. It’s full of adware and spyware. Two users have called to complain. We should have it removed”, wrote Phobos in the original ticket.
Just days after Phobos filed a complaint with Apple, Cupertino responded saying that the author of the app has been given a chance to defend their app.
Things haven’t moved past that stage and in an update to the ticket about 6 weeks back Phobos wrote “Maybe we need to change the email to include the registration numbers and USPTO registered address to make them respond.”
Other users have tried contacting two of the security researchers – Window Snyder and Jon Callas – one of whom is still working with Apple to see if they can get in touch with someone higher up to get their case heard and the app pulled.
Apple App Store has been considered one of the most stringent platforms and it is said that getting past Apple’s app vetting process defences is extremely difficult if not impossible. However, it seems that the developer has somehow managed to sneak past the wall – if the app actually contains Adware and malware as claimed.
With very few downloads and fewer complaints, the fate of the allegedly fake Tor Browser remains to be seen!
