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Perplexity AI’s Android app has vulnerabilities like hardcoded API keys, risking data theft.
Weak encryption and missing SSL validation expose users to cyber threats.
Using trusted platforms and antivirus software helps protect against Perplexity’s flaws.
Perplexity AI is a search engine and chatbot that's getting popular because it gives fast, correct answers using fancy AI. But lately, there have been reports about security holes, mostly in the Android app, which makes you wonder if it's really safe to use.
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This article looks at these problems, what could happen because of them, and what you can do to stay safe while using Perplexity AI. That way, you can get a clear view of how safe it is right now.
Perplexity AI works like a search engine but also chats with you like a person. It grabs info from the internet in real-time to answer your questions. It can also sum up information and tell you where it got the info, which is why students, researchers, and people at work like it. It's on the web, iPhones, and Android phones.
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A study in 2024 by SecureLayer7 pointed out some big security problems with Perplexity AI's Android app. Basically, hackers could use these flaws to get into your personal data or mess up your device, which is not good.
API Keys: The app has API keys that are easy to find. Hackers can grab these keys and get into systems or data they shouldn't, skipping security measures.
Weak Security: Perplexity's Android app doesn't have good security, like strong SSL validation. This means that data sent from the app can be intercepted.
Tapjacking: The app can be tricked with tapjacking. This is where fake screens trick you into clicking bad links that can install malware.
These problems show that Perplexity's security isn't as good as it should be, especially since they say they give safe, reliable answers.
Aside from the app issues, Perplexity is catching flak for some shady practices. A 2024 WIRED report says they're snagging info from sites without permission and then summarizing it with poor or missing citations.
One time, the app wrongly said that a police officer did something wrong. This shows that it can spread false info. These actions make you wonder about privacy and if Perplexity's answers are correct, since users might trust info that's not right.
Weak security during data transfer, like with passwords, can make it easy for thieves to steal that info.
Tapjacking could even result in malware messing up your device or holding your files hostage with ransomware. And bogus info scraped from the web can send people down the wrong path, which is especially bad if they depend on it for school or their jobs.
When you look at Perplexity next to AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, you can see how its security comes up short. ChatGPT just has better security overall and fewer problems with its app. With Google Gemini, you get all the security benefits that come with using Google, which makes things safer.
Perplexity's scraping and weak app security make it easier to attack. But it does have real-time web search, which is helpful. Users have to think about these things when picking a tool.
Security isn't great, but you can use Perplexity AI safely if you're careful. Here's how to lower the risks:
Use Safe Networks: Don't use public Wi-Fi when using Perplexity. A VPN can add more security for safer browsing.
Check Info: Double-check the sources that Perplexity uses, since scraping can lead to wrong summaries. Use the original sources for important research.
Use Antivirus: Install good antivirus programs to stop malware from tapjacking or bad downloads.
Limit What You Share: Don't upload important files or personal info, mostly on the Android app, until they fix the security.
Update Often: Keep the app updated to get the newest security fixes that Perplexity releases.
AI is growing fast, but security often lags. Perplexity says they're working on better security and source checking, but it'll take a bit.
If you're using AI, keep an eye out for updates and ask for stronger safety measures.
When people discuss AI problems, especially in places like X, companies might feel they have to put safety first.
Until Perplexity fixes its problems, be careful.
Perplexity AI does a decent job with searches, but safety isn't its strong suit. Simple slip-ups, like easy-to-find API keys and flimsy security, can put users in a bind.
Scraping and fake news make it hard to trust what you see. You can play it safe by sticking to secure Wi-Fi, making sure your sources are legit, and using antivirus tools. As Perplexity's AI improves, it needs to beef up its security and keep users safe.
