Browse appsScan report

VPN Hotspot Shield: Proxy VPN

Anchorfree LLC · Build 12.0.0

hotspotshield.android.vpn
Rescan appExport / share
Static analysis completeScanned 2026-10-11 07:09 UTC

Static checks identify review items, not a guarantee of safety.

Overview

Analysis recorded

7 finding categories to review

VPN Hotspot Shield: Proxy VPN (hotspotshield.android.vpn) scored grade B, 83 out of 100, in a static scan of version 12.0.0 on 2026-10-11. It has no high or critical findings, and 7 lower-severity finding categories across 8 occurrences. 20 tracking SDKs are present in the package, which describes what ships, not what runs or what it sends. This is static analysis of a single build: it does not observe the app running and does not establish that any data is exposed.

Finding categories78 occurrences
High / critical0Category count
Tracking SDKs20Presence, not observed traffic
Assessment score83 / 100Grade B

Start with these findings

mediumcom.squareup.okhttp3:okhttp 3.12.13 — CVE-2021-03411 occurrence

Interpretation & review guidance

The app bundles a third-party library whose declared version matches a public security advisory (CVE). This is flagged from the version the library itself ships and a curated advisory list — confirm exploitability in your context and update the dependency to the fixed version. It is not a proof of live exploitation.

Evidence
1 recorded occurrence in the analyzed APK. These are distinct stored findings, not a count of every source match.
Verification
Static detection; current reachability is not established.
Open in all findingsRequest a correction
mediumShort signing key (RSA 1024-bit)1 occurrence

Interpretation & review guidance

The signing key is shorter than the modern 2048-bit RSA minimum. Short keys are cryptographically weaker; a release should re-key to at least RSA-2048 (or an EC key).

Evidence
1 recorded occurrence in the analyzed APK. These are distinct stored findings, not a count of every source match.
Verification
Static detection; current reachability is not established.
Open in all findingsRequest a correction
lowAmazon S3 bucket reference2 occurrences

Interpretation & review guidance

A reference to an Amazon S3 bucket. Using cloud storage is normal — the risk exists only if the bucket allows anonymous listing/read, which requires a separate authorized assessment.

Evidence
2 recorded occurrences in the analyzed APK. These are distinct stored findings, not a count of every source match.
Verification
Static detection; current reachability is not established.
Open in all findingsRequest a correction
View all 7 categories

Privacy

46 requested permissions · 4 flagged high-risk classes.

Review privacy signals →

Build & components

123 components recorded. Certificate parsing does not validate APK signature integrity.

Inspect build evidence →
Sign in to watchCompare with another app

Findings

7 categories · 8 occurrences. Severity totals describe categories. Expand a finding for interpretation and review guidance.

mediumcom.squareup.okhttp3:okhttp 3.12.13 — CVE-2021-03411 occurrence

Interpretation & review guidance

The app bundles a third-party library whose declared version matches a public security advisory (CVE). This is flagged from the version the library itself ships and a curated advisory list — confirm exploitability in your context and update the dependency to the fixed version. It is not a proof of live exploitation.

Evidence
1 recorded occurrence in the analyzed APK. These are distinct stored findings, not a count of every source match.
Verification
Static detection; current reachability is not established.

Evidence preview

Evidence type
Component advisory match
Representative location
sbom:com.squareup.okhttp3:okhttp:CVE-2021-0341
Recorded match
CVE-2021-0341 (fixed in 4.9.2)
Detector rule
sbom
Recorded file locations
  • sbom:com.squareup.okhttp3:okhttp:CVE-2021-0341

1 recorded findings have inspectable metadata. Duplicate matches may share a representative location.

Review whether this belongs to intended app functionality or a bundled library. A static match does not establish runtime impact.

Preview evidence and Pro tools

Search recorded evidence and save private review notes with Pro. $99/month plus applicable tax.

Link to categoryRequest a correction
mediumShort signing key (RSA 1024-bit)1 occurrence

Interpretation & review guidance

The signing key is shorter than the modern 2048-bit RSA minimum. Short keys are cryptographically weaker; a release should re-key to at least RSA-2048 (or an EC key).

Evidence
1 recorded occurrence in the analyzed APK. These are distinct stored findings, not a count of every source match.
Verification
Static detection; current reachability is not established.

Evidence preview

Evidence type
Signing metadata
Representative location
META-INF/signing:key
Recorded match
RSA-1024
Detector rule
signing
Recorded file locations
  • META-INF/signing:key

1 recorded findings have inspectable metadata. Duplicate matches may share a representative location.

Review whether this belongs to intended app functionality or a bundled library. A static match does not establish runtime impact.

Preview evidence and Pro tools

Search recorded evidence and save private review notes with Pro. $99/month plus applicable tax.

Link to categoryRequest a correction
lowAmazon S3 bucket reference2 occurrences

Interpretation & review guidance

A reference to an Amazon S3 bucket. Using cloud storage is normal — the risk exists only if the bucket allows anonymous listing/read, which requires a separate authorized assessment.

Evidence
2 recorded occurrences in the analyzed APK. These are distinct stored findings, not a count of every source match.
Verification
Static detection; current reachability is not established.

Evidence preview

Evidence type
Static string match
Representative location
classes.dex
Recorded match
Pattern recorded; identifying value redacted.
Detector rule
s3_bucket_url
Recorded file locations
  • classes.dex
  • classes2.dex

2 recorded findings have inspectable metadata. Duplicate matches may share a representative location.

Review whether this belongs to intended app functionality or a bundled library. A static match does not establish runtime impact.

Preview evidence and Pro tools

Search recorded evidence and save private review notes with Pro. $99/month plus applicable tax.

Link to categoryRequest a correction
lowBackground location access with advertising SDKs present1 occurrence

Interpretation & review guidance

The app can access location in the background (even when closed) and also ships advertising/attribution SDKs. Background location is a heightened-scrutiny area for Google Play and privacy regulators; confirm it is essential and disclosed, and that location isn't shared with ad networks.

Evidence
1 recorded occurrence in the analyzed APK. These are distinct stored findings, not a count of every source match.
Verification
Static detection; current reachability is not established.

Evidence preview

Evidence type
Static privacy indicators
Representative location
pii:bgloc
Recorded match
background location + ad SDKs
Detector rule
pii
Recorded file locations
  • pii:bgloc

1 recorded findings have inspectable metadata. Duplicate matches may share a representative location.

Review whether this belongs to intended app functionality or a bundled library. A static match does not establish runtime impact.

Preview evidence and Pro tools

Search recorded evidence and save private review notes with Pro. $99/month plus applicable tax.

Link to categoryRequest a correction
lowFirebase Realtime Database reference1 occurrence

Interpretation & review guidance

A Firebase Realtime Database URL. Nearly every app that uses Firebase ships one. It's only an exposure if the database rules are world-readable — that's what live verification checks.

Evidence
1 recorded occurrence in the analyzed APK. These are distinct stored findings, not a count of every source match.
Verification
Static detection; current reachability is not established.

Evidence preview

Evidence type
Static string match
Representative location
resources.arsc
Recorded match
Pattern recorded; identifying value redacted.
Detector rule
firebase_db
Recorded file locations
  • resources.arsc

1 recorded findings have inspectable metadata. Duplicate matches may share a representative location.

Review whether this belongs to intended app functionality or a bundled library. A static match does not establish runtime impact.

Preview evidence and Pro tools

Search recorded evidence and save private review notes with Pro. $99/month plus applicable tax.

Link to categoryRequest a correction
lowFirebase Storage bucket reference1 occurrence

Interpretation & review guidance

A Firebase Cloud Storage bucket reference (the default <project>.appspot.com). Storing user files here is normal — it's only an exposure if the Storage security rules allow public read/list, which live verification tests.

Evidence
1 recorded occurrence in the analyzed APK. These are distinct stored findings, not a count of every source match.
Verification
Static detection; current reachability is not established.

Evidence preview

Evidence type
Static string match
Representative location
resources.arsc
Recorded match
Pattern recorded; identifying value redacted.
Detector rule
firebase_storage_bucket
Recorded file locations
  • resources.arsc

1 recorded findings have inspectable metadata. Duplicate matches may share a representative location.

Review whether this belongs to intended app functionality or a bundled library. A static match does not establish runtime impact.

Preview evidence and Pro tools

Search recorded evidence and save private review notes with Pro. $99/month plus applicable tax.

Link to categoryRequest a correction
lowGoogle API key (client-shipped; restriction unverified)1 occurrence

Interpretation & review guidance

Android apps are designed to ship Google API keys in the client; Google restricts them by app signing certificate + enabled API. This is only a problem if the key is left unrestricted — presence alone is expected, not an exposure.

Evidence
1 recorded occurrence in the analyzed APK. These are distinct stored findings, not a count of every source match.
Verification
Static detection; current reachability is not established.

Evidence preview

Evidence type
Static string match
Representative location
resources.arsc
Recorded match
AIza•••••••• (21–40 chars, redacted)
Detector rule
google_api_key
Recorded file locations
  • resources.arsc

1 recorded findings have inspectable metadata. Duplicate matches may share a representative location.

Review whether this belongs to intended app functionality or a bundled library. A static match does not establish runtime impact.

Preview evidence and Pro tools

Search recorded evidence and save private review notes with Pro. $99/month plus applicable tax.

Link to categoryRequest a correction

Privacy signals

Capabilities and bundled software do not prove that data was collected or transmitted.

Requested permissions46
Flagged high-risk classes4
Detected SDKs20

Background location Precise location Approx. location List installed apps

Requested permission inventory (46)
  • android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_AD_ID
  • android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_ATTRIBUTION
  • android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_TOPICS
  • android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION
  • android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION
  • android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
  • android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
  • android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE
  • android.permission.CHANGE_NETWORK_STATE
  • android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE
  • android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE
  • android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE
  • android.permission.INTERNET
  • android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS
  • android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS
  • android.permission.QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES
  • android.permission.READ_APP_BADGE
  • android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED
  • android.permission.USE_BIOMETRIC
  • android.permission.USE_FINGERPRINT
  • android.permission.VIBRATE
  • android.permission.WAKE_LOCK
  • com.anddoes.launcher.permission.UPDATE_COUNT
  • com.android.vending.BILLING
  • com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE
  • com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE
  • com.google.android.gms.AD_ID
  • com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID
  • com.htc.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS
  • com.htc.launcher.permission.UPDATE_SHORTCUT
  • com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.CHANGE_BADGE
  • com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS
  • com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS
  • com.huawei.appmarket.service.commondata.permission.GET_COMMON_DATA
  • com.majeur.launcher.permission.UPDATE_BADGE
  • com.oppo.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS
  • com.oppo.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS
  • com.samsung.android.mapsagent.permission.READ_APP_INFO
  • com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.READ
  • com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.WRITE
  • com.sonyericsson.home.permission.BROADCAST_BADGE
  • com.sonymobile.home.permission.PROVIDER_INSERT_BADGE
  • hotspotshield.android.vpn.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
  • hotspotshield.android.vpn.permission.C2D_MESSAGE
  • me.everything.badger.permission.BADGE_COUNT_READ
  • me.everything.badger.permission.BADGE_COUNT_WRITE

Data collection & flow (privacy signal, not part of the grade)

Data the app can access
Location
Background locationApproximate locationPrecise location
Persistent identifiers (referenced in code)
Advertising ID (AAID)Android IDDevice ID / IMEISIM serialHardware MAC address
Where it can go
Third parties present (18)
AppLovinChartboostGoogle AdMobInMobiMeta Audience NetworkMintegralPangle (ByteDance)TapjoyUnity AdsVungleYandex AdsironSourceGoogle Analytics for FirebaseGoogle Firebase AnalyticsGoogle Tag ManagerMixpanelAppsFlyerOneSignal
  • Background location, Approximate location, Precise location requested while 13 ad/attribution SDK(s) are present (AppLovin, Chartboost, Google AdMob +10 more) — location commonly feeds ad targeting.
  • Persistent-identifier APIs referenced in code (Advertising ID (AAID), Android ID, Device ID / IMEI +2 more) with 18 analytics/ad SDK(s) present — the mechanism used for cross-app profiling.

This maps what the app can access (permissions it requests, identifier APIs its code references) to the third parties bundled in it. It reflects capability and SDK presence — not proof that a specific value was transmitted.

Data Safety comparison not recorded.

Trackers & SDKs (20 detected · privacy signal, not part of the grade)

Advertising
AppLovinChartboostGoogle AdMobInMobiMeta Audience NetworkMintegralPangle (ByteDance)TapjoyUnity AdsVungleYandex AdsironSource
Analytics
Google Analytics for FirebaseGoogle Firebase AnalyticsGoogle Tag ManagerMixpanel
Attribution
AppsFlyer
Consent
IAB TCF
Crash reporting
Google Crashlytics
Push/Analytics
OneSignal

Build & components

Scanned build 12.0.0. Store metadata may describe a newer release.

APK SHA-25601dcac8f5b5c6bb44e29a4ecb34dd7a321bcc3478b7dc6a7ab88a212f1ca873e

Signing certificate (who signed this build — factual, not part of the grade)

Signer
AnchorFree self-signed
Scheme
V3V2
Key
RSA 1024-bit
Algorithm
sha1WithRSA
Validity
2011-08-01 → 2036-07-25
Cert SHA-256
d8:30:dd:0a:0b:87:5e:96:5e:20:e8:02:0d:40:cb:2a:08:da:e0:d8:ed:a0:5c:15:df:de:8e:d9:ac:47:0a:ce

The certificate fingerprint identifies the parsed signing certificate. Knowing this public fingerprint does not establish ownership or validate the APK signature.

Signature integrity: not established by certificate parsing.

Component inventory

123 components. Advisory matching covers a curated set; no match is not proof that a component is vulnerability-free.

Bundled components and recorded advisory matches
ComponentVersionAdvisory matches
androidx.activity:activity1.8.2None recorded
androidx.activity:activity-compose1.8.2None recorded
androidx.activity:activity-ktx1.8.2None recorded
androidx.annotation:annotation-experimental1.4.1None recorded
androidx.appcompat:appcompat1.7.1None recorded
androidx.appcompat:appcompat-resources1.7.1None recorded
androidx.autofill:autofill1.0.0None recorded
androidx.biometric:biometric1.1.0None recorded
androidx.browser:browser1.8.0None recorded
androidx.cardview:cardview1.0.0None recorded
androidx.compose.animation:animation1.7.4None recorded
androidx.compose.animation:animation-core1.7.4None recorded
androidx.compose.foundation:foundation1.7.4None recorded
androidx.compose.foundation:foundation-layout1.7.4None recorded
androidx.compose.material:material1.8.3None recorded
androidx.compose.material:material-ripple1.8.3None recorded
androidx.compose.runtime:runtime1.9.0None recorded
androidx.compose.runtime:runtime-annotation1.9.0None recorded
androidx.compose.runtime:runtime-rxjava31.9.0None recorded
androidx.compose.runtime:runtime-saveable1.9.0None recorded
androidx.compose.ui:ui1.9.0None recorded
androidx.compose.ui:ui-geometry1.9.0None recorded
androidx.compose.ui:ui-graphics1.9.0None recorded
androidx.compose.ui:ui-text1.9.0None recorded
androidx.compose.ui:ui-text-google-fonts1.9.0None recorded
androidx.compose.ui:ui-tooling-preview1.9.0None recorded
androidx.compose.ui:ui-unit1.9.0None recorded
androidx.compose.ui:ui-util1.9.0None recorded
androidx.constraintlayout:constraintlayout2.2.1None recorded
androidx.constraintlayout:constraintlayout-compose1.1.1None recorded
androidx.coordinatorlayout:coordinatorlayout1.1.0None recorded
androidx.core:core1.18.0None recorded
androidx.core:core-animation1.0.0None recorded
androidx.core:core-ktx1.18.0None recorded
androidx.core:core-splashscreen1.0.0None recorded
androidx.core:core-viewtree1.0.0None recorded
androidx.credentials:credentials1.5.0None recorded
androidx.credentials:credentials-play-services-auth1.5.0None recorded
androidx.cursoradapter:cursoradapter1.0.0None recorded
androidx.customview:customview1.1.0None recorded
androidx.customview:customview-poolingcontainer1.0.0None recorded
androidx.databinding:viewbinding9.3.1None recorded
androidx.datastore:datastore1.2.0None recorded
androidx.datastore:datastore-core1.2.0None recorded
androidx.datastore:datastore-preferences1.2.0None recorded
androidx.datastore:datastore-preferences-core1.2.0None recorded
androidx.documentfile:documentfile1.0.0None recorded
androidx.drawerlayout:drawerlayout1.1.1None recorded
androidx.dynamicanimation:dynamicanimation1.1.0None recorded
androidx.emoji2:emoji21.4.0None recorded
androidx.emoji2:emoji2-views-helper1.4.0None recorded
androidx.exifinterface:exifinterface1.4.1None recorded
androidx.fragment:fragment1.7.1None recorded
androidx.fragment:fragment-ktx1.7.1None recorded
androidx.graphics:graphics-path1.0.1None recorded
androidx.graphics:graphics-shapes1.0.1None recorded
androidx.interpolator:interpolator1.0.0None recorded
androidx.leanback:leanback1.2.0None recorded
androidx.leanback:leanback-grid1.0.0None recorded
androidx.legacy:legacy-support-core-utils1.0.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-livedata2.10.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-livedata-core2.10.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-livedata-core-ktx2.10.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-livedata-ktx2.10.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-process2.10.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-runtime2.10.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-runtime-compose2.10.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-runtime-ktx2.10.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-service2.10.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-viewmodel2.10.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-viewmodel-compose2.10.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-viewmodel-ktx2.10.0None recorded
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-viewmodel-savedstate2.10.0None recorded
androidx.loader:loader1.0.0None recorded
androidx.localbroadcastmanager:localbroadcastmanager1.0.0None recorded
androidx.media:media1.0.0None recorded
androidx.navigation:navigation-common2.9.6None recorded
androidx.navigation:navigation-compose2.9.6None recorded
androidx.navigation:navigation-runtime2.9.6None recorded
androidx.preference:preference1.2.1None recorded
androidx.preference:preference-ktx1.2.1None recorded
androidx.print:print1.0.0None recorded
androidx.privacysandbox.ads:ads-adservices1.1.0-beta11None recorded
androidx.privacysandbox.ads:ads-adservices-java1.1.0-beta11None recorded
androidx.profileinstaller:profileinstaller1.4.1None recorded
androidx.recyclerview:recyclerview1.4.0-alpha01None recorded
androidx.room:room-ktx2.7.1None recorded
androidx.room:room-runtime2.7.1None recorded
androidx.room:room-rxjava32.7.1None recorded
androidx.savedstate:savedstate1.4.0None recorded
androidx.savedstate:savedstate-compose1.4.0None recorded
androidx.savedstate:savedstate-ktx1.4.0None recorded
androidx.slidingpanelayout:slidingpanelayout1.2.0None recorded
androidx.sqlite:sqlite2.5.0None recorded
androidx.sqlite:sqlite-framework2.5.0None recorded
androidx.startup:startup-runtime1.1.1None recorded
androidx.tracing:tracing1.2.0None recorded
androidx.tracing:tracing-ktx1.2.0None recorded
androidx.transition:transition1.5.0None recorded
androidx.vectordrawable:vectordrawable1.2.0None recorded
androidx.vectordrawable:vectordrawable-animated1.2.0None recorded
androidx.versionedparcelable:versionedparcelable1.1.1None recorded
androidx.viewpager2:viewpager21.1.0-beta02None recorded
androidx.viewpager:viewpager1.0.0None recorded
androidx.webkit:webkit1.12.1None recorded
androidx.window:window1.0.0None recorded
androidx.work:work-gcm2.10.2None recorded
androidx.work:work-multiprocess2.10.2None recorded
androidx.work:work-runtime2.10.2None recorded
androidx.work:work-runtime-ktx2.10.2None recorded
androidx.work:work-rxjava32.10.2None recorded
com.google.android.material:material1.13.0None recorded
com.google.dagger:dagger2.57.2None recorded
com.google.dagger:dagger-android2.57.2None recorded
com.google.dagger:dagger-android-support2.57.2None recorded
com.google.dagger:dagger-lint-aar2.57.2None recorded
com.squareup.okhttp3:okhttp3.12.13
1 match

CVE-2021-0341 · medium
Improper hostname verification in certain configurations could allow certificate spoofing / pinning bypass.
Fixed version: 4.9.2

kotlinx:coroutines_android1.11.0None recorded
kotlinx:coroutines_core1.11.0None recorded
kotlinx:coroutines_play_services1.11.0None recorded
kotlinx:coroutines_reactive1.11.0None recorded
kotlinx:coroutines_rx31.11.0None recorded
kotlinx:coroutines_test1.11.0None recorded
Export SBOM
About this app · store information

About this app

Unlimited VPN access to 1800+ secure virtual servers at 2.2x faster speeds

Content ratingEveryone
Download size52.1 MB
Privacy policyPublished →

Screenshots

App screenshotApp screenshotApp screenshotApp screenshotApp screenshot

Scan history

Each row is an observed scan. Gaps between scans do not establish how long a finding existed.

Scanned (UTC)BuildScoreGrade
2026-10-11 07:09 UTC12.0.083B
2026-10-04 06:39 UTC12.0.083B
2026-09-07 17:28 UTC11.19.082B

View changes between the last two scans →

Export & share

Exports describe the recorded assessment. Signed evidence proves origin and integrity, not completeness or safety.

SARIFFindings CSVCoverage JSONSigned evidenceSBOM

Coverage & gap matrix · Verify signed evidence

Embed the latest grade

Embed this grade

The badge reads the latest recorded grade each time it is loaded, and links back to the full report so a reader can see the build it covers and what the scan could not see.

apk-scanner.com exposure grade
Markdown
[![apk-scanner.com exposure grade](https://apk-scanner.com/app/hotspotshield.android.vpn/badge.svg)](https://apk-scanner.com/app/hotspotshield.android.vpn)
HTML
<a href="https://apk-scanner.com/app/hotspotshield.android.vpn"><img src="https://apk-scanner.com/app/hotspotshield.android.vpn/badge.svg" alt="apk-scanner.com exposure grade" height="20"></a>

Grades can move when a new version is scanned or when a detector is corrected. If you would rather publish a grade that cannot change under you, link a signed Proof Capsule instead.

API users can request authenticated, scan-specific exports at /v1/scans/307a2fc2-ec4e-4a3c-a2db-5c9417e37dad/findings.sarif (also coverage.json and proof.json).

Request a correction or removal · How to interpret a scan · Browse apps