diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index a9d40ef..72ee546 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -8,35 +8,44 @@ A pocket DNS monitor and network filter. ## What is it? -AppCheck helps you identify which applications communicate with third parties. -It does so by logging network requests. -AppCheck learns only the destination addresses, not the actual data that is exchanged. +AppCheck helps you identify applications that communicate with other parties. -Your data belongs to you. -Therefore, monitoring and analysis take place on your device only. -The app does not share any data with us or any other third-party – unless you choose to. - -Join [Testflight beta](https://testflight.apple.com/join/9jjaFeHO) +Join the [Testflight beta][testflight] or look at the evaluation results [appchk.de]. ### How does it work? -AppCheck creates a local VPN tunnel to intercept all network connections. -For each connection AppCheck looks into the DNS headers only, namely the domain names. -These domain names are logged in the background while the VPN is active. -That means, AppCheck does not have to be active in the foreground all the time. +AppCheck creates a local VPN proxy to intercept all network connections. +For each connection, AppCheck looks into the DNS headers only, namely the domain names. +These domain names are logged in the background while the VPN is running. +AppCheck does not need to be active all the time. +### What about privacy? + +Your data belongs to you. +Therefore, monitoring takes place on your device only. +AppCheck learns only the destination addresses, not the actual data that is exchanged. +The app does not share any data with us or any other third-party – unless you choose to. + + +### How can I contribute? + +AppCheck allows you to record app-specific activity. +You can share these recordings with the community; it can help you and others avoid phony applications, even before you install an app. + +Join the [Testflight beta][testflight] + ## Features - See outgoing (DNS) network requests in real-time -- See history of previous connections +- See the history of previous connections - Block unwanted traffic based on domain names -- Record app specific activity1 +- Record app-specific activity1 - Apply logging filters (block or ignore) and display filters (specific range or last x minutes) - Sort results by time, name, or occurrence count - Context Analysis - - What other domains occur often at the same time? + - What other domains often occur at the same time? - What happened immediately before or after the action? - Export results for custom analysis - Alert Monitor & reminder @@ -51,7 +60,19 @@ That means, AppCheck does not have to be active in the foreground all the time. ## Research Project -*information will be added soon™* +This research project is an effort to shine a light on the background activity of iOS apps, making the otherwise hidden network connections visible to everyone. +The goal is to make privacy more accessible to the general public. +And thus create incentives for app developers to respect users' privacy. -For now, go to the results page at [https://appchk.de/](https://appchk.de/). -Btw. we are searching for [help](https://appchk.de/help/) on our ongoing research project. +We want to offer users, activists, data protection authorities, and data protection officers an easily accessible and flexible tool to assess the privacy measures of iOS applications. +AppCheck allows users to: + +- get a visual overview of an apps communication signature +- assess how an app ranks within its peer group or category +- influence the ranking according to their preferences + +The evaluation results page is at [appchk.de]. + + +[testflight]: https://testflight.apple.com/join/9jjaFeHO +[appchk.de]: https://appchk.de/