User data for a popular teen-monitoring app was recently compromised, according to a new report from tech website ZDNet.
The report said one of the companys servers, which is hosted on Amazons cloud service, leaked peoples Apple IDs, as well as their passwords and user IDs for the service in a plain-text file that could be accessed by anyone, ZDNet reported.
The server could be accessed by anyone, the report said.
U.K.-based security researcher Robert Wiggins told ZDNet he noticed two servers that exposed data.
Both servers were pulled offline.
"We have taken action to close one of our servers to the public and begun alerting customers that could potentially be impacted," a TeenSafe spokesman told ZDNet.
The TeenSafe app requires that two-factor authentication be turned off for the app, which means there's no other security beside a user's password.
TeenSafe is a secure monitoring app that helps parents keep track of their childs texts, location and internet use. The app also keeps track of peoples web browsing history and app installation habits.
The app also boasts a YouTube channel that shows parents how to block specific apps on their childs phone and how to keep teens safe with their internet habits.
The Verge reported about 10,200 accounts from the last three months were affected in the data compromise, which does not include photos, messages or location information.
The server stores parents email address used for their TeenSafe account and their childs email address, the childs device name and the devices identifier, according to The Verge.
The company suggests parents tell their children about the app or find a way to get their child to switch their Apple ID password.
As Mashable reported, teen monitoring apps have received plenty of criticism for potentially undermining the trust between parents and children, and inhibiting the ability for kids to learn how to handle risks.
But the companys website said teens dont need to know parents are monitoring them.
Every parents situation is unique and only a parent can decide whether to inform their teen of their intent to use the (service), the company says on its website.
The report said one of the companys servers, which is hosted on Amazons cloud service, leaked peoples Apple IDs, as well as their passwords and user IDs for the service in a plain-text file that could be accessed by anyone, ZDNet reported.
The server could be accessed by anyone, the report said.
U.K.-based security researcher Robert Wiggins told ZDNet he noticed two servers that exposed data.
Both servers were pulled offline.
"We have taken action to close one of our servers to the public and begun alerting customers that could potentially be impacted," a TeenSafe spokesman told ZDNet.
The TeenSafe app requires that two-factor authentication be turned off for the app, which means there's no other security beside a user's password.
TeenSafe is a secure monitoring app that helps parents keep track of their childs texts, location and internet use. The app also keeps track of peoples web browsing history and app installation habits.
The app also boasts a YouTube channel that shows parents how to block specific apps on their childs phone and how to keep teens safe with their internet habits.
The Verge reported about 10,200 accounts from the last three months were affected in the data compromise, which does not include photos, messages or location information.
The server stores parents email address used for their TeenSafe account and their childs email address, the childs device name and the devices identifier, according to The Verge.
The company suggests parents tell their children about the app or find a way to get their child to switch their Apple ID password.
As Mashable reported, teen monitoring apps have received plenty of criticism for potentially undermining the trust between parents and children, and inhibiting the ability for kids to learn how to handle risks.
But the companys website said teens dont need to know parents are monitoring them.
Every parents situation is unique and only a parent can decide whether to inform their teen of their intent to use the (service), the company says on its website.
