Your Apps Steal Your Internet for Criminals

In 2026, a significant majority of cloud customers, over 65%, were found to be making DNS queries to domains associated with residential proxy networks. These proxies leverage unsuspecting users' home networks, including devices like routers and phones, to mask the origin of online activities.

Many 'free' services, such as VPNs, streaming apps, and even productivity tools, often obtain consent through buried clauses in their End-User License Agreements. This practice allows them to rent out users' internet connections without explicit awareness.

The abuse of these residential proxies can lead to serious consequences. Threat actors exploit them for unethical or illegal tasks, including fraud and unauthorized data scraping. This can result in users' IP addresses being flagged, potentially causing legal trouble and reputational damage.

To mitigate this risk, users are advised to conduct software audits, scrutinize free VPNs and dubious IoT devices, and consider investing in routers or software that block suspicious requests. Monitoring one's IP address risk profile is also a recommended step.