Security flaws leave Tinder users exposed to hacking

FOX 32 NEWS - A security firm called Checkmarx discovered cracks in the popular dating app Tinder that lets hackers follow your every move. 
 
Amit Ashbel, Checkmarx’s director of product marketing, said hackers can see exactly what’s on your screen. 

“You could easily describe it like someone standing behind your shoulder and watching your phone while you're using your Tinder application,” Ashbel said.
 
Ashbel said his firm found two vulnerabilities within Tinder's app.
                
“The first part actually allowed us to see all the images the user is looking at,” Ashbel said.

He said the pictures on Tinder aren't encrypted, meaning they don't have an extra layer of protection. 
 
“It goes without saying on dating platforms that the content has to be encrypted,” Ashbel said.
 
Ashbel said the second part involves telling which way a user swiped, left for no, and right for yes.

While that second part was encrypted, it was easy for Checkmarx to figure out which codes meant which response.
                
Chicagoan Mickey Noonan is one of millions of users who may use the app in public places like coffee shops or bars.

Ashbel said Tinder users in public spaces are the most at risk because of these security flaws. 
 
“We have seen hackers to leverage these kinds of attacks to get information about people that people want to keep secret - and later on, use it for blackmail,” Ashbel said.
 
To stay safe, Ashbel recommended only using Tinder and any other apps with sensitive information on a secured Wi-Fi network or turn off Wi-Fi altogether. 

Ashbel said his team reached out to Tinder to make them aware of the issues.
 
“At the moment, it's still there, the problem is still there,” Ashbel said.

 A problem Noonan hopes Tinder fixes soon.
 
“They should get on it and do it, because a lot of people rely on their app to meet people,” Noonan said.