For journalists, activists, families, and organizations protecting thousands of employees.
GuardBox Labs is an independent privacy & security research team based in Stockholm. We built GuardBox after seeing how a single WhatsApp image — or an APK disguised as a PDF — could silently compromise a phone. Our mission is simple: keep the risk in the box, whether you are a journalist, an activist, a family, or an organization protecting thousands of employees.
Isolation, zero device exposure, and EU data residency are non-negotiable defaults.
Built for Sovereignty and Autonomy, aligned with GDPR and NIS2.
Open-source components, public threat data, and a community we listen to.
Researchers are tracking a sharp rise in malicious file campaigns spreading through messaging apps — especially against activists and journalists. Attackers send what looks like a PDF invoice, a JPG invitation or a DOC receipt. In reality, it's an Android APK or RAR payload carrying remote-access malware. One tap, and 2FA codes, photos, contacts and chat history are exfiltrated within seconds.
Files arrive from a known contact, group, or verified channel — not a stranger.
Patches arrive weeks behind each new vulnerability.
"Don't open unknown files" fails the moment the sender looks legitimate.
Recent campaigns ship malicious APKs disguised with .png or .jpg extensions and image previews. Once tapped, the APK installs and quietly takes over the device.
You don't have to be a security expert. GuardBox is built for anyone who uses a phone daily — and especially for people who handle sensitive information every day.
Anyone who wants a safer digital life — without extra effort.
People receiving files from clients, partners, or unknown contacts.
Researchers and reporters targeted because of what they publish.
Safer devices for children and less-technical family members.
Workers protecting systems where one bad file has real-world impact.
NGOs and organizations operating under repressive conditions.
Protecting individuals also strengthens the public good — safer journalism, safer civic engagement, and safer access to the open internet for everyone.
From pilot to European scale — see the full multi-year roadmap.