09.29
Is Your Cell Phone Spying on You?
Updated: Thursday, 21 May 2009, 12:16 AM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 20 May 2009, 8:15 PM CDT
NED HIBBERD
HOUSTON – Let it out of your sight for just a few minutes, and your smart phone can be turned into a rogue agent that spies on you.
The internet is crawling with software that claims to be able to bug someone’s cell phone.
FOX 26 News tested one such program. It cost $250 and took about ten minutes to install on the target phone.
Once activated, the spyware revealed the calls placed by and received by the phone, listing phone numbers, times, dates and length of each call.
It also logged every text message, both incoming and outgoing.
And it enabled a third party to dial in to the target phone without detection, activating the microphone so the spy could hear everything said in the vicinity, even though the phone itself appeared to be “asleep.”
“Cell phones are not like computers,” said security consultant Michael Fjetland. “There’s no firewall, there’s very little in the way of anti-virus software so once they make that connection, basically, it’s an open door.”
Top five signs your cell phone might be bugged with spyware:
5) Phone is unusually warm even though you haven’t been using it– could indicate unauthorized transmissions.
4) Battery life drops dramatically, for no reason– could indicate surreptitious communication.
3) Screen flashes on and off, without cause– could indicate an incoming spy call.
2) Monthly bill shows an unwarranted spike in SMS or data transmission activity– could indicate your phone is being accessed without your knowledge.
1) Phone receives nonsensical text messages (for example, <*#62><123456789>)– could indicate botched attempts to send system commands.
Ultimate privacy solution
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If you want to guarantee a private conversation stays that way, don’t just turn off your cell phone–remove the battery.
WHY ARE THE CELL PHONE COMPANIES DOING NOTHING TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF INTRUSION????
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