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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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 GLOSSIES 
5

Your Cell Phone May Be Eavesdropping

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(Newser) – Be careful where you leave your cell phone. All it takes is a quick download—the equivalent of loading a ringtone—to install software that wiretaps your calls and even records ambient noise when the phone is unused. Experts say a surprising number of spouses, co-workers, and parents are using the spy-phone software, which more than 200 companies sell at prices from $50–$200, Benjamin Sutherland writes in Newsweek.

About 3% of US cell phones and up to 5% of phones in Europe are already tapped, private eye firms say. And smart phones like iPhones and Blackberrys, with their powerful processors, are ideal for the spy software. Security programs for phones exist, but few people think to install them. "If the spying keeps spreading, that may change soon," Sutherland writes.

Private eye firms say roughly 3% of US cell phones are infected with spy software that eavesdrops on conversations and even ambient noise when no call is being made.
Private eye firms say roughly 3% of US cell phones are infected with spy software that eavesdrops on conversations and even ambient noise when no call is being made.   (Shutterstock)
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5 comments
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TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 6, 09 11:50 PM CDT
A very sad commentary on the paranoia we face today; that so many people feel the need to eavesdrop or mistrust others. Reply
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shonangreg
Jun 7, 09 2:13 AM CDT
Also, there is something called the "roaming bug" in which your cell phone can be turned on, have the GPS send its location, and begin recording and broadcasting the audio. Turning your phone off does not disable this. The police can use this "feature" to find you, or even to turn on phones near another suspect. ............... Also, cell phone tower signals can be spoofed with small, local transceivers fooling your phone into sending its ID. ..................... You want to maintain your privacy? At random times take the battery out of your phone. And and anytime you're doing something your employer, the police, your spouse/lover, etc. would want to know about you want kept private, do it again. Reply
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shonangreg
Jun 7, 09 2:47 AM CDT
Oh, and you can also get hacking applications that brute-force guess your phone's PIN enabling access to anyone who has physical access to you phone. And you can get application that examine the SIM card showing all the messages and calls which you thought you had deleted. Use web access to gmail or the like if you want your phone staying *somewhat* clean. Maybe google's android phone will have these security risks better documented and even protected against, "Android says that phone number xxx-xxx-xxxx has sent a control SMS to your phone requesting your location and audio broadcast. Is this OK? YES or NO" *THAT* would be the phone I want.
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Chilblain
Jun 9, 09 10:10 AM CDT
Remove the battery
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0
radnip
Jun 15, 09 7:54 PM CDT
OMG, ROFL! Without fearful humans, where would my entertainment come from? Reply
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