Readily Available Software Roots Sophisticated Mobile Phones in Seconds, Permits Eavesdropping Even When Some Phones Are Turned Off
May 4th, 2010This should be ancient news to everyone reading this, but just in case…
Via: CBS:
The majority of Americans use all these cell phones to talk, text or tweet.
But all this high tech communication hides a dark and troubling danger.
“I don’t think the general public is aware how insidious this can be,” said private investigator and cell phone spyware expert Tim Wilcox.
Wilcox owns and runs one of the premier private investigative companies in the country, International Investigators, Inc. International Investigators does a lot of things. But one the company’s specialties and expertise is uncovering and exposing hidden spy tools like bugs in cell phones and other appliances.
“It takes about 90 seconds to download the spyware and you’re in business,” said Wilcox of some versions of this software that can be loaded onto someone’s cell phone.
The spyware is a lurking danger that turns your cell phone into a secret listening device, an instrument used to spy against you. Worse yet, you’ll likely never know it is on your phone.
“There could be anywhere from three to five or six million cell phones that are infected with spyware (at any one time),” said Wilcox.
This spyware, otherwise called malware, can be found through a simple search on the Internet. The software can be loaded onto your phone in a matter of minutes or even seconds. Once it is on your phone and operating it can turn your cell phone against you.
Too bad GSM is that old. An old, low-tech mobile will prevent that the average attacker can spy on you. I doubt that this works with a phone from 1996. Just buy a custom made new rechargeable and you have a almost uncrackable device. As i wrote, the average attacker, not a highly sophisticated agency or some enterprise with a really big budget.