This content was created by Robert Siciliano. This content was uploaded by Robert Siciliano. This is a YouTube video titled "Our mobile phones can be used as spyphones, Robert Siciliano www.IDTheftSecurity.com" (posted April 7, 2010). It is a Fox 25 news segment / TV report (reporter Ted Daniel) about cell phone spyware and electronic stalking. Participants include Ted Daniel (reporter), Robert Siciliano (CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com), Chris Wysopal (security expert), and several other on-air speakers. The piece explains how inexpensive spyware can monitor calls, texts, GPS location and even camera feeds, describes signs a phone may be compromised (battery drain, background noise, strange texts), and recommends reinstalling the OS or getting a new phone if infected.
Chapters
You're being watched by your coworker, spouse, or maybe by someone you've never met. How cell phone spyware allows others to watch your every move tonight at 10.
Well, police say a man stalked his girlfriend for years using her cell phone. He knew her every move and every word because he bugged it.
What sounds like something from a spy movie is now available to everyone. Here's Fox 25's Ted Daniel.
Our mobile phones know all of our secrets. Everything we search, say, and text— even everywhere we go. So just imagine if your smartphone became a spy phone.
They can view all the call logs, all the GPS logs.
Robert Siciliano, CEO of Boston-based IDTheftSecurity.com, says these days a degree in espionage is not required to electronically stalk someone. It takes as little as 10 minutes to take control of a phone. It costs as little as $15 to buy the software, and it's easily found online. Listen to live calls, view photos, read call call logs, dominate other people's cellular phones. You get the picture.
Anybody selling spyware today, they're telling you straight out exactly what it's for: to monitor your 12-year-old daughter, to monitor your employees, and to monitor your spouse to find out what he or she is doing.
So this text message means that he's made a call.
Watch how it works. This woman installed spyware on her husband's phone. Every time he sends or receives a call, text, or email, her phone is alerted. She can even secretly conference herself into any of his calls and listen in from anywhere she has service.
Yeah, too bad you can't have somebody come out just to vacation with you.
I just can't believe that they have no clue that I'm now listening to this conversation.
The software also allows access to a phone's GPS coordinates— where you are, where you've been, down to the street address. And even more eye-opening, some spyware can actually activate your phone's camera, capturing your every move.
If the wrong person installs spyware on your phone, they can stalk you, that they can know where you are, where you're going and who you're with, and they can really make your life a living hell.
So along with keeping a close eye on your phone, you also have to be careful what applications you download. Spyware doesn't necessarily have to be installed by someone you know.
You can also download it yourself, giving someone else control without even knowing it.
Chris Weisople is the founder of Burlington-based software security company Veracode. As mobile technology advances, he says Professional hackers are moving from computers to phones.
It isn't just thrill-seekers trying to spy on people. It's really a criminal operation where they want to get personal information, financial information that they can use.
It's hard to tell if a phone's been bugged. The signs include sudden drops in battery life, ambient noise in the background during a call, and strange text messages from unfamiliar numbers.
Chances are if there's spyware on your phone, you're not gonna know about it.
Siciliano says the best thing to do is to trust your instincts. If you think someone is spying on you, Spying, don't trust your phone. I'm Ted Daniel, Fox 25 News.
Ted tells us just changing your phone number will not remove the spyware. You need to reinstall the phone's operating system or get a new phone.
For more on cell phone spyware, log on to our website, myfoxboston.com.
