How To Protect Against Mobile Phone Spy Software
The threat posed by mobile phone spy software is very real. Spy software is readily available and affordable. Installing it is simple – provided you have access to the target phone. It is, however, ILLEGAL to install it on any phone other than your own within most states in Australia.
Phone spy software provides the ability to:
- Eavesdrop on active telephone calls
- Record all text (SMS) messages
- Track your location via GPS and GSM
- Activate the phone’s microphone via Bluetooth; and much more!
Chanel Nine’s ‘A Current Affair’ details the consequences of having spy software installed on your phone and interviews both Nick Klein from Klein & Co. (IT Forensic Specialists) and Julian Claxton from Jayde Consulting (Counter-Espionage Consultants) on theĀ prevalenceĀ and concerns surrounding software such as FlexiSpy.
Here are a few pointers to keep your phone and data in check:
- Donāt download applications or open messages if you donāt know where / who they are from.
- When using WiFi on your handset, only connect to secure and known networks.
- Ensure that your handset has a PIN (Personal Identification Number) or password enabled at all times and from the first time you take control of the phone.
- Never leave your phone unattended and unsecured (installing spy software usually requires access to the handset, however, only takes minutes to load and often leaves virtually no trace).
- Turn off Bluetooth and WiFi when not in use. Also ensure that āPairingā is required before connecting to any device via Bluetooth.
- Ensure each update or software patch from your deviceās manufacturer is installed. They can often resolve known security vulnerabilities.
- Don’t accept a phone handset as a gift from someone you don’t know or trust.
These tips are only a summary of the threats and treatment options available. Adherence to them will provide a reasonable level of security and limit the chance of your device being compromised. Phone encryption software or hardware is available and should be considered if a greater level of communication privacy is required.
For more information, please contact Julian Claxton at Jayde Consulting on (02) 8006-0635 – and don’t call from the phone you think might be bugged!
By on 04/08/2011