http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/investigates/investigates-cell-phone-spying-111109FOX 13 Investigates
Updated: Thursday, 12 Nov 2009, 8:19 AM EST
Published : Thursday, 12 Nov 2009, 8:19 AM EST
ORLANDO - There's a sneaky way somebody can listen to your cell phone conversations even if you keep your phone pressed to your ear and whisper. They can find everything they’ll need to bug your cell phone online through web sites that sell spy software.
These programs make it possible to listen to your private calls, read every text message sent or received, and even track your every move using GPS. The software costs a few hundred dollars and can be downloaded directly onto many types of cell phones. The web sites say it can be used to catch cheating husbands or cheating wives, and nobody will ever know.
"It's not going to show up as any other application on your cell phone," said Andrew Mapp, who owns a computer forensics business in Orlando.
Mapp says once the software is installed, it’s an open door to every call.
With the permission of a FOX employee, we showed how it works. Every time the employee makes or gets a call, the spy software sends a signal to the person who wants to spy on him or her. It lets the spy know he can use his phone to listen in.
The software even makes it possible to listen in on her conversations even when the victim is not talking on the phone. If the cell phone is on, the software can activate the speaker so it works just like a bug.
We found that companies can legally sell the spy software, and you can buy it. But how you use it is another matter.
”So if you're doing this to catch a cheating spouse, it's not going to be admissible in the divorce case,” said William Jay, an attorney in Orlando. He also says it doesn’t matter if you own the phone and pay the bill. “That's not going to excuse you from the privacy they're expecting in their phone conversations with another person or in their electronic communications.”
Using the spy software violates Florida’s privacy laws and possibly even federal wiretapping laws, unless you have everyone’s permission to listen.
There are ways to protect yourself. In order to active the spy software, someone needs to have access to your phone. To prevent this, keep your phone will you at all times. If you can’t do that, then make sure you password-protect it.
Aryeh Zelasko :-)
Beit Shemesh
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Is your cell phone spying on you?
Have a nice day
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