HackrNews

I just read CNET reporter Joris Evers’ article about new spy software that hides on cell phones. I think it’s outrageous, but I guess it shouldn’t be too surprising since there’s already spyware for your automobile. This spyware for cell phones is called FlexiSpy. FlexiSpy went on the market March 1 and is advertised as a tool to track kids and errant spouses. This software captures call logs, text messages, mobile Internet connections, and new features are being developed. The captured data is sent to vendor Vervata’s servers and can be accessed on a website.
Oh, this soo ripe for abuse! FlexiSpy sounds like the equivalent of a key logger on a computer. Anti-domestic violence groups are outraged, and rightfully so. Security company F-Secure has labeled the application as a Spy Trojan, Flexispy.A and have added detection for it to their mobile anti-virus. F-Secure says FlexiSpy is hidden from the Symbian process menu and is invisible to the phone user. The hidden interface can be accessed with a code known only by the person who installed FlexiSpy. Just like a key logger.
The F-Secure blog and threat description have screenshots of the user interface. FlexiSpy records server time, direction, duration, phone number and contact name. It also records contents of SMS messages. Right now FlexiSpy is available only for cell phone using the Symbian operating system, but plans are in place to release versions for BlackBerrys and phones running Windows Mobile Pocket PC. A Pro version is in the works, too. The Pro version will allow the user to actually listen to conversations on the phone, log email messages and multimedia messages.
The company selling Flexi-Spy, Vervata, based in Bangkok, Thailand defends the application since it has to be knowingly installed by a human, does not self replicate or pretend to be something it’s not, and can be uninstalled. That’s nice. This software has a huge potential for abuse because it can be used to monitor someone without their knowledge and consent.
One has to ask, is it ever morally and ethically acceptable to monitor someone’s communications without their knowledge and consent, whether with a key logger on their computer or with a spy program on their cell phone?
There are some interesting points in the Talkbacks on Evers’ article. Here the poster points out another concern: the potential for abuse of the information stored on the website. She mentions the security of the site — what if hackers got the information? I’d want to see the site’s privacy policy and know what security measures they have in place.
I’d like to know what readers think about the question — is it ever acceptable to electronically monitor someone without their knowledge and consent? A Florida court said NO. The court ruled a wife broke the state law against wiretapping by installing surveillance software Spector on her husband’s computer and recording his online activities. The wiretapping law says who anyone “intentionally intercepts” any “electronic communication” commits a criminal act. It seems to me that the use of FlexiSpy breaks that law, too.

By: Jon Davis

In today’s times spyware is a very serious issue and all computer users should be aware of the possible damage it can cause. It is estimated by well known industry insiders that nearly 90% of all computers are infected with some kind of spyware. This no surprise as spyware programs can be highly contagious and spread from computer to computer via emails and network exchanges rapidly.

Spyware’s main intent is usually to track where you go on the internet. This includes websites you visit, what you buy from the internet, and generally what you use the internet for, all the while the spyware program will report this information back to the publisher. The publishers of spyware are rich with all the information of thousands of computer users surfing habits and they make a huge profit by selling this information to third parties who may not take your privacy concerns in to account.

You may think that running anti-virus programs and firewalls on your computer will be enough to protect you from this threat but think again. Spyware can easily slip past these programs as spyware disguises itself as a part of a program that you actually want to install on your computer. Programs that you use daily may be harvesting spyware.

One of the most popular music players on the internet that millions of people use to play, download and organise their favourite music with is actually spyware. Can you guess what it is? RealPlayer is not just a feature rich jukebox anymore, it’s spyware. If you read the agreement before you install the player for the first time, RealPlayer actually tells the unsuspecting user that it will record all the information about what music you listen to, what videos you view and how often. It then transmits this private information back to it’s corporate office using your resources while doing so. This information is kept on file and used to profile you. Unfortunately you have no say in what information they have access to.

Spyware detection and removal software is imperative to keeping your private information private and keeping your computer healthy. It’s a scary thought that companies are armed with the technology to snoop on you when you are simply enjoying music and watching videos you enjoy in you own home.

By: Adam Short

Do you know what your computer is doing while you are away? You may be amazed at all of the things that your computer can pick up on a daily basis. First came viruses, and that was a huge threat for many years. We heard about such infections as the Love Bug virus, Doomsday virus, and many more. Most of these could do serious damage to your system. Today, one of the biggest threats to your computer is spyware. What began as an advertising gimmick has begun to spiral out of control. Many companies have begun to abuse the technology.

The concept was simple; create a little program that allows marketers’ access to their customers buying habits. Many major media houses began to get greedy and added more to their spyware programs. A typical spyware program today will continually update your habits and activities and send it back to the home base. While they don’t take sensitive information like credit card numbers or bank accounts, they do prove to be a major threat to computer performance. Each spyware program uses your computer as a live server. Imagine the delays you would experience if you had ten or twenty of these programs at the same time. Your computer would slow down considerably!

So where do these spyware programs come from? You can get infected from a variety of sources. Some are downloaded to give you access to different features such as net searches, coupons, or tips online. Some are bundled with legitimate program downloads. Others are installed without your permission. It doesn’t matter where they come from, because most computers will have spyware at one point or another.

The trick is to figure out how to get rid of it. There are many programs on the market today that can help with these pesky little programs. Many anti-spyware programs are bundled with virus protection for a total solution. Others can be purchased separately. There is also a wide assortment of free anti-spyware software that you can choose from as well. Some of these are actually spyware in disguise, so it is important to do your homework beforehand. If you are using a windows based system, Microsoft has come out with an anti-spyware program that is free for download via their website.

There are also many websites online designed to detect spyware programs. It takes only a few minutes to scan your system, and you can then take care of any problems that you come across.

Deciding to crack down on spyware is a personal decision. Some individuals could care less about them, while others find them to be a terrible nuisance. Your own thoughts and feelings will come into play when you decide your course of action. Some will scan their computer once a month to rid themselves of possible infections, while others will scan their systems daily for spyware infections. Whichever you choose, make sure to find a reputable program that will give you the best results possible. Good luck!