Latest Podcast



Featured Articles

Ofcom helps protect customers against unexpected roaming charges

Ofcom helps protect customers against unexpected roaming charges

UK service providers must notify customers when they connect to a different network

New rules from UK telecoms regulator Ofcom will protect customers when they use their mobile phone on a foreign network. In addition, customers will be alerted if they are inadvertently roaming, perhaps because they're near an international border.
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Global smartphone market is set for recovery, says new forecast

A new forecast from research specialists Canalys shows the smartphone market is set to recover next year. Worldwide shipments declined by 12% last year but that decline is expected to slow to 5% this year.
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
Vodafone and Three plan to merge their UK businesses

Vodafone and Three plan to merge their UK businesses

New Hutchison/Vodafone network would be biggest UK operator

Vodafone Group plc and CK Hutchison Group Telecom Holdings Limited have agreed to combine their UK telecommunication businesses, respectively Vodafone UK and Three UK. The merger will create a large new network operator to compete with Virgin Media O2 and EE.
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

UK mobile payment service Paym to close in March 2023

UK mobile payment service Paym will close on 7th March 2023. The service, which allowed users to make and receive payments using their mobile phone numbers, was launched in 2014.
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
Qualcomm legal action moves forward in the UK

Qualcomm legal action moves forward in the UK

Which? seeks payout for Samsung and Apple smartphone owners

Consumer protection organisation Which? has been given permission by the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal to represent Apple and Samsung smartphone buyers in a legal case against chip manufacturer Qualcomm.
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
RSS

Opinion Articles

Saturday, November 20, 2010

How the right mobile phone technology can turn anyone into a spy

Mark Bridge writes:

A few weeks ago I received a phone call out of the blue. It went something like this:
“I think my partner's cheating on me. How can I get into the GPS on his phone to find out where he is?”

I'm no secret agent. I wasn't comfortable giving too much information and ended up suggesting that a private detective would probably deliver evidence that was more conclusive. Nevertheless, it got me thinking.

Of course, you could enable Google Latitude on the other person's phone – or set up geo-location on their Twitter account – but all this is a bit hit and miss. What if they don't use it?

One solution is to install software on their phone. If you're able to do this – and they're using a smartphone – there are plenty of mobile phone spying techniques available. For example, Android users could be living in fear of SMS Secret Replicator from DLP Mobile. It secretly forwards incoming text messages to another phone. The program itself is hidden once it's installed, although an itemised bill will make the text trickery pretty obvious.

If you're after someone who uses an iPhone, similar software can let you browse through the phone's photos and automatically upload GPS positions every half hour. You'll need the iPhone to be jailbroken, so once again it's not all plain sailing.

And don't worry; Symbian users haven't been left out!

But why not get hold of your own mobile phone technology to find out what's going on?

You can now bug someone from miles away – even from another country – thanks to a mobile phone call. A bedside alarm clock can have a 3G video camera built in. Even an innocent mains adaptor could listen to someone's conversations.

Let's face it, a mobile phone set to 'silent' and 'auto answer' in a desk drawer may well be all the spy equipment you need.

And if not, the James Bond style of GPS tracking bug is now available for little over £100.

Just remember a couple of things. Firstly, if you're spying on someone, the moral high-ground may be a long way above you. And secondly, make sure you stay on the right side of the law. Otherwise your next phone call may be the last one you make for a long while!

 

Print
Author: The Fonecast
1 Comments
Rate this article:
No rating

1 comments on article "How the right mobile phone technology can turn anyone into a spy"

1
0
Avatar image

James Rosewell

11/24/2010 9:16 AM

I'm always amazed by the phone calls you get Mark!

Leave a comment

This form collects your name, email, IP address and content so that we can keep track of the comments placed on the website. For more info check our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use where you will get more info on where, how and why we store your data.
Add comment

Recent Podcasts

Mobile phones, mobile patents, mobile payments, mobile software... and more

Podcast - 27th November 2013

This week we're talking about two big announcements from BlackBerry: a luxury smartphone and some major management changes.

We also discuss the latest Samsung/Apple patent ruling, Vodafone's new mobile wallet, Android licensing, Doro's anti-virus deal, BYOD and the rise of the 'selfie'.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Protecting children from text message cyber-bullying

Podcast - 22nd November 2013

With more than half of all pre-teen children reported to be using text messaging as their main form of mobile communication, it's not surprising to hear that bullies are taking advantage of SMS to attack their victims.

But what can mobile networks do to help these victims of cyber-bullying?  Louise O'Sullivan of Anam Technologies explains why she thinks network operators are apparently reluctant to take action - and why other organisations need to get involved.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

High-flying phones, hands-free phones, cash-free wallets and messaging madness

Podcast - 20th November 2013

This week's headline-grabbing product launch is the Motorola Moto G, which promises a decent Android smartphone at a very attractive price.

We also discuss new rules about mobile phones on planes, a new campaign to ban hands-free calls in cars, falling SMS revenue, mobile wallets and BlackBerry's $1 million investment.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

From the UK's newest smartphone manufacturer to the world's largest 4G tariff... and much more

Podcast - 13th November 2013

The past few days have been a good time for launches. Twitter has floated on the stock exchange, Kazam has revealed its smartphone range and EE has created a tariff with a million gigabytes of mobile data.

On the other side of the coin, Acer's CEO is quitting, Vodafone UK has missed its 3G coverage target and hackers can take control of your handset's camera to ascertain PIN codes.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

A new hope for BlackBerry... and a new challenge for Android

Podcast - 6th November 2013

It looks like BlackBerry is safe for the moment... but not with the takeover many had expected.

Meanwhile Google launches the Nexus 5, Nortel's patents are sent into battle, EE promises ever-faster 4G, the FAA allows electronic devices to be used throughout flights and we celebrate a record quarter for smartphone shipments.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
RSS
First1011121315171819Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Twitter @TheFonecast RSS podcast feed
Find us on Facebook Subscribe free via iTunes

Archive Calendar

«November 2024»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
28293031123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
2526272829301
2345678

Archive

Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement