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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!

 

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

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James Rosewell

11/24/2010 9:16 AM

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

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Opinion Articles

SpinVox visit offers a few clues about the technology

Mark Bridge writes:

So, dear reader, let’s start at the beginning. Once upon a time, a mere five years ago, there was SpinVox. A company created with help from entrepreneur Christina Domecq – whose surname offers a clue to her family’s background – and Daniel Doulton, the man behind the Psion series 5. (Sherry and portable computers; two of my favourite products. But I digress).

The company’s promise was simple: to turn voicemail messages into SMS text messages.

Author: The Fonecast
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That just about covers it

Mark Bridge writes:

In my last article I looked forward to a world of cyborgs… but feared that decent battery life could stifle my dreams. And this week I’m on a similar theme, despairing that the UK’s mobile coverage problems probably won’t be solved before the Silver Jubilee of Vodafone and Cellnet’s networks.

To illustrate my worries, let me tell you a story.

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What price for a hands-free conversation?

Iain Graham writes:

When you get up tomorrow morning and get in the car, why don't you screw up three £20 notes and lob 'em out of the window?!  Oh, and whilst you are at it, take out your driving licence, and put three points in the penalties column!!

Why would you do that, I hear you ask?

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The Singularity is… errm… on its way, I think

Mark Bridge writes:

I’m an optimist. I’m not quite sure why I’m wired that way but I’m perfectly happy with it. Much as you’d expect, I suppose. And although I tend not to tap-dance in the gutter when it’s raining, I firmly believe that life is like a musical.

That’s probably why I’m such a fan of what’s become known as ‘the Singularity’; a point when technology and evolution are expected to combine. As computers become smarter, so they’ll be able to build smarter computers themselves – and before you know it they’ll be repairing people and improving the design. If all goes well I’ll look like a combination of Robocop and Jude Law.

“Fascinating”, I hear you say. “Bring on the medical nanobots. But what’s all this got to do with mobile phones?”

Author: The Fonecast
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Web Browser vs. Application Stores

James Rosewell writes:

Anyone involved in the mobile industry will have hardly failed to notice the hype surrounding mobile application stores led by Apple. Application stores provide a really simple way for consumers to install applications on their mobile phones. They’re so simple I heard Iain Graham had used one the other week!

However they don’t solve the fundamental problem of handset compatibility.

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