How Your Phone Can Spy On You
Smartphones have become a permanent fixture in our technologically-inclined world. From sending text messages, to making phone calls and even saving the most important dates and events, we all rely fairly heavily on our mobile phones. As a result, our phones become a valuable treasure trove of data, both personal and behavioural data of the user.
But, what if that data were to get into the wrong hands. As much as it may be unlikely that someone would spy on a normal person like you and me, you would be surprised to find out that even our data can be worth the effort for these phone spies. The data can be used to track your spending behavior, communication patterns and phone usage methods and these patterns can be sold to large corporate companies, who seek such information in order to be able to build their ideal market groups or buyer personas. Here are some of the few ways that your phone can be spying on you and sending your data to third parties.
But, what if that data were to get into the wrong hands?
#1 Built-In Camera
Who knew that everyone’s favorite mobile phone feature would eventually turn rogue? Your phone cameras can be hacked by using sypware that allows the phone spy access to your photo gallery and would even be able to take pictures, without the need of an active screen so you’d never know when pictures of you are being secretly taken.
#2 Microphone
Similar to the camera spyware, your microphone can also be a source of data for any mobile phone spy out there. The microphone, when hacked, is capable of recording conversations and calls, without requiring an active screen or a call to be made.
#3 Location
Your phone’s GPS location and navigation system can also make it easier for someone to spy on your whereabouts and figure out your daily travel pattern. Cellphone location trackers that are available all over the internet just require a phone number and it would be able to tap into your phone’s GPS system and send your location in real time to your phone spy. Talk about being a stalker.
#4 Screenshots
Screenshots are also another phone spy tool that hackers can manipulate to their benefit. Lots of us do our banking online and by hacking the screenshot feature, screenshots of your password and one-time pin numbers for online transactions would be sent directly to your phone hackers.
#5 Phone Spy Apps
There are lots of phone spy apps available on the internet and on mobile app stores. By just downloading these third-party apps into their target phone, anyone can keep track of any of any phone they like, as long as they have even a few minutes of access to it.
#6 Malware
Malwares can be installed onto your phone when you visit a shady website or click on a suspicious looking link. These malwares note your communication patterns, your favorite apps, your shopping and browsing patterns and many other forms of user data, only to send it over to a phone spy waiting on the other end to sell your data off to huge conglomerates.
Your phone is a huge depository of data and anyone would be able to get their hands on it with just a few small hacks. Always be wary if you see any unknown messages popping up, if your mobile data depletes to fast or if your device is much slower than usual, those are clear signs that your phone is being spied on. Should you be receiving unknown messages from your phone spy, a simple Reverse Phone Lookup would be able to uncover their identity in minutes.
Disclaimer:
The above is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legal advice or specific recommendations in any way.
