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Tens of Millions of Smartphones Come With Spyware Preinstalled, Security Analyst Says

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Published December 01, 2011| FoxNews.com
Over 100 million smartphones are tracking their owners’ every step, Android developer Trevor Eckhart claimed, thanks to software that comes preinstalled on phones from most major carriers.

During a security demonstration revealed on Monday, Eckhart showed how software developed by Carrier IQ tracks virtually everything a user does -- going as far as logging individual keystrokes and button presses. The company claims it helps its customers improve quality and performance “by counting and measuring operational information in mobile devices.” Security experts call it spyware.

"I assume that when I SMS my wife on the phone, no one is intercepting that message," Chet Wisniewski of security firm Sophos told FoxNews.com. He called the whole ordeal is a "serious invasion of privacy."
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It just never seems to end, the lengths that some will go to fine tune their marketing strategies. :doh

Traces of Carrier IQ Found on iOS

Looks like iPhone users are not immune.

More links:
Carrier IQ :: Welcome

Phone 'Rootkit' Maker Carrier IQ May Have Violated Wiretap Law In Millions Of Cases - Forbes

Carrier IQ: How the Widespread Rootkit Can Track Everything on Your Phone, and How to Remove It

Carrier IQ: Researcher Trevor Eckhart Outs Creepy, Hidden App Installed On Smartphones (VIDEO) (UPDATE)

Technolog - Researcher: Secret software tracks phone users
 
Re: Tens of Millions of Smartphones Come With Spyware Preinstalled, Security Analyst

Easy solution to that. Just don't by the damn things. I don't have a smart phone, and I don't plan to buy one either. Of course, if the smart phone market ever wants my business, it will have to change it's ways. But if enough people keep buying smart phones the way they are, then the buyers deserve what they get, in this case, being spied upon. If you don't like being spied on, you have to do more than say that you are against it. You have to practice it in real life too, or your belief means nothing.
 
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Re: Tens of Millions of Smartphones Come With Spyware Preinstalled, Security Analyst

danarhea said:
Easy solution to that. Just don't by the damn things. I don't have a smart phone, and I don't plan to buy one either. Of course, if the smart phone market ever wants my business, it will have to change it's ways. But if enough people keep buying smart phones the way they are, then the buyers deserve what they get, in this case, being spied upon. If you don't like being spied on, you have to do more than say that you are against it. You have to practice it in real life too, or your belief means nothing.
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Oh boy, well saying "if you don't want to be spied on don't buy a smart phone" is akin to saying "you don't want to risk dying in a car crash, don't buy a car!" Sure, I'll just walk 23 miles to work every day.

My job requires me to have a phone, and one that will text quickly, not one that you have to select each letter on a 12 key numbered keypad. I don't have a choice in the matter. No phone, no job. But because my job requires it shouldn't mean that I have to just put up with being spied on.
 
Re: Tens of Millions of Smartphones Come With Spyware Preinstalled, Security Analyst

It's not just smartphones, it's also many kinds of cell phone. If the cell phone power is on and connected to a network, the microphone in some models can be activated remotely. If you ever want a guarantee of privacy, take the battery out temporarily, or don't have a cell phone. Even amateurs are hacking into phones using wireless signals, the code is not that strong. Wireless internet at home tends to be firewalled if it's through an ISP box, but cell phones are more dynamic and have more weaknesses.
 
Re: Tens of Millions of Smartphones Come With Spyware Preinstalled, Security Analyst

All I got to say is, "Duh."

You should pay attention to the metephorical messages the Driod commercials are flat out telling you to your face.

Just like the GEICO commercials. They are basically laughing right in your face and many dont even see it.
 
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Re: Tens of Millions of Smartphones Come With Spyware Preinstalled, Security Analyst

More big brother paranoia. The information is used for improvement and the keyloggers don't permanently store any data. Even if it were truly a threat, it would only be a threat to someone doing something wrong. The government isn't going to track you down for a traffic infraction.
 
Re: Tens of Millions of Smartphones Come With Spyware Preinstalled, Security Analyst

SirNegroIII said:
More big brother paranoia. The information is used for improvement and the keyloggers don't permanently store any data. Even if it were truly a threat, it would only be a threat to someone doing something wrong. The government isn't going to track you down for a traffic infraction.
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Well ecofarm, apologies, I meant to say SirNegro, I think the problem is that most people do not want their private text messages being saved up by a 3rd party.
 
Re: Tens of Millions of Smartphones Come With Spyware Preinstalled, Security Analyst

Well what do you think that bulls-eye logo next to connection is?!
 
Re: Tens of Millions of Smartphones Come With Spyware Preinstalled, Security Analyst

Car makers stick gps trackers in our cars...that store how fast you drive, your driving patterns and if your wearing your seat belt...
Cities have more and more cameras watching our movements.
Cell phones are an unnecessary scourge on society. No one needs a cell phone...but a generation has been brainwashed into believing human life cant be sustained without texting and waking up and sticking a phone in your ear to till you retire that night and the cycle continues.
Theyve made and still make billions over convincing you...your must have something in your life that you just DONT NEED...
 
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