Is Your Phone Spying On You?

Reports claim that hackers can use a terror text message to turn android phones into spy cameras.

17:56 10 August 2015

Mobile security experts at Zimperium have found that a terror text message can exploit a dangerous vulnerability in android phones, which can turn the device into a spy camera.  The experts added that the hackers can also gain full control of the phone and access anything they fancy.

 

Joshua Drake, security researcher with Zimperium, said: "It's really up to their imagination what they do once they get in.”

 

"This happens even before the sound that you've received a message has even occurred," Drake added.

 

"That's what makes it so dangerous. It could be absolutely silent. You may not even see anything."

 

The terror text contains a short video, which victims do not even need to access.

 

"It does not require the targeted user to play back the media at all," Drake added.

 

Meanwhile, Google is already fixing the flaw.

 

In a statement, Google said: "The security of Android users is extremely important to us and so we responded quickly and patches have already been provided to partners that can be applied to any device.

 

"Most Android devices, including all newer devices, have multiple technologies that are designed to make exploitation more difficult.

 

"Android devices also include an application sandbox designed to protect user data and other applications on the device."