Future phone privacy threatened.
Reports this week highlighted the problem of spyware running on mobile phones, and the consequences this could have for privacy. A commercial application which, once installed on a smart phone, silently harvests SMS messages and forwards them on to a third party, has been labelled as spyware by
F-Secure
among others.
The makers of the software claim it is a fun tool for keeping an eye on your spouse or children, and that as it needs to be installed manually its spying uses are minimal. The software hides from the operating system and provides no uninstall facility. The issue has added to growing fears regarding the potential of mobile phone spyware in eroding privacy and information security.
Read more from an
F-Secure
spokesman
here
, and a report in the
Observer
here
.
Posted on 4 September 2006 by
Virus Bulletin
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