So how can we detect for ourselves whether we are being bugged? And is it even possible to detect eavesdropping on a smartphone independently?
Difficult detection of eavesdropping
Eavesdropping detection specialists confirm that neither buying a secret phone nor repeatedly replacing the SIM card inside it will protect us from spying practices. Detecting malicious software, and even more so additional devices through which eavesdropping is often carried out, is incredibly difficult. It is therefore worth being aware of which techniques are most commonly used for illegal surveillance.
Install antivirus software
Regardless of whether we have an Android smartphone or an iPhone equipped with iOS, our devices can be infected with viruses enabling complete control over them very easily. The most popular mobile “pests” include Cutwail, Conficker and Necurs.
Naturally, there are programs that can help us detect such a virus; as might easily be guessed, these are suitable antivirus programs. Particularly useful may be G Data Internet Security, Kaspersky Internet Security, Bitdefender Mobile Security, Avast Mobile Security and Eset Mobile Security. In addition, every smartphone should be equipped with a firewall, which greatly reduces the risk of a break-in.
It is worth remembering, however, that if we do not have sufficient knowledge of a given program and do not obtain it from a safe source, it may turn out that the program itself is a virus capable of attacking our smartphone.
Have the phone examined
This is the surest way to detect eavesdropping. Specialists with many years of experience have the necessary skills and equipment to which we do not have access. They can detect, for example, SpyPhone, a type of eavesdropping that enables remote surveillance of a phone by sending SMS messages in the form of various commands. Sometimes it also happens that SMS eavesdropping is installed in the phone itself by inserting an element into the device or wiring it.
It is also worth knowing about the existence of GSM eavesdropping. Here, various devices can serve as transmitters, including both a phone and a computer mouse. It is enough to place a SIM card in a small box and then enter the card’s number to gain access to conversations taking place throughout the room.