Whether you like Anderson Cooper or not, he is part of the mainstream media and the topics he covers are often timely and informative. He had two women on his television program in the fall who revealed their husbands had spied on them through their cell phones.
The incidence of cell phone spying has grown and infiltrated the daily lives of average citizens in situations like the women on Cooper’s television show. Cell phone eavesdropping is accomplished through the installation of software directly onto the device. That can happen simply through the opening of an email or an image – and, in the case of these ladies, getting an email or text from your husband would not send up any red flags.
Cellular forensics or mobile device forensics is not a new field, at least not for . We have been on the forefront of this new wave of mobile phone hack detection for several years.
What some people don’t realize is that cell phone monitoring also includes the ability to listen in on conversations in the vicinity of the actual mobile device – that means conversations around the table or desk – not just between the two parties on a phone call. Yes, your cell phone spy becomes a cell phone surveillance device.
Also, cell phone forensics shows that Internet activity, texts and email are also accessible through the mobile spy. Not only that, but your movements and locations can be tracked through GPS software and also by the bad guy pinging the cell phone to get locations.
All the information being gleaned is accessible through a computer program which the bad guy monitors and controls.
So how do you know your phone has been targeted? There are a few signs to watch for:
- Is there a big increase in data usage? Yes, that does mean looking at your bills once in a while.
- Does the battery drain more quickly than before? Because data is being obtained and sent, more battery power is needed.
- Is the battery warm when you are not using the phone? It’s a sign the battery is being used when it’s not you using it.
If you suspect that you are the victim of cell phone surveillance, the only way to know for sure is with phone forensic software used in a mobile phone forensic analysis. Cell phone spyware detection takes a cellphone expert and must be performed within cell phone legal compliance. This is especially true if illegal activity is uncovered and subsequent charges are made. Forensic cellular evidence has to be obtained within a strict protocol to be used in a court of law.
Even though emotions may push you to just throw out what you think is a cell phone spy, that doesn’t mean the problem will just go away. More than likely all the trouble of getting a new phone and the costs involved will be for naught as the bad guy will follow you to the new phone as well.
Cellular phone forensics is sadly a growing industry and the best solution at the moment is extra-vigilant cell phone users. Be proactive; protect your phone at all times. But if you need help, is just a call away – even if the cell phone spy is what you use to call us!
-Brenda McGinley, CEO, All in Investigations, All in Investigations