The case of Filippo Turetta and the murder of Giulia Cecchettin has brought to light another disturbing detail of the story which concerns modern technology to which, technically, we are more or less all exposed: there are spy app to control, without the knowledge of the unfortunate people, everything that happens inside the smartphones and other devices.
What is a spy app
Unless prevention is done by controlling minor children (parental control), in the vast majority of cases spy apps are used for less than noble purposes in order to know everything about the person you want to control, violating 100% of their privacy: these applications can be installed not only on mobile phones but also on other devices without the user's knowledge. Their “work” is complete at 360 degrees since they are able to track practically everything, from phone calls to messages, from activities to GPS. In practice, strictly personal data are put at risk: photos, documents, the same (legal) apps that are used on smartphones without forgetting social networks.
How a spy app works
Between characteristics techniques, attackers install spy software to exploit internal system flaws and monitor all activities that occur on devices. “After installing the spy software, by accessing a dedicated portal, the cyber criminal is able to monitor the contents stored on the compromised device practically in real time”, the experts explain Cybersecurity. There are at least a couple of ways to install them: either with the physical device in your hands or remotely by deceiving the user, remotely, when installing the software with fraudulent actions conducted via text message or email, for example.
The typologies
There are some applications on the Internet created to spy on what is happening on other devices: among these apps is one mSpy able to monitor phone calls, text messages, social networks, online activities and even the keys you press by paying 59.90 euros per month and compatible with both iOS and Android systems. It also exists FlexiSpy which has more or less the same functions as the first but can also count on environmental interceptions by remotely applying the microphone: as experts recall Doctorspythis is also compatible with iOS and Android and costs 49.95 euros per month. Hoverwatch it also has the ability to control the camera remotely and costs from 29.95 euros per month. Finally, here it is uMobix And eyeZythe latter able to know where the smartphone is in real time with GPS tracking as well as being able to remotely block the device and delete its data.
What are they for
As mentioned, the most “noble” motivations concern legitimate purposes related to the control of minor children or for reasons related to work on company devices (but those are called monitoring tools). Conversely, they can be used by cyber criminals to steal sensitive data which can also lead to possible blackmail to avoid the spread of the material but also by the unsuspecting person next door to find out how the partner behaves in great secrecy, for example .
When it becomes dangerous
Although it is “dangerous” for any relationship to violate your partner's privacy, the greatest danger is when these apps provide sensitive data to hackers who can exploit the flaws in the devices to trace usernames and passwords not only on social media but, even more serious, the bank account access data.
How to avoid being spied on (how to discover spy apps)
There are many ways to find out if we are being spied on without our knowledge: fromantivirus reliable capable of discovering any malicious software that is installed on our smartphones or other devices but also constant and continuous updates of the operating systems can highlight any problems. When you're in public, it's a good idea to be careful about unsecured Wi-Fi connections because they can be an easy entry point for cyber criminals.
The same goes with passwords which must be updated periodically but above all capable of containing numbers, letters and special characters.