Recently, a lot of news has begun to appear about spyware applications that monitor users with the help of a microphone or camera. Some time ago it was reported that hundreds of applications were discovered on Google Play with embedded Alphonso code that used a microphone to collect information.
Alphonso is a kind of shady analog of Shazam, a music recognition application. But the most unpleasant this was the ability of Alphonso to record what is happening in the room even when the screen of your phone is turned off.
Why applications follow users
There are several reasons for that. One of them is to display relevant advertising. They collect data about your preferences and interests. The more data they collect, the more complete the picture of you they will be able to form. After the broker chain, all this information reaches the advertiser, who, based on the information collected, will be able to provide the user with the right product at the right time. You may not realize it but total surveillance is already here. It uses browser fingerprinting, shadow profiles on social networks, etc.
As for Alfonso, its creators claim that they never record human speech, but only the sound coming from TV boxes and other electronic devices. I do not know how it is technically possible to distinguish human voice on TV and real voice in the room. But apparently, they say they somehow manage to do it, at least on a piece of paper.
Third-party software from Alphonso has been built into many Android apps available for free on the Play Store. Some of the apps were also available for the iPhone in the App Store.
Apparently, neither Facebook nor Instagram does not use Alphonso. Although Facebook, despite the lack of evidence, has repeatedly been accused of wiretapping. Some experts believe that the Facebook application secretly activates the phone’s microphone.
I assume that Facebook advertising partners use data collected by third-party applications, which in turn use the Alphonso code. Why risk and collect data through their own applications? It is much better to use third party brokers and information from the users who themselves fill in their shadow profiles on a daily basis. Brilliant!
How apps spy on users
You allow them. No, seriously, all these applications should ask for your permission to listen to what is happening around.
Let's see how it works. I installed one of the applications containing the Alfonso code on my phone. This is a free darts game. When launching the app for the first time, it asks for permission to access my location and microphone.
Please think - why does a simple game of darts need access to the location of your phone? Why does it need to activate the microphone and listen to what is happening in the room?
It is clear that all this is not needed for you to play darts. Such applications operate on the fact that people do not pay attention to trifles and click on everything and grant all permissions.
How to prevent apps from snooping
Before installing any application, you need to look at the permissions. If you install the application, not from Google Play, then it is worth checking it for viruses. You can use VirusTotal or specific services designed to check mobile apps.
If you are in doubt, then it is better to install the application using a test account and use the safe mode. Even if the application does not have malicious code, it should be limited. After installation, you should not obediently provide the application with all permissions it requests.
In order to protect against spying activities carried out by the applications installed on your Android phone, do the following:
- Go to “Settings” > “Applications”.
- Select the desired application.
- In the application settings, click on the “Permissions” item.
- Turn on or off specific permissions.
- Go back and try to start the application. If the application functions normally, then leave it like this, otherwise you can bring it back.
Setting the permissions of the application is only available for Android versions 6 and above.
In my example, I restricted the access of the Booking.com application to everything that it initially requested: to the calendar, camera, contacts, location, and memory. And so, what do you think? Everything works great! Of course, now the application will not be able to determine where I am located in order to once again offer some hotel rooms discounts, but it is not necessary to me on daily basis. Actually, I can find everything that I need and when I need it.
Other ways to protect against installed apps spying
Do not forget about the firewall. The firewall allows you to restrict or even deny app from accessing the network. Using a firewall, you can provide application access only when necessary. The rest of the time the application will be blocked. You can also use VPN apps like this for encrypting all your traffic, changing geo-location and enhancing your overall online security.
That's all. Online privacy is your right! Share the article on social networks with your friends, and make people start thinking and stop giving away their privacy for free.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).