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BUSTED! Secret app on millions of phones logs key taps
The Register ^ | 30 November 2011 | Dan Goodin

Posted on 11/30/2011 10:51:57 AM PST by ShadowAce

An Android app developer has published what he says is conclusive proof that millions of smartphones are secretly monitoring the key presses, geographic locations, and received messages of its users.

In a YouTube video posted on Monday, Trevor Eckhart showed how software from a Silicon Valley company known as Carrier IQ recorded in real time the keys he pressed into a stock EVO handset, which he had reset to factory settings just prior to the demonstration. Using a packet sniffer while his device was in airplane mode, he demonstrated how each numeric tap and every received text message is logged by the software.

Ironically, he says, the Carrier IQ software recorded the “hello world” dispatch even before it was displayed on his handset.

Eckhart then connected the device to a Wi-Fi network and pointed his browser at Google. Even though he denied the search giant's request that he share his physical location, the Carrier IQ software recorded it. The secret app then recorded the precise input of his search query – again, “hello world” – even though he typed it into a page that uses the SSL, or secure sockets layer, protocol to encrypt data sent between the device and the servers.

“We can see that Carrier IQ is querying these strings over my wireless network [with] no 3G connectivity and it is reading HTTPS,” the 25-year-old Eckhart says.

The video was posted four days after Carrier IQ withdrew legal threats against Eckhart for calling its software a “rootkit.” The Connecticut-based programmer said the characterization is accurate because the software is designed to obscure its presence by bypassing typical operating-system functions.

In an interview last week, Carrier IQ VP of Marketing Andrew Coward rejected claims the software posed a privacy threat because it never captured key presses.

“Our technology is not real time,” he said at the time. "It's not constantly reporting back. It's gathering information up and is usually transmitted in small doses.”

Coward went on to say that Carrier IQ was a diagnostic tool designed to give network carriers and device manufacturers detailed information about the causes of dropped calls and other performance issues.

Eckhart said he chose the HTC phone purely for demonstration purposes. Blackberrys, other Android-powered handsets, and smartphones from Nokia contain the same snooping software, he claims.

The 17-minute video concluded with questions, including: “Why does SMSNotify get called and show to be dispatching text messages to [Carrier IQ]?” and “Why is my browser data being read, especially HTTPS on my Wi-Fi?”

The Register has put the same questions to Carrier IQ, and will update this post if the company responds. ®


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Technical
KEYWORDS: 1984; atlasshrugged; bigbrother; cellphone; cellphonespyware; rootkit; smartphone; smartphones; smartphonespyware; spyware
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Video at link
1 posted on 11/30/2011 10:52:04 AM PST by ShadowAce
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To: rdb3; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; GodGunsandGuts; CyberCowboy777; Salo; Bobsat; JosephW; ...

2 posted on 11/30/2011 10:52:43 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: ShadowAce

How many of you DO NOT USE CELL PHONES?

Just wondering if there was anyone left besides me.


3 posted on 11/30/2011 10:55:32 AM PST by Delta 21 (Make your choice ! There are NO civilians.)
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To: ShadowAce

Boom beyotches! bump


4 posted on 11/30/2011 10:57:57 AM PST by spankalib (The Marx-in-the-Parks crowd is a basement skunkworks operation of the AFL-CIO)
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To: Delta 21
I use a cell phone, but it's not a smart phone.
5 posted on 11/30/2011 11:02:30 AM PST by Tony O (hibobbi!)
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To: Delta 21

I rarely have a minute to myself as it is, so I don’t have one either.


6 posted on 11/30/2011 11:02:48 AM PST by Heart of Georgia
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To: ShadowAce

So who is monitoring this flow of information and where in the h*ll are the memory banks? They must be the size of small towns.


7 posted on 11/30/2011 11:05:42 AM PST by Zuben Elgenubi
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To: Zuben Elgenubi

Probably the same people who are looting the treasury.


8 posted on 11/30/2011 11:08:30 AM PST by MrEdd (Heck? Geewhiz Cripes, thats the place where people who don't believe in Gosh think they aint going.)
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To: Delta 21; ShadowAce
...DO NOT USE CELL PHONES?

...Try to limit them to emergencies only. I will be hung by the IFG or by some FReepers for my replies on FR Threads.

9 posted on 11/30/2011 11:08:45 AM PST by gargoyle (...Amendments 1 and 2, a well informed public and a well regulated militia...)
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To: Delta 21

Things like this make me consider going back :\

Then again, I doubt landline phones are any better.


10 posted on 11/30/2011 11:09:31 AM PST by JamesP81
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To: gargoyle

I only use mine occasionally for outgoing calls only.


11 posted on 11/30/2011 11:13:20 AM PST by Paladin2
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To: Delta 21

I got rid of mine. Service is way too expensive. Between that and the satellite tv service I got rid of, I probably save at least $150 a month. Besides, my company gave me a cell phone, but I don’t use it. It usually sits uncharged in my backpack.


12 posted on 11/30/2011 11:13:49 AM PST by shorty_harris
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To: ShadowAce

So what exactly does this mean?


13 posted on 11/30/2011 11:29:36 AM PST by netmilsmom (Happiness is a choice)
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To: netmilsmom

Tempest in a teapot.


14 posted on 11/30/2011 11:34:33 AM PST by sam_paine (X .................................)
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To: sam_paine

Thanks!


15 posted on 11/30/2011 11:38:41 AM PST by netmilsmom (Happiness is a choice)
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To: ShadowAce

I’m sticking with the new Windows Phone

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/

It’s great!


16 posted on 11/30/2011 11:39:55 AM PST by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: Delta 21
How many of you DO NOT USE CELL PHONES?

11.

17 posted on 11/30/2011 11:42:03 AM PST by Revolting cat! (Let us prey!)
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To: Zuben Elgenubi
Where are the "memory banks"?

They are everywhere. Look for intersections of power and transportation networks (optical fiber is installed on both power lines and RR rights of way). The data centers need huge amounts of power. They are the nondescript but huge buildings with no windows or signs on them and high security surrounding them. They are everywhere.




18 posted on 11/30/2011 11:42:43 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Zuben Elgenubi

You don’t have to save all of it, depending on the value of the information. Where I’ve been and my passwords aren’t of much value...but for specific other people, the value could be very high. The point is that they’re getting this information without any permission or knowledge of the user, and that is an invitation to “be evil”.


19 posted on 11/30/2011 11:55:51 AM PST by bigbob
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To: ShadowAce
Then there's this, about how they track you even when they are off:

Death By Smartphone.

20 posted on 11/30/2011 11:58:43 AM PST by Defiant (President Odinga is setting the stage for chaos in the streets. Obey!)
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