Former government official says that microphones on Android devices can be accessed remotely

Following Edward Snowden’s NSA-related leaks, government intrusion into one’s data via the technology that permeates our lives has been a hot-topic issue (you can read more by clicking the PRISM tag below, spurring other leaks and anonymous statements of arguably less grand proportions. One such example is a rep
ort by The Wall Street Journal this evening, which spoke to former U.S. officials and sources familiar with technology they say the FBI uses to spy on suspects.

The information comes from different sources said to be familiar with methods the FBI uses to gather data from the cyber sphere, as well as court documents that reveal some of these investigative tools. According to these sources, the use of spyware and other similar software via court order is increasing, perhaps not surprising considering the increasing rate of technology adoption.

The means of spying covers a wide range of methods, among them being the use of spyware for both desktop and mobile devices that is delivered in “traditional” ways, such as with an email or a malicious link. One particularly interesting tidbit of info provided by someone identified only as “one former U.S. official” is that the FBI reportedly uses technology for activating the microphone in Android devices to secretly record conversations.

These tools are acquired via a combination of private sector purchases and internally-developed methods, with the FBI having reportedly been working on developing these various hacking tools for “more than a decade.” Not surprisingly, according to the sources, the FBI also actively exploits web bugs and hires those “who have hacking skill.” Using the secret technology can be a two-edged sword, however.

The technology is most often deployed in cases of counter terrorism, organized crime investigations, and child pornography. The FBI balks at the prospect of using the tools in investigative cases against hackers, however, because it worries that doing so will result in its methods being discovered by the suspect and being made publicly known to an Internet-wide audience. Source-SlashGear

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HTC One to sell as TD 101 at China Mobile

HTC decided to invest in such a brand by launching the One series of smartphones last year, although the company was not able to impose its own product names to certain carriers. Then, just a few days ago, the company launched the HTC One, which is going to be the company’s only One-branded handset this year, a make-or-break kind of project for the Taiwanese Android maker that’s still having a tough time fighting against the competition, especially Samsung. We were under the impression that HTC will further invest in its One brand and not budge to carrier demands anymore when it comes to changing the name of the product – in the U.S., AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile are going to sell it as the HTC One. But it looks like things aren’t necessarily so, and no, it’s not Verizon that’s going to get its way selling the One as the Droid DNA Plus, as it was recently rumored. We’re looking at China Mobile this time around, which has announced the HTC One as the HTC TD 101. That’s certa...

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Apple iPhone 8 , 8 Plus and iPhone X announced

Apple has officially announced the iPhone 8 , the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X today at their special event held in Cupertino , California . The three new smartphones , announced right along side their new Apple TV 4K and the Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular support ,mark a new beginning for Apple as they set out to further refine the 10 year old legacy set by the original iPhone almost 10 years back . iPhone 8 and 8 Plus The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are basically successors to last year's iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models , the new duo - designed with glass backs and a metal frame , says goodbye to Apple's aluminum unibody construction as the new iPhones feature Qi Wireless charging (Metal backs are not very good for inductive charging ) . The phones , which still feature the same display sizes - 5.5" - iPhone 8 Plus and 4.7 " on the iPhone 8 will not "wow" anyone as they still feature no major resolution bump as well .But as they say , true beauty is ...

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