BlackBerry 'spyware' can steal secrets: News - Security - ZDNet Australia


BlackBerry 'spyware' can steal secrets

Brett Winterford and Munir Kotadia, ZDNet Australia

03 July 2007 06:30 PM

Tags: trojan, spyware, blackberry, mobile, e-mail, flexispy, rim

Research in Motion's (RIM) BlackBerry which is popular with corporate users due to its secure management of mobile e-mail is vulnerable to 'legal' spyware that has been classified as a Trojan by several security vendors.


Here is an article from 2007 concerning BB spyware. Maybe this is what OP is talking about.

Unfortunately this probably isn't BS. It is possible and can be done. There seems to be more than one way to do this, Flexi-spy being one, and I'm aware of one service you can sign up for on the web to monitor sms and see sms messsages in real time.

To the OP, I would wipe your device and reinstall the OS. Be aware what he is doing is likely illegal.

Would this show up as a MODULE, if not an application? Are there "root kit" type of apps for (against???) the BB?

This all sounds very fishy to me, but I'm going to offer some thoughts.

First, I'm sure he has a reason to want to track you (i.e., you're cheating), so please fix that first. Second, you should wipe your device with JL_Cmder and reload your OS. Do NOT make a backup beforehand. Third, set a password with a very short timeout, and only 1-3 tries before the device wipes. That way, if your husband tries to do it again, he probably won't be able to.

I still call BS on this. Blackberrys, with their legendary security, can be duped into giving out your data?! And over bluetooth?!! No. More likely the OP's husband is getting a hold of her device and reading her messages. Or has them set up to bcc him.

Change your password and keep it a secret. Betcha the spying ends right there.

Thanks for the advice. With respect to him having a "reason", he doesn't, he is just nosey and always has been. As I indicated earlier, I have nothing to hide, I simply don't want to be spied on.

On the off chance it's Flexispy, here are the removal instructions per Symantec:

Spyware.FlexiSpy Removal - Removing Help | Symantec

Although a total removal of the OS will ensure it's gone for good. Whatever it is. I'd also change the password to your BIS account online - and make it something hard to guess, using mixed case and special characters.

Perhaps one other thing to consider is that maybe he has something to hide, and wants to know if you know what he's up to.

Absolutely disagree with your first statement! Don't blame the victim. There are many abusers, male and female, but most often male, who want to control and monitor everything their significant others do. It's a sickness for them. Watch the movie Sleeping With the Enemy with Julia Roberts sometime. Check this out:

Internet and Computer Safety

I've done some research on this. It's becoming more prevalent, especally with the ease of installing surveillance apps on a PC now. I've tested some of them. It's spooky to see screenshots taken of what you are doing and to read the keylog of every stroke you type. These weren't trojans from a malware exploit, they were apps that anyone can purchase. They can be made invisible on a PC and set to send the collected information to an email address at specified intervals.

I'm not blaming the victim, I'm simply bringing in the other side. I agree with what you're saying, but we don't know the situation here.

Thanks for clarifying. If that is in fact the case, then take my other suggestions.

Hmmm think maybe marriage counseling would work?

This is exactly the reason why Barack Obama wasn't allowed to keep his berry. They ar NO LONGER the secure handheld device they once were. Flexispy is just one of such apps out there and they can simply be emailed to you too!!

Wipe device and load new OS, SIMPLES!

President Obama, actually, was allowed to keep his BlackBerry.

....And he gets to use a VERY limited whitelis

He won the fight, aides said Thursday, but the privilege of becoming the nation's first e-mailing president comes with rules.

"The president has a BlackBerry through a compromise that allows him to stay in touch with senior staff and a small group of personal friends in a way that use will be limited and that the security is enhanced to ensure his ability to communicate," said Robert Gibbs, new White House press secretary.

First, only a select circle of people will have his address, creating a true hierarchy for who makes the cut and who does not.

Second, anyone placed on the A list to receive his e-mail address must first receive a briefing from the White House counsel's office.

Third, messages from the president will be designed so they cannot be forwarded.

With a limited whitelist

To the OP's issue, it's definitely not FlexiSpy because that doesn't work on CMDA networks.

I second that.Kick him out.

Thanks to all for the advice. I'll wipe my phone and reload the OS. I do have one question tough, will I lose all of my contacts if I do that or will it just wipe out the apps?