Mobile Phone Spyware

What Is Mobile Spyware?

Spyware, also referred to as a Trojan and malware, are programs that track your cell phone activity and send it to a third party. The programs can also manipulate your text messages so that others can read them. The malware can affect your cell phone by draining the battery and running your bill up to hundreds of dollars through premium text messages. It can disable certain programs from your cell phone or disable the phone itself. Some can delete files while collecting personal and confidential information without your knowledge.

How its works

Spyware is a category of computer programs that attach themselves to your operating system in nefarious ways. They can suck the life out of your computer's processing power. They're designed to track your Internet habits, nag you with unwanted sales offers or generate traffic for their host Web site. According to some estimates, more than 80 percent of all personal computers are infected with some kind of spyware [source: FaceTime Communications]. But before you chuck your computer out the window and move to a desert island, you might want to read on. In this article we'll explain how spyware gets installed on your computer, what it does there and how you can get rid of it.

Prevention

Treat your cell phone like you do your computer. Make sure you have the proper anti-spyware and anti-virus programs on your cell phone. The anti-virus software can detect the presence of malware and stop it. If you receive a Bluetooth or text message from someone you don't know, do not open it. Delete it right away. Avoid downloading pirated software on your cell phone. Only install programs from reliable sources. When using your cell pone to access the Internet, only visit websites you are knowledgeable of and you find trustworthy.