Technology

Is your smartphone spying on you without you even knowing it?

Published

9 months ago

April 14, 2024

Is your smartphone spying on you without you even knowing it?

Researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) recently revealed a startling new privacy threat.

Our smartphones’ ambient light sensors might be turned into makeshift cameras.

A woman on her iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

From brightness adjustment to privacy invasion

Ambient light sensors are commonplace in smartphones, primarily used to adjust screen brightness according to environmental lighting. However, CSAIL researchers have demonstrated that these sensors could potentially be repurposed to capture images of a user’s surroundings.

By employing a computational imaging algorithm, they managed to recover environmental images from the perspective of the phone’s screen, utilizing only the light intensity data from these sensors.

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Two people looking at their iPhones (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

A comprehensive privacy threat

The implications of this discovery are far-reaching.

“Ambient light sensors are tiny devices deployed in almost all portable devices and screens that surround us in our daily lives,” notes Princeton University professor Felix Heide. The study underscores a privacy threat that spans a broad spectrum of devices, previously underestimated in its potential impact.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

A person on a cell phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Gesture interception and interaction capture

Beyond static images, the study suggests that ambient light sensors could intercept user gestures, like swiping and sliding, capturing interactions with phones during activities such as video watching. This capability challenges the belief that ambient light sensors are harmless in terms of private data exposure.

An iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOUR DEVICES FROM GETTING HACKED

The call for tighter permissions

Yang Liu, a Ph.D. candidate at MIT EECS and CSAIL, warns that ambient light sensors, in conjunction with display screens, can capture our actions without consent, posing significant privacy risks. The researchers urge operating system developers to tighten permissions for these sensors, reducing their precision and sampling rate.

Person on an iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Looking ahead: Designing for privacy

To mitigate these security concerns, the study proposes granting users control over ambient light sensor permissions akin to camera permissions. Additionally, future device designs might include ambient light sensors positioned away from the user, such as on the side of the device, to prevent unauthorized visual data capture.

While the study’s findings prompt a reevaluation of sensor permissions and design, it’s equally important to recognize the broader context of smartphone security vulnerabilities. Let’s delve into the realm of spyware, another pressing concern where even the most vigilant users can find themselves compromised.

A woman talking on her cell phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Understanding spyware vulnerability on your smartphone

You might not realize it, but your phone could be more exposed to spyware than you think. Just a small slip-up while you’re browsing the web, and you could accidentally invite a cyber-spy into your life. If you’re an Android user, be extra cautious. Your phone is usually more at risk than iPhones.

But here’s the kicker. Even if you’re super careful, you’re not totally out of the woods. If you don’t update your phone’s software regularly or if you’ve jailbroken it, you’re playing with fire. Here are some telltale signs of spyware on your phone.

A woman on her smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson))

MORE: SNEAKY SPYWARE IS AFTER YOUR MOST SENSITIVE DATA

The telltale sign of spyware on your phone

Is your phone acting strange? Here are the telltale signs of spyware on your device.

Unusual noises: Beeping, faint voices or static during calls might not just be network issues. They could signal an eavesdropping attempt.

Performance lags: If your phone suddenly slows down or the battery drains rapidly, spyware might be hogging your resources.

Sensors activate unexpectedly: Modern smartphones signal when cameras and mics are in use. If this happens sans your input, investigate promptly.

Mysterious apps and files: New, unrecognizable apps or files might indicate that your phone’s security has been breached.

Excessive pop-ups and spam: An uptick in ads, error messages or scam texts may be adware, a common companion to spyware.

Overheating issues: Like performance lags, overheating can suggest that spyware is overworking your phone’s internals.

Smartphone on the seat of a vehicle (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: MALICIOUS ANDROID SPYWARE DETECTED IN OVER 100 POPULAR APPS

Several steps you can take to protect yourself from spyware on your smartphone

1. Have good antivirus software: Yes, antivirus protection can help detect and disable spyware on your smartphone. The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.

2. Remove unfamiliar apps and files: If you suspect your phone has been hacked, promptly remove any unfamiliar apps.

3. Restart your device: Rebooting your phone can sometimes stop spyware from running.

4. Update to the latest software: As mentioned before, updates can patch vulnerabilities.

5. Be cautious when browsing: Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from untrusted sources.

6. Update your phone regularly: Updates often include security patches that can help protect your device from spyware and other vulnerabilities.

7. Don’t jailbreak your phone: Jailbreaking removes security restrictions that can make your phone more susceptible to spyware.

8. Look for unusual activity: This includes unusual noises during calls, performance lags, unexpected sensor activation, mysterious apps or files, excessive pop-ups and overheating.

9. Delete unwanted or unused apps: Some apps use your device’s camera and microphone and collect your data even while it is not in use. Getting rid of unused apps frees up storage space on your phone and declutters your lock screen. It can also eliminate one more potential app that might be collecting information from you unknowingly.

On an iPhone:

Hard press the app icon of the app you want to delete
Select Remove App
You’ll be prompted to confirm your decision in the next window by tapping Delete App
Then again by tapping Delete

 On an Android:

Go to the Google Play Store app
At the top right, tap the Profile icon
Select Manage apps & devices, click Manage
Select name of the app you want to delete
Select Uninstall

Android settings may vary based on the manufacturer’s settings.

While it may seem like an extra effort to review and change your apps’ permission settings, it’ll give you more peace of mind knowing which apps have access to specific device functions and data. Most devices now have a dedicated part of their settings to view which apps are using the different functions of your phone and what data it has access to.

10. Changing camera settings: It may seem simple to just give access to your camera to certain apps. This way, you can easily use the camera function whenever you pull up the app to use. There are, however, apps that do not need access to your camera to function. Does your navigation app need access to your camera even when it is not in use? Take back control of your camera by using the steps below to find out which apps have access to your camera and turn it on or off.

On an iPhone:

Go to Settings
Scroll down and select Privacy or Privacy & Security
Select Camera
You can see which apps have access to your camera. Of course, you can leave the apps where it makes sense to have access to your camera toggle on. For apps that do not, you can toggle access off (it will be grayed out)

On an Android:

Android settings may vary based on the manufacturer’s settings.

Open Settings
Select Apps
Select the app you want to change (If you can’t find it, select ‘See all apps’)
Select Permissions to view if you allowed or denied any permissions for the app
To change a permission setting, select it, then choose Allow only while using the app, Ask everytime or Don’t allow

11. Restrict camera and microphone permissions: Restricting camera and microphone permissions can make it more difficult for spyware to access these features.

On an iPhone:

Go to Settings
Scroll down and select Privacy or Privacy & Security
Select Microphone
You can see which apps have access to your microphone. Of course, you can leave the apps where it makes sense to have access to your microphone toggle on. For apps that do not, you can toggle access off (it will be grayed out)

On an Android:

Android settings may vary based on the manufacturer’s settings.

Open Settings
Select Apps
Select the app you want to change (If you can’t find it, select ‘See all apps’)
Select Permissions to view if you allowed or denied any permissions for the app
To change a permission setting, select it, then choose Allow only while using the app, Ask everytime or Don’t allow

MORE: NEWLY IPHONE SPYWARE TOOL SOLD TO GOVERNMENTS FOR TARGETED SURVEILLANCE

Kurt’s key takeaways

In a world where our smartphones are virtual extensions of ourselves, the discoveries at MIT’s CSAIL cast a new light on what we often take for granted. As we navigate the delicate balance between convenience and privacy, it’s clear that the devices we depend on daily harbor capabilities far beyond their intended use, prompting a necessary conversation on security, awareness and the evolving landscape of digital privacy.

With the revelation that devices we use daily, like smartphones, can be exploited in ways that compromise our privacy — such as converting ambient light sensors into makeshift cameras — what steps do you believe technology companies and governments should take to protect personal privacy? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Elon Musk is being sued by the feds over the way he bought Twitter

Published

5 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Elon Musk is being sued by the feds over the way he bought Twitter

Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter has resulted in a federal lawsuit by the Securities and Exchange Commission alleging that he broke securities laws with a late disclosure, and saved $150 million in the process.

Before Musk agreed to buy Twitter for $44 billion, before he tried to back out of that deal, before he was forced to go through with it, and before he changed its name to X, he started by acquiring a substantial stake in the company but didn’t reveal that fact until weeks later.

The only problem, as the SEC pointed out then, is that by the time he disclosed that stake, it was outside the agency’s required 10-day window. They claim that he should’ve filed his paperwork by March 24th, 2022, instead of when he actually did, on April 4th (and then again on April 5th). During that period, they say he purchased more than $500 million in shares of the company.

However, with only a few days left before the Trump administration takes over and installs a new head of the SEC (along with Elon Musk reportedly snagging an office in the White House complex), it’s unclear how far the lawsuit will go.

The SEC claims Musk cost investors at least $150 million due to the late disclosure and that he harmed any investors who sold stock between March 25th, 2022, and April 1st, 2022. Its lawsuit is seeking the money Elon made as a result of holding off on the disclosure, as well as a civil penalty and other punishments.

Technology

First 15 things to do or try first when you get a new iPhone

Published

5 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

First 15 things to do or try first when you get a new iPhone

Apple announces new iPhones every year, and I often wonder if that’s truly necessary. A launch every two years seems more reasonable, especially since the new iPhones are often only marginally better than the ones released the year before. This has been the case since the iPhone 12.

However, in 2024, Apple introduced a range of interesting features with the iPhone 16. While these features don’t necessarily justify an upgrade if you already own the iPhone 15 or even the iPhone 14, they make the iPhone 16 a worthy purchase if you’re using an older model or an Android phone.

If you’ve already made the purchase, or if you’ve bought another iPhone, here are the first things you should do and try when you fire up your new phone. (First things to do if you got a new Android)

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iPhone packaging (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

1) How to update your software to iOS 18.2 or later

First things first, let’s update your software to iOS 18.2 or later:

Open Settings
Tap General
Select Software Update
Tap Update Now
Enter your passcode and agree to terms
Wait for the installation to complete

Steps to update your iPhone’s software (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR IPHONE, IPAD FROM MALWARE

2) How to add a passcode or biometric authentication

To add a passcode or biometric authentication to your new iPhone after updating to iOS 18.2 or later, follow these steps:

Setting up a passcode

Open Settings on your iPhone
Tap on Face ID & Passcode (for iPhone X and later) or Touch ID & Passcode (for earlier models)
Tap Turn Passcode On
Enter a six-digit passcode. If you prefer, tap Passcode Options to choose a four-digit numeric code, a custom numeric code or a custom alphanumeric code.
Re-enter your passcode to confirm it and activate it

Setting up biometric authentication

For Face ID:

Go to Settings
Tap on Face ID & Passcode
Enter your passcode, if prompted
Tap on Set Up Face ID
Hold your device in portrait orientation and position your face in front of the device, then tap Get Started.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup

Face ID & Passcode on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

IS IT TIME FOR ME TO UPGRADE TO NEW IPHONE?

3) Setting up Apple ID and iCloud

Create or sign in to Apple ID:

Open the Settings app
Tap on Sign in to your iPhone at the top
If you don’t have an Apple ID, select Don’t have an Apple ID or forgot it? and follow the prompts to create one.
If you have an Apple ID, enter your credentials and sign in.

Enable iCloud:

After signing in, go back to Settings
Tap on your name at the top, then select iCloud
Choose which services you want to enable (e.g., Photos, Contacts, Calendars)
Tap iCloud Backup and toggle it on to automatically back up your data.

Create a Free Apple Account on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MUST TURN-OFF PRIVACY SETTINGS ON YOUR IPHONE

4) Personalizing settings on iPhone

Customize Display:

Open Settings
Then go to Display & Brightness
Tap Light or Dark for the background you’d like
You can tap on Text Size to adjust text size
Then use the slider to adjust the brightness you prefer.

How to personalize your iPhone’s display and brightness (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Customize sound preferences:

Tap on Sounds & Haptics
Adjust the slider where it says Ringtone and alerts to customize from quieter to louder.
Scroll down and tap the following to adjust the sounds for each: Ringtone, Text Tone, New Voicemail, New Mail, Sent Mail, Calendar Alerts and Reminder Alerts.

Steps to change your iPhone’s sounds and haptics (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

5) Configuring privacy settings

Manage Privacy Settings:

Go to Settings
Scroll down and click apps
Select the app you want to review the privacy settings for
Adjust the permissions as needed for location services, camera, microphone, allow tracking and other settings. Adjust as necessary for individual apps.

6) Pick your own lock screen shortcuts

By default in iOS 18, you get flashlight and camera shortcuts on the lock screen, but now you can finally customize them.

Long-press on the Lock Screen
Tap Customize
Then choose Lock Screen
You can tap on the existing shortcuts to change them to your preferred apps or features by selecting the desired app or feature from the list that appears.
If you prefer, you can remove them entirely to keep your lock screen clean and simple by tapping the delete or remove option next to the shortcut.

Steps to customize your iPhone’s lock screen (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

7) Setting up Family Sharing

Here’s how to enable Family Sharing on your iPhone:

Open your Settings app
Tap your name
Go to Family Sharing
Set Up Your Family
Press Continue
Select family members that you want to invite
To create an account for a child, select Create Child Account at the bottom and provide their name and birthday.

8) Download some useful apps

There are millions of apps available, such as Apple Maps, Google Maps and even apps to plan a party in the App Store. To download useful apps on your new iPhone, follow these straightforward steps:

Locate the App Store icon on your home screen and tap to open it.
You can explore various categories by tapping on Apps at the bottom of the screen or using the Search tab to find specific apps.
Once you find an app you want, tap on it to view more details, including descriptions, ratings and screenshots.
Tap the Get button (or the price if it’s a paid app) next to the app you wish to download.
If prompted, authenticate your download using Face ID, Touch ID or your Apple ID password.
The app will begin downloading and installing automatically. You can monitor its progress on your home screen.
Once installed, the app will appear on your home screen.
Tap its icon to open and start using it.
You can press and hold any app icon until they start wiggling, allowing you to drag them into folders or rearrange their positions.

Image of the App Store icon on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

9) Activate spam filters for text messages

Having a strong spam filter on your iPhone is beneficial to protect yourself from unwanted text messages and scams. But beware that this may also filter out some legitimate messages from people who are not in your contacts list.

Open Settings
Scroll down and tap on Apps
Then, scroll down and tap on Messages
Toggle on Filter Unknown Senders to filter text messages from unknown contacts into a separate list

Steps to activate filters for text messages (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

10) Use visual intelligence

On all iPhone 16 models, you can use Camera Control with visual intelligence to quickly learn more about the stuff around you. Just press and hold the Camera Control, which is a new button on the right side of the device, and you can do things like look up info about a restaurant or business, translate text, get a summary, have it read out loud and more.

You can even use it to find details about a business, like its hours, services and contact info. Depending on the place, you might also be able to check reviews, make a reservation or order for delivery.

To use this feature, point your iPhone camera at the business in front of you, then press and hold the Camera Control. Next, either tap the Camera Control again or select the business name at the top of the screen. Depending on the business, you can:

View the hours of operation by tapping Schedule
Place a delivery order by tapping Order
Browse the menu or available services by tapping Menu
Make a reservation by tapping Reserve
To call the business, visit its website or access other options, tap the More button.

iPhone using visual intelligence (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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11) Log how you’re feeling

Apple made several changes to the iPhones with its iOS 18 update, including updates to the Journal app. You don’t need the latest iPhone 16 to try the app’s mindfulness option for journal entries; any iPhone with iOS 18 will do. When you open the Journal app, tap the icon that looks like a tiny tree, and you’ll be able to log your mood for each day and see how it changes over time.

Journal app on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

12) Give Action Button a try

The Action Button is part of the iOS 17 operating system for the iPhone 15 series and continues into iOS 18 for the iPhone 16 series. This customizable side button lets you choose a specific function to perform when pressed, such as turning on silent mode, focus, camera, flashlight, voice memo, recognize music, translate, magnifier, controls, shortcut and accessibility, depending on your settings. Essentially, it acts as a quick access key for a chosen action. Here are the steps to customize the Action button on supported iPhone models:

Go to Settings
Tap Action Button
An image of the side of the iPhone will appear showing icons representing actions you can assign to the Action button.
Swipe left or right to choose an action. The name of the action will appear below the dots.
If additional options are available for the selected action, a button will appear below the action.
Tap it to see the list of options.
For Controls, Shortcut and Accessibility actions, you need to tap the button below the action and select a specific option. Otherwise, the Action button won’t do anything.

Action button on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

13) Try out the new Passwords app

I always stress the importance of using a password manager to store your passwords. Let’s be honest, we all have a ton of apps and services that require an account and password. If you use the same password everywhere, you risk having your important info stolen by cybercriminals. But it’s also impossible to come up with a unique password for every app and remember them all.

Password managers make life easier by storing your passwords and filling them in when you log into apps. But they usually charge a monthly or yearly fee. That’s where Apple’s Passwords app comes in. It works just like a password manager but without the extra cost. Open the app from the App Library, and it’ll keep your login details encrypted and synced across all your devices.

While Apple’s new Passwords app in iOS 18 offers a convenient and cost-free solution for password management, it’s important to consider its limitations. These include its exclusivity to the Apple ecosystem, lack of compatibility with Android or Linux devices and limited functionality outside of Safari and Apple apps. For those seeking a more comprehensive password management solution that works across various browsers and apps, check out my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here.

14) Use ChatGPT and writing tools

Apple introduced Apple Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro and newer models running iOS 18.2, bringing a range of AI tools and ChatGPT support. ChatGPT is now built into various parts of iOS, and if you have an iPhone 15 Pro or above, you can take full advantage of this integration.

You can use Apple’s enhanced Writing Tools to access ChatGPT directly in apps like Notes, Mail and any other text input field. Whether you need help spicing up your notes or generating complex programming scripts, ChatGPT is up for the task. Here’s how to get started; you’ll need to enable ChatGPT integration.

Head to Settings
Click Apple Intelligence & Siri
Tap ChatGPT and toggle on next to where it says Use ChatGPT.
From there, you can scroll down and Sign In to your own ChatGPT account or even upgrade to ChatGPT Plus.

ChatGPT and writing tools on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

15) Install strong antivirus protection

Antivirus software can help protect your new iPhone from malware, phishing and other threats. The best way to protect yourself from having your data breached is to install antivirus protection on all your devices. Having strong antivirus software on your devices will alert you of any known malware that is targeting you, warn you against clicking on any known malicious links in phishing emails and ultimately help protect you from being hacked. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your iPhone, Mac, Windows and Android devices.

Pro tip: Prioritize regular backups to safeguard your data

Making data backups a regular part of your iPhone maintenance is crucial. This way, you can protect yourself against uncertainties. Whether it’s a hardware malfunction or a security breach, having a recent backup will let you recover quickly.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

When you get your new iPhone, there are several essential steps to take to ensure you’re getting the most out of your device. Start by updating to iOS 18.2 or later to access the latest features. Next, security measures like a passcode or biometric authentication should be set up for added protection. Personalize your settings by customizing your display and sound preferences, and don’t forget to enable Family Sharing if you want to connect with loved ones. Also, explore the App Store to download useful apps. Additionally, make sure to give the Action Button a test run for quick access to your favorite functions. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to maximizing your new iPhone’s capabilities.

How do you feel about the annual iPhone releases? Do you think they provide enough value each year? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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Technology

North Korea linked to crypto heists of over $650 million in 2024 alone

Published

12 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

North Korea linked to crypto heists of over 0 million in 2024 alone

Hackers in North Korea stole a total of $659 million in crypto across several heists in 2024, according to a joint statement issued today by the US, Japan, and South Korea. The report specified five such incidents, like the $235 million theft from the Indian crypto exchange WazirX that is being newly attributed to the Lazarus Group. That organization is estimated to have stolen billions across previous attacks over the last decade, including $625 million stolen from Axie Infinity in 2022.

As recently as September 2024, the United States government observed aggressive targeting of the cryptocurrency industry by the DPRK with well-disguised social engineering attacks that ultimately deploy malware, such as TraderTraitor, AppleJeus and others. The Republic of Korea and Japan have observed similar trends and tactics used by the DPRK.

A warning issued by the FBI last September noted that their methods to gain access for delivering these payloads include “individualized fake scenarios,” such as enticing victims with prospective jobs and business opportunities. All three countries advised businesses in the industry to check out the latest warning to reduce their risk of “inadvertently hiring DPRK IT workers,” as described in this recent report by CoinDesk.

They’ve also used long-time common phishing tactics against employees of crypto firms, such as convincing impersonations of trusted contacts or prominent people of interest in related industries, with realistic photos and information likely lifted from public social media accounts of known connections.