Easy Ways to Tell if Your Cell Phone is Bugged

by Warren Riddle on May 26, 2009 at 07:30 AM

If you've got a lot of enemies (or watch too many spy movies), you've probably noticed those online ads for cell phone bugging software and thought: "Hey, I wonder if my phone is bugged?" Fortunately, the news crew at Fox 26 in Houston shares your paranoia: it recently tested out some cellular spyware to figure out if your ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend is listening in.

After dropping $250 for the software on the Internet, the crew had it up and running on a test phone in 10 minutes. As you can imagine, the spyware enabled call- and text-monitoring, gave access to the phone's contact list, and kept extensive logs of call times and duration. The coolest function let the testers tap into the test phone from a remote location and activate its microphone, allowing them to listen in even with the phone on standby and concealed in a pocket.

As for figuring out if your own phone is bugged, the Fox team says to watch out for significant, unexplained drops in battery power or random screen flashes. Strange billing activity and text messages with random numbers and symbols could also be signs of a bugging. To be safe, you should lock your phone with a password, and if you want to go super clandestine, pop out your phone's battery when you go meet that guy with the briefcase chained to his wrist. [From: Fox 26]

Tags: bugging, bugs, security, spy, surveillance, top

Comments

remartantiquesMay 26th 2009 12:23PM

Highly Ranked

Not only does my phone bother me all the time, now I learn it's a traitor. We're going outside right now with the Winchester to take care of things.

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MichaelMay 28th 2009 3:12AM

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"Not only does my phone bother me all the time, now I learn it's a traitor. We're going outside right now with the Winchester to take care of things."

No pa,its my Iphone,Ill take care of it....

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LindaMay 27th 2009 9:34PM

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The best way to catch a cheating man is to hide a small voice-activated recorder near the phone when you leave home. If you are really curious, put it under the seat of his car. It will quietly record each time words are spoken. I know someone who did this until she got the goods on him. She also got half of everything. Including his pension. Blue Kentucky Girl

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WCAGAILMay 27th 2009 11:32PM

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wow, thanks for the horribly disgusting TMI story. Appreciate it.

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jeriMay 27th 2009 11:59PM

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This comment is in reply to the statement Linda made....ANY WOMAN who has to stoop that low to record a man to see if he is cheating NEEDS to wonder if he is worth the effort to begin with. Women...let it be known that FAMILY LAW takes care of the possessions that are considered community property and weather YOU think its fair or NOT you will get what is coming to you...HOW would you feel if a man had to stoop that low to catch you cheating...sorry but I don't think so...if I had to do that they would be gone..and I don't care what he or i had...GONE IS GONEEEEEEEEEEEEE
The games people play to get what they can GET...be it money or personal items...

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DelMay 28th 2009 1:21AM

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Dumbest article I have seen in ages

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MichaelMay 28th 2009 3:22AM

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From the point of view of bugging peoples phones,yea this is a dumb article. BTW,I wouldn't try to use a conversation from a bugged phone (or for that matter from a hidden tape recorder) in court. Its a crime. Your not just committing the crime against your husband,but against anyone else in the conversation. There are federal laws and other laws that vary state to state,but as far as I know,its pretty clear cut that if you record a call that your not part of,like between your husband and his girl on the side,then your committing a felony that can actually carry some serious jail time.
If I were a divorce attorney and my clients wife said she had a recording of my client with his mistress,I would ask for a copy of the tape as proof,then explain to her that she should either settle the case right now,on my clients terms,or that tape would be sent to the police. So much for "proving he was cheating and getting everything" You would be much better off hiring a detective who would be able to get proof,while knowing how to stay (more or less) within the law.

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smackoMay 28th 2009 2:24AM

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Agree with del. After all, I think it was the lack of trust that drove the man away in the first place. Stooping that low is pathetic.

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marybmullerMay 28th 2009 5:47AM

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Fascinating...and a bit disconcerting...

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grandmatJun 16th 2010 4:40PM

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Think my phone is bugged. How can I trace it back to the one who is doing the bugging? Want to press charges. Help.

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redinDDec 3rd 2010 11:02AM

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@grandmat : I just read this article and saw your comment. What ever happened with your situation? Where you able to find out if and who bugged your phone? I am in a similar situation and if you can spare any advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

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suzanneconnerJan 16th 2013 4:55AM

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I think my phone is bugged.. How do i no for sure ? & how do i find out who has bugged it ?

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sassy77.tmApr 18th 2013 3:24AM

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i real need to know if my cellphone is tapped

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