'Wiretap Trojan' Virus Enables Skype Eavesdropping

by Warren Riddle on September 3, 2009 at 05:43 PM

Skype, a service which provides free Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls between users, has exploded in popularity, reportedly becoming the world's largest international call provider. Skype is generally considered to be almost impenetrable to hackers, due to its encryption software, but it's now evident that a "wiretap Trojan" virus will allow eavesdroppers to record, and listen to, the VoIP calls before they are encrypted. This has nothing to do with Skype itself, but rather with an exploitation of Microsoft's audio drivers, which the Peskyspy Trojan horse actually infects, making all programs that use audio vulnerable. For more information on the vulnerability, check out Symantec's full alert here, as well as Skype's security blog, which explains the threat pretty clearly.

According to the Associated Press, Ruben Unteregger, a Swedish programmer, has been developing the virus since 2006 because he said he wants people to know that "we are now becoming a surveillance society." Kevin Haley, director of Symantec Security Response, said there is no need for hysteria or paranoia, though, because "It's not practical for any type of broad-based attacks."

Since Skype has almost 500 million users, and attracts over 300,000 more a day, it's almost inconceivable that someone could weed through all the meaningless chit-chat and intercept something incriminating or compromising. While China and Germany already are, or are thinking about, monitoring people's Skype activity, the invasion of privacy would, hopefully, still be illegal in the States. So, while Big Brother may immediately come to mind, your private conversations will most likely remain private, at least, for a little while. [From: AP/USA Today and Skype Security Blog and Symantec Security Response]

Tags: privacy, security, Skype, top, voice over ip, VoiceOverIp, voip, wiretap trojan, wiretapping, WiretapTrojan

Comments

LauraSep 7th 2009 8:38AM

Neutral

Actually your conversations, and any other electronic media, are not private in the USA. They are intercepted and run thru computers, and if they get flagged, a human will listen. Flagged or not, they are saved.

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Pilot DaveSep 7th 2009 8:59AM

Neutral

Skype is the tip of the iceberg. Everyone carrying a cell phone is at risk for the gov't listening in--even when you are not using it! Since cell phones are not encrypted, this surveillance has become child's play...BIG BROTHER IS LISTENING TO YOU AT ALL TIMES1

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nachonutzzSep 7th 2009 9:35AM

Highly Ranked

Pilot Dave, as an individual who trains government entities and organizations on how to perform surveillance and intercept operations against cell phones I can assure you 2 major things: 1.) GSM and UMTS (ATT and TMobile) cellular service IS ENCRYPTED, A5/1 on GSM and A5/3 on UMTS, A5/1 is breakable but requires a very intensive process to break and is only temporary, UMTS on the other hand hasn't had all cyphers broken yet. 2.) USSID 18, look it up, and also TITLE 5 look that up, and then look up FISA. Conspiracy theories are exactly that THEORIES. No one wants to know what you are saying on your phone you simply aren't that interesting. Oh and FYI, CDMA carriers (Sprint and Verizon) are ENCODED and you need special intercept hardware and software to decode, and with the imminent launch of LTE at the end of this year they will also be encrypted as well. You sir have been educated, you are welcome.

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AuditTheFedSep 7th 2009 11:40AM

Neutral

nacho may work for a different branch of the govt, not the nsa, and have no first-hand knowledge of their capabilities.

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sidnerrSep 7th 2009 10:49AM

Neutral

Slider "sniff sniff" "you stink" Pilot Dave you just crashed and burned with nuttzz little education drill huh ~

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Slippery_WhenWetSep 7th 2009 10:50AM

Neutral

I'll alert the media ... since this kind of obvious, Non-News-Event would only be picked up by a NON-media entity such as AO-HE**.
Our conversations can be listened to? Earth-Shattering! I've known this since I bought my first "Bag-Phone"; you youngsters won't remember that. You can call it, if you wish ... 864 313 1882. HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! …

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fastharryDOTcomSep 9th 2009 5:05PM

Neutral

I miss the glory days of 800 Mhz...when my 'shack scanner would intercept naughty phone calls at the office.....

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