VIDEO-Spies can listen to your iPhone microphone even if it is switched OFF, experts reveal - Mirror Online

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 01:41

CIA whistleblower Edward Snowden claimed America's National Security Agency (NSA) could eavesdrop on the mobile phone's mic without owners ever knowing - and experts agree it's possible

American and British spies can listen in to the microphone of your iPhone - even if the device is switched OFF, experts have revealed.

CIA whistleblower Edward Snowden claimed America's National Security Agency (NSA), which works in tandem with the UK's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), could eavesdrop on the mobile phone's mic without owners ever knowing.

The American fugitive, who exposed a joint secret mass surveillance program, said: ''They can absolutely turn them on with the power turned off to the device''.

The worrying claim left Britain's estimated 10 million iPhone users at risk.

Now a team of security experts have confirmed Snowden's claims saying the Apple phone's inbuilt software can fool users in to ''playing dead'' when it is actually still working.

Expert Eric McDonald, a hardware engineer in Los Angeles, said although the handset may appear to be shutting down when turned off it actually enters a low-power mode that leaves key communication chips still active.

This 'playing dead' state allows the phone to receive commands, including one to activate its microphone, said McDonald.

''The screen would look black and nothing would happen if you pressed buttons but it's conceivable that the baseband (the cellular function) is still on, or turns on periodically," he said.

''And it would be very difficult to know whether the phone has been compromised.''

Claims: U.S. National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden Writing on his Errata Security blog, security consultant Robert David Graham says the technique Snowden referred to is called an implant.

''An 'implant' is when the NSA intercepts your phone and installs hardware or software on it," he wrote.''

''Yes, an implant gives the NSA full control over your phone but it's difficult getting the implant on your phone in the first place.

''Once the NSA installs an implant, then of course they can remotely 'power on' your phone, because it's not really powered off - even when you think it is.''

Graham said the implant could be installed through the internet or through the phone's cellular functions.

He also said it could be put on to the phone physically if anyone was to get hold of it.

Agencies such as the CIA, FBI, MI5 and MI6 have had the technology to use mobile phones as an aid for spying for the past 10 years.

In 2006 a technique known as a ''roving bug'' was discovered which allowed agents to remotely activate a phone's microphone and listen to nearby conversations.

They also use the technique to locate users to within a few meters seeing many criminals located through their mobiles.

Fugitve Snowden fled the US 14 months ago after exposing the PRISM program. It gave spies access to data held by nine of the world's top internet companies, including Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Skype and also eavesdropped on millions of conversations and emails.

Much of the information was anaylsed by spooks at Cheltenham-based GCHQ before being handed back to the US.

The scandal caused an international firestorm when it was discovered 35 world leaders including Angela Merkel as well as the Pope had had their phone records tapped into.

Snowden, who has been granted temporary asylum in Russia, has been charged by the US Government with theft and espionage while having his passport revoked.

How to turn off your microphone completely

To ensure the phone is completely inoperable, it must be placed in to what experts call a DFU mode.

To enter DFU mode first plug in your iPhone in any power outlet or USB port. Hold the on/off down and after three seconds hold the home button as well. Keep both pressed for 10 seconds.