Can the NSA really listen to your iPhone’s microphone even when it is turned OFF? Experts say it is possible - but reveal the trick to beat it

Technique known as an 'implant'

Allows phone to appear switched off - but still operate some communications

The NSA could technically listen in to the microphone of an iPhone even if it switched off, experts have revealed.

The claim was first made by Edward Snowden during an interview with Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News.

Today, experts confirmed the technique was technically possibly - and revealed a way to sidestep it.

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The claim the NSA could technically listen in to the microphone of an iPhone even if it switched off was first made by Edward Snowden during an interview with Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News.

HOW TO TURN YOUR IPHONE OFF COMPLETELY

To ensure the phone is completely inoperable, it must be put into a sepcial DFU mode normal used to upgrade its software/ To enter DFU mode:

Plug your iPhone in any power outlet or USB port

Hold the power button

After three seconds hold the home button as well

Keep both pressed for 10 seconds Release the power button while continuing to hold the home button for another ten to fifteen seconds while the phone enters DFU mode

Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News, holding his iPhone aloft during last Wednesday’s interview, asked, “What can the NSA do with this device if they want to get into my life? Can anyone turn it on remotely if it’s off? Can they turn on apps?



'They can absolutely turn them on with the power turned off to the device,' Snowden replied.

Security researchers claim the technique is possible, and that software could make the phone look like it’s shutting down but actually entering a low-power mode that leaves key communication chips on.

This 'playing dead' state would allow the phone to receive commands, including one to activate its microphone, Eric McDonald, a hardware engineer in Los Angeles told Wired.

'the screen would look black and nothing would happen if you pressed buttons,' he says.



'But it’s conceivable that the baseband is still on, or turns on periodically.



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



Security consultant Robert David Graham says the technique is called an implant.

'An 'implant' is when the NSA intercepts your phone and installs hardware or software on i,' he blogged.

'Usually this is because they intercepted a shipment, snuck into your hotel room, or ran a remote exploit (via the Internet or via the baseband).



'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.'

'But the question was Brian Williams holding a phone asking what the NSA could do to it -- in the future (power it on). He wasn't asking what they'd done to it in the past (install an implant).'

Graham says the hack would only work is agents had access to the phone.

