The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) is warning BlackBerry users about a spyware program that allows attackers to turn a target’s handset into a microphone that can be accessed remotely. PhoneSnoop is a free, remote spying application designed for BlackBerry phones. The app works by intercepting phone calls from a predetermined ‘trigger’ number. When PhoneSnoop detects an incoming call from that number, it accepts the call and turns on the BlackBerry’s speaker phone, effectively allowing the caller to listen in on the target’s surroundings.

In this video you will find some examples of the spyware used to hack and listen into mobile phones

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A new British website called Internet Eyes is offering a new and somewhat controversial service. Users of the site will monitor CCTV fids with the objective of catching criminals. The website , which is marketed as a worldwide online instant notification system offers cash prizes of up to £1000 each month. Those interested in making some money will be offered random live feeds – each lasting up to 10 minutes – from one of the four million CCTV cameras disseminated across the country. If they witness a criminal act being perpetrated, they just have to send a photo off to the owner. Amateur Spies can register for free without any recurring fees and if they manage to detect a suspected crime, they will be awarded with one point and three points for an actual crime. 

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This year the Department of Homeland Security came up with a new wacky idea: to explore the feasibility of technology to detect and determine signs of lying based on body odor. This new outsourced study is another example of how DHS misses the mark when it comes to understanding threats, terrorists and security. And here is why:

First, a person who lies doesn’t necessarily poses a threat. Everyone lies! A person may lie because he is flying to his mistress and he doesn’t feel comfortable disclosing the true nature of his trip. A person may lie just to get through the security lines quicker. The real security challenge is to find the intent behind the lying and not the lie itself.

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Nothing is more deterring to a terrorist than a trained security or law enforcement professional who asks the right questions at the right time. A terrorist tries to avoid exposure at any cost prior to the execution of his attack. Having the ability to intercept the terrorist in the plenary stages of his act will undoubtedly make him rethink his method of operation and even the selection of his target. Terrorist threat mitigation is therefore heavily dependent on honing one’s detection and questioning skills through training.

We have to consider security training as a primary element in the design of an effective security system; without training, a security system becomes predictable, ineffective and consequently vulnerable and obsolete. In this respect, we must also realize that in security, technology is always applied to support security and law enforcement personnel and not the other way around.

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The U.S. has been struggling since 9/11 to develop an effective anti-terrorism policy.  One issue that has hindered success on this front to date is the reluctance to fully accept that a good, threat-oriented security policy is driven by destructive intent – not by searching for the destructive means.

While there are many examples of why intent is critical to the security policy formula, let’s begin by considering 9/11 for just a moment.  What destructive means were the terrorists carrying?  Essentially they had no destructive means other than box cutters and fully fueled airplanes.  They were armed only with their malicious intent and their skill to fly jets into buildings.  Indeed, no incriminating evidence would have been found on the terrorists until the moment they got up from their seats that September morning and started to slit throats and hijack airplanes.

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The most useful, effective, deterring and inexpensive weapon against criminals and terrorists is the ability to ask a good question.

For years, security has been investing billions of dollars into hardware, weapons, technology and man power.  And training.  Armed security officers are required to undergo training in handling a gun and in shooting.  Many of those officers go through numerous weeks of training to hone their tactical skills.  But how many officers are trained to effectively use the one weapon readily available and that affords the most powerful impact in terms of protection? … a good question. (more…)