Stalkers Using Cell Phones To Track Victims
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Stalking has gotten a lot easier.
Law enforcement officials say with the advancement of technology, one doesn't have to be physically present to stalk.
Your phone, a device that can be a lifeline for victims – especially for those suffering from domestic violence, can be turned against you in a matter of minutes.
"Not only is the risk of them being tracked high, now 100 percent are being tracked, not just physically but electronically as well," says Jan Langbein, CEO of Genesis Women's shelter.
Cell phone monitoring services that market their products to parents with teens or employers who want to keep tabs on their employees concerns Langbein.
"Some of these can be used for stalking," Langbein added.
To test how much data a cell phone monitoring software can collect, we got help from investigators at the Dallas County District Attorney's cyber forensics lab. They demonstrated how easy it can be to install. Even the investigators were surprised with the amount of data collected. "You just need maybe about 10 minutes with the phone to install the software", says special investigator Edith Santos.
An old phone was used for the test. "The phone was wiped and reset to its original factory setting." says Investigator Jonathan Hay. Once the software was uploaded, it was ready to be monitored.
"You can mask any traces of a jailbreak," says Hay. That would leave no trace of the phone ever being tampered with. The victim may never know that her phone has been broken into.
The team monitored the phone for a week on the software's website. Santos was surprised at how much data was collected. "All the contacts came through. Location history came through. Pictures, emails and chat messages – all came through.
The team could see each and every picture, email, chat message that the phone sent or received. " I can monitor the email correspondence as well," says Santos.
"If you're a domestic violence victim, this doesn't help." Santos added.
That concerns Jessica Garza- who's suffered domestic abuse for over two years. "I know what that feels like- that something was said in private but he knows," says Garza.
Shelters realize the danger because the victims arrive at their door with an expectation of safety and privacy.
Langbein says these days the biggest danger for a victim could be what's inside her purse," One of the very first things we do is talk to her (victim) about can you be found? Who do you know? Who knows where you are? And we begin to talk about what electronics do you have in your purse?"
The FBI has already shut down one of these stalker apps. And at least one senator is asking to ban all of them.
If you suspect that you have a cell phone monitoring software on your phone, get it checked out at the phone store or better get a new phone. If you do keep the old phone, experts say turn that phone off, take off the battery and keep it wrapped in a foil.
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