GPS stalking

[johnsondaniel]

I have reasons to believe that someone used the GPS in my cell phone to track me down. He told me exactly where I had made a turn one morning. I checked and the "Use GPS satellites" option in my Samsung Galaxy Prevail was turned on. I know that there are online services that make use of that feature to be able to track phones down.

Is this the only thing I need to worry about assuming there's no hardware involved? Can someone track me down even with that option set to off? I know that cell phone companies can tell where you are regardless of what you do. It's the "regular" people that worry me.

Thanks!

 

[Demache]

Do you have Google Latitude enabled? That will enable other people to see your location.

 

[jerofld]

GPS in cell phones is more than just satellites, your cell can be triangulated via cell phone towers, too, but only the cell provider and Big Brother should see that other than you.

But check the undercarriage of your car. There are GPS tracking devices that can be placed on your car and will transmit location data. It may not be your phone that he's using.

 

[KENNECTED]

GPS in cell phones is more than just satellites, your cell can be triangulated via cell phone towers, too, but only the cell provider and Big Brother should see that other than you.

But check the undercarriage of your car. There are GPS tracking devices that can be placed on your car and will transmit location data. It may not be your phone that he's using.

I suspect google latitude is on and johnsondaniel doesn't know how to turn it off. I myself have looked up where friends are. I even had a person tell me a lie about meeting. They claimed to be sick, at home, so I went to the location they were shown, on the map! To this day they still don't know how I know where they are moving about in the city. (evil Vincent Price laugh) ha ha ha ha ha ha

johnsondaniel, please check your google latitude location settings. Once there click on location reporting and switch that to do not update.

 

[johnsondaniel]

Do you have Google Latitude enabled? That will enable other people to see your location.

No, it's not enabled. Thanks!

 

[johnsondaniel]

I suspect google latitude is on and johnsondaniel doesn't know how to turn it off. I myself have looked up where friends are. I even had a person tell me a lie about meeting. They claimed to be sick, at home, so I went to the location they were shown, on the map! To this day they still don't know how I know where they are moving about in the city. (evil Vincent Price laugh) ha ha ha ha ha ha

johnsondaniel, please check your google latitude location settings. Once there click on location reporting and switch that to do not update.

You're right. I didn't know about Latitude, but I checked and it's not even enabled. Thanks.

 

[Anthonie]

thats really neat lol i want to see where my friends are lol

how would i go about doing this

 

[johnsondaniel]

GPS in cell phones is more than just satellites, your cell can be triangulated via cell phone towers, too, but only the cell provider and Big Brother should see that other than you.

I know. That's not what worries me like I mentioned.

But check the undercarriage of your car. There are GPS tracking devices that can be placed on your car and will transmit location data. It may not be your phone that he's using.

Thanks for the tip. I don't think it's hardware either. I truly believe he used my cellphone somehow. I tried a few free online services to try to track myself but none worked. I found some that offer to track cell phones for a fee. I was just wondering if by turning the "GPS satellites" option off was enough to be tracked this way.

 

[KENNECTED]

I know. That's not what worries me like I mentioned.



Thanks for the tip. I don't think it's hardware either. I truly believe he used my cellphone somehow. I tried a few free online services to try to track myself but none worked. I found some that offer to track cell phones for a fee. I was just wondering if by turning the "GPS satellites" option off was enough to be tracked this way.

Have you looked to see what apps are installed on your device?

 

[johnsondaniel]

Have you looked to see what apps are installed on your device?

Yes, thanks. Just a few apps that I've downloaded myself. My phone is password protected and he doesn't really have access to it.

 

[KENNECTED]

I'm confused. Earlier you state

I know. That's not what worries me like I mentioned.



Thanks for the tip. I don't think it's hardware either. I truly believe he used my cellphone somehow. I tried a few free online services to try to track myself but none worked. I found some that offer to track cell phones for a fee. I was just wondering if by turning the "GPS satellites" option off was enough to be tracked this way.

Now you say....

Yes, thanks. Just a few apps that I've downloaded myself. My phone is password protected and he doesn't really have access to it.

Not to be rude, but this seems conflicting? What is really going on here? What makes you believe this person is tracking you? We're trying to help, but seems like you may not be telling us everything so that we can seriously help you. Whats really up??

 

[johnsondaniel]

I'm confused. Earlier you state

Now you say....

Not to be rude, but this seems conflicting? What is really going on here? What makes you believe this person is tracking you? We're trying to help, but seems like you may not be telling us everything so that we can seriously help you. Whats really up??

What I mean by "he used my phone" is that I don't think he actually installed any GPS device (hardware) in my car or my phone. I think my phone gave my location away.

This guy is an ex of my girlfriend and even though he did not threaten me, he did mention the fact that he knew exactly what place I was at a specific time and date. He's pretty tech savvy. All I wanted to know was if it is possible for someone to track you down with nothing but online services (either free or paid) and your cell phone.

I hope this clarifies things a little.

 

[KENNECTED]

What I mean by "he used my phone" is that I don't think he actually installed any GPS device (hardware) in my car or my phone. I think my phone gave my location away.

This guy is an ex of my girlfriend and even though he did not threaten me, he did mention the fact that he knew exactly what place I was at a specific time and date. He's pretty tech savvy. All I wanted to know was if it is possible for someone to track you down with nothing but online services (either free or paid) and your cell phone.

I hope this clarifies things a little.

Is its possible he saw you at x time/times and place/places but you didnt see him?

If you feel uncomfortable or threatened get a restraining order.

 

[EarlyMon]

If your ex has your passwords and if you have an HTC with location tracking on, that might be another way to find you. Also check for location aware services and apps - I would guess the likes of Facebook, Google+, etc etc.

 

[spb21]

There is software out there that can do this. It is supposed to be only for law enforcement but I knew a guy who got it somehow for a jailbroken iphone. It located me within 1/2 block when tested. All he had to do was put in my cell number.

 

[KENNECTED]

If your ex has your passwords and if you have an HTC with location tracking on, that might be another way to find you. Also check for location aware services and apps - I would guess the likes of Facebook, Google+, etc etc.

Exactly! People often forget they post a ton of personal stuff, then wonder how people know things about them!

 

[AmneonX]

Alright.. Go to settings -> Apps -> Downloaded.

Look through that list to make sure there are no apps you were unaware of, or are hidden inside your app list. Also, make sure that it isn't being hidden as an app that looks like it "helps" your phone.

I have custody of my wife's 14 year old sister(i'm only 24). We have an SMS tracker on her phone, but you can pay extra for location tracking. Her phone was stolen out of her locker one day, and we also installed Plan B on it as well. Through those apps, I was able to track her phone within 20 feet(pretty much right to the house, out in the country, not a city).

Is it possible? Very much so. However, he would need access to your account, or your google account.

 

[johnsondaniel]

Alright.. Go to settings -> Apps -> Downloaded.

Look through that list to make sure there are no apps you were unaware of, or are hidden inside your app list. Also, make sure that it isn't being hidden as an app that looks like it "helps" your phone.

I checked and there's only stuff I installed myself.

Is it possible? Very much so. However, he would need access to your account, or your google account.

Thanks for your help, everyone! I don't use Facebook or any other social Apps in my cell phone. So, I know that's not it either.

There was no way he could've seen me either. This happened very early in the morning at a place where he couldn't have been.

I want to conclude that he somehow did it while I had "Use GPS satellites" activated. I just wanted to make sure there was a way to do this.

Thanks again!!

 

[Saltine713]

That option you keep talking about just means that when you request an app to find your location, it will do so by GPS satellites, not just cell-tower or Wifi. However, unless your phone is rooted, it is pretty hard for someone outside of your phone to activate the GPS, get a lock, and then be that accurate.

Either you are missing part of the puzzle or something, because it doesn't seem like it is possible.

EXPERIMENT: Try to figure out a way that this person would want to track you again. Keep google maps open or something where the GPS is always locked-on. If he says something, then try to get him to track you again. This time, keep your phone in airplane mode.

Other than that, maybe just confront him and ask him. See his reaction?

 

[bads3ctor]

I am pretty sure that CIQ can do this. Is the person you suspect is tracking you in Law Enforcement or work for a cellular provider?

 

[chrisinsocalif]

I have reasons to believe that someone used the GPS in my cell phone to track me down. He told me exactly where I had made a turn one morning. I checked and the "Use GPS satellites" option in my Samsung Galaxy Prevail was turned on. I know that there are online services that make use of that feature to be able to track phones down.

Is this the only thing I need to worry about assuming there's no hardware involved? Can someone track me down even with that option set to off? I know that cell phone companies can tell where you are regardless of what you do. It's the "regular" people that worry me.

Thanks!

There is absolutely software that can do this. For example, I have this software installed on my phone in case it ever gets stolen so i can track it down. I can send text message phrases to my mobile phone that i set up previously which will activate my GPS and I am able to track my phone. The program hides my text message phrases so the user will never know I sent a text to my phone to activate hardware. I can also do a remote wipe, remote lock and other features.

But for this to happen, someone needs to install the software on your phone. I am not aware of any apps on Google Play that installs ghost software that allows users to gain access of your phone, but many people don't read the permissions, so who knows.

 

[KENNECTED]

There is absolutely software that can do this. For example, I have this software installed on my phone in case it ever gets stolen so i can track it down. I can send text message phrases to my mobile phone that i set up previously which will activate my GPS and I am able to track my phone. The program hides my text message phrases so the user will never know I sent a text to my phone to activate hardware. I can also do a remote wipe, remote lock and other features.

But for this to happen, someone needs to install the software on your phone. I am not aware of any apps on Google Play that installs ghost software that allows users to gain access of your phone, but many people don't read the permissions, so who knows.

The OP has already checked to see if there are any apps / items she didn't download on her device.

I think there is more to the story.

 

[Hexadecimus]

This is a little disturbing. Replying so I can subscribe..

 

[Saltine713]

I am pretty sure that CIQ can do this. Is the person you suspect is tracking you in Law Enforcement or work for a cellular provider?

CIQ is old news. Plus, good luck getting that person fired, if he works for LEO or a cell phone company, that is a fun felony to deal with.

I'm chalking it up to a lucky guess or the guy is actually following you physically.