Spyware

[Margaret Ann]

Anyone familiar with 'The Bar' spyware?

 

[Deleted User]

Google draws a blank on this one. Who told you about this spyware?
Are there any suspicious apps running on your device?

 

[Margaret Ann]

Google draws a blank on this one. Who told you about this spyware?

Are there any suspicious apps running on your device?

Actually my Google searches was blank as well. A good friend of mine was told about this while he was attempting to help me figure out what is installed on my Android Moto Z. I have some things occurring on my phone that I want to stop but don't know how.It has become apparent to me that my whereabouts, what I'm doing, what is spoken are all being monitored. I need help!

 

[Margaret Ann]

Actually my Google searches was blank as well. A good friend of mine was told about this while he was attempting to help me figure out what is installed on my Android Moto Z. I have some things occurring on my phone that I want to stop but don't know how.It has become apparent to me that my whereabouts, what I'm doing, what is spoken are all being monitored. I need help!

   I haven't installed any apps on my phone but strongly feel someone else has .

 

[Margaret Ann]

   I haven't installed any apps on my phone but strongly feel someone else has .

 

[Deleted User]

Did you have a look at the list of installed apps on your phone? Anything unusual there?

 

[Margaret Ann]

Did you have a look at the list of installed apps on your phone? Anything unusual there?

No, just what I call normal apps. Let me ask this of you... Is it possible to use the an apps airways (so to speak) as a way to monitor?

 

[Margaret Ann]

No, just what I call normal apps. Let me ask this of you... Is it possible to use the an apps airways (so to speak) as a way to monitor?

 

  If my husband can call me while I'm at Walmart and tell me I should of chosen the yellow dress instead of the green dress before I ever check out my items then to me he has something installed on my phone to watch me. This is what I want to figure out!

 

[Deleted User]

So have you asked your husband how he knew which dress you chose?

 

[Margaret Ann]

So have you asked your husband how he knew which dress you chose?

   Yes, he said shut the f.. up! I ha e nothing to say! Im trying to find the problem on my phone then take care of him.

 

[Deleted User]

Sounds like a pretty bad situation all round.
Maybe he's covertly following you?
I doubt there's anything nasty installed on your phone, but if you can't find anything, and still suspect it as being compromised, then I'd be inclined to change it for a different one.

 

[Margaret Ann]

Sounds like a pretty bad situation all round.

Maybe he's covertly following you?

I doubt there's anything nasty installed on your phone, but if you can't find anything, and still suspect it as being compromised, then I'd be inclined to change it for a different one.

Your speaking in regards to a new phone? He won't let me get a new phone unless he gets the same exact one.is it possible that he has something installed on his phone that can activate my camera without my knowledge?

 

[lunatic59]

Do you share a single Google account for both phones? Does he have your password for your Google account, if they're different?

There are remote camera apps that make a cell phone work like a webcam, but you'd be able to see that, both in installed apps and as a notification when it's running. There are also security apps that can take a picture and text/email it to a different account to identify both location of the device and who's using it.

If you share any retail accounts or credit cards, then those transactions ... even simply browsing items, are also shared.

 

[Margaret Ann]

Do you share a single Google account for both phones? Does he have your password for your Google account, if they're different?
There are remote camera apps that make a cell phone work like a webcam, but you'd be able to see that, both in installed apps and as a notification when it's running. There are also security apps that can take a picture and text/email it to a different account to identify both location of the device and who's using it.
If you share any retail accounts or credit cards, then those transactions ... even simply browsing items, are also shared.

 

  Ok, maybe now I'm getting somewhere with your help! I do have an email account on my phone that I use , he has one app that he has to use(probation Dept.)that is on his phone, but uses my email. He says there's not a need for him to ever have an email on his phone, so is that possibly the way he is turning on my camera? If so would a master reset on my phone rid me of the problem , along with doing away with my email address? I'm so greatful to you for your help!

 

[lunatic59]

if the email he has access to is the one the phone is registered (yourname@gmail.com, for example) then he could push apps to your phone, but you'd still see them as they were installed. And you'd still see them as they were used. If he has physical access to your phone and know your password/lockscreen, then he could install pretty much anything. If your phone is rooted, then even a factory reset might not fix it.

If your phone is not rooted, then I'd recommend creating a new gmail account and don't share it with anybody ... ever. Then factory reset your phone (after backing up all your important information like pictures, texts, etc.) and then perform a factory reset and register it using the new gmail account. Then put a screen lock as a password or pin and enable two-step authentication for that account.

If your phone is rooted, then you'll most likely need to re-flash the firmware to be 100% secure.

 

[Margaret Ann]

if the email he has access to is the one the phone is registered (yourname@gmail.com, for example) then he could push apps to your phone, but you'd still see them as they were installed. And you'd still see them as they were used. If he has physical access to your phone and know your password/lockscreen, then he could install pretty much anything. If your phone is rooted, then even a factory reset might not fix it.
If your phone is not rooted, then I'd recommend creating a new gmail account and don't share it with anybody ... ever. Then factory reset your phone (after backing up all your important information like pictures, texts, etc.) and then perform a factory reset and register it using the new gmail account. Then put a screen lock as a password or pin and enable two-step authentication for that account.
If your phone is rooted, then you'll most likely need to re-flash the firmware to be 100% secure.

   Thank You! That's exactly what I'll do!

   You've been a big help!

 

[doogald]

I like these replies.

If it was me and I was paranoid about this, I would do this:

- factory reset the phone and set up using a Google account for which only I know the password.
- Turn on two factory authentication for the Google account and install Google Authenticator in my phone, to prevent others from accessing the account even if they guess or know the password
- do not restore apps and setting from a backup and instead install the apps that I need from the Play Store
- set up a lock screen passcode that only I know and that is different from what I used before

When I Googled "bar android spyware", the first article that came up was this one: https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/...lar170-smartphone-spyware-that-anyone-can-buy

So, if your husband knows your phone lock passphrase/code, at one's most paranoid, it is possible to guess that he unlocked your phone, installed this app or another app like it, and monitored what you were doing. The good news is that the app would not survive a factory data reset. Also, if you read the article I linked above, any text message sent to the phone would show up on your list of test message conversations, so it's not completely hidden.

It's possible that he is just messing with you? Was the phone in your hand while you were picking out the dress? If it was in a pocketbook or something, there is no way that monitoring a camera remotely would tell somebody who installed malware like that anything. If you took a photo of yourself trying on the dress, and you share a Google account, the photo would be automatically uploaded and he could see the photo, as an example of another benign explanation that doesn't involve spyware.

For more paranoid/disturbing questions, is he talented enough to hack in to the local Walmart security camera somehow? Or was secretly following you around, or had somebody who was, or he knows somebody who works at Walmart who knows who you are?

 

[Margaret Ann]

I like these replies.
If it was me and I was paranoid about this, I would do this:
- factory reset the phone and set up using a Google account for which only I know the password.

- Turn on two factory authentication for the Google account and install Google Authenticator in my phone, to prevent others from accessing the account even if they guess or know the password

- do not restore apps and setting from a backup and instead install the apps that I need from the Play Store

- set up a lock screen passcode that only I know and that is different from what I used before
When I Googled 'bar android spyware', the first article that came up was this one: https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/...lar170-smartphone-spyware-that-anyone-can-buy
So, if your husband knows your phone lock passphrase/code, at one's most paranoid, it is possible to guess that he unlocked your phone, installed this app or another app like it, and monitored what you were doing. The good news is that the app would not survive a factory data reset. Also, if you read the article I linked above, any text message sent to the phone would show up on your list of test message conversations, so it's not completely hidden.
It's possible that he is just messing with you? Was the phone in your hand while you were picking out the dress? If it was in a pocketbook or something, there is no way that monitoring a camera remotely would tell somebody who installed malware like that anything. If you took a photo of yourself trying on the dress, and you share a Google account, the photo would be automatically uploaded and he could see the photo, as an example of another benign explanation that doesn't involve spyware.
For more paranoid/disturbing questions, is he talented enough to hack in to the local Walmart security camera somehow? Or was secretly following you around, or had somebody who was, or he knows somebody who works at Walmart who knows who you are?

  Thank You for your response! I've not yet read the link you sent, but will shortly!

No actually my phone was laying on top of items in the Walmart cart(faceup) not in pocketbook nor pant pocket. To my knowledge no, he doesn't know anyone at Walmart. In regards to a passcode/screenlock, after I did a master reset(outside&alone) then I changed my password/screenlock, but kept the same email. If the email was the only 'Same' feature/app/function on my phone prior to rest them I should assume his monitoring ability is through my email address.

 

[Phalon4]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...MYPESq9_ilSA00e7A&sig2=IekVJh3MVIKWlI88f0wTEQ

 

[bcrichster]

There is also something I've run across, called 'ghost apps'.. They install like a normal app but either doesn't show up in the app list or comes across as ' data.apk' or something inconspicuous to ppl unfamiliar with an Android System.. Once installed it can connect to whomever's email providing call logs, SMS/MMS, GPS Location, ect.. One of the telltale signs of that is strange heavy data use and severe battery drain. Just a thought worth checking, but these guys here can get ya Str8.

 

[redfishsc]

Keep a roll of black electrical tape with you, put the tape over the camera lens (front and back), and peel it off if you're going to be around him, be SURE to wipe off the adhesive though.

This isn't a fix to the problem, but it is a very easy/cheap/removeable way to stop any visual eavesdropping.

I have to admit, if things are a crazy as they sound, you don't sound like you are safe. I know this is outside the bounds of this forum in terms of topic, but please do not put yourself in danger.

 

[lovecars]

First and easiest to do is to factory reset the phone, and watch for installed apps that you did not put on. also when you go to t applications in settings turn on Show system files, sometimes you find the file you are looking for, NOTE: be careful, you can uninstall system files that your phone needs to run.


MIGHT BE OFF TOPIC
Also you think it might be time to start looking to move out and find a divorce attorney? if in your relationship you have no trust, then you are in a toxic relationship and you are apt to be in danger.

 

[bcrichster]

First and easiest to do is to factory reset the phone, and watch for installed apps that you did not put on. also when you go to t applications in settings turn on Show system files, sometimes you find the file you are looking for, NOTE: be careful, you can uninstall system files that your phone needs to run.

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<br> MIGHT BE OFF TOPIC

<br> Also you think it might be time to start looking to move out and find a divorce attorney? if in your relationship you have no trust, then you are in a toxic relationship and you are apt to be in danger.

You can not uninstall anything from the system without Root permissions, FYI. So if you don't have Root access, no worries that you can delete something important.