Latest news with #Porcar
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Five terrifying warning signs you're being spied on through your PHONE – how to check if a partner is snooping
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IF you suspect your partner has been snooping through your phone, these tell-tale signs may help confirm your suspicions. Tech experts have revealed the indicators to look out for to ensure your smart device is secure. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A tech expert has revealed the tell-tale signs that might reveal your phone contains spyware (stock image) Credit: Getty Digital pros have revealed the warning signs that might indicate someone has installed spyware on your phone. Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, explained that suspicious activity on your device may point to monitoring software that tracks your messages, calls, and even your location. The expert warned that modern spyware can stay hidden from users while collecting personal data and sending it to third parties. He outlined the top five signs to look out for if you suspect your phone has spyware installed. Read More On Technology CODE RED Apple warns 'iPhone spying attack' victims in 100 countries – check your login now BATTERY DRAINING FAST If you notice your phone battery no longer lasts a full day without a recharge despite no significant changes in your usage patterns,this could indicate a spy app has been installed on your phone. "Spyware will drain your battery because it's continuously running in the background," Porcar explained. "These monitoring apps never enter sleep mode and they need to constantly maintain active connections to send data to the remote server." According to the expert, this stealth activity uses significant power, ultimately causing your battery to drain much faster than normal. UNEXPECTED PHONE HEATING "Phones become hot when spy applications consume processing resources," Porcor explained. Rather than cooling down when idle, devices with monitoring software installed often remain warm to the touch. WhatsApp is closing down on three mobile devices in hours with users blocked from sending and receiving messages Overheating happens as the spyware makes the processor work harder than necessary during normal operation. "The temperature increase is in most cases a direct result of unauthorised background processes running on your phone," the expert said. INCREASED DATA USAGE Porcar also revealed that unusual data consumption can also reveal hidden monitoring. "Check your data usage statistics in your phone settings," the tech pro advised. Similar to battery consumption, monitoring apps also drain your date as they send collected information to their controllers. Signs your phone may contain spyware apps Battery draining fast Unexpected phone heating Increased data usage Strange texts or notifications Unusual activity when idle This process requires internet connectivity, using your data allowance. "These applications will show up as consuming data in the background, sometimes using substantial amounts if they're sending images or recording audio," Porcar explained. Many people first discover spyware when they receive unexpected data limit warnings from their mobile providers. STRANGE TEXTS OR NOTIFICATIONS "Watch for text messages containing random characters or codes," the tech expert warned. Some basic monitoring apps use SMS commands to control the spyware installed on a device. These might appear briefly before disappearing as the software attempts to go unnoticed by the user. "If you notice messages that arrive and then vanish or see notifications from apps you don't recognise these warrant immediate investigation," he explained. UNUSUAL ACTIVITY WHEN IDLE Another sign that your phone may contain spyware is your device behaving strangely when it should be inactive. "Your screen might light up when you're not using it or you might hear unexpected sounds during calls," Porcar said. According to the pro, this happens because some advanced spyware allows remote activation of device functions including microphones and cameras. "These features allow someone to listen to your conversations or view your surroundings without your knowledge," he added. The expert went on to describe this as "a serious invasion of privacy". To combat this, Porcar recommends performing regular security checks on all devices. "Remove applications you don't recognise, run security scans using trusted software, and check for apps with suspicious permissions," he advised. The digital security expert also noted that it's important to have strong passwords and keep devices physically secure when you are around people. "Never leave your phone unlocked around someone you don't fully trust, and always have a screen lock" he warned. UK law considers unauthorised surveillance of another person's device a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act, with penalties including imprisonment in serious cases. Porcar added that factory resets offer a last resort solution. "If you suspect your device has been compromised and can't resolve the issue yourself, a complete reset will remove most types of spyware," he said.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Time of India
Are your AirPods spying on you for your employer? Cybersecurity experts warn of hidden tracking risks
Getting a shiny new pair of Apple AirPods from your employer seems like a great work perk, right? But tech experts are warning that it could be an act of hidden surveillance. Marc Porcar , a cybersecurity specialist at QR Code Generator, hints that AirPods gifted by employers could be secretly tracking your movements. How do AirPods reveal private details? Tracking your location could be the easiest thing that your AirPods can help with. They don't come with built-in GPS or cellular connectivity but can be tracked if connected to an Apple ID and paired with another Apple device, like the tech giant's AirTag. A Daily Mail report quoted Porcar saying that employers can link AirPods to their Apple ID and find out locations of their employees through Find My Network. If a user wears them during work-from-home hours or carries them to the gym or a local café, their location might be visible to their employer. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Reportedly, the concern becomes more serious if the AirPods have arrived without its packaging or in a box which seemingly has been opened previously. It could be an indicator that the device has already been set up on an account before reaching the user. Also Read : Cannes film festival 2025 update: Do not miss these top 10 must-watch movies this year Live Events How to protect privacy from AirPods? Experts recommend restoring AirPods to factory settings before linking them with the user's personal Apple ID to protect the privacy. How can it be restored? Follow these simple steps: Place both AirPods in the case, shut the lid and wait for 30 seconds. Press and hold the setup button on the case's back for around 15 seconds after opening the lid, or until the status light becomes white. Link the AirPods to a non-work Apple ID using one of Apple's devices—iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Porcar has advised the users to conduct the process in a familiar and private setting and not in a public place. This will ensure that the employer is not alerted about non-work activities. What if one fails to reset AirPods? If the user is unable to reset the AirPods but still wants to avoid location detection, they can delink it from your Apple ID through any device or by navigating Find My app or the device settings. Experts warned that using AirPods with an Android device will not help if they remain connected to an Apple ID. The experts, however, ultimately urged users to limit the use of AirPods provided by an employer to work-related environments only. Porcar suggested against using such AirPods provided before or after work hours in order to protect one's privacy. Also Read : Oswaldo Cabrera injury update: Will New York Yankees' baseman play this season? FAQs: Q1. Can AirPods really be used to track someone's location? Yes. While AirPods don't have GPS, they can be located via Apple's Find My network if linked to an Apple ID, especially when near other Apple devices or paired with one. Q2. What should I do if I suspect my work AirPods are being tracked? Reset them to factory settings and pair them with your own Apple ID. Alternatively, remove them from the linked Apple ID via your iPhone or Mac to disable tracking features.
New York Post
13-05-2025
- New York Post
Your boss could be tracking you through your AirPods — here's how to avoid supervisor surveillance
Are you being tracked while listening to a hot track? These seemingly innocuous listening devices could double as 'earbugs.' A techspert is warning employees to think twice about accepting AirPods at work because the boss could use them to snoop on their movements. 'AirPods can be tracked indirectly through, say, the work mobile or laptop, not necessarily Apple-branded, whose location an employer can access anyway,' Marc Porcar, who works at QR Code Generator, told the Digital Journal while describing this surreptitious surveillance. Advertisement Along with keeping tabs on employees' extracurricular habits,' they could also be used to spy on remote workers to see if they went to the bar at lunchtime or perhaps took a Louis Vuitton shopping detour while on assignment. 3 Unfortunately, these capabilities can be used to track new models like the Apple AirPods Pro as well as older models — although the latter have less precise location technology, the expert warns. Employees should be suspicious of AirPods that arrive in a previously opened box or naked without packaging, per Porcar. Employers could've linked said Bluetooth to their personal laptop or other device and used this setup to, in the words of the Police, watch 'every move you make.' Advertisement The digital whiz warns that while 'AirPods do not have built-in GPS or cellular capabilities,' employers 'can use the Find My network or an already paired device to estimate their [employees'] location, much like an AirTag,' the Daily Mail reported. Unfortunately, these capabilities can be used to track both new and old AirPods models — although older models have less precise location technology, the expert warns. 3 'AirPods can be tracked indirectly through, say, the work mobile or laptop, not necessarily Apple-branded, whose location an employer can access anyway,' said Marc Porcar, who works at QR Code Generator. Zamrznuti tonovi – To avoid getting bugged by the boss or other bad actors, Porcar advises removing the AirPods' factory settings manually. First, place both earbuds in the charging case and close the lid, then wait for 30 seconds and reopen the lid. Advertisement Afterward, press the small reset button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light at the front flashes amber and then white. Voila, supervisor surveillance capabilities are no more. 3 Employees should be suspicious of AirPods that arrive in a previously-opened box or naked without packaging, per Porcar. Shahid Jamil – The user can then link these auditory doohickies 'with another non-work Apple ID using an iMac, iPhone or iPad,' per Porcar. However, he urges AirPods enthusiasts to perform this function at a familiar location such as the office because employers will be able to see where they switched to another Apple ID (AKA they can see if you switched outside of a bar). Advertisement Users can also disable Find My AirPods through a paired iPhone or iPad by going to 'Settings,' selecting the 'Devices' tab, clicking on their AirPods and hitting 'Remove This Device.' If the AirPods were previously paired with a Mac, open the 'Find My' app, go to the 'Devices' tab and select the AirPods from the list on the left. Then, navigate to the circled 'i' in the right-hand panel and hit 'Remove This Device' to disable its tracking. And don't think you can just shut down tracking by pairing the AirPods with a new device. 'Using AirPods with an Android phone or tablet does not prevent tracking if they remain linked to an Apple ID because they can still use the manufacturer's network to be located,' Porcar cautioned. Of course, disabling one's tracking could arouse suspicion at the office — even if the move is justified. Advertisement As such, the best way to avoid being surveilled sans setting off alarm bells is to 'keep your work AirPods at your usual place of work, whether that is at the office or at home,' per Porcar. 'Do not take them with you for non-work-related activities like a morning jog, a gym session or a quick drink after work,' he said. 'This prevents many complications like theft and loss of company property, but, more importantly, it keeps you safe from uncomfortable encounters with your boss or anyone at work with access to company device management.'
