Latest news with #techExpert
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Tech expert reveals five warning signs that someone is spying on you through your phone - and one of them is worryingly common
An expert has revealed five warning signs that might indicate someone is spying on you through your phone. Tech expert and CEO of QR Code Generator Marc Porcar, from Spain, said there are multiple ways to check whether someone has installed monitoring software on a device. Revealing the five red flags to watch out for, Marc told The Sun that seemingly 'normal' phone annoyances can actually be something more sinister. The first tell-tale sign is when phone users notice their battery draining at an alarming or unusually rapid rate. If one's phone no longer lasts the full duration of the day but has been used as normal, this could be a sign that there's an underlying monitoring software depleting the battery. This is because these types of software run constantly in the background, requiring continuous connection to send data to third-party servers. Since this requires a significant amount of battery to run, users with spyware will often notice that their battery is slurped up at a faster rate. It may seem perfectly normal for phones to overheat at times, particularly during the summer months, but according to the tech specialist, this could be another indication of foul play. 'Phones become hot when spy applications consume processing resources,' he cautioned. Another key factor to look out for is when a device doesn't cool down - despite it not being used by its owner. Marc warned that users should be suspicious in instances where their device remains warm to the touch, even after long periods of being idle. This can happen when devices are under additional strain from spyware, which forces their internal processors to work harder than they would under normal circumstances. 'The temperature increase is in most cases a direct result of unauthorised background processes running on your phone,' the expert explained. Next on the list was an inordinate increase in data consumption because this could be a sign that there is hidden software depleting the phone's memory. He urged people to check data usage statistics in their phone's settings app because this may uncover the culprit behind the increase in data usage. Monitoring apps must send collected information to their controllers, which requires the internet to send over information and, in turn, can drive data usage through the roof. 'These applications will show up as consuming data in the background sometimes using substantial amounts if they're sending images or recording audio,' Marc explained. The expert said this warning sign is often the first detected by victims unwittingly subjected to spy software, with many left perplexed by texts warning them they are nearly out of data. Next, he alerted phone users to SMS messages that contained odd or unusual characters. Some of the more basic spyware will rely on using codes to pass over information, which can come through as unusual characters. Lastly, he warned phone users to act with caution when they notice unusual activity from the phone when it's not in use. This can include a myriad of oddities, such as the screen lighting up when not in use or strange sounds coming from the phone during a call. Marc explained that this can happen when more sophisticated spyware is in use because it can allow the culprit on the other side to access microphones and cameras without the victim's knowledge. Those who have sneakily installed spyware can listen to their partner's conversations or watch them through their camera. To minimise the chances of being spied on, Marc recommended performing regular security checks and removing unrecognised applications where possible. As always, using strong passwords can also provide a barrier to pesky spies being able to install software in the first place, he added. Finally, he said that users could use a full reset as a last resort to remove most types of spyware. According to UK law, unauthorised surveillance of another person's device is a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act, with penalties including imprisonment in the most serious cases.
News.com.au
23-06-2025
- News.com.au
Your devices are listening to you, here's how to keep your data safe
Once upon a time, 'home tech' meant a microwave with a popcorn button. Now? Your fridge can suggest dinner, your lights know when you're feeling romantic, and your doorbell can recognise your mother-in-law before you do. As an Australian tech expert and author, I've seen first-hand how smart homes are changing the way we live – for better and occasionally for weirder. Welcome to the age of the smart home – where convenience is queen, and your devices are always listening (and sometimes talking back). The rise of the digital housekeeper Smart homes have shifted from novelty to near necessity. Whether it's a voice assistant that queues up your favourite podcast while you cook, a thermostat that adjusts to your body clock, or a vacuum that maps your floor plan with military precision, these devices are all about making life easier. And let's be honest – most of us are loving the convenience. Yelling 'turn off the lights' from bed, checking your front door camera from the beach … it's the stuff of Jetsons dreams. But while these gadgets are undeniably helpful, they're also quietly collecting data. And lots of it. What exactly are they learning? Every time you interact with a smart device, it picks up more than just your commands. Your smart speaker knows your music preferences, wake-up time, and whether you're a loyal almond milk drinker. Your smart TV tracks what you watch, when, and for how long. Even your robot vacuum? It's got a better map of your house than you probably do. Individually, these bits of data might seem harmless. But combined, they build a detailed profile of your routines, preferences, and even your mood. Here in Australia, we're on track to hit 357 million internet-connected devices by the end of 2025, with smart home adoption expected in 91 per cent of households. That's a lot of tech -and a serious amount of personal data floating around. Who's collecting this data – and why? Most smart devices send data back to their parent companies – think Amazon, Google, Apple, Samsung. The official line is that it helps improve services, personalise your experience, and yes, target you with ads. But here's the thing – more than half of smart home users don't actually understand how their data is collected or used. That's especially true with devices like smart thermostats, which might seem innocuous but can reveal a lot about your daily routines. As artificial intelligence gets baked into more of these systems, that knowledge becomes even more powerful – and potentially more problematic. The privacy trade-off (and why it doesn't have to be scary) Let's call it for what it is: we're all trading a bit of privacy for convenience. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Think of it like using a loyalty card at the supermarket. You get discounts and rewards, but the store gets insight into your shopping habits. With smart homes, the exchange is similar – just with higher stakes. What matters is understanding the deal. If we know what we're giving away, we're better placed to make decisions about what we're comfortable with. And it's something we should be teaching our kids too: privacy is a form of currency in the digital age. Smart home safety checklist • Mute when not in use – Most smart speakers have a physical mute button. Use it. • Limit permissions – Only give apps access to what they truly need. • Update regularly – Security patches matter. • Use strong passwords – And don't stick with the default ones. • Check your settings – Most devices let you control what's collected and shared. Want to know what your device knows about you? Here's a simple way to dig deeper. Try popping this prompt into your favourite AI chatbot: 'You are a privacy and cybersecurity expert. Explain what data is collected by a [insert brand/model] smart [device type], how that data is stored and used, and how I can access, limit, or delete it.' It's a great way to start a conversation with your tech – and take back a little control. The future of smart living Smart homes aren't just here to stay – they're evolving fast. AI-powered systems are already starting to anticipate our needs before we ask. Think lighting that shifts to suit your mood or playlists that kick in when your stress levels spike. We're even seeing emotion-sensing tech that can detect tone of voice and respond accordingly. Imagine your home knowing you've had a rubbish day – so it dims the lights, queues up your comfort show, and orders Thai. Not bad, right? But as our homes become more intuitive, the line between helpful and invasive starts to blur. The goal is to find a balance – embrace the benefits while staying informed and in control. Because your home should be your sanctuary, not a surveillance hub.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Sponsored: Saltzman Switches it up
Marc Saltzman, tech expert, gives us the lowdown on what's new and exciting about the Nintendo Switch 2 launch in Canada.
