The Spy on Your Cell Phone Is a Professional

American Thinker ^ | May 14, 2012 | Stephen D. Bryen

[Ooh-Ah]

Every day in the United States, professional cyber-spies are stealing tremendous amounts of information. Mainly from Russia and China, these spies target computer networks and increasingly seek entryways through mobile phones. Modern mobile phones -- Smartphones -- are powerful, networked computers, but they lack the firewalls and safeguards typically installed on PCs. What protection is commercially available is weak and unsatisfactory.

America's cyber-systems are under attack because what they hold is extremely valuable. Everything from the design of a stealth fighter-bomber to the investment portfolio of a powerful entrepreneur is open to professional cyber-spies and, thus, to the governments that sponsor them.

For political reasons, the United States has done very little finger-pointing at the culprits. While there has been talk about getting tough with cyber-spies, so far, at least, there is little evidence of strong action against the governments that train and send them. That leaves the advantage with the intruder.

But who are the intruders? Examples from the past can help us form a picture of the people recruited and how they work.

The Russians developed an elaborate technology-spying operation starting in the 1960s. Directorate T was created from the former Department 10 in 1963 to intensify the acquisition of Western strategic, military, and industrial technology. By 1972, Directorate T had a headquarters staff of several hundred officers subdivided into four departments, in addition to specialists stationed at major Soviet embassies around the world. The Directorate's operations were coordinated with the scientific and technical collection activities of other KGB elements, and with the State Scientific and Technical Committee (GNTK)....

Today we need a major program led from the top, with our allies and friends on board, to confront the growing vulnerability of all Western systems and the entire security umbrella. The basic elements ...:

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/05/the_spy_on_your_cell_phone_is_a_professional.html#ixzz1uqziFI6Y

[GOPJ]

Ipods are a problem too...

[lmr]

I don't own a cellphone and not because I'm a Luddite. Maybe some people don't see how I can live without it, but I don't see how they can live with it. It's all in your outlook, I guess.

As far as my Ipod, it's a 160GB classic. No Bluetooth. No Networking. My PC is well protected 'cause that's how I roll. So, no problem for me. Pity for those that have to worry, though.