Hey there, everyone! I'm new to the forums, so thanks for taking the time to look this over! I'm in need of some help and advice!
My boyfriend's little brother has a Galaxy S3, and his ex and her family are somehow accessing the information on it. A synopsis would reveal that this family is highly unstable and rather fond of tracking and spying on each other and the people they're in relationships with. So, they've been broken up for a few weeks, and he's started texting and calling a new girl. This has happened before with his ex, so he has been very secretive with the new girl's information. He hasn't even told his family her last name, where she works/lives, or much else in hopes of keeping her from the drama, because we suspected a long-time friend was acting as a sort of double agent with the ex.
Out of nowhere, this new girl has started getting texts, calls, and messages on Facebook from this girl and her crazy arse mother. He hasn't friended her on FB or even sent a message to her because he worried the ex would track her, as she's done so many others before. This time, the ex made reference to conversations the two have had, both via text and calls. This is information only those two would have, unless there is some sort of spying taking place.
I've done quite a bit of research trying to figure out how to clean his phone of any possible spyware and limit any further and future access. Some of the information has suggested that a Factory Reset will eliminate all traces of spyware and render them useless, should they exist, but I've also found information that suggests that several of the newer, more advanced spyware programs remain intact and functional even after a reset has been performed. Do any of you know which information in this regard is accurate? Are there specific files that should be searched for? I have found several may appear as cleverly disguised widgets and system files in an attempt to hide them. Are there specific ones we should be searching for?
Also, I have read that the Kies Air application that is preinstalled on all S3 models can be used maliciously to act as a remote spyware program if not disabled. Is this information accurate? If so, does the phone need to remain connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the tablet/PC attempting to sync with it at all times, or simply for the initial setup? Also, will disabling the application within the Android system eliminate the ability to access the phone through the application?
One final question, in reading I've discovered information about people cloning a phone onto another device as a means of spying. How easily is this done with new smart-phone technology? Is there any way to detect if this has been done to his phone? Would his carrier be able to detect it in anyway (he's using Sprint)? And, how do you get rid of cloning? Is the only recourse to request a new phone system and SIM card?
Ooops, another question... We're in West Virginia, and I know laws vary but is there something that can be done from a legal standpoint to put a stop to the harassment and stalking taking place?
Any help and insight that you can offer would be most gratefully appreciated! This family is seriously disturbing! There are even fake FB profiles contacting everyone he's ever worked with, dated, or talked to!! We're going to be reporting those tonight.
So, thanks for your help and for looking over this thread!
My boyfriend's little brother has a Galaxy S3, and his ex and her family are somehow accessing the information on it. A synopsis would reveal that this family is highly unstable and rather fond of tracking and spying on each other and the people they're in relationships with. So, they've been broken up for a few weeks, and he's started texting and calling a new girl. This has happened before with his ex, so he has been very secretive with the new girl's information. He hasn't even told his family her last name, where she works/lives, or much else in hopes of keeping her from the drama, because we suspected a long-time friend was acting as a sort of double agent with the ex.
Out of nowhere, this new girl has started getting texts, calls, and messages on Facebook from this girl and her crazy arse mother. He hasn't friended her on FB or even sent a message to her because he worried the ex would track her, as she's done so many others before. This time, the ex made reference to conversations the two have had, both via text and calls. This is information only those two would have, unless there is some sort of spying taking place.
I've done quite a bit of research trying to figure out how to clean his phone of any possible spyware and limit any further and future access. Some of the information has suggested that a Factory Reset will eliminate all traces of spyware and render them useless, should they exist, but I've also found information that suggests that several of the newer, more advanced spyware programs remain intact and functional even after a reset has been performed. Do any of you know which information in this regard is accurate? Are there specific files that should be searched for? I have found several may appear as cleverly disguised widgets and system files in an attempt to hide them. Are there specific ones we should be searching for?
Also, I have read that the Kies Air application that is preinstalled on all S3 models can be used maliciously to act as a remote spyware program if not disabled. Is this information accurate? If so, does the phone need to remain connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the tablet/PC attempting to sync with it at all times, or simply for the initial setup? Also, will disabling the application within the Android system eliminate the ability to access the phone through the application?
One final question, in reading I've discovered information about people cloning a phone onto another device as a means of spying. How easily is this done with new smart-phone technology? Is there any way to detect if this has been done to his phone? Would his carrier be able to detect it in anyway (he's using Sprint)? And, how do you get rid of cloning? Is the only recourse to request a new phone system and SIM card?
Ooops, another question... We're in West Virginia, and I know laws vary but is there something that can be done from a legal standpoint to put a stop to the harassment and stalking taking place?
Any help and insight that you can offer would be most gratefully appreciated! This family is seriously disturbing! There are even fake FB profiles contacting everyone he's ever worked with, dated, or talked to!! We're going to be reporting those tonight.
So, thanks for your help and for looking over this thread!
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