The FinFisher, developed by UK based Gamma Group is expected to take control of mobile phones including Apple’s iPhone, Research in Motion BlackBerry and Google’s Android powered phones, according to a new report.
Gamma International had developed the commercial cyber-espionage programme for governments to spy on criminals, but has been now deployed for broader surveillance.
A research carried out by Citizen Lab, University of Toronto Munk School of Global Affairs had identified "several mobile Trojans for the iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian platforms."
Gamma International managing director Martin Muench said that the company can confirm that Gamma supplies a piece of mobile intrusion software — FinSpy Mobile.
"I certainly don’t intend to discuss how or on what platforms it works. I do not wish to inform criminals of how any of our detection systems are used against them," Muench said.
"I am still investigating how a piece of our software went astray."
During the research, the researchers had used new malicious software samples to reveal the objectives of elusive cyber weapon.
The report revealed that the programme can furtively switch on a device’s microphone, track its location and check e-mails, text messages and voice calls.
University of California Los Angeles’ Luskin School of Public Affairs doctoral student who assisted with the research John Scott-Railton said that people are walking around with tools for surveillance in their pockets.
"These are the tools that can be used to turn on your microphone and turn your phone into a tracking device," Railton said.
FinFisher spyware can secretly examine computers, intercepting Skype calls, switch on Web cameras and recording keystrokes.
