Beware of smartphone malware, ISI might be watching

Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI is spying on Indian security forces using malware through mobile gaming and music applications such as Top Gun, mpjunkie, vdjunky, talking frog, the government said today.

Responding to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary also said Pakistan's spy agency was making efforts to trap ex-servicemen in the garb of providing job opportunities and financial aid for spying.

"There are reports that Pakistan intelligence agencies are spying on Indian security forces by sending malware in mobile apps such as Top Gun (game app), mpjunkie (music app), vdjunkey (video app), talking frog (entertainment app," the minister said.

He said during the period 2013-16, seven ex-servicemen were arrested/detected for espionage activities for the ISI.

"The Indian security forces have been sensitised about Pakistan ISI using dubious applications on smartphones," he said.

"Besides, the government has circulated Computer Security Policy and Guidelines to all the ministries/departments on taking steps to prevent, detect and mitigate cyber attacks which include sanitisation of staff and officers, installations of CCTV and biometric for electronic surveillance with well-defined crisis management plan for countering cyber attacks and cyber terrorism for implementation," Chaudhary said.