The program is called Lantern 2 and, instead of using dedicated hardware like the UFED Handheld that we saw last week, it’s just software they can run on their computer. You plug in the iPhone, click the run button, and away it goes.

Fifteen minutes later, the law enforcement officer can sift through the easy to understand interface to find all your text messages (arranged in chronological order, of course), all the pictures you’ve taken, your Facebook friend list, your Skype call history, and more. Oh, and you know how your iPhone has that hidden location tracking thing running in the background? Lantern 2 seems like it grabs that too, as well as a record of every cell phone tower your device has ever reached.

The good news is that they still need physical access to your phone for those fifteen minutes, so just don’t give the authorities a reason to want said access.

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As if being able to track your every move wasn’t scary enough, it looks like there is yet another way to learn just about everything about you. Thankfully, the Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED) is being provided only to law enforcement. Then again, bad guys could probably swipe one of these too.

Basically, a range of different cell phones can be plugged into the UFED and the device will be able to quickly grab your contact information, messages, stored photos, calling history, and all sorts of other data that could be used against you in a court of law. The kicker is that it’ll scan for deleted and hidden files too, just in case you thought removing those incriminating photos and texts could save you.

“But I have a password.” Tough luck. The next model of the UFED will be able to stomp right on by the password lock on Android and iOS devices. Maybe it really is in your best interest to get a phone off the beaten path with an obscure proprietary data connection. Then the coppers will have a much more difficult time accessing your data.

Will this become standard equipment next to the radar gun and breathalyzer? I somehow doubt it, but it could be added to the arsenal of tools that CSIs bring the scene. It’s not quite as impressive though as the quick chip clone Jason Bourne did on the CIA lady’s phone in Bourne Identity.

The post Cops can Hack Smartphones in Minutes with UFED Handheld appeared first on Mobile Magazine.