
Smartphone Spyware: How Devices Collect and Exfiltrate Data Even Without Internet Access
Modern smartphones continue gathering sensor data including microphone, camera, gyroscope, and satellite navigation even when Wi-Fi and mobile data are disabled. Information is stored locally and transmitted only when connectivity is restored. The Find My Device feature from Google and Find My from Apple allow location reporting for hours after the device is powered off via a separate Bluetooth chip. In August 2026, ThreatFabric disclosed the Manic trojan that uses Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth RFCOMM, and BLE GATT to relay encrypted data through nearby infected devices when direct internet access is unavailable. The malware supports multi-hop routing of up to four intermediate devices. Everyday users face greater risk from over-privileged applications and pre-installed malware on gray-market devices than from sophisticated offline exfiltration techniques. A detailed checklist covers purchase hygiene, permission audits, and recovery steps after suspected compromise.
HabrSep 10, 2026Translated from Russian

