How FBI uses hacking to snoop on you

By now people are aware of their respective government's surveillance programs to tackle terrorism, but sources have now thrown light on the capabilities of US' federal agencies which can turn even the most personal of devices into a governmental tool for snooping.

According to the Fox News, sources have revealed that the federal agents use hacking tools including spyware delivered to computers and phones through email or Web links-techniques more commonly associated with attacks by criminals.

One former US official said that the FBI develops some tools which can allow it to remotely activate the microphones in phones running Google's Android software to record conversations and can also do the same to laptops without the users' knowledge.

A formal official in FBI's cyber division said that the agency hires people who have hacking skill, and they purchase tools that are capable of doing these things.

The report added a former official saying that the agency typically uses hacking in cases involving organized crime, child pornography or counterterrorism.