Popular apps that spy on you

NEW YORK (WABC) -- You might think that your smart phones and tablets are secure, but could you have apps that may be invading your privacy without you eve realizing it?

7 On Your Side found apps that you have probably given permission to take photos from your camera, listen through your microphone or even track your location.

It's being called the dirty little secret that could affect some of the most popular holiday gifts, says one cyber security expert. They are popular apps everyone will be loading onto brand new iPads and phones that allow others to spy on you.

And when you download an app and hit the "agree" button, you're probably installing some "creepware" on your phone. That's according to cyber security expert Gary Milliefsky, who with a few clicks, showed us how popular apps are doing a lot more than you think they are.

"Spying on your kids, turning on the microphone, taking pictures of them," he said. "And you wouldn't know it."

Tens of millions of user hit "agree" to download flashlight apps every day, but one in particular leaves users in the dark about what else the company is shining a light on, even when the app is off. The FTC settlement now includes a 25-page disclosure.

"We're talking about looking at you though your camera," Milliefsky said. "Looking through pictures of you on your device, sending that information over the internet to other countries and listening to you...that's completely frightening."

Step 1 to protecting your privacy is to get rid of the apps you don't use.

Step 2, check out the developers of the apps you keep.

"If they don't answer support email or their website doesn't exist, there's a problem," Milliefsky said.

Step 3, read the privacy policies. The free version of Angry Birds tells you in black and white that third parties can collect, store and share your personal info, even geolocate or tag you.

Also, turn off location services. But turn on anti-spyware, which will show you who's spying on your device.

Snoopwall, Gary's company, gives a free threat assessment, displaying all the permissions you've allowed that fun app to potentially abuse.