3 ms·
Surprisingly not, mostly due to some very strange bits of the GSM protocol. Basically, as long as you have enough signal such that the victims handset can hear
by asharp 16y ago
Surprisingly not, mostly due to some very strange bits of the GSM protocol.
Basically, as long as you have enough signal such that the victims handset can hear your commands, you can tell it that you are stronger then any other signal, and the handset will instantly switch to your cell.
What's worse is that there exist secure GSM encryption/etc. standards, however as the cell tower chooses what encryption to use, it is mostly pointless. (I remember watching a video about this. Apparently your phone is meant to show a massive warning if they are using unencrypted GSM. None do).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXVHPNhsOzo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXVHPNhsOzo is a good video about this.
- JoachimSchipper 16y agoThere is a lot wrong with GSM, and I didn't even know about this particular attack (thanks!), but you still have to be reasonably close to the victim - it's harder than "attack from anywhere on the internet".
- asharp 16y agoMost certainly agree. Unfortunately, dropping the range limit from "Anywhere on earth" to "From a nearby mountain" doesn't fill me with all that much confidence.