Posted September 4, 2014 9:19 PM ET; Last updated September 5, 2014 7:29 PM ET
Here's another example of technology as a threat to individual liberty, and a danger to safety from civilian criminals. The ACLU remains focused on abuses by government actors. Who is regulating the related issue of technology being used by private criminals? How do we prevent these abuses? The police are mostly clueless and reluctant to act to curb technological abuses by criminals.
http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/05/fake-cellphone-towers/?ncid=rss_truncated
Fake cellphone towers hiding in plain sight, intercepting your phone calls
by Billy Steele | @wmsteele
September 5, 2014
* * *
[From article]
The origin of these devices that disguise themselves as cell phone towers is not known.
CBS 2 security analyst Ross Rice, a former FBI agent, said it’s likely being used illegally.
[. . .]
“Most likely, they are installed and operated by hackers, trying to steal personal identification and passwords.”
Les Goldsmith, the CEO of ESD America, which makes secure cell phones, said law enforcement, with a warrant, can use interceptor devices if they need information in real time, or if they don’t want a cellular network to know what they are tracking.
These devices don’t look like a tower, but are rather electronic boxes and laptops that trick a regular phone that it’s part of an actual cellular network.
[. . .]
The top of the line ESD phone costs around $3,500. Goldsmith said they do a lot of business with governments, but are selling more privately, including about 200 units today alone.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/09/03/rouge-cell-towers-can-intercept-your-data-at-least-one-found-in-chicago/
Rogue ‘Cell Towers’ Can Intercept Your Data; At Least One Found In Chicago
By John Dodge
CBS News Chicago IL
September 3, 2014 1:02 PM
* * *
[From article]
The origin of these devices that disguise themselves as cell phone towers is not known.
CBS 2 security analyst Ross Rice, a former FBI agent, said it’s likely being used illegally.
[. . .]
“Most likely, they are installed and operated by hackers, trying to steal personal identification and passwords.”
Les Goldsmith, the CEO of ESD America, which makes secure cell phones, said law enforcement, with a warrant, can use interceptor devices if they need information in real time, or if they don’t want a cellular network to know what they are tracking.
These devices don’t look like a tower, but are rather electronic boxes and laptops that trick a regular phone that it’s part of an actual cellular network.
[. . .]
The top of the line ESD phone costs around $3,500. Goldsmith said they do a lot of business with governments, but are selling more privately, including about 200 units today alone.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/09/03/rouge-cell-towers-can-intercept-your-data-at-least-one-found-in-chicago/
Rogue ‘Cell Towers’ Can Intercept Your Data; At Least One Found In Chicago
By John Dodge
CBS News Chicago IL
September 3, 2014 1:02 PM
