Hacker cracks GSM encryption
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Hacker cracks GSM encryption
Watch what you say
A German security expert is claiming to have cracked the GSM encryption algorithm, making calls vulnerable to snooping.
Karsten Nohl says he has been able to listen in on conversations with equipment costing a few thousand dollars and a set of cracking tables which he and his team have compiled over the last six months.
Intercepting calls is illegal in many countries, including the US, and Nohl was careful not to actually release a cracking device. But, he says, "If you can work a BitTorrent client and a standard GNU build process then you can do it all, too."
GSM is the most widely used mobile standard, accounting for about 3.5 billion of the world's 4.3 billion wireless connections.
But the 21-year-old encryption algorithm - a 64-bit cipher called A5/1 - is simply not up to the job, says Nohl.
The encryption works through random channel-hopping across 80 different channels. But with a set of open source software tools, Nohl and his team were able to follow these frequency changes in real time.
The GSM Alliance's more recent standard, A5/3, used for 3G networks, is rather more secure.
A German security expert is claiming to have cracked the GSM encryption algorithm, making calls vulnerable to snooping.
Karsten Nohl says he has been able to listen in on conversations with equipment costing a few thousand dollars and a set of cracking tables which he and his team have compiled over the last six months.
Intercepting calls is illegal in many countries, including the US, and Nohl was careful not to actually release a cracking device. But, he says, "If you can work a BitTorrent client and a standard GNU build process then you can do it all, too."
GSM is the most widely used mobile standard, accounting for about 3.5 billion of the world's 4.3 billion wireless connections.
But the 21-year-old encryption algorithm - a 64-bit cipher called A5/1 - is simply not up to the job, says Nohl.
The encryption works through random channel-hopping across 80 different channels. But with a set of open source software tools, Nohl and his team were able to follow these frequency changes in real time.
The GSM Alliance's more recent standard, A5/3, used for 3G networks, is rather more secure.
Re: Hacker cracks GSM encryption
"Intercepting calls is illegal in many countries, including the US, and Nohl was careful not to actually release a cracking device."
Actually ever since 9-11 the US government can tap any line they please. It's called the US Patriot Act of 2001. www.crimethinc.com
Actually ever since 9-11 the US government can tap any line they please. It's called the US Patriot Act of 2001. www.crimethinc.com
shleeps- Posts : 55
Points : 19
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Join date : 2009-12-28
Re: Hacker cracks GSM encryption
For people like us it's illegal. Everyone knows the government will do whatever it wants.
Re: Hacker cracks GSM encryption
ah tru dat. fuck the us govt! obama owes me a dub sack of some kush
shleeps- Posts : 55
Points : 19
Reputation : 1
Join date : 2009-12-28
Re: Hacker cracks GSM encryption
hahashleeps wrote:ah tru dat. fuck the us govt! obama owes me a dub sack of some kush
fuck the system
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