Use of cell phone as a Listening device

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ka3...@netscape.net

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May 8, 2008, 3:57:40 PM5/8/08
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I had a question from a client about cell phones in a meeting used as
a listening device.

I told the client that yes a cell phone could be used as a “bug”. But
as to the clients question I am not sure.

Here is the question.

“Can a cell phone be used as a “bug” without the owner’s knowledge?
Can someone call a cell phone get it not to ring, auto answers without
the owner’s knowledge and listen to a meeting?”

I told the client I had not heard of it but anything could be possible
with a digital device.

What are the group’s thoughts?

kondrak

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May 11, 2008, 4:28:31 AM5/11/08
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Yes, and yes.
BUT, and its a big BUT, they have to load software onto the phone, and that can only be done from the switch, so it has to be an inside job with the carrier's consent,

ESD

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May 11, 2008, 3:35:01 AM5/11/08
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With some of the vulnerabilities of Bluetooth considered. Yes, it is
possible for someone to connect to your clients phone and then
instruct it to dial out. Giving and eavesdropper on another handset
the room audio.

I can also recall a recent case we had where a bluetooth device was
planted in the targets office with a disabled speaker and light. It
was connected to a mobile phone in the false ceiling. Just another way
to use mobiles and defeat the spy shop hopefuls.

Les
ESD Group

Dave Milk

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May 11, 2008, 6:47:46 PM5/11/08
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yes it can, a blue tooth enabled enabled Phone can be switched on by a bad guy with a fairly simple capture device, it can even be made to call numbers with theout the owners knowledgte or consent, Hope that helps some
Dave 

simo923

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May 13, 2008, 10:40:07 AM5/13/08
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If the owner has had the phone out of sight for anymore than 2 minutes
it is more than possible. If someone has had their hands on it and
said, here,,,,let me bluetooth this video to you, then it is
possible. In fact all too easily now.

On May 11, 9:28 am, kondrak <kond...@phreaker.net> wrote:
> Yes, and yes.
> *BUT, and its a big BUT*, they have to load software onto the phone, and

Rogelio Villarreal

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May 11, 2008, 1:56:34 PM5/11/08
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There is a Cell phone called spy phone which has that specific function.

 

You have to give the phone to the end user and ask him to use it as his normal phone.

You have a master cell phone which alerts you of when any of the spy phones are in use, receives or makes calls, and you can listen to the call or receive the SMS messages.

 

Sells for about $2,000 each on the international market, not sold in the US, used by government. Is a restricted product.

 

 

RV

----- Original Message -----
From: kondrak
Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 3:28 AM
Subject: [TSCM-L] {2629} Re: Use of cell phone as a Listening device

Rogelio Villarreal

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May 11, 2008, 10:01:51 PM5/11/08
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I sent this comment a while ago. Forgot to mention / answer your question.
You can call these Spy Phones, which you gave out to people beforehand, and
while the cell does not register the call you can listen to the audio for
about 10 meters around.

Problem…the target cell does not receive calls during this time.

You can handle 2 or 3 phones with the master cell phone or get a lap top
connected to the master phone (special software) and control about 20 cell
phones.

There is a Cell phone called spy phone which has that specific function.

You have to give the phone to the end user and ask him to use it as his
normal phone.

You have a master cell phone which alerts you of when any of the spy phones
are in use, receives or makes calls, and you can listen to the call or
receive the SMS messages.

Sells for about $2,000 each on the international market, not sold in the US,
used by government. Is a restricted product.

RV

kondrak

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May 14, 2008, 12:47:33 AM5/14/08
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Yes bluetooth presents an entire new security problem...

EUGENE BUCKLEY

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May 14, 2008, 10:10:34 AM5/14/08
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AN IMMEADIATE COUNTER-INTELIGENCE SOLUTION IS TO REVERSE THE BATTERY (POWER DOWN) IN THE TO DEACTIVATE THE CELL UNTIL REQUIRED USE.  IF YOU CAN RESET TO "FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS" DO SO, THIS WILL ERASE THE SOFTWARE TROJAN BUG, IS ANOTHER RECOMMENDED COURSE OF "IMMEADIATE" ACTION IF SUSPECTED SURVEILENCE TRANSPIRED.  - TRACER.

> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 00:35:01 -0700
> Subject: [TSCM-L] {2633} Re: Use of cell phone as a Listening device
> From: gold...@gmail.com
> To: TSCM-...@googlegroups.com

Dave Milk

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May 16, 2008, 5:04:40 PM5/16/08
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Unortunately this has been on a scam warning on BBC, it seems if buetooth is
enabled on the cell (and more are being shipped activated, apparently with a
small pda, a bad guy can get your phone numer and they have a way to make it
call a 900 number and as long as you are close enough to the cell, like on a
cross town bus, they can get you for 15bux a minute WITHOUT your knowledge
or even any outward signs your phone is on and transmitting.
This was on a bbc special, that showed current scams snd how they work\
stereo dave


From: "simo923" <sim...@gmail.com>
To: "TSCM-L Professionals List" <TSCM-...@googlegroups.com>

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