Common Cell Phone Encryption Cracked, Published Online

[Deleted_171835]

Karsten Nohl, a German computer scientist and encryption expert, claims to have cracked the algorithm that protects wireless communications over GSM networks, the chosen route for 80-percent of global cellular traffic. As part of what Nohl told the Chaos Communication Congress is an attempt to "push operators to adopt better security measures for mobile phone calls," he published the 2 terabytes of binary code through BitTorrent.

Of course, the code, in and of itself, does not magically enable anyone to eavesdrop on cell phone conversations. Those signals must still be intercepted, and significant work must be done to decrypt them. Still, by publishing the algorithm, Nohl has made the work of would-be hackers that much easier.

The particular version of the encryption cracked is the older 64-bit A5/1 algorithm, which was state of the art when it debuted in 1988. In 2007, the GSM Association debuted the newer 128-bit A5/3 standard, but many network operators have been reluctant to spend the money to upgrade. The leak of this information, needed to crack the older standard, may finally light a fire under carriers and get them moving on the long overdue update.

Now who's going to be able to download 2 terabytes of code!

Source

 

[Joe88]

glad I have CDMA

 

[saxamo]

I too have been with CDMA for most of my time, but GSM always seemed more...hackable. More user friendly I mean to say. What with all the sim card swapping and you can use any phone and most no contract plans are GSM, it's truly the people's protocol...Until now! I don't think this will make much of a difference. At least not for a year or so. WEP is easily hackable now and how many people either A. Know this or B. Have the care to do it.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

The government already listens into our phone calls, why does it matter if a few lonely hackers do? It's not like I named my dog after my social security number and I go to the vet frequently.

 

[Chanser]

You could blackmail celebrities and politicians.

 

[Sir-Fritz]

I too have been with CDMA for most of my time, but GSM always seemed more...hackable. More user friendly I mean to say. What with all the sim card swapping and you can use any phone and most no contract plans are GSM, it's truly the people's protocol...Until now! I don't think this will make much of a difference. At least not for a year or so. WEP is easily hackable now and how many people either A. Know this or B. Have the care to do it.

Lol Australia doesnt even have cdma any more (took it out like 3 years ago) most people have 3g now.

 

[playallday]

Doesn't really matter, I never use my cell for important stuff anyway.

 

[MarkDarkness]

I talk so much shit on my cell that anybody would have a terrible time trying to fish anything out of it.

 

[Danny600kill]

I talk so much shit on my cell that anybody would have a terrible time trying to fish anything out of it.

Same lol

 

[Chris_Skylock]

RED mobile of Philippines will be famous for their 3G-only service. lol.


US government listen to their citizen's call? shame on them

 

[Guild McCommunist]

RED mobile of Philippines will be famous for their 3G-only service. lol.


US government listen to their citizen's call? shame on them

Well, they did in the Bush administration on what they said were "selected people" (like "supposed" terrorists, but it was actually doing journalists and the like). Odds are most governments do it, they just don't say.

 

[Joe88]

Odds are most governments do it, they just don't say.

this, especially china

 

[Deleted-119707]

asdasdsad

 

[yuyuyup]

too bad dumbass hackers can't figger out the ps3

pls don't hack me

 

[Deleted_171835]

too bad dumbass hackers can't figger out the ps3

pls don't hack me

Hah. You seem like the only dumbass around here. Even if the PS3 is hacked it would be impractical considering that they use Blu-Ray disc's and you'll be downloading 10 GB files.

No hackers as of now hacked the PS3, which I'm sure you already know. Just don't be a bitch about it and complain. Read here.

Edit1: Obvious troll is obvious. Come on. That has nothing to do with the topic at hand.

 

[MarkDarkness]

Odds are most governments do it, they just don't say.

this, especially china

What? They don't hide dick in China. They do it and everybody is aware of that.

 

[yuyuyup]

10 gigs aint shit

 

[Deleted_171835]

10 gigs aint shit

10 GB is "shit" as a matter of fact for people who live in countries with caps on their internet. Full Single-Layered Blu-Ray disc can hold 25 GB. Full Double Layered can hold 50 GB. Would you like to download a 25/50 GB file?

That isn't the point, anyway. You complained that they didn't hack the PS3 yet and called the hackers "dumbass". Betcha $900 that "those hackers" are smarter than you. That's also not the point. That was a stupid comment you made before. End of Story.

 

[shakirmoledina]

Do u wanna know how practical this is... its not actually unless ur familiar with how everything is running and stuff - besides this comment was made by the GSMA who are gonna release a new update anyway
i wouldnt worry though they claim u can eavesdrop on any conversation with 3000$ equipments

 

[fgghjjkll]

3.5g seems t be the newest fad here