No, I’m not saying that you’re a dummy. What I am saying is that it’s easy for someone to monitor your cell phone activity. Almost any dummy can figure it out, hence the title "Cell Tracking For Dummies".
Let’s start with a once-secret cell phone tracking technology the FBI calls “Stingray.” Dating back at least to 1995, Stingrays trick your cell phone into jumping onto a fake network. Thanks to “back doors” programmed into cellular networks throughout the USA, it’s easy to track your movements in real time with a Stingray device.
So easy, in fact, that the FBI has created a workbook called Cell Tracking for Dummies to train agents how to use Stingray technology. (No, I’m not making this up.) Naturally, the FBI says it doesn’t need a warrant to conduct this type of surveillance, although in a couple cases, judges have disagreed.
Oh yes, and Stingrays can also capture the contents of your communications (voice, data, text messages, etc.), although the FBI isn’t supposed to retrieve this information without a warrant. Naturally, I believe them 100% when they promise that they would never do such a thing.
By the way, any reasonably competent communications nerd can build his own Stingray device. Thanks to the back doors I just mentioned, that means hackers have free reign over your cell phone locational data as well. “If I know your phone number, I can track your whereabouts globally,” says security researcher Nick Petrillo.
Now, you may not care that just about anyone, starting with the FBI, can locate you simply by typing your cell phone number on a keyboard and twisting a few knobs. But if you do, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself.
The most important precaution is to use a “throwaway” cell phone. Basically, this is a cheap cell phone you purchase over the counter at a retail store. Pay in cash, and while you’re at it, buy a “top-up” card to purchase pre-paid minutes or data for the phone.
Since you don’t have a cellular contract, would-be eavesdroppers, including the FBI, have no way of associating “you” with the cell phone. Naturally, you should avoid giving out your number to people you don’t trust.
What happens when you run out of minutes or used up your data allotment? The cell phone provider will try to convince you to top-up online, using a credit card. Don’t do it. Just buy another “top-up” card, again paying cash.
Repeat the process as needed. If you’re really paranoid, replace the cell phone every few weeks, or as often as you think you need to.
No, it’s not very convenient. And it may not be legal for much longer—the FBI wants to ban anonymous sales of cell phones. Get yours while you still can!
Copyright © 2013 by Mark Nestmann
