![]() Unlike with StingRays and similar devices, protecting yourself against a Hailstorm attack is much more difficult. Where StingRays can only intercept data over 2G, a Hailstorm device operates on 3G and 4G networks, which make up the vast majority of cellular networks worldwide. StingRay vs HailstormĪlthough StingRays are limited to tracking cell phone users connected over a legacy 2G network, the same company that produced the StingRay (the Harris Corporation) also manufactures a device known as Hailstorm (or simply “StingRay II”). Luckily for law enforcement and surveillance agencies, it’s not the end of the line for this type of technology. If this traffic isn’t encrypted, whoever operates the StingRay device will be able to access all of it.Īlthough it’s often used as a blanket term, a StingRay device is just one type of a class of devices known as “IMSI catchers” or “cell-site simulators.” It only operates on 2G networks, which makes it less useful for law enforcement with every passing year as 4G and eventually 5G networks take over.īecause of this, StingRays aren’t as useful as they used to be. This results in your phone routing any traffic - such as text messages, web queries or phone calls - through the device. StingRays essentially function by tricking your phone into thinking that the surveillance device is a cell tower. ![]() Then we’ll explain the most basic steps you can take to protect yourself against StingRay surveillance. We’ll start out our guide by looking at what a StingRay is and how it differs from more modern solutions. Once a device connects to three or more regular cell towers (or if it runs GPS), police can use triangulation to pinpoint the location of the device. Law enforcement does not need an IMSI-catcher to track the location information of a cell phone. However, note that VPNs won’t protect your text messages. ExpressVPN (read our ExpressVPN review) and NordVPN (read our NordVPN review) are our clear favorites. ![]() If you’d rather just skip ahead to what you can do to protect your online activity, the short answer is to install and run a VPN at all times, so make sure to check out our list of the best VPNs to keep yourself safe. that limits the use of cell-site simulators for surveillance, but there is a pending bill that aims to require police and other governmental agencies to obtain a warrant before deploying one.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |