GSM encryption broken - bit-tech.net Forums

CardJoe · 25th Feb 2008, 08:51

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/02...ption_broken/1

The A5/1 encryption algorithm used in GSM mobile phone transmissions can be broken in under thirty minutes with £500 worth of hardware. Time to worry?

1ad7 · 25th Feb 2008, 09:46

This doesnt concern well anyone I currently know, but it makes you think about other encryption's and there safety...
If i have something I don't want anyone listening too... ill just go whisper in there ear... paranoia on a cell phone or a plane ticket to Hong Kong to divulge the upcoming bankruptcy of yahoo.com.... wheres my private jet!

Faulk_Wulf · 25th Feb 2008, 14:54

Am I concerned by this? No.
I might be embarrassed by certain conversations being made public but I don't think any of it is illegal.
Now am I --comfortable-- by this? Definitely.
Big Brother is bad enough but if I need to worry about 'Little Cousin' too then its just --gah--

Bluephoenix · 25th Feb 2008, 15:22

there is always snail mail, signed and sealed to prevent tampering

naokaji · 25th Feb 2008, 15:30

If someone wants to listen to my phone calls, go ahead, but be prepared to die form boredom...

Smilodon · 25th Feb 2008, 18:50

Have GSM encryption ever been secure?

The problem with GSM encryption is that the keys used have to be publicly available for the system to work, which is... well... pointless.

I remember the good, old days when wireless "security" consisted of phones that just switched to a new frequency every 5 minutes or so... They could be tapped using a standard VHF radio. Listening to peoples conversations is incredibly boring, though...

I'm not worried about this. The most intriguing thing I reveal over a conversation is what I'm going to have for diner... If someone want to copy my plans, please go ahead. They could save £500 and just ask, though...

Cthippo · 25th Feb 2008, 19:35

I didn't even know GSM was encrypted. Can't say I'm bothered by this, really.

I do wonder if the guys at "No Such Agency" read these articles and laugh. "Thirty minutes? What a bunch of amateures! We broke that one a decade ago and do it in real time!".

cpu121 · 25th Feb 2008, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluephoenix

there is always snail mail, signed and sealed to prevent tampering

During the Cold War the Security Services became very good at reading the contents of envelopes without any sign of tampering.

sinizterguy · 26th Feb 2008, 01:16

People making dinner plans might not be concerned, but when you are having a conversation about what direction a multinational corporation is going to take can be all sorts of interesting.

phonon45 · 26th Feb 2008, 03:30

It seems like it would be easier to just sit next to the guy in the airport while he's yelling into his phone.

friskies · 26th Feb 2008, 07:25

Didn`t even know GSM was encrypted? Here in Norway one could listen to GSM conversations with a capable police scanner, tried it many years ago. Maybe they have implemented encryption later.

Smilodon · 26th Feb 2008, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by friskies

Didn`t even know GSM was encrypted? Here in Norway one could listen to GSM conversations with a capable police scanner, tried it many years ago. Maybe they have implemented encryption later.

Not GSM. That was the old NMT tetwork

Cthippo · 26th Feb 2008, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinizterguy

People making dinner plans might not be concerned, but when you are having a conversation about what direction a multinational corporation is going to take can be all sorts of interesting.

"Oooh, they're going to utilize synergy! We're in trouble now!"

Arkanrais · 26th Feb 2008, 22:25

Quote:

A5/0 is no encryption at all, and is the standard for GSM devices shipped to countries the distributors don't like all that much;

I rofl'd

25th Feb 2008, 08:51	#1
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,965	GSM encryption broken http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/02...ption_broken/1 The A5/1 encryption algorithm used in GSM mobile phone transmissions can be broken in under thirty minutes with £500 worth of hardware. Time to worry? __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

25th Feb 2008, 09:46	#2
1ad7 Multimodder Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas, United States Posts: 188	This doesnt concern well anyone I currently know, but it makes you think about other encryption's and there safety... If i have something I don't want anyone listening too... ill just go whisper in there ear... paranoia on a cell phone or a plane ticket to Hong Kong to divulge the upcoming bankruptcy of yahoo.com.... wheres my private jet! __________________ E8500@ 4.3ghz on air->ASUS P5Q-E->4gb of OCZ DDR2 @1069-> 4890 @ 958 1080 ->ASUS Xonar D2->Win7 Ultimate 42" Polaroid LCD @ 1920x1080

25th Feb 2008, 14:54	#3
Faulk_Wulf Internet Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 280	Am I concerned by this? No. I might be embarrassed by certain conversations being made public but I don't think any of it is illegal. Now am I --comfortable-- by this? Definitely. Big Brother is bad enough but if I need to worry about 'Little Cousin' too then its just --gah-- __________________ -- Faulken S. Wulf "Under the Willow, he sleeps and dreams, of Heaven." Attempting to post intelligently since the year 2000!

25th Feb 2008, 18:50	#6
Smilodon The Antagonist Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 4,888	Have GSM encryption ever been secure? The problem with GSM encryption is that the keys used have to be publicly available for the system to work, which is... well... pointless. I remember the good, old days when wireless "security" consisted of phones that just switched to a new frequency every 5 minutes or so... They could be tapped using a standard VHF radio. Listening to peoples conversations is incredibly boring, though... I'm not worried about this. The most intriguing thing I reveal over a conversation is what I'm going to have for diner... If someone want to copy my plans, please go ahead. They could save £500 and just ask, though... __________________ "You have to wonder about a business plan based on the notion that people want to interact with a soda can." -Jeff Salkowski abot the :CueCat My Flickr

25th Feb 2008, 19:35	#7
Cthippo Can't mod my way out of a paper bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 4,462	I didn't even know GSM was encrypted. Can't say I'm bothered by this, really. I do wonder if the guys at "No Such Agency" read these articles and laugh. "Thirty minutes? What a bunch of amateures! We broke that one a decade ago and do it in real time!". __________________ Notice: If we see you flaming we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate measures - The Bit-Tech Fire Brigade.

25th Feb 2008, 15:22	#4
Bluephoenix Spoon? What spoon? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 936	there is always snail mail, signed and sealed to prevent tampering

26th Feb 2008, 01:16	#9
sinizterguy Dark & Sinizter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 5,462	People making dinner plans might not be concerned, but when you are having a conversation about what direction a multinational corporation is going to take can be all sorts of interesting. __________________ Nothing here. Go away and dont bother me.

26th Feb 2008, 03:30	#10
phonon45 Minimodder Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Most likely in the Lab Posts: 32	It seems like it would be easier to just sit next to the guy in the airport while he's yelling into his phone.

26th Feb 2008, 07:25	#11
friskies Fuzzy fuzz Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 393	Didn`t even know GSM was encrypted? Here in Norway one could listen to GSM conversations with a capable police scanner, tried it many years ago. Maybe they have implemented encryption later. __________________ "what does your robot do, sam?" "It collects data about the surrounding environment, then discards it and drives into walls"