subject: How Much Security Does A Mobile Phone Network Provide? [print this page] Nowadays it seems like something of a rarity for someone not to own a mobile phone, and its not really too surprising when you consider the benefits of having one. You can move freely whilst using them, and you have the ability to make calls and send messages from any location where you can still get signal from your network provider. And its not just this, mobile phones also have an extensive number of features that simply arent available on traditional home phones, including picture messaging, games, music, and even video messaging. New smart phones even have the ability to log on to Wi-Fi connections so the user can check their emails, social networking sites, and online banking. While all of this access can seem liberating there are few people who seem to consider the risks.
Since the birth of the telephone in 1876 there has always been a risk of communications fraud for consumers and phone companies alike. And now, despite all of this new technology it seems that risk is higher than ever, as systems become more complicated there is more potential for gaps for hackers. The recent introduction of VoIP pone lines has come across the same security issues that traditional phone lines have, as a result of the Internet being accessible to so many people. In an attempt to counteract these security issues many companies now offer encryption systems or high frequency radio signals, which cannot be detected by others, for cordless phones.
However, despite efforts made to increase security for landlines and Internet connections, it seems that mobile phone networks still remain vulnerable to hackers. The proof of this has been all over the British tabloid newspapers recently as the phone hacking scandals related to Clive Goodman from the now-defunct News of the World came to everyones attention. With this scandal being pushed to the forefront of the media it seems that no one is safe from being hacked, though some people are clearly more likely to be targeted more than others.
It is quite worrying the ease at which people can hack mobile networks, it is fairly straightforward task that makes use of telecom software and VoIP to trace the caller ID. There are even services online that have similar capabilities and can be operated by a novice hacker. Smart phones have furthered these security issues, with the use of apps prompting the introduction of the Carrier IQ, technology that has the ability to track everything that a user does. Always be weary of what personal information you disclose online, and if you are worried about security then it could be worth using a landline for your calls where possible.
