All mobile calls can be tapped

Two security researchers have demonstrated an attack trick, breaking into any GSM mobile network in the world to eavesdrop on phone calls.

Mobile calls can be overheard, even control your device.

Karsten Nohl and Sylvain Munaut - two security researchers who just announced the vulnerability of GSM mobile networks, said the attack and intrusion methods they discovered could be done very easily There is no need for the help of expensive and complicated software like before. A special feature is that all GSM-based mobile networks in the world share this vulnerability.

In order to prove their claims, these two security experts have just performed a demonstration right at the Congress of Computer Professionals Club (CCC) recently held in Berlin (Germany). In their performance, the two experts have taken all the steps, from identifying the location of a phone, identity theft (ID) of the device and appropriating control over the handover. exchange data between the device and the transceiver station so that it can take the next steps such as eavesdropping, data theft or even complete control of other people's devices.

The tool these two use is just an open source software called Kraken .

In an interview with the BBC, Nohl said: ' Now we have a path to your subscription number and from there we can find you, listen to all your calls. you '.

In August 2010, at the World Hackers' Congress (DefCon) held in the city of Las Vegas (USA), another security expert also successfully demonstrated a mobile eavesdropping attack. action on GSM network. However, to implement this attack, one had to use a software and specialized device called IMSI catcher that cost up to 1,500 USD. IMSI catcher acts as a fake mobile transceiver, capable of attracting all calls from nearby cell phones. All speech from that device will be saved by a software running on the Internet.

' GSM network (also known as 2G mobile network) now reveals a lot of security holes. The one who suffered here is none other than network users , 'The Age quoted Chris as the man who carried out the attack at DefCon.

According to the GSM Mobile Association (GSMA), the world currently has more than 4 billion mobile subscribers used on GSM networks.