is there an easy way to capture cellular data/voice transmission over the air?

[RIGorous1]

Hey guys,

I'm reading up for my CISSP and I've read the stories about how WEP and other wireless protocols have and can be easily cracked, so I'm wondering what about cell phones? We live in an age where the cellphone will soon be the center of our information world, so I'm wondering:

1. what are the current ways to "sniff" data/voice over the air from cellphones? (ie: hear and see your neighbors conversations/text).
2. what security features are being built in to next gen protocols?

Thanks for the help.

Cheers.

Rig

 

[KLin]

Who are you wanting to stalk?

 

[swtethan]

Originally posted by: KLin
Who are you wanting to stalk?

 

[foghorn67]

FBI would like to know why.

 

[RIGorous1]

lol I'm not trying to stalk anyone. I just want to know what's out there, because like I said, the cellphone is becoming the target for linking you to the world (think apple iPhone, Treo's, etc.) and without proper security this could become a mess. Secondly, I'm studying for my CISSP and this is topic that is not explicitly covered, but is an emerging technological trend that has huge implications.

When I started to think about it I was reminded of that Simpson's episode where Marge was able to hear conversations over the baby monitor because she was close to the tower. I'm sure its not that simple, so I'm wondering... well how simple/difficult is it really?

 

[RIGorous1]

Originally posted by: foghorn67
FBI would like to know why.

[puts on white hat]

I've met with a few feds when I was taking a forensics class last semester. I thought about joining them...

[/taps white hat]

 

[George P Burdell]

"Those who know don't speak, those who speak don't know."

 

[MrBond]

I think it's pretty difficult. You used to be able to "clone" an old analog phone with portable devices. Criminals would sit somewhere with a lot of traffic and wait for someone to use their phone. They'd capture the cell phone information and write it to a new cell phone, then use it for calls, which would be billed to the real phone's owner.

There's some info here:

http://www.tech-faq.com/cell-phone-cloning.shtml

Unlike using unencrypted wireless networks (which is still a gray area in most places), cell phone cloning is actually illegal. In addition, I don't think it's as easy with newer digital phone technology.