Location tracking of GSM cellphones: now easier (and cheaper) than ever

elapsed · Feb 17, 2012

By calling the target phone several times in short succession, attackers can map the target's phone number to the unique identifier. To keep their surveillance covert, they hang up five seconds after dialing. That's enough time to allow the towers to page the cellphone but not long enough for the mobile device to ring.

While the attack works only when targets are connected to GSM networks, iPhones and other smartphones that are configured to communicate over 2G networks are vulnerable.
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http://arstechnica.com/business/new...llphones-now-easier-and-cheaper-than-ever.ars

Looks like there's also positives of having a 3G capable phone/smartphone over the standard "dumbphones". Do smartphones bother connecting to 2G if they have a 3G connection? I know they "fall back" to 2G if you're in a 3G dead zone, but not sure if they keep a constant 2G connection. I'd personally doubt it because it would be a waste of battery.

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Location tracking of GSM cellphones: now easier (and cheaper) than ever

elapsed Registered Member

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Location tracking of GSM cellphones: now easier (and cheaper) than ever

elapsed Registered Member

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