This is bad news for GSM cellphone users. The encryption that protects the transmission of your voice data over the GSM networks, has been cracked by a group of 24 hackers in Berlin. Meaning that the voice calls transmitted over the GSM networks could possibly be eavesdropped or intercepted.
GSM networks actually use the A5/1 algorithm, a 64-bit encryption for voice calls placed over GSM networks. But Nohl, the encryption specialist, has taken the raw binary data and turned them into a 2 terabytes “code book”, which can be used to decode the valid encryption key.
Well, the GSM congress is not happy with the crack, claiming that it’s illegal to crack the GSM encryption in the US and UK. GSM congress also insists that hacked encryption key doesn’t mean that voice calls are unprotected and some more mobile carriers can upgrade to the stronger encryption, A5/3 algorithm. So, to stay safe, make sure you’re on a carrier that uses the new algorithm.
via slashgear
December 29th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
That is still better than going with those Verizon Wireless liars.
February 22nd, 2011 at 5:01 am
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