Posted on 02/13/2009 9:23:57 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Obama's BlackBerry brings personal safety risks
by Chris Soghoian
When the mainstream media first announced Barack Obama's "victory" in keeping his BlackBerry, the focus was on the security of the device, and keeping the U.S. president's e-mail communications private from spies and hackers.
The news coverage and analysis by armchair security experts thus far has failed to focus on the real threat: attacks against President Obama's location privacy, and the potential physical security risks that come with someone knowing the president's real-time physical location.
Serial numbers
Before we dive in, let's take a moment to note that each mobile phone has a unique serial number, known as an IMEI, or MEID. This unique number is transmitted in clear text, every time the phone communicates with a nearby cell tower. Thus, while the contents of a phone call or the data session (for e-mail) are usually encrypted, anyone with the right equipment can home in on a particular IMEI and identify the location of the source of that signal.
The most common device used to locate a phone by its IMEI is a "Triggerfish", a piece of equipment that is routinely used by law enforcement and intelligence agencies. This kind of device tricks nearby cell phones into transmitting their serial numbers and other information by impersonating a cell tower.
The devices, which are actually fairly low-tech, were used to hunt down famed hacker Kevin Mitnick back in the 1990s. Most interesting of all, according to Department of Justice documents, Triggerfish can be used to reveal a suspect's location "without the user knowing about it and without involving the cell phone provider."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.cnet.com ...
Good summary of our 0 problem
Thanks for the non answer.
What exactly do you mean or read?
All blackberry models like Obama has have gps. His was most likely altered to fix that security concern. But the other concern remains- O-dummy’s un- accountability.
He should not be allowed to have private conversations with who knows who. We should know who he’s paying off and making deals with.
He uses it to get instructions on how to do the job.
“...the real threat: attacks against President Obama’s location privacy...”
And that is bad news?
If his blackberry is on, it can be absolutely pinpointed, assuming he has service. And it has nothing to do with GPS.
Not unless Iran or someone nukes D.C.
Incoming text from Amadenijad.......
Yeah, but I probably won’t be around to collect.
To think that a President has to be attached to a Blackberry as slavishly as he, is disturbing on many levels:
Micro manager
Michelle’s leash
Soros’ leash
Rahm’s leash
Who does he have to be in constant touch with? He needs to answer that question.
I’m beginning to think he is a puppet president in every sense of the word.
A pox upon all their houses.
Following my nice nap with catz, I just want to say that I absolutely agree with you about this, and I can understand why you'd jump on me when you thought that's what I was saying.
Well, I need to be lighter on you today, I am not getting a good read on what you’ve been posting today. I didn’t even realize you posted this until I saw the reply. (I tend not to keep track of all the different people I post to.)
It’s Friday. Have a Guinness and give yourself a break! Get some Girl Scout cookies.
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