Security of cordless phones ... (?)

Willi · 01-01-2009, 20:37

There was a disturbing piece on one of the German TV channels the other evening. It showed how the cordless phones that most people are using nowadays can be hacked with a laptop and the necessary software. It seems they are as wide open as a barn door and that only an old-fashioned handset with a cable is secure.

But how about the so-called 'Skype phones' that work via an Internet router? I've heard that Skype encryption is so good that it's a worry even for the likes of GCHQ and NSA.

It would be interesting to hear comments about the security (or insecurity) of cordless phones and, in particular, whether the same applies to Skype phones.

W

Finglonga · 01-01-2009, 21:46

Old fashion handsets with a cable are far from secure.

Willi · 01-01-2009, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finglonga

Old fashion handsets with a cable are far from secure.

Not if there's a physical wire-tap or if a bug has been planted ... but otherwise, why not?

Rob_Online · 01-01-2009, 22:21

Do you mean landline cordless phones? I don't see how a computer could get into them any differently than a phone with a cable as it all goes through the phone line the same unless you've got a laptop and are in range of a cordless phone and somehow there's a way to listen in?

Willi · 01-01-2009, 22:28

Yes, it was about the direct reception of the signals from cordless phones to their base units. This is a particular problem for those in urban areas ... especially those in high-rise buildings.

W

Finglonga · 01-01-2009, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willi

Not if there's a physical wire-tap or if a bug has been planted ... but otherwise, why not?

That's what I mean its only a matter of getting to the junction box at the end of most streets and tapping into that if someone wanted to.

New phones are all digital and takes time to crack them, years ago you could listen to them on a scanner when they were analogue.

Same with mobile phones as they were all analogue when they first came out and people thought they were secure. It was just a case of tuning in the scanner to find the correct frequency.

prking · 02-01-2009, 07:49

Who is going to go to the trouble of using a laptop with equipment, finding the correct signal for the handset/base station you are interested in and then decrypting it?

When you can listen in at the junction box/telepone pole with a pair of headphones and 50p of components?

Willi · 02-01-2009, 16:42

Thanks for the replies.

Well, from what I saw it was no trouble at all! Certainly a lot easier and less obvious than crouching next to a junction box or clinging to a pole.

OK about the old cordless phones and the old analogue mobiles; yes, they were both wide open to scanners. (Incidentally, I could never understand why our royal VIP was never warned of the possibility of eavesdroppers; or why he didn't know in any case, given his previous service in the armed forces!)

But does anyone have a comment regarding the security of Skype phones?

W

01-01-2009, 20:37	#1
Willi Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 163	Security of cordless phones ... (?) There was a disturbing piece on one of the German TV channels the other evening. It showed how the cordless phones that most people are using nowadays can be hacked with a laptop and the necessary software. It seems they are as wide open as a barn door and that only an old-fashioned handset with a cable is secure. But how about the so-called 'Skype phones' that work via an Internet router? I've heard that Skype encryption is so good that it's a worry even for the likes of GCHQ and NSA. It would be interesting to hear comments about the security (or insecurity) of cordless phones and, in particular, whether the same applies to Skype phones. W

01-01-2009, 22:06	#3
Willi Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 163	Security of cordless phones ... Quote: Originally Posted by Finglonga Old fashion handsets with a cable are far from secure. Not if there's a physical wire-tap or if a bug has been planted ... but otherwise, why not?

02-01-2009, 16:42	#8
Willi Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 163	Security of cordless phones ... Thanks for the replies. Well, from what I saw it was no trouble at all! Certainly a lot easier and less obvious than crouching next to a junction box or clinging to a pole. OK about the old cordless phones and the old analogue mobiles; yes, they were both wide open to scanners. (Incidentally, I could never understand why our royal VIP was never warned of the possibility of eavesdroppers; or why he didn't know in any case, given his previous service in the armed forces!) But does anyone have a comment regarding the security of Skype phones? W

01-01-2009, 21:46	#2
Finglonga Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Stafford. Posts: 4,706	Old fashion handsets with a cable are far from secure.

01-01-2009, 22:21	#4
Rob_Online Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Somerset, UK (Mendip TX) Posts: 2,475	Do you mean landline cordless phones? I don't see how a computer could get into them any differently than a phone with a cable as it all goes through the phone line the same unless you've got a laptop and are in range of a cordless phone and somehow there's a way to listen in?

01-01-2009, 22:28	#5
Willi Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 163	Yes, it was about the direct reception of the signals from cordless phones to their base units. This is a particular problem for those in urban areas ... especially those in high-rise buildings. W

01-01-2009, 22:55	#6
Finglonga Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Stafford. Posts: 4,706	Quote: Originally Posted by Willi Not if there's a physical wire-tap or if a bug has been planted ... but otherwise, why not? That's what I mean its only a matter of getting to the junction box at the end of most streets and tapping into that if someone wanted to. New phones are all digital and takes time to crack them, years ago you could listen to them on a scanner when they were analogue. Same with mobile phones as they were all analogue when they first came out and people thought they were secure. It was just a case of tuning in the scanner to find the correct frequency.

02-01-2009, 07:49	#7
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Who is going to go to the trouble of using a laptop with equipment, finding the correct signal for the handset/base station you are interested in and then decrypting it? When you can listen in at the junction box/telepone pole with a pair of headphones and 50p of components?

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Security of cordless phones ... (?)