Are cell phone transmissions secure?

[Marcusarilius]

I just got married last Friday night and today was inquiring about getting healthcare for her through my work. They need her Social Security number (over the phone) before we can begin.

I have heard many different opinions on whether Cell Phone calls are secure or not. Will I be good to give them her S.S number over the Cell Waves?

Thanks everyone. Marcus…


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[proxpilot]

the only people listening is the Government

[Hammie]

Any phone line can be compromised. It all depends if someone is TRYING to listen in on your line.

I think in terms of security, a land line, cell phone, then cordless phone is the order of most to least secure.

Honestly, you are more likely the get your credit card number stolen from a restaurant then a phone line getting tapped.

[Clark Kent]

If your phone lines are tapped, you have bigger things to worry about than getting your social security number stolen. Congratulations on getting married!

[Simplayer]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

I just got married last Friday night and today was inquiring about getting healthcare for her through my work. They need her Social Security number (over the phone) before we can begin.

I have heard many different opinions on whether Cell Phone calls are secure or not. Will I be good to give them her S.S number over the Cell Waves?

Thanks everyone. Marcus…


.

All cell phone calls are encrypted. 2G (GSM anyways) uses an algorithm called A5/1, which, unfortunately has been compromised. The 3G variant (called A5/3) is still secure.

The cracking isn't done in real time, however, someone needs to capture your conversation and then crack it after the fact. Not exactly consoling, I know.

I don't really know how likely it is for someone to be listening in on your conversations. They do have to set up a fake cell tower (that convinces your cell phone that it's the best tower available, and also belongs to your provider).

So even though your conversations aren't secure in and of themselves, you should be relatively secure through anonymity.

Oh, and I guess the government can spy on you too.

[bageleaterkkjji]

Originally Posted by proxpilot

the only people listening is the Government

i'm pretty sure his wife's ss number isn't on the keyphrase list unless she's a fugitive

Originally Posted by proxpilot

the only people listening is the Government

unless of course he has Jon Voight and Jack black outside his house in a van

[Sagacious Koreo]

I don't think anything is really secure anymore...

[Marcusarilius]

[QUOTE=bageleaterkkjji;3334868]i'm pretty sure his wife's ss number isn't on the keyphrase list unless she's a fugitive

Sooooooo just hypothetically speaking, if she was a wanted fugitive...?

Thanks for the info.

[Beta Man]

No..... really.....

[Show spoiler] you holdin' ?????

I've given my SS# over the phone more times than I can count...... Heck, Dish network asks for it, Life insurance, home insurance, etc...

[bageleaterkkjji]

[QUOTE=Marcusarilius;3338923]

Originally Posted by bageleaterkkjji

i'm pretty sure his wife's ss number isn't on the keyphrase list unless she's a fugitive

Sooooooo just hypothetically speaking, if she was a wanted fugitive...?

Thanks for the info.

Then i would be worried

[Simplayer]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I've given my SS# over the phone more times than I can count...... Heck, Dish network asks for it, Life insurance, home insurance, etc...

I find that so bizzare. Why does Dish network need to know your SS#?