Re: [off-topic] roving wiretaps
At 11:58 AM 8/2/96 +0000, you wrote:
P.S. Do police really need a search warrant to wiretap cellular phones?
It is my understanding that police need a warrant to tap *cellular* phones, but not *wireless* phones.
One should understand that monitoring cellular traffic is *much* more difficult than tapping a conventional phone, because as the user moves around in the service area the phone switches to different repeaters, often several times during a conversation.
I'd have to disagree on that point. Monitoring cellular traffic requires nothing more than a cellular phone, and some software which enables you to follow calls through the cells, for a total cost of about $500. This is exceptionally trivial with an Oki 900 and a ctek cable (which interfaces the fone with the computer). With this software you can monitor individual cells, choosing to "lock on" to a call made from a specific number, or to a specific number. You can follow calls, and record any dtmf digits. Also the caller will never be made aware that he/she is being listened to. A sophisticated land line wiretap that will not be detectable by the average citizen will cost well over $500, plus you have to install it without the target knowing, etc. //cerridwyn//
Cerridwyn Llewyellyn <ceridwyn@wolfenet.com> writes:
One should understand that monitoring cellular traffic is *much* more difficult than tapping a conventional phone...
I'd have to disagree on that point. Monitoring cellular traffic requires nothing more than a cellular phone, and some software which enables you to follow calls through the cells, for a total cost of about $500...
Agreed. I know that this capability was available to organisations at the level of the State Police over ten years ago, and has long been available to anyone with a credit card and the ability to read the adverts in the back of _Police Chief_ magazine... -- Roger Williams finger me for my PGP public key Coelacanth Engineering consulting & turnkey product development Middleborough, MA wireless * DSP-based instrumentation * ATE tel +1 508 947-8049 * fax +1 508 947-9118 * http://www.coelacanth.com/
Cerridwyn Llewyellyn <ceridwyn@wolfenet.com> writes:
One should understand that monitoring cellular traffic is *much* more difficult than tapping a conventional phone...
I'd have to disagree on that point. Monitoring cellular traffic requires nothing more than a cellular phone, and some software which enables you to follow calls through the cells, for a total cost of about $500...
So, it is MUCH more difficult, or at least more expensive; anyone can get a beige box for less than US $10, right? And clipping it onto MaBell boxes takes less of a brain than programming or modifying a scanner or a cellular phone. :) __ || ==== 'If you can dream of it | |__ then you can manage it' | |-.\ |__| \\ clopez@nayar.uan.mx || || ======__| ________||__ /____________\ Carlos L. Mariscal
participants (3)
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Carlos L. Mariscal -
Cerridwyn Llewyellyn -
Roger Williams