How Easy Is It To Hack Mobile Phones?

Phone Hacking Fears and Facts

The lack of security built into phone networks leaves callers vulnerable to snooping, but the growth of encrypted communications will help protect privacy

Larry Greenemeier | April 20, 2016

Apple’s ongoing standoff with the government over passcode-protected iPhones is still raising unprecedented alarms over smartphone security and privacy. For example, a 60 Minutes segment this week outlined several ways hackers can hijack phones from anywhere in the world to listen in on private conversations, read e-mails and even use phone cameras to spy on their owners. That hacking method exploited an unsecured, decades-old telecom protocol called Signaling System 7 (SS7) to tap into U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu’s (D–Calif.) mobile phone and listen to his conversations. Lieu gave his permission for the demonstration and now wants the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to investigate the problem.

Source: https://lieu.house.gov/sites/lieu.house.gov/files/documents/2016.04.18%20Letter%20to%20OGR%20Investigation%20227%20Vulnerability.pdf

<more at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/phone-hacking-fears-and-facts/?WT.mc_id=SA_TECH_20160426; related articles and links: https://lieu.house.gov/sites/lieu.house.gov/files/documents/2016.04.18%20Letter%20to%20OGR%20Investigation%20227%20Vulnerability.pdf (Letter dated April 18, 2016, from U.S. Representative Ted W. Lieu to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee) and http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-hacking-your-phone/ (Hacking Your Phone. Sharyn Alfonsi reports on how cellphones and mobile phone networks are vulnerable to hacking. April 17, 2016)>