Categories
Close
Menu
Menu
Close
Search
Search

Featured Articles

News

Gemalto says NSA and GCHQ probably hacked its offices but there was no 'massive theft' of SIM encryption keys

Mark

Share:

Print

Rate article:

No rating
Rate this article:
No rating

SIM card manufacturer Gemalto has published the results of an investigation into an alleged hacking operation by the UK’s GCHQ and the USA’s National Security Agency. A report earlier this month - based on information from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden - claimed that both security agencies had jointly hacked into Gemalto’s network to steal SIM encryption keys. This would have enabled them to decrypt mobile phone calls without needing the cooperation of mobile networks.

According to Gemalto, it detected “two particularly sophisticated intrusions” in 2010 and 2011 that breached its office networks. Although it couldn’t identify the originator at the time, it says it now has “reasonable grounds to believe that an operation by NSA and GCHQ probably happened”.

However, its says the attacks “could not have resulted in a massive theft of SIM encryption keys” and, even if keys had eventually been stolen, this would not have allowed any spying on 3G or 4G communication.

Rival SIM card manufacturer Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) pointed out that “the SIM card is so secure that in the case revealed recently, even intelligence services preferred to steal the key rather than attack the SIM card”.

[Original report: firstlook.org]

Comments

Collapse Expand Comments (0)
You don't have permission to post comments.

Opinion Articles

ExclusiveLast week at The Fonecast: 23rd July 2012

Mark Bridge writes:

Internet veteran Yahoo! provided last week’s biggest news, at least in terms of press coverage. It appointed Marissa Mayer as its President and Chief Executive Officer, having enticed her away from Google after 13 years.

ExclusiveEricsson will 'muddle through' as income falls

Mark Bridge writes:

I spend much of my time writing about telecommunications and technology. I spend a fair amount of time dealing with big technology-related companies. Yet although I understand many aspects of telecoms, I certainly wouldn’t want to run one of those businesses. It’s a question of relevant experience.

ExclusiveApps World 2012: something for everyone... and for every platform

Apps World 2012 takes place on Tuesday 2nd October and Wednesday 3rd October at the Earls Court 2 exhibition centre this year. It combines an exhibition with workshops and conference sessions designed for mobile developers, marketers, network operators, manufacturers and other mobile industry professionals.

In addition, there’s an award event - the Appsters awards - with a drinks reception and party at The Roof Gardens in Kensington on the Tuesday night.

ExclusiveLast week at The Fonecast: 16th July 2012

Mark Bridge writes:

BlackBerry and bad news seem inextricably linked at the moment. RIM’s CEO admits he’s “not satisfied” with recent company performance and warns of challenging times ahead... and then the company is hit by a $147 million dollar damages order for patent infringement.

Mind you, Research In Motion wasn’t the only mobile company bringing disappointment into the mainstream news last week.

Application review for CamScanner

ExclusiveApplication review for CamScanner

Mark Bridge writes:

Every so often, I see a new product that I’d like to review. I’ll usually send a note to the relevant company, borrow a review copy and send it back when I’ve finished.

And every so often I’ll be approached by a company that wants me to review a product. Sometimes I’ll say yes, sometimes I’ll say no. It all depends whether or not I think I’m the right person for the job.

When IntSig offered me a copy of a mobile application called CamScanner, I wasn’t too sure. It seemed very clever... but I wasn’t convinced I’d have much use for it.

RSS
First3536373840424344Last

Recent Podcasts

ExclusivePodcast from Mobile World Congress 2015

Mark Bridge learns about the mobile technology trends at Mobile World Congress 2015 by chatting to James Rosewell of 51Degrees, Dr Kevin Curran from the IEEE and Chris Millington of Doro.

They talk about wearable devices, wireless charging, mobile operating systems and much more... including some of their favourite products from the exhibition.

ExclusiveLooking back at February: from security scares to multiple MVNOs

We're taking a look back at the biggest mobile industry news stories from February 2015, including allegations that the UK's security service tried to breach SIM card security by hacking into one of the world's biggest SIM producers.

We also talk about the planned BT and EE merger, the creation of two new UK virtual networks, some acquisitions in the mobile payment arena and a new Ubuntu smartphone.

ExclusiveA month of mobile: O2 counts on 3, Microsoft counts to 10 and Apple counts its profits

We're back with a month of mobile industry news, including takeover talks and takeover rumours. O2 and Three are said to be discussing a merger... but is there any truth in the suggestions that BlackBerry could be up for grabs?

We also discuss Apple's record-breaking quarterly figures, the highlights of CES and the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, as well as saying farewell to the current version of Google Glass.

RSS
12345678910Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Archive Calendar

«June 2026»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
25262728293031
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293012345

Archive