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hazards:stingray [2024/07/06 10:15] – [Active Mode] Humphrey Boa-Garthazards:stingray [2024/08/14 08:30] (current) – [Stingrays] General MacOwlthur
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 ====== Stingrays ====== ====== Stingrays ======
  
-**Stingrays** are cellular phone surveillance devices, specifically ones which function as **cellular site simulators** (also known as **cellular tower simulators**). The name comes from a line of tower simulators made for [[hazards:law-enforcement|law enforcement]] and the military by the Harris Corporation, stylized as **"StingRay"**. The term //Stingray// itself has since become a slang term for tower simulators in general, as well as the term **"IMSI catcher"**. Since a cellular tower is just a very advanced [[gear:radio|two-way radio]], it is [[hazards:achilles heel|vulnerable]] to this type of assault.+**Stingrays** are cellular phone surveillance devices, specifically ones which function as **cellular site simulators** (also known as **cell tower simulators**). The name comes from a line of tower simulators made for [[hazards:law-enforcement|law enforcement]] and the military by the Harris Corporation, stylized as **"StingRay"**. The term //Stingray// has since become a slang term for tower simulators in general, as well as the term **"IMSI catcher"**. Since cell phones are just very advanced [[gear:radio|two-way radios]], they are [[hazards:achilles heel|vulnerable]] to this type of assault.
  
 Stingrays are frequently rolled out to enable **warrantless wiretapping** on both individuals and crowds, for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes they are rolled out to find missing persons. Most people who get sucked into the net of one of these, will have it happen at a protest, political gathering or other street event. There is also nothing stopping the government from setting one up on your block if you end up on the wrong list. Stingrays are frequently rolled out to enable **warrantless wiretapping** on both individuals and crowds, for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes they are rolled out to find missing persons. Most people who get sucked into the net of one of these, will have it happen at a protest, political gathering or other street event. There is also nothing stopping the government from setting one up on your block if you end up on the wrong list.
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 **Passive mode** is when these devices are only listening. Since your cell phone's connection with the cell towers is over the air, these signals can be intercepted and analyzed. With the right [[gear:scanner]] or [[gear:SDR]], even you can pick up some of these signals, but you wouldn't be able to make much sense of them. **Passive mode** is when these devices are only listening. Since your cell phone's connection with the cell towers is over the air, these signals can be intercepted and analyzed. With the right [[gear:scanner]] or [[gear:SDR]], even you can pick up some of these signals, but you wouldn't be able to make much sense of them.
  
-//Stingrays, however, can make sense of these signals//, and extrapolate personally identifying information from them like your [[wp>International mobile subscriber identity]] or **IMSI number**, giving them the nickname //"IMSI catchers"//. With your IMSI, they can then track you anywhere you go at their leisure, and if they feel like, hit you with **active mode** later.+//Stingrays, however, **can** make sense of these signals//, and extrapolate personally identifying information from them like your [[wp>International mobile subscriber identity]] or **IMSI number**, giving them the nickname //"IMSI catchers"//. With your IMSI, they can then track you anywhere you go at their leisure, and if they feel like, hit you with **active mode** later.
  
 ==== Active Mode ==== ==== Active Mode ====
  
-If someone is rolling out a Stingray in passive mode, the device isn't even breaking a sweat. Its venom actually lies in **active mode**, which is when the Stingray **starts broadcasting like it is a real cell tower**, tricking every cell phone within range into connecting to it. Since your cell phone just connects to the nearest tower with the best signal, it is not hard for a Stingray //(mounted to a vehicle and a portable power source)// to wedge in-between and take signal priority.+If someone is rolling out a Stingray in passive mode, the device isn't even breaking a sweat. That is because its //real// venom lies in **active mode**, which is when the Stingray **starts broadcasting like it is a real cell tower**, tricking every cell phone within range into connecting to it. Since your cell phone just connects to the nearest tower with the best signal, it is not hard for a Stingray //(mounted to a vehicle and a portable power source)// to wedge in-between and take signal priority.
  
-Once your phone is connected to the Stingray, everything you do can now be intercepted by the Stingray: Your phone calls, your location services, your text messages, and even your data. They can then legally pry into all of it and examine the minutiae of your life. They do not need a warrant for any of this. Even once you leave the range of the Stingray, they have you [[tactics:dox|ID'd]] in the dragnet they set up, and may very well send more personalized Stingrays after you later.+Once your phone is connected to the Stingray, everything you do can now be intercepted by the Stingray: Your phone calls, your location services, your text messages, and even your data. They can then legally pry into all of it and examine the minutiae of your life. **They do not need a warrant for any of this.** Even once you leave the range of the Stingray, they have you [[tactics:dox|ID'd]] in the dragnet they set up, and may very well send more personalized Stingrays after you later //(or worse, mark you for [[tactics:lawfare]])//.
  
 ===== Protecting Yourself ===== ===== Protecting Yourself =====
hazards/stingray.1720260905.txt.gz · Last modified: 2024/08/06 05:51 (external edit)

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