The Electronic Frontier Foundation has created Rayhunter to combat the threat of global surveillance via mobile phone.
Rayhunter detects IMSI catchers, also known as Stingrays, which pretend to be real mobile phone towers to capture users’ IMSI numbers.
These numbers are then tracked to identify the location of the user.
The Rayhunter software can detect suspicious activity from such devices and warn the user via a connected mobile hotspot.
As mobile standards develop, it is important to ensure that surveillance techniques can be used across all networks, not just 2G.
Users should ensure their phones are encrypted and disable cameras and microphones when not in use to prevent remote access Trojans being installed.
It is also important to note that phone companies are able to provide the true user data to law enforcement when presented with a warrant.
However, this can be construed as an invasion of privacy if done without disclosure.
Rayhunter provides individuals with a means to protect themselves from unseen surveillance, regardless of whether they are targeted by law enforcement or malicious attackers.
