September 11 2007 by The Systemic Analyst.

Here is an update on the Greek wiretapping scandal originally published in The International Herald Tribune:

“The Greek unit of telecom equipment maker Ericsson has been fined €7.36 million (US$10 million) by Greece’s communication privacy watchdog over a wiretapping scandal that targeted the mobile phones of more than 100 public figures.

“The Hellenic Authority for Information and Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE) decided to fine Ericsson Hellas €7.36 million ($10 million) in relation to the wiretap issue,” ADAE said in a statement late Wednesday. It said software from Ericsson Hellas was used in the monitoring but did not elaborate.

Last year the government admitted that more than 100 people — including Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, other cabinet members and senior military officials — had their mobile phones tapped for up to a year, starting in the months before the Olympic Games in Aug. 2004. Other prominent figures including journalists were also tapped.

In Dec. 2006, ADAE fined the Greek unit of Vodafone €76 million (US$104 million) for failing to safeguard the network. Vodafone Hellas has said it regards the fine as illegal and is appealing.

Unidentified listeners eavesdropped on the targeted phones until March 2005, when Vodafone informed the government of the tapping after it suspected its equipment was being used. The company stopped it by removing the suspect equipment.

Nearly a year later, the government went public with the case, which many believe involved foreign intelligence services — although no one has been charged or accused publicly by the government.”

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September 11 2007 by The Systemic Analyst.

The following article in the Daily Echo highlights the growing threat of fraud:

“Identity thieves used detailed knowledge of a Bournemouth man to steal two phones together worth £450 despite his security measures.

Martin Bartlett shreds his paperwork, never uses a credit card and only buys small items like CDs online but he still fell victim to a scam with a delivery address in Bristol.

The 58-year-old from Rosebud Avenue has a pay-as-you-go Virgin mobile - but got two invoices for £130 phone contracts from Orange.”

Currently, there is no better measure for an individual than vigilance - and even then it is proving to be only considerably efficient as a reactionary measure.

As a society, we are going to need to consider the weaknesses around identity as a basis for security measures. No amount of technology can prevent effective social engineering scams bolstered by little bits of personal data acquired on a target beforehand. Although biometrics can assist in verifying one’s identity it cannot rid us of very human problems. Leaving us, as a result, with a gaping whole in wide-scale security.

Posted in Identity, Cyber Crime | No Comments »