The Second Operating System Hiding In Every Mobile Phone 352
Jah-Wren Ryel writes "Every smartphone or other device with mobile communications capability (e.g. 3G or LTE) actually runs not one, but two operating systems. Aside from the operating system that we as end-users see (Android, iOS, PalmOS), it also runs a small operating system that manages everything related to radio. So, we have a complete operating system, running on an ARM processor, without any exploit mitigation (or only very little of it), which automatically trusts every instruction, piece of code, or data it receives from the base station you're connected to. What could possibly go wrong?"
Risk Mitigation (Score:1, Insightful)
So this basically means that even if the NSA is *NOT* spying on everyone's personal lives by surreptitiously turning on our cameras and microphones, then some 2-bit drug cartel with a couple crackers and an eBay account can? No thanks.
In my house, we are putting in a charging station by the front door, where we will leave all phones. Guests will be cordially invited to leave their cell phones at the door, feel free to pick up a free charge for the ride home.
In the words of a Google employee, "Fuck these guys."
Re:Risk Mitigation (Score:2, Insightful)
What.
Re:MCUs run firmware (Score:4, Insightful)
Yeah, I'm surprised anyone thinks this is news. It's been like this since the days of the grayscale Nokia phones. A phone that is turned of can still be located by the cell towers and it can in some cases be remotely turned on and used as a listening device. Back then security experts advised to remove the battery before you discussed secrets in a corporate or government setting, in order to avoid falling victim to espionage.
I guess it's just not very practical to follow that advice. Some government agencies and some corporations have probably installed jammers or shielding around certain meeting rooms in order to keep top meetings secure.
Re:Old silent SIM firmware (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Risk Mitigation (Score:4, Insightful)
What.
I'm pretty sure this is all hypothetical. Or at least the "guests" part.
Re:Old silent SIM firmware (Score:4, Insightful)