Triggerfish (surveillance): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Cell phone interception technology}} |
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{{multiple issues| |
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{{citation style|date=August 2018}} |
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{{more footnotes|date=August 2018}} |
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{{refimprove|date=August 2018}} |
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'''Triggerfish''' describes a technology of [[cell phone]] [[phone tapping|interception]] and [[surveillance]] using a mobile [[cellular base station]] ([[microcell]] or [[picocell]]). The devices are also known as cell-site simulators or digital analyzers. |
'''Triggerfish''' describes a technology of [[cell phone]] [[phone tapping|interception]] and [[surveillance]] using a mobile [[cellular base station]] ([[microcell]] or [[picocell]]). The devices are also known as cell-site simulators or digital analyzers. |
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==Device capability== |
==Device capability== |
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* Tracking of a cell phone by a mobile [[FBI]] van (Wireless Intercept and Tracking Team) that seeks to locate a cell phone lacking [[GPS tracking unit|GPS tracking]] by scanning for its emissions. |
* Tracking of a cell phone by a mobile [[FBI]] van (Wireless Intercept and Tracking Team) that seeks to locate a cell phone lacking [[GPS tracking unit|GPS tracking]] by scanning for its emissions. This first became known for its use in tracking hacker [[Kevin Mitnick]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/news/2007/12/fbi_cell?currentPage=1|title=FBI E-Mail Shows Rift Over Warrantless Phone Record Grabs|author=Ryan Singel|date=2007-12-20|publisher=Wired}}</ref> |
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* Intercepting a cell phone call by a [[man-in-the-middle attack]], if the option is enabled, and the user makes or receives a call. |
* Intercepting a cell phone call by a [[man-in-the-middle attack]], if the option is enabled, and the user makes or receives a call. |
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<!--- considering the similarity of "iNAC managed access" blocking of prison cell phone calls, the use of this system to block cell phone calls e.g. at a political protest should be researched further. ---> |
<!--- considering the similarity of "iNAC managed access" blocking of prison cell phone calls, the use of this system to block cell phone calls e.g. at a political protest should be researched further. ---> |
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==Controversy and concerns== |
==Controversy and concerns== |
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Neither the user nor the cell phone provider need to know about Triggerfish for it to be used successfully.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aclu.org/2008/11/14/with-technology-like-this-who-needs-the-law|title=With Technology Like This, Who Needs the Law?|date=2008-11-14|author=Rachel Myers|publisher=ACLU}}</ref> |
Neither the user nor the cell phone provider need to know about Triggerfish for it to be used successfully.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aclu.org/2008/11/14/with-technology-like-this-who-needs-the-law|title=With Technology Like This, Who Needs the Law?|date=2008-11-14|author=Rachel Myers|publisher=ACLU}}</ref> A [[court order]] is required, but the device circumvents provisions of [[Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act|CALEA]] barring use of [[pen register]] or [[Trap and trace device|trap-and-trace devices]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2008/11/foia-docs-show-feds-can-lojack-mobiles-without-telco-help.ars|title=FOIA docs show feds can lojack mobiles without telco help|author=Julian Sanchez|date=2008-11-16|publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref> |
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The device is similar to but distinct from an [[IMSI catcher]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thecyberrecce.net/2008/11/19/cyber-espionage-the-triggerfish/|title=Cyber Espionage : The Triggerfish|date=2008-11-18|website=|publisher=Infected Packets|access-date=2016-12-15|author=Jonathan Racicot}}</ref> |
The device is similar to but distinct from an [[IMSI catcher]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thecyberrecce.net/2008/11/19/cyber-espionage-the-triggerfish/|title=Cyber Espionage : The Triggerfish|date=2008-11-18|website=|publisher=Infected Packets|access-date=2016-12-15|author=Jonathan Racicot}}</ref> |
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On March 28, 2013, the ''Washington Post'' reported that federal investigators "routinely" use the systems to track criminal suspects, but sometimes fail to explain the technology sufficiently to magistrate judges from whom they seek search warrants.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nakashima|first=Ellen|title=Little-known surveillance tool raises concerns by judges, privacy activists|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/little-known-surveillance-tool-raises-concerns-by-judges-privacy-activists/2013/03/27/8b60e906-9712-11e2-97cd-3d8c1afe4f0f_story.html| |
On March 28, 2013, the ''Washington Post'' reported that federal investigators "routinely" use the systems to track criminal suspects, but sometimes fail to explain the technology sufficiently to [[Magistrate Judge|magistrate judges]] from whom they seek search warrants.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nakashima|first=Ellen|title=Little-known surveillance tool raises concerns by judges, privacy activists|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/little-known-surveillance-tool-raises-concerns-by-judges-privacy-activists/2013/03/27/8b60e906-9712-11e2-97cd-3d8c1afe4f0f_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|accessdate=28 March 2013|date=2013-03-28}}</ref> |
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On May 26, 1993, [[Harris Corporation]] sent a threatening letter<ref>{{cite web|url=http://glr.com/80b6/Pre_Internet_Nasty_Gram_Triggerfish_and_Stingray|title=#GLR: Pre-Internet Nasty Gram, Triggerfish, and Stingray|work=GLR}}</ref> to then publisher of Full Disclosure, [[Glen L Roberts]] regarding his publication of article(s) about their product named, Triggerfish. In the letter, Harris referred to his articles as "advertisements" and said, "Your issue No. 24 of Full Disclosure has been brought to my attention because of an apparently unauthorized advertisement on page 8 for a Harris law enforcement product referred to as "Triggerfish." It is my understanding that the publication of this advertisement was not previously requested nor authorized by Harris. The unapproved use of this advertisement constitutes a deceptive trade practice, which would potentially subject you and your newspaper to civil liability. Further, you have used our trademarks—Harris and Triggerfish—without permission." and "Lastly, you may have committed a felony under 18 USC 2512(1)(c)(i). This criminal statute prohibits the placement in a newspaper or magazine of an advertisement for an electronic product that is primarily useful for the purpose of surreptitiously intercepting electronic communications." Roberts apparently first wrote about the Triggerfish in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blockyourid.com/~gbpprorg/2600/harris.txt|title=blockyourid.com [14]|website=blockyourid.com}}</ref> |
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== References in popular culture == |
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*An unrealistic, mocked-up "Triggerfish device" was used in season three of the [[HBO]] show ''[[The Wire]]''.{{episode needed|date=April 2022}} |
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*A functioning Triggerfish is shown in an episode of the TV series ''[[The X-Files]]''.{{episode needed|date=April 2022}} |
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*A functioning Triggerfish is shown in an episode of the TV series ''[[Millennium (TV series)|Millennium]]''.{{episode needed|date=April 2022}} |
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*In season 17, episode 18 of ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'', mention is made of using Triggerfish to locate a missing nun with a burner cellphone. |
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*In season 4, Episode 21 of ''[[The Unit]]'', a cellphone is used as a "remote triggerfish." |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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*[[DCSNet]] |
*[[DCSNet]] |
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*[[Dirtbox (cell phone)]] |
*[[Dirtbox (cell phone)]] |
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*[[Harris Corporation]] |
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*[[Stingray phone tracker]] |
*[[Stingray phone tracker]] |
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== References == |
== References == |
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<references /> |
<references /> |
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==Further reading== |
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* {{cite book |last=Landau |first=S. |year=2010 |title=Surveillance Or Security? The Risks Posed by New Wiretapping Technologies |place=Cambridge, MA |publisher=MIT Press |isbn=978-0262518741}} |
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* {{cite book |last=Petersen |first=J. |year=2000 |title=Understanding Surveillance Technologies: Spy Devices, Their Origins & Applications |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1420038811}} |
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{{privacy}} |
{{privacy}} |
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Latest revision as of 10:14, 5 August 2023
Triggerfish describes a technology of cell phone interception and surveillance using a mobile cellular base station (microcell or picocell). The devices are also known as cell-site simulators or digital analyzers.
Device capability
[edit]- Tracking of a cell phone by a mobile FBI van (Wireless Intercept and Tracking Team) that seeks to locate a cell phone lacking GPS tracking by scanning for its emissions. This first became known for its use in tracking hacker Kevin Mitnick.[1]
- Intercepting a cell phone call by a man-in-the-middle attack, if the option is enabled, and the user makes or receives a call.
Controversy and concerns
[edit]Neither the user nor the cell phone provider need to know about Triggerfish for it to be used successfully.[2] A court order is required, but the device circumvents provisions of CALEA barring use of pen register or trap-and-trace devices.[3]
The device is similar to but distinct from an IMSI catcher.[4]
On March 28, 2013, the Washington Post reported that federal investigators "routinely" use the systems to track criminal suspects, but sometimes fail to explain the technology sufficiently to magistrate judges from whom they seek search warrants.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Ryan Singel (2007-12-20). "FBI E-Mail Shows Rift Over Warrantless Phone Record Grabs". Wired.
- ^ Rachel Myers (2008-11-14). "With Technology Like This, Who Needs the Law?". ACLU.
- ^ Julian Sanchez (2008-11-16). "FOIA docs show feds can lojack mobiles without telco help". Ars Technica.
- ^ Jonathan Racicot (2008-11-18). "Cyber Espionage : The Triggerfish". Infected Packets. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
- ^ Nakashima, Ellen (2013-03-28). "Little-known surveillance tool raises concerns by judges, privacy activists". The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
Further reading
[edit]- Landau, S. (2010). Surveillance Or Security? The Risks Posed by New Wiretapping Technologies. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. ISBN 978-0262518741.
- Petersen, J. (2000). Understanding Surveillance Technologies: Spy Devices, Their Origins & Applications. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1420038811.
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