Just had a major DUH! moment

vanity | 11/10/13 | GunsAndBibles

[GunsAndBibles]

Was given a new Android phone (loaded with Google programs) and realized I'm always being monitored, even when the phone is OFF. Looking for a signal blocking case/enclosure, similar to Faraday cage. Now off to the range, trying a new batch of .223 using IMR4227 and 62gr. SS109. Thanks for your input.

[dhs12345]

You should be able to turn off all transmitters.Specifically, the telephone network and wifi when you don't want to be tracked.

GPS is easier but could probably be turned back on remotely if connected to the network.

[dhs12345]

And your GPS location information has to be communicated back to the network somehow. Either via the telephone cell network or wifi/Internet.

GPS is one direction only (from the satellites to the device).

[Hot Tabasco]

realized I'm always being monitored, even when the phone is OFF....Looking for a signal blocking case/enclosure

Wrap it in tinfoil......you can use the rest of it to make a cool hat.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

A metal box is not a Faraday cage unless the metal box is grounded. Otherwise it’s just a metal box

[CelesteChristi]

I don’t know if your phone will fit, but I use this for my Razr (no smart phones here). It works. The front pocket blocks radiation, the back pocket blocks the signal. After 3-4 months of regular use these wear out and stop working effectively so be prepared to replace it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200852104091?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D200852104091%26_rdc%3D1

[steve86]

Keep in mind that a number of phones have been produced which “work” with the user battery removed and no obvious source of power. Of course, there is a power source; it’s just not obvious (it is a battery “camouflaged” as another component). Whether these special phones have ever been sold as consumer models is unclear.

[GunsAndBibles]

Ha, Ha,

Considering that our overlords can tap the Chancellor of Germany’s cell phone, I would say that a small dose of paranoia is a wise position. Especially if you fit Janet Reno’s terrorist profile.

Are you uninformed, naive or just stupid?

[Hardraade]

Well, I do have one that will let your cell evade all of the NSA stuff, but it’ll take a bit of kicking around. And like the weapons stuff, I’m not about to put it uncrypted on the net.

[Hardraade]

It’s becoming more or less default that devices carry a small charge to keep from losing stored data while you change the battery.

[Hot Tabasco]

Are you uninformed, naive or just stupid?

Well, to answer that question, if YOU think that YOU are being MONITORED then YOU are either PARANOID or stupid.......

For the record, I would rather not call a fellow FReeper stupid........

That's why I politely recommended tinfoil.............

[Hardraade]

Actually, he is. Since there is NO network activity that is not being just copied raw to holding.

[musicman]

Help FR Continue the Conservative Fight!
Your Monthly and Quarterly Donations
Help Keep FR In the Battle!

Sponsoring FReepers are contributing
$10 Each time a New Monthly Donor signs up!
Get more bang for your FR buck!
Click Here To Sign Up Now!

[Reeses]

Keep in mind that a number of phones have been produced which “work” with the user battery removed and no obvious source of power

Detects electronics even when powered off: Nonlinear junction detector

With enough equipment any electronic device, vibrating window pane, or metal trash can can be remotely turned into a listening device.

[Hot Tabasco]

Actually, he is. Since there is NO network activity that is not being just copied raw to holding.

So when can he expect a knock on his door?

[Hardraade]

oh, who knows? Isn’t the lottery fun?

[Bruce Kurtz]

That’s right, it acts like a Faraday cage. The aluminum foil will block electromagnetic waves from coming in and going out.

[Bruce Kurtz]

A tightly closed metal box will greatly attenuate electromagentic (EM) waves from coming in the box and prevent EM waves from the leaving the box. EM waves reflect from metal objects (radar)

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

A tightly closed metal box will greatly attenuate electromagentic (EM) waves from coming in the box and prevent EM waves from the leaving the box. EM waves reflect from metal objects (radar)

I decided to try a test. I put my cell phone in an empty ammo can and then called it.

You're right. Ammo cans will prevent cell phones from sending/receiving signals.

[Bruce Kurtz]

aluminum foil works too, try it.

[Billthedrill]

If you have signal (insert All Your Base jokes here) you have connectivity to a tower, and if you have connectivity to a tower, it's logged. Anyone with access to those logs knows where you were or are to the closest tower as long as the phone is on. Mind you, if you were on your land line they also knew where you were geographically, so it isn't that big a change.

Finding you via satellite GPS is a lot more difficult depending on the phone. (There is an older feature misleadingly called GPS that actually operated through the towers, not the same thing). There are several apps such as GPS Tracker Pro and Open GPS Tracker that allow you to report that information on a realtime basis if you desire it - this can be used by parents or friends of travelers to see where the people they're interested in are at the moment. If you can do that, the government can do that.

Of course, all this is only tracking your phone, not you. If you want not to be tracked leave your phone somewhere else. Anything less than that isn't really to be trusted. Just my $0.02.