Read on Twitter
#DenverProtest #OPSEC and Surveillance https://www.pscp.tv/w/cnGHHzF4a2pEQWJueUFsRXp8MVlwSmtOa1Bha3lHahFVDg_LTqg3S77vsgRDYcgmSRbU2GDiD9VbR6s-2gGD
This article sums it up nicely: https://theintercept.com/2020/07/31/protests-surveillance-stingrays-dirtboxes-phone-tracking/
Last night my eyes on the ground saw 4 stingrays and interceptors around the Capitol. If you don’t yet have a burner phone, IT IS TIME.
There are two types of IMSI catchers: Stingrays and Dirtbags. The former is mobile and can be carried in cars or placed around town, the latter lives in airplanes and helicopters. This is why the Cessna spotted a few weeks ago set off my alarm bells.
Military use of Stingrays dates back to 1994. Use expanded massively with The Patriot Act in 2001.
Rather than walk you through the technology, let’s think about how it is used.
Your IMSI is important. It connects the phone to the owner. It also CAN connect the phone to every other phone in contact with that phone, and any phone within range of that phone.
Your IMSI is important. It connects the phone to the owner. It also CAN connect the phone to every other phone in contact with that phone, and any phone within range of that phone.
Let’s say you are out at a DA with a buddy who uses encryption and carries their regular phone. When these IMSI catchers are out, they’ll get his IMSI and can follow him even if they cannot encrypt your communications, it can see which phones are traveling together.
Best option: take no phone.
Second best: leave phone in car turned off AND parked at least 1/3 mile away (the range of most Stingrays). Wrap it in metal or foil then place in a bag and wrap in a damp wool blanket.
Second best: leave phone in car turned off AND parked at least 1/3 mile away (the range of most Stingrays). Wrap it in metal or foil then place in a bag and wrap in a damp wool blanket.
There is no perfect option. This is fascism- if they wanna find you they WILL find you. Make them work hard for it. Sweeping the area for IMSI catchers should be standard recon for your affinity group. Even then don’t get complacent- IMSI catchers can put software on your phone.
Not saying they will, saying they can.
Operate on the assumption that they will, and adjust accordingly. If you’re going out in #blackbloc then leave your phone at home OR start practicing digital bloc, too. #coachedandloved #DenverProtest #DenverProtests #DPDActivity
Operate on the assumption that they will, and adjust accordingly. If you’re going out in #blackbloc then leave your phone at home OR start practicing digital bloc, too. #coachedandloved #DenverProtest #DenverProtests #DPDActivity
So, why does IMSI matter? Once LE has it, they can find you whenever they want. All you have to do is come in range of their Stingray for that to happen. The idea here: your burner IMSI has no information, and the phones it talks to have none either, so all roads are dead ends.
LMK if you are going out and cannot afford a burner. A generous comrade just sent $$ for you! #denverprotest
Can I take a minute to be PROUD of you?
A bunch of barely acquainted kids with umbrellas and gumption going against a well funded, well equipped, fairly trained fascist organization says something.
And you are winning so hard they sent STINGRAYS. JFC
A bunch of barely acquainted kids with umbrellas and gumption going against a well funded, well equipped, fairly trained fascist organization says something.
And you are winning so hard they sent STINGRAYS. JFC
CORRECTION: I say “IMEI #” in the video. I write it correctly on the board- it’s the IMSI #. Stingrays and Dirtbags are IMSI catchers. https://commsbrief.com/what-is-the-difference-between-imei-and-imsi-numbers/
