wiretapping, countermeasures Index

In a research paper appearing in the November/December 2005 issue of IEEE Security and Privacy, we analyzed publicly available information and materials to evaluate the reliability of the telephone wiretapping technologies used by US law enforcement agencies. The analysis found vulnerabilities in widely fielded interception technologies that are used for both "pen register" and "full audio" (Title III / FISA) taps. The vulnerabilities allow a party to a wiretapped call to disable content recording and call monitoring and to manipulate the logs of dialed digits and call activity. These countermeasures do not require cooperation with the called party, elaborate equipment, or special skill. Preliminary drafts of the paper have been made available to the law enforcement community; contact the authors at the above email address.

The above three pictures are of a common 25 line terminal or demarcation box which is used by the phone company for many business telephone installations. This particular one was found behind a law office. Notice how there are no locks or security devices on the box, an eavesdropper can simply walk up to this box and attach a bug or tape recorder in under ten seconds. This is one of the easiest locations for any eavesdropper to listen to private calls being made. In the case of a residence the box is typically much smaller, but no more secure. This is often called a "demarcation point", and most people are completely oblivious to how vulnerable this box is to eavesdropping.

If you are concerned about covert eavesdropping then it may be wise to contact Granite Island Group, or another TSCM firm and immediately schedule a "Bug Sweep" or TSCM inspection. However, do not call from a suspect telephone, and understand that it is critical that you get some out to your location as quietly, and as quickly as possible.