Elon Musk issues warning about widely-used modern device: ‘Not safe’

[Elderberry]

American Military News by Elizabeth Lawrence  July 07, 2023

Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk warned the public on Friday that one of the most widely-used pieces of modern technology in the United States is dangerous.

“Phones are not safe,” Musk tweeted, responding to a report that French police will now have the authority to remotely access citizens’ cameras, microphones and location information on phones and other popular devices.

According to Gizmodo, authorities can collect video and audio recordings by remotely activating cameras and microphones. While officials say the new legislation will only be used on criminal suspects,  many believe the unrestricted access will be used for nefarious purposes.

More: https://americanmilitarynews.com/2023/07/elon-musk-issues-warning-about-widely-used-modern-device-not-safe/

[sneakypete]

American Military News by Elizabeth Lawrence  July 07, 2023

Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk warned the public on Friday that one of the most widely-used pieces of modern technology in the United States is dangerous.

“Phones are not safe,” Musk tweeted, responding to a report that French police will now have the authority to remotely access citizens’ cameras, microphones and location information on phones and other popular devices.

According to Gizmodo, authorities can collect video and audio recordings by remotely activating cameras and microphones. While officials say the new legislation will only be used on criminal suspects,  many believe the unrestricted access will be used for nefarious purposes.

More: https://americanmilitarynews.com/2023/07/elon-musk-issues-warning-about-widely-used-modern-device-not-safe/

@Elderberry

ROFLMAO!

Is there anyone out there with a IQ higher than 40 that actually believes that?

Then again,if you are in law enforcement these days,EVERYONE is a criminal suspect,even thee and me.

[BobfromWB]

The US (NSA) was collecting satellite phone calls since the 1960s. All electronic communications including Starlink uploads and downloads are collected.

[Timber Rattler]

I think we've all known this for a long time.  It's how the CIA and NSA were hunting Al Qaeda operatives in the 2000s.

[catfish1957]

FYI...  We disconnect alexa unless we need her.  I am a dinosaur, and 95% of my phone use is on an (analog) land line.  There's a reason for that.

[MeganC]

FYI...  We disconnect alexa unless we need her.  I am a dinosaur, and 95% of my phone use is on an (analog) land line.  There's a reason for that.

Phone land lines have been compromised by the NSA for decades now. The author James Bamford documented this in his book about the NSA The Puzzle Palace.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Puzzle_Palace

[catfish1957]

Phone land lines have been compromised by the NSA for decades now. The author James Bamford documented this in his book about the NSA The Puzzle Palace.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Puzzle_Palace

Maybe so, but I still bet they are more secure than cell phones.  Think about it, just old dinosaurs like me use them..  Not much interest there, I'd say.

[roamer_1]

FYI...  We disconnect alexa unless we need her.  I am a dinosaur, and 95% of my phone use is on an (analog) land line.  There's a reason for that.

I have gone quite the other way lately. Since my disability kicked in, there ain't no avoiding it anymore. I can't get out of the way, so whatever is coming, I gotta take it right in the face. Now Giggles is on 24/7. She's in my phone and in my house and in my watch and in my tablet, with me everywhere I go.

It really makes no difference. Even yet, like everyone, all I have to do is turn it off.

[MeganC]

Maybe so, but I still bet they are more secure than cell phones.  Think about it, just old dinosaurs like me use them..  Not much interest there, I'd say.

No electronic communications are secure. Period.

If you want to be secure then we're back to handwritten messages encrypted with one-time pads and hand-carried by trusted couriers.

[the OlLine Rebel]

FYI...  We disconnect alexa unless we need her.  I am a dinosaur, and 95% of my phone use is on an (analog) land line.  There's a reason for that.

I love having "land line".

However, the modern (i.e., last decade only) companies have ruined part of the charm of land - DEPENDENT POWER.

Used to be telephone was independent and worked regardless of storm and accident black-outs.

Now, we have to have a stupid "battery back-up".

But I still want them.  One reason?  I HATE carrying that cell around with me everywhere I go when I'm HOME.  Other?  Tracking down people you want has become stupid.  Now, to find out about what is going on in a household (party, meeting, etc), we have to call multiple people on different numbers.  Tied to that is just inquiring where someone is or really need to talk to them - they don't answer their phone, and neither does anyone else.  It's nice if I call the house, and anyone anywhere in that house can pick up the nearest(!) phone and tell me the status.  Sometimes I don't care to whom I speak, I just want SOMEONE who is THERE who knows the deal!

Until these companies find a way to tie multiple cells together, maybe on 1 number separate from anyone, I'm keeping the landline.

[roamer_1]

I love having "land line".

However, the modern (i.e., last decade only) companies have ruined part of the charm of land - DEPENDENT POWER.

Used to be telephone was independent and worked regardless of storm and accident black-outs.

Now, we have to have a stupid "battery back-up".

But I still want them.  One reason?  I HATE carrying that cell around with me everywhere I go when I'm HOME.  Other?  Tracking down people you want has become stupid.  Now, to find out about what is going on in a household (party, meeting, etc), we have to call multiple people on different numbers.  Tied to that is just inquiring where someone is or really need to talk to them - they don't answer their phone, and neither does anyone else.  It's nice if I call the house, and anyone anywhere in that house can pick up the nearest(!) phone and tell me the status.  Sometimes I don't care to whom I speak, I just want SOMEONE who is THERE who knows the deal!

Until these companies find a way to tie multiple cells together, maybe on 1 number separate from anyone, I'm keeping the landline.

You know that really ain't a 'landline', right? It's all networked the same way, the only difference is that cell is akin to wireless with respect to the network. More than likely, if you're not already on a VOIP phone, you will be soon - It is a much more manageable system compared to the relay system of the old Bell network.

I don't understand why they're not beefing up landline networks to include modern things like text and vid - even realtime would be an easy thing if the phone is connected to a computer of some kind. And that would seem to be inevitable in a smart home... that would be the continuous connection for the house, connected to a control board.

You would think that. But it ain't so. The cell is how the home works. and the landline is being deprecated. Doesn't make sense to me, but that's how it is going.

[catfish1957]

You know that really ain't a 'landline', right? It's all networked the same way, the only difference is that cell is akin to wireless with respect to the network. More than likely, if you're not already on a VOIP phone, you will be soon - It is a much more manageable system compared to the relay system of the old Bell network.

I don't understand why they're not beefing up landline networks to include modern things like text and vid - even realtime would be an easy thing if the phone is connected to a computer of some kind. And that would seem to be inevitable in a smart home... that would be the continuous connection for the house, connected to a control board.

You would think that. But it ain't so. The cell is how the home works. and the landline is being deprecated. Doesn't make sense to me, but that's how it is going.

NO VOIP, internet here.  Pure analag, and the telephone company is making me pay out of the nose for it.  $120_+ a month

I refuse to carry a cell phone unless significantly traveling for emergency purposes.  My land line doesn't track me. 

I don't do anything that I need to be tracked, I just don't think it is the government or my phone company's business

[roamer_1]

NO VOIP, internet here.  Pure analag, and the telephone company is making me pay out of the nose for it.  $120_+ a month

That's nuts. Get the number transferred to a VOIP network and save yourself the money. Mine is VOIP through Spectrum and is about 20 bucks.

[the OlLine Rebel]

You know that really ain't a 'landline', right? It's all networked the same way, the only difference is that cell is akin to wireless with respect to the network. More than likely, if you're not already on a VOIP phone, you will be soon - It is a much more manageable system compared to the relay system of the old Bell network.

I don't understand why they're not beefing up landline networks to include modern things like text and vid - even realtime would be an easy thing if the phone is connected to a computer of some kind. And that would seem to be inevitable in a smart home... that would be the continuous connection for the house, connected to a control board.

You would think that. But it ain't so. The cell is how the home works. and the landline is being deprecated. Doesn't make sense to me, but that's how it is going.

"Battery back-up" should be the clue.

The problem with that is exactly as I stated.  Out of power, out of luck.

And again, why can't cell phones be "networked" together as desired, so 1 number contacts many people instead of me calling 5 people trying to track down what is going on with their party plans at the single house.  I don't care who answers, I just want to know what the party status is.

[roamer_1]

"Battery back-up" should be the clue.

The problem with that is exactly as I stated.  Out of power, out of luck.

Well, yes and no... My system as a battery on it. My router and my modem can run for a day or more. So long as whatever disaster we are in has not destroyed the broadband network somehow, I retain both phone and internet... And even beyond a day, because by then i will have the jenny hooked up, or solar, to keep my fridges going anyway. If not broadband, I still might have cell... If not either, something way big is wrong.

And again, why can't cell phones be "networked" together as desired, so 1 number contacts many people instead of me calling 5 people trying to track down what is going on with their party plans at the single house.  I don't care who answers, I just want to know what the party status is.

Well, they can. There are group settings on conference calling that will ring everyone in a group... It's a PIA to set up the first time, but after that, the same group can be dialed at will... The difference being that they will ALL answer instead of one of them. 

[the OlLine Rebel]

Well, yes and no... My system as a battery on it. My router and my modem can run for a day or more. So long as whatever disaster we are in has not destroyed the broadband network somehow, I retain both phone and internet... And even beyond a day, because by then i will have the jenny hooked up, or solar, to keep my fridges going anyway. If not broadband, I still might have cell... If not either, something way big is wrong.

Well, they can. There are group settings on conference calling that will ring everyone in a group... It's a PIA to set up the first time, but after that, the same group can be dialed at will... The difference being that they will ALL answer instead of one of them. 

Don’t think that is the same.  Conference calls are set up, for specific times, and expectations of a call.  I’m talking to be just like my land line, where I have 5 phones in the house and I can pick up whatever is the nearest.  Any old time.  Casual, not appointed.

I’m not worried about the technology of coming TO the house.  I’m concerned with the network “in” the house.  Cells would be a bit different of course, but at least one call where 4 people can see I’m calling and choose to pick up and help out, would be so much better than what we used to call “phone tag” with 4 other people.  Never mind about texting, either.  Somet8mes you need people to answer, now!

[berdie]

NO VOIP, internet here.  Pure analag, and the telephone company is making me pay out of the nose for it.  $120_+ a month

I refuse to carry a cell phone unless significantly traveling for emergency purposes.  My land line doesn't track me. 

I don't do anything that I need to be tracked, I just don't think it is the government or my phone company's business

Same here, on all points. I hate the cost but it's more reliable than a cell phone or VOIP. I really don't want to be hooked into the internet for everything. Heck, even my "smart" tv isn't activated to the internet. Of course, they are working real hard to phase out landlines. It will happen. But until then I'm going to hang on to my landline. My cell is for emergencies and travel.

[MeganC]

"Battery back-up" should be the clue.

The problem with that is exactly as I stated.  Out of power, out of luck.

And again, why can't cell phones be "networked" together as desired, so 1 number contacts many people instead of me calling 5 people trying to track down what is going on with their party plans at the single house.  I don't care who answers, I just want to know what the party status is.

It is costly but you can set up a private cell network.

https://cradlepoint.com/resources/blog/what-is-a-private-cellular-network/

[catfish1957]

Same here, on all points. I hate the cost but it's more reliable than a cell phone or VOIP. I really don't want to be hooked into the internet for everything. Heck, even my "smart" tv isn't activated to the internet. Of course, they are working real hard to phase out landlines. It will happen. But until then I'm going to hang on to my landline. My cell is for emergencies and travel.

@roamer_1

Also failed to bring up that after Hurricane Rita, we had dozens of folks come to our home for our landline, since the hurricane killed cell coverage.  While land lines continued unabated.

[Elderberry]

My phone line comes off my modem connected to my fiber input, and its all powered by a pretty large UPS power backup.

[roamer_1]

@roamer_1

Also failed to bring up that after Hurricane Rita, we had dozens of folks come to our home for our landline, since the hurricane killed cell coverage.  While land lines continued unabated.

VOIP should be just as robust as 'landline'... the only difference being a battery backup to keep your modem and router going... Which would be nice for internet connectivity during an emergency anyway.

Don't get me wrong - ALL of it could blow over, including Ma Bell. If a backbone server gets destroyed, or a router bank or something, it all goes down the same.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Hilarious that people using analog transmissions are concerned about governments snooping on them. I got news for you, fellas.

[Sighlass]

https://www.wiphone.io/store/cart.html

[BobfromWB]

Maybe so, but I still bet they are more secure than cell phones.  Think about it, just old dinosaurs like me use them..  Not much interest there, I'd say.

they are more secure than cell phones.
--
Nope. Sorry, all landline transmissions are collected, since the late 1950s, same for your cell phones. and any other form of communications.

[BobfromWB]

No electronic communications are secure. Period.

If you want to be secure then we're back to handwritten messages encrypted with one-time pads and hand-carried by trusted couriers.

Even that can be broken.

Use tin cans with string - the only safe method.

[roamer_1]

Even that can be broken.

Use tin cans with string - the only safe method.

Well, yes and no...

128bit encryption can be cracked, but it is seldom worth it. Especially encrypted containers, where you have no idea the size of the files inside.

Shoot, even archaic .arj compression is such a drag to crack that it is seldom worth doing. You CAN brute force an .arj but it will take a loooooong time, even on modern computers.

Most folks don't have access to world class crackers and encryption freaks. Your average LEO ain't gonna have the stones.

[catfish1957]

Well, yes and no...

128bit encryption can be cracked, but it is seldom worth it. Especially encrypted containers, where you have no idea the size of the files inside.

Shoot, even archaic .arj compression is such a drag to crack that it is seldom worth doing. You CAN brute force an .arj but it will take a loooooong time, even on modern computers.

Most folks don't have access to world class crackers and encryption freaks. Your average LEO ain't gonna have the stones.

And still they couldn't crack Crook's phone   

[bigheadfred]

Geez. Any teenager who ever was party to a party line knew you should talk in code for sensitive conversations. It was baked in using any phone after that.   

[roamer_1]

And still they couldn't crack Crook's phone   

The feds can crack most things, but because they have a government mandated back door. Any software that gets big enough to matter is leaned on until the door is provided. One of the pioneers in encrypted container software was TrueCrypt, which was discontinued with their publisher's page issuing a banner warning that TrueCrypt was no longer secure.

They got to him. He folded it up.

[Hoodat]

“Phones are not safe,” Musk tweeted

[The_Reader_David]

Even that can be broken.

One-time-pad encryption can only be broken if the attacker gains access to the key, meaning physical access to your stuff if you and the person you are communicating with hand each other the keys.  Look up the phrase "perfect security". If one doesn't have access to the key the only thing you can learn from the encrypted message is an upper bound on the length of the original message (not even the length, since some nulls could be added to the actual message). 

[Hoodat]

One-time-pad encryption can only be broken if the attacker gains access to the key, meaning physical access to your stuff if you and the person you are communicating with hand each other the keys.  Look up the phrase "perfect security". If one doesn't have access to the key the only thing you can learn from the encrypted message is an upper bound on the length of the original message (not even the length, since some nulls could be added to the actual message).

The only example of 'perfect security' I know of is when sender and receiver have a key that no one else knows about - a key long enough to cypher the entire message.

For example:

message:  10010101001
key:          11100100101
cypher:     01110001100

The problem here is that both the sender and receiver must already have the key.  But how does the sender pass the key to the receiver without anyone else seeing it?

Any other cypher can be hacked by brute force.  Eventually.  Sure, it may take 20 million years with today's processing time.  But it is still possible.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

The only example of 'perfect security' I know of is when sender and receiver have a key that no one else knows about - a key long enough to cypher the entire message.

For example:

message:  10010101001
key:          11100100101
cypher:     01110001100

The problem here is that both the sender and receiver must already have the key.  But how does the sender pass the key to the receiver without anyone else seeing it?

Any other cypher can be hacked by brute force.  Eventually.  Sure, it may take 20 million years with today's processing time.  But it is still possible.

That's basically public private key encryption and it's really not unbreakable. One time pad, assuming the pad is truly random, is unbreakable through code-breaking in and of itself (other methods are still possible).

[MeganC]

Any other cypher can be hacked by brute force. 

Old fashioned book ciphers are incredibly difficult to crack especially when they use out of print books.

The way it works is I mail you say, five different out-of-print books. I number them 1 to 5. I have five identical books. Same edition. Same printing.

Then on my first message to you I select my words and identify them by (page)(line down/up on the page)(word left/right) taking care not to reuse any selected word from the book.

So my message to you would look like:

365-12-4  13-17-8 35-1-3 (and etc.)

You'd have the corresponding book to use to decrypt the message. It would be extremely unlikely that anyone else would have the same key.

You would write back to me using the next book and so on.