Enabling the Ciphering Indicator on Android

Felician Alecu, Paul Pocatilu

Abstract


This paper exemplifies the use of AT commands to retrieve (and eventually override) the ciphering indicator status on Android by directly communicating with the phone modem. Curiously, his indicator is disabled by default both at operating system level and SIM card settings. By turning it on, the mobile handset will inform the user each time the communication becomes unencrypted, so a proper decision could be made just in time.

Keywords


GSM encryption, IMSI catcher, A5, Ciphering Indicator, SIM, AT Commands

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References


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Journal of Mobile, Embedded and Distributed Systems (JMEDS) ISSN: 2067 – 4074 (online)