Harris Corp based out of Florida is the company that makes the surveillance device called a stingray. They are also called cell-site simulators and IMSI catchers. They're illegal to use unless you work for a Federal Agency and they are really expensive, prices range from $50,000 to $500,000 if you include all the bells and whistles! Surprisingly, only a few states require a warrant for their use and there is no federal law that regulates them.
Depending on the make and model, stingrays may be used just to track cell phone locations, or they may also intercept real-time phone calls, they can read live outgoing and incoming text messages or jam nearby cell phone signals so you can't make or receive phone calls.
When a police department purchases one of these stingrays from the FBI they must sign a nondisclosure agreement and promise the FBI to never admit they even own the device. Which means the police and any other agency that has used this device on a criminal to obtain information or an arrest must drop the case instead of revealing the details of the stingray. That is how guarded these surveillance devices are, even in states where it is legal to use one.
I know from personal experience the power these machines are capable of. Some of the things they can do are similar to a 'man in the middle attack' what it basically does is mimic your cell phone tower tricking your phone into connecting to it, once connected it can take total control of your phone no matter what carrier it is on or even if it is a prepaid burner phone. The capabilities of these things are endless from listening to all of your phone calls to viewing all of your apps and controlling them. It can even upload and download information from and onto your phone. While most people say "I have nothing to hide" that's exactly the mentality the Feds want us to have so they can strip us of our civil rights with no questions asked. It is not about hiding anything, it's about our right to privacy. Yes, these are great for catching criminals but they are also being deployed on millions of civilians a year for no reason whatsoever and I am living proof of it. I will do a follow up post on the few things we can do to protect ourselves against one of these devices.
Below are a few pictures of the police and Feds trying to hide where they put these surveillance devices. Some of these are hidden really well while others are comical to look at, that is once you know what to look for.
As you can see some are disguised in fake cactuses and palm trees!
While others were found in clocktowers and obelisks
Before and After! This one is something else!
Just bringing awareness
sources: https://www.pinterest.com/leaseadvisors/disguised-cell-towers/
https://www.aclu.org/map/stingray-tracking-devices-whos-got-them
I hope you enjoyed. Please Upvote, Resteem, and Follow me @road2wisdom
Congratulations @road2wisdom! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
Award for the number of comments
Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOP
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wow, the lengths they go to.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
yeah, Its messed up but true. I had this device used on me and it was scary and in the end all I got was an "im sorry" it was a mistake. I couldn't even call 911 it was scary! Thanks for posting. How have you been?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
actually hadn't heard of this particular device, but it certainly doesn't surprise me. George Orwell must be rolling in his grave right about now...
One more reason I'm still happily sportin' my good 'ole trusty LG Chocolate. Not to mention, it still fits in my front pocket, no extra charge! 😁
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I didn't know about it either until it was used on us about two years ago. This device was even listening to a prepaid phone we had at the time under no name. Reg Flip phone. The only thing we got out of it was an apology and "sorry wrong person" It was quite a terrorizing experience but since I'm not the type of person to sue let it go. One day, I will write out the entire story-it's probably a five-part post!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
definitely sounds like it'll be an interesting read! and not to say flip phones are any less able to be compromised, but at least they can't take away every last shred of one's dignity, as they might be able to after perusing the "nsfw section" of a person's smartphone! lol
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Lmao😂
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Travelling and then catching up after being gone for nine days, but good overall.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Glad to hear your travels went well :) Thanks or dropping by it was a pleasant surprise! You didn't forget about me after all
Just kidding heee
Have a great evening :0)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Definitely worth an upvote and a resteem :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you @wvw very much appreciated :0)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Great post, I am very familiar with these devices. when I was in the military we used them all the time. Thanks for bringing awareness
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
No problem! So you know the capabilities of these things can you share more on them?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yes it's a real time man in the middle attack on steroids as you pointed out and it can just about be used on any phone or computer out there
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
If that isn't a red flag I don't know what is. I had no idea these devices existed.
Thank you for the informative article. Looking forward to the follow up post!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
You are welcome. The follow up will be about how we can protect ourselves from devices like this but the bigger story about when this was used on me and my family 2 years will prob be a few posts! thanks for sharing as always @lydon.sipe :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
And I am intrigued to read both of those pieces. Quality work as always @road2wisdom. :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I'd like to mention there is a signal proof envelope you can get from amazon that prevents ANY Signal from getting out.. Just put your phone, and any cards with a chip inside the Envelope and you're in ghost mode...
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
But first turn off the phone. Otherwise it'll run down the battery fast, trying to reach towers.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Good Advice .. Thank You..
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yes, I know which one you mean but it also restricts you from getting phone calls but its great for public areas where you know they will be deployed and other events, thanks for reminding me about those. I will do a follow up and how to protect yourself against these. I can tell you now as you prob know, you cant do much. Thanks for sharing.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks..
Following...
i just started a series on Basic Survival...
Check it out if it interests you..
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you and I will certainly check then out thank you for sharing
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wrapping a phone in aluminium foil (bacofoil) does the same thing - but, of course, you can't use it! I tried it - it works.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hope this is not true :(
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
It Sucks but its true!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
When I first found out about this, it used to really piss me off! I am glad the awareness is spreading so everyone can know what these folks are doing! Great read Goddess! <3
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you @awarenessraiser <3 I need to find a sexy name for you now! I'll just call you 'sexy' mm heehee
ttyl ;0)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
hahhaa! You're the best love! <3
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
nice post thanks for info I have heard about these things before and seen them in action in uk you can even buy these on line in the wrong hands they are very bad you can listen in and home in on thousands and thousands of signals once u on to the one you want you can get any info you want enyones passwords pin numbers every text or email ever sent you can listen to calls read every email and text ever sent all phone history and everything if you was sat in a hotel or your house you can spy on anyone thousands of numbers and signals to choose from very very bad news up vote from me thanks
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by road2wisdom from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, and someguy123. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
If you like what we're doing please upvote this comment so we can continue to build the community account that's supporting all members.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
maybe its true or not...privacy is loose but safe our life reason only these @road2wisdom
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Trust me when they used this on me and my family I didn't feel so safe! It was the scariest thing I ever went through in my life to have all my phones tapped and my computers. NSA and the Police love to spy. Which created a huge haystack meaning they have too much to look at and cant do their jobs right because they are too busy looking at innocent ppl. :/
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
@road2wisdom giving away all the state secrets like a female Mrs Snowden - well done! Informative post worth the full upvote! The best #til I've seen all day :) Steem on!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Haha shh you'll blow my cover😂
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
QoS = Queen of Snowden! Ha ha!😂
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
lol
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Horus wil be rising in a few hours on the horizon! 😀🌞 see what I did there. Night night. You'll get a full one too and a rs heee
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I know Horus well, I've been to his hometown of Edfu in Egypt ;) Us Arians do love the Gods of War! Now get some sleep Ms Snowden! ... Zzzzz ... Zzzzz ...<3
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I've heard of them before, but the real question is how do I stop them from hacking my device?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
From what I have researched and all the leaked papers on this device. If your battery is in your phone(could be off) they can access it. NSA and the like have the power to get into anything. It's messed up. Very Orwellian
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
That blows. So i'd basically need to shield it and only have it out when i use it... Not practical. Super orwellian.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
This post got a
10.99
% upvote thanks to @road2wisdom - Hail Eris !Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
@road2wisdom got you a $0.82 @minnowbooster upgoat, nice! (Image: pixabay.com)
Want a boost? Click here to read more!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
When will the fake news report about this? Where are the basic constitutional rights? This is crazy and has been going on for a long time now too. This is just wrong in so many ways!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Never the want to make it out like it doesn't exist they even drop cases related to lawyers finding out his devices used
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I agree its a very bad situation and it sucks that certain ABC agencies can do what they want, when they want. :/
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Well looks like I'm slapping on my aluminum suit to bounce off all those radio signals.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Haha😂🌞
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
It is possible to fight back: https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/02/who-catches-the-imsi-catchers-researchers-demonstrate-stingray-detection-kit/
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
So they can actually tap our phone calls now. I hope they do it only on doubtful person and nnot on just some random guy.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
This post has received a sweet gift of Dank Amps in the flavor of 10.00 % upvote from @lovejuice thanks to: @road2wisdom. Vote for Aggroed!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wow these guys are really good and disguising these things, I wonder how they come up with all brilliant solutions lol :D
Thanks for spreading awareness of this.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
No problem cryptodan thanks for sharing :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Scary stuff indeed. I'm looking forward to the follow-up piece including how one can protect themselves against this specific type of mass surveillance.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you I should have it up in a few days.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wow this is really shocking. Thanks for sharing.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
YW and thank you for posting!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Good post my friend nice to me you i am @djnoel ;)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you nice to meet you too :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
In California they don't hide it at all. Just out in the open. Another thing I don't like about these things is that people are getting cooked alive by these towers. I see them in playgrounds and children's nurseries. It is too late after the frog is cooked for it to jump out.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Very true about the microwaves, I know in Cali they have a big problem with them they have them in your face! Thanks for sharing.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
It's rare I find out about something new like this. Great job! Following you now :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you I appreciate it!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Great Post !. Thats absolutely Crazy. Imagine what they are going to do when they have a Quantum Computer.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you. Quantum computers a true AI will def. be something to look out for!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
This post received a 3.5% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @road2wisdom! For more information, click here!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
the empirical deception is literally stunning...
we're not talking about disoriented and random...
we are witnessing high level entities that are conjoined and organized...
the same we must become...
except higher, and even more united...
how can we even possibly ascertain or compete with that type of influence and power, and resource...and...
blockchain
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hi I am a HUMAN BEING and NOT a Bot! (just thought you should know) Great info. thanks for posting - upvoted & following!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you I will do the same :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit