Mobile 'Phone Security (not Seven related as such; unless you've broken down)

[CHRIS CLARK]

Not sure if it's common knowledge or not, but all mobile phones have a unique 15-digit IMEI number.

This can be accessed by keying in *#06#

 

If your phone gets stolen and recovered (yeah, right) then the Plod can check its number against your written down one and return itthumbsup.gif

 

Well I didn't know that!

[sjwb]

More relevant, the Service Provider can lock that particular phone using that reference number.

 

Steve B

[CHRIS CLARK]

Good, 'cos I didn't know that either!!!

[Blatman]

More relevant, the Service Provider can lock that particular phone using that reference number

Except for Vodaphone and BT Cellnet..............

[Red SLR]

BT and Voda can lock down the sim no problem but I am not aware of any networks that can lock down the handset. The IMEI is the International Mobile Equipment Identity, basically the serial number of the phone.

 

 

 

X777CAT

[mike ashurst]

When I was given this info, I was told that they (the network providers)could all lock down handsets with this handset id number. Orange have confirmed this week that they can.

 

Downside is that apparently there are certain people that can unlock it sad.gif. Going rate is apparently a tenner.

 

Mike

[Red SLR]

They can lock the sim card in a couple of seconds.

 

To lock the hand set is a little more difficult, it requires the AuC to bar that particular IMEI access to the HLR, the problem is this data has to go accross to all 4 networks, and not all networks use an AuC, so it would not be barred. I think most do in the UK but not in other countries.

 

Now the question is are they sharing this data, I doubt it!

 

Also 121 and Orange have a slight advantage as the 121 and Orange handsets will only work on their network as they use PCS technology and Voda and BTC are GSM.

 

I think the problem is they are not really that bothered about stolen phones...

 

 

 

X777CAT

[Peter Carmichael]

I can confirm that Orange can lock handsets on their network. There is a lot of pressure coming on BT Cellnet and Vodafone to get a solution to this in the light of recent mugging statistics.

[Red SLR]

It will take BTC about 6 - 12 months to change their software and that is if they rush!

 

 

 

X777CAT

[Jam Mad]

i'm glad to see that you all seem to realise that the pleece farce aren't going to be bothered by yer' imie number.

 

sorry, just felt i had to pen that darky cynical rant.

 

j wink.gif

[Red SLR]

What do u mean?

 

X777CAT

[tony pashley]

I posted this yesterday on another thread, but I think this a far better place for it...

 

On the subject of baffling technology, I have come across this is the user-guide for a mobile phone:

"...from the standby-screen press B by pressing the soft key; scroll down to 'C*****t' by using the navigation key then scroll to the right; scroll down to 'help line' by using the navigation key and press the phone icon. You may now report your phone stolen.''

 

Edited by - tony pashley on 10 Jan 2002 10:42:14

[Red SLR]

What make is that?

 

X777CAT

[sjwb]

The homing phone!

 

Steve B

[z7]

According to a mobile 'phone industry or company representative on the news the other evening, the IMEI's aren't unique. There are legitimate duplicates.

 

 

[Red SLR]

Not on the same network though.

 

X777CAT