4G and 5G networks in jeopardy, researchers revealed
Right now media is bombarded with news of the release of 5G network. It claims to provide improved signal security as one of its prominent features. As no technology can be completely flawless, researchers have raised some doubts upon the promise of improved signal security. Recently, US researchers have come across some major discoveries that there have been multiple, major attacks on the 4G network, showing it’s vulnerability. So, if 4G is having some major attacks, 5G can become a target as well.
4G network is currently used by billions of people around the globe who are quite excited for the release of 5G network. But according to two US researchers from Purdue University and University of lowa, there are three major ways in which these networks can face the problem of hacks.
The first one is Torpedo. It exploits the paging protocol which is used by the network after receiving calls and messages to locate the device it should be delivered to. The research found that a short and frequent burst of calls, which receivers quickly cancel, results in revealing the location of device through a paging message. This gives the control of the paging channel of device into the hands of hackers. From that, they can block the receiving messages or can send fake ones to the device.
This first attack, Torpedo, can result in the second attack known as Piercer. It gives hackers the access to international mobile subscriber identity number (IMSI) of a phone on 4G networks. IMSI is the unique number for every phone that is used to locate and recognize mobile connection across the world. It is encrypted and not openly revealed to ensure a user’s privacy. It is transmitted between networks and devices only when highly required. However, it can be exploited through Piercer to cause major problems for the user.
IMSI-Cracking is the third major attack 4G networks can fall prey to. As the name suggests, IMSI-Cracking results in the direct decryption of 4G and 5G networks and so, reveals the IMSI number of its users. This obviously worries 4G users because of the threat of their identity being revealed or hacked.
What is worse is that the researchers have concluded their findings by stating that these attacks are not difficult to execute and are not a big deal for expert or professional hackers. They do not require expensive equipment either. Torpedo attacks can be executed by a device that costs as low as $200.
In order to combat these attacks, the findings were shared with respective authorities and network carriers to take appropriate measures so that users of 4G networks and future 5G networks do not become the target of any hacking attempts.