[Opinion] Alert Vodacom and others

[vieome]

Well I think it is high time, that vodacom and other mobile providers marry the sim card to the phone to prevent phone theft. This has worked very well in terms of DSTV. What your thoughts on that.

Technology could be used in further ways to prevent theft, like our propertie could be married to our houses with some kind of chip.

[wynn]

A transponder hidden in the house and a number of chips that you insert into any electronic devices (TV, PC, microwave, fridge, etc.) that will only work when the divice is within reach. If chip is removed device fails to work even if a new chip is installed. Chip can only be zeroed by manufacturer agent after a RICA type procedure.
Car and laptops etc. a transponder on your keyring so they are mobile but must be in the vicinity of the keys to work???

[nkawit]

Seriously doubt that would prevent phone theft

[wynn]

Seriously doubt that would prevent phone theft

It won't prevent the theft initially but after stealing it it will be useless so that would negate the resale value making phones useless to steal in the first place.

[tec0]

Most mobile devices like computers have a MAC address that is one of a kind in every device. I don't know if the same is true with mobile phones but if it did then no amount of flashing will ever get rid of it. Meaning you will know if was stolen or not regardless of being flashed of a new SIM card.

Then the networks can trace the phone making it worthless for the criminal.

[Norri]

tec0, it's not that hard to change your MAC address.

http://www.irongeek.com/i.php?page=security/changemac

http://whatismyipaddress.com/change-mac

[tec0]

tec0, it's not that hard to change your MAC address.

http://www.irongeek.com/i.php?page=security/changemac

http://whatismyipaddress.com/change-mac

I agree but that is only because the manufacture allowed for it. If the manufacture wants to they can make it so that the MAC cannot be changed. It is really not that difficult I remember the day of the old ROM chips that could only be flashed once and you can embed it so critically in the phone that it will not function without the component.

Fact it can be done… The question is why haven't they done it already?

[adrianh]

All cell phones have IMIE numbers burned into them. Cell phone companies can black list phones via this number but have chosen not to do so.

[Dave A]

Cell phone companies can black list phones via this number but have chosen not to do so.

I thought this was the whole idea behind forcing people to report stolen cellphones

[tec0]

I thought this was the whole idea behind forcing people to report stolen cellphones

Well education is key, now that we know phones have these numbers we can insist that it be used. If the companies in question do not want to use these numbers then they are aiding a criminal and then why not keep them responsible for the theft then? After all they are the once refusing to blacklist the phone and track it?

[vieome]

Vodacom requires that one register the sim card with them before one can use the card, in that registration process they should simply ask the customer for the phone IMEI number and pair the two in their system. So the aim is not to get people to report stolen phones, the aim is to make it the phone useless to anyone other then the owner, so that there is no point in anyone stealing a phone.

Dial *#06# without any spaces to record your phones IMEI number.

[Justloadit]

I use a number of SIM cards in my phone, it then would be blocked.

The network knows when I put a new SIM card in my phone, I get an SMS message telling me my settings are wrong. This is already being done in the back ground.

[adrianh]

The cellular companies 'grey list' the phone. The sim is disabled but the phone is still operational and the cellular provider flags the handset to be tracked. The only reason why cellular phones are stolen is this! It would be extremely interesting to know what percentage of phones are grey listed and operational.

[adrianh]

The IEMI number is automatically transmitted to the cellular provider when the phone is switched on. That number is automatically checked against a grey and black list to decide how the device will be handled. That *#06# story simply displays the code to the user, nothing more. The IEMI number is normally found inside the phone and can normally be seen when you remove the battery.

[Sparks]

You must be joking. As long as the stolen phones are being used they are making money :-(