Risks posed by mobile network vulnerabilities.

• Position: Cell Phones

To a large extent, mobile subscribers are unaware of vulnerabilities in their mobile operator's network that could lead to their calls or texts being intercepted, thus becoming victims of fraud or unauthorized location tracking, maintains research commissioned by Xura, Inc., Wakefield, Mass., a provider of digital communications services. Only 30% of respondents to the survey--conducted with consumers in the U.S., United Kingdom, and Australia--claimed awareness of any security weakness in mobile phone networks.

Respondents provided a list of reasons for their security concerns, including vulnerabilities in operating systems (nine percent), apps (six percent), operator data leaks (three percent) and vulnerabilities in Bluetooth, WiFi, and voicemail hacking. However, only six percent indicated specific awareness of vulnerabilities in the technology of the telecoms network itself.

"SS7 [Signaling System 7] is a core technology used by telecom networks globally," says Mark Windie, director of Strategy and Marketing at Xura Security. "SS7, however, contains vulnerabilities that can be exploited to carry out a whole host of malicious activities; from triggering fraudulent calls or texts to be sent to premium rate services at the subscriber's expense, to location tracking and call/SMS interception. The threat is very real."

Thirty-two percent of mobile subscribers never check their balance or bill to verify that they have been charged correctly or to detect possible suspicious activity on their account, with those aged between ages 31 and 50 least likely to check their monthly bills.

"Often these attacks can occur without the mobile user's knowledge. With fraud, the only indicator may be on the subscriber's bill. However, we appear to have considerable faith in mobile operators, hence why many of us may not think to suspect any inaccuracies in bills. According...