FAR FROM HOME - MOBILE SURVEILLANCE threat INTELLIGENCE
Far From Home is a series of threat intelligence reports providing a comprehensive vision into surveillance attacks and cyber espionage activity against US mobile phones. The reports expose 3 years of active surveillance operations targeting US mobile users, where years of network exploitations have resulted into massive breaches of user privacy. The reports feature global rankings of source countries and network operators originating the attacks. Featuring live attack traces, global attack heat maps and deep insights into threat operations, these reports are the culmination of independent expert investigations into attack data from state sponsors and organized crime entities using 3G and 4G networks.
Far From Home - threat intelligence report highlights
Foreign Surveillance Activity of US Mobile Users is Massive in Scale
With millions of transactions, massive volumes of threat activity have occurred for years and continues to this day.
Allies, Adversaries and Neutral Countries Participate in Espionage Targeting US Phones
Surveillance operations are not limited to traditional adversaries. Allied and neutral countries also participate actively to monitor phone locations and communications.
Detecting Surveillance Activity is Easier Than Preventing It
Security firewalls provide a layer of detection and prevention. However, many network operators use conservative approaches to reduce the risks of potentially disrupting international roaming service
Attacks Take Place on Both 3G and 4G Networks
Mobile devices use 3G and 4G networks simultaneously. Threat actors exploit both technologies to increase the success rates of attacks. In 2020, attackers are adapting to favor 4G attack vectors which poses great risks to 5G.
Attacks are Coordinated Between Network Operators
Countries are observed attacking the same mobile users with similar attack methods. Attacks sources from multiple Caribbean countries are observed with indications of network selling to conduct intelligence operations.
The Lack of Security Mandates Increases Attacks From Developing Nations
Current security guidelines are not sufficient to hold networks accountable for these attacks. The lack of mandates encourages small nations to participate in the threat economy, effectively selling their network to adversaries.