3.3 Trojan Programs in Mobile Communication Systems
243
3.3.6 Main Technical Solutions for Protection of Phone
Conversations
Below, for the sole purpose of presenting examples of their actual existence, we
will present brief characteristics and description of appearance of the most popular
tapping-proof phones.
3.3.6.1 The Apparatus TopSec GSM
This apparatus created on the basis of Siemens S35 by German company Rohde &
Swartz, according to its advertisement, ensures “complete traffic protection.”
The device is a regular Siemens S35 modified by means of installing a special
cryptographic chip on the circuit board. Encryption mode is activated by a special
function in the phone menu. In secure mode, this phone can communicate with
another TopSec phone, or an ELCRODAT 6-2 ISDN phone manufactured by the
same company.
Protection is ensured by traffic encryption with a 128-bit key; the session key is
automatically calculated using a 1024-bit key, which ensures additional protection.
The feature in this phone is the fact that the encrypted packets created in it can be
received and sent via GSM networks just like regular GSM packets.
High cost of such phone (2700 dollars in 2010) didn’t affect great popularity of
TopSec GSM. As is known, the Bundeswehr (German military forces) have ordered
such phones for their own needs.
Another slightly more advanced option from the same company is a wireless
headset.
Brief description: TopSec Mobile is a voice encryption device that can be
connected to any mobile phone using Bluetooth interface. TopSec Mobile ensures
confidentiality and protection from phone communication interception in any point
of the world.
243
3.3.6 Main Technical Solutions for Protection of Phone
Conversations
Below, for the sole purpose of presenting examples of their actual existence, we
will present brief characteristics and description of appearance of the most popular
tapping-proof phones.
3.3.6.1 The Apparatus TopSec GSM
This apparatus created on the basis of Siemens S35 by German company Rohde &
Swartz, according to its advertisement, ensures “complete traffic protection.”
The device is a regular Siemens S35 modified by means of installing a special
cryptographic chip on the circuit board. Encryption mode is activated by a special
function in the phone menu. In secure mode, this phone can communicate with
another TopSec phone, or an ELCRODAT 6-2 ISDN phone manufactured by the
same company.
Protection is ensured by traffic encryption with a 128-bit key; the session key is
automatically calculated using a 1024-bit key, which ensures additional protection.
The feature in this phone is the fact that the encrypted packets created in it can be
received and sent via GSM networks just like regular GSM packets.
High cost of such phone (2700 dollars in 2010) didn’t affect great popularity of
TopSec GSM. As is known, the Bundeswehr (German military forces) have ordered
such phones for their own needs.
Another slightly more advanced option from the same company is a wireless
headset.
Brief description: TopSec Mobile is a voice encryption device that can be
connected to any mobile phone using Bluetooth interface. TopSec Mobile ensures
confidentiality and protection from phone communication interception in any point
of the world.