3G active phones respond to 2G IMSI request? (Security concern.)

[c***@hotmail.com]

Based on this alarming information

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/17/triggerfish/

do GSM phones that are idling or active with 3G infrastructure respond
to
2G IMSI requests?

Thanks!

[Andreas Wenzel]

Post by c***@hotmail.com
Based on this alarming information
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/17/triggerfish/
do GSM phones that are idling or active with 3G infrastructure respond
to
2G IMSI requests?

A 3G phone on a 3G cell will usually only scan for 2G cells if told to
do so by the 3G network, e.g. if the 3G signal is becoming weak.

However, if the FBI wants you to change to their 2G fake cell, they
could simply jam your current 3G cell signal, causing your phone to scan
for other cells.

If you are lucky, you may find a "use 3G networks only" setting in your
phone that would keep it from selecting 2G cells.

Andreas