Mobile hackers 'would need specialist equipment'

The level of technology used to transmit telephone calls from mobiles would make it very tough for hackers to listen to them, says a security expert.

Mobile hackers would have trouble listening in on people's phone calls because of the level of technology used, according to industry insider.

Mike Hawkes, security expert at the Mobile Data Association, pointed out that voice communications are sent in small "packets", which would all need to be separately decrypted in order for a potential hacker to work out what is being said.

As well as this, he noted that mobile phones switch cells as people walk around, so a hacker looking at one cell would be left with an incomplete piece of information.

He explained: "Trying to co-ordinate between those is a real challenge to do. We've not seen any practical demonstrations of anybody that can actually do anything sensible with things like voice."

Mr Hawkes said it is slightly easier to decode an SMS text message because they are simpler pieces of information sent backwards and forwards, although security technology is now available to protect text messages.

He made his comments following new that a Dutch hacker had exposed holes in the security of mobile technology.

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