Karsten Nohl, a PhD from the University of Virginia has broken A5/1, an algorithm to encrypt G.S.M. cellphone conversation. The hack follows a few steps including the use of a distributed key-gathering sytem to capture and decoding of a number of G.S.M. 64-bit encryption keys, the kind of keys that most cellular operators still use.
The hack could be negated by upgrading to the 128-bit A5/3 algorithm, although when cellular providers are cite copyright and the illegality of cellphone intercepts as reasons to ignore Nohl�s work, as they do in this NY Times piece, you have to wonder if they�re not actually scared pantsless.
The Tech Herald has much more info on the hack, which began in August, 2009.
found this on crunchgear's website and though it was interesting
yeah, i read this on BGR this morning. For any technology that exists, there is a hack. It's just a matter of time, always a cat and mouse game. Hopefully they'll upgrade to the 128!
