Android 16 can warn you if a fake cell tower is trying to spy on you
- Android 16 is adding a new security feature to warn you when your phone connects to a fake or insecure mobile network known as a “stingray.”
- This feature alerts you to unencrypted connections or when the network requests your phone’s identifiers, which helps protect against surveillance.
- Due to new hardware requirements, this protection will likely only be on new devices launching with Android 16, such as the upcoming Pixel 10.
There are many simple things you can do to keep your private information safe, like using strong passwords, scrutinizing app permissions, and only installing apps from trusted sources. However, some attacks are much harder to protect yourself against, as they’re so sophisticated and stealthy that they can happen without you ever noticing. One such attack tricks your phone into connecting to a fake, insecure mobile network, which is difficult for the average person to detect. Fortunately, the new Android 16 update has a feature that can warn you when someone is using this tactic to snoop on you.
This type of attack uses a device called a “stingray.” An attacker sets up this device near a target they want to surveil, and it mimics a legitimate cell tower. The stingray tricks nearby mobile devices into connecting to it, allowing the attacker to collect unique identifiers (like the IMEI) and even force them onto an older, more insecure communication protocol. These identifiers allow attackers to target specific devices for analysis, while switching protocols can let them intercept unencrypted text messages and phone calls.
