callaghan@bss.enet.dec.com (02/16/91)
Question: Are there any 'secure' cordless phones??
After reading the recent comparisons/comments/conversations around
cordless phones I've not seen much on any models (nor have I found
any* vendors) who offer some sort of secure link between handset and
base (I.E. scramble, digitized, etc..)
Since cordless phones are SO open, and you can bet that someone may be
listening, I would consider this a BIG plus that could help a vendor
succeed over competitors in the marketspace.
Last summer's court case ( {Wall Street Journal} Aug ??) where an
individual (while eavesdropping via scanner on a cordless) gained
enough info to help get his neighbor arrested/tried for conspiracy (of
all things) is definitely enough for me to want to search out at least
a cheap sideband addon, or go back to the 500 foot extension cord.
Any product suggestions, comments, insights are eagerly requested.
[Moderator's Note: Back in my CB radio days many years ago, I used to
frustrate the neighbors by talking on sideband rather than AM. They
could still hear sounds coming from their television on channel 2 (and
indeed, they would say 'it must be Pat on the radio again', but at
least they couldn't understand what I was talking about! :) All they
got were 'Donald Duck sounds', as any of you radio guys will attest
who've heard a sideband transmission while tuned to AM. Too bad the
cordless phone manufacturers can't scramble their signal or at least
use lower / upper sideband, etc ... that would fix the majority of the
snoops, although a dedicated person would tune up the ham rig and
listen anyway. PAT]ellisond@uunet.uu.net (Dell H. Ellison) (02/19/91)
In article <telecom11.122.2@eecs.nwu.edu>, callaghan@bss.enet.dec.com writes: > Question: Are there any 'secure' cordless phones?? I thought that there were several cordless phones out there that automatically changed the frequency every fraction of a second so as to keep the conversation somewhat secure. [Moderator's Note: These are available. I don't know about 'several' different models however. I think their cost would be / is prohibitive from a consumer's point of view. PAT]