We've never had to worry about letting a friend borrow our cell phone to make a quick call or leaving our phone on our desk for a moment, until now...
[Enter Paraben's CSI Stick]
The Cellular Seizure Investigation Stick, or CSI Stick, is produced by a company called Paraben. Comparable in size to a BIC lighter, the CSI Stick allows a person to gain quick and covert access to any cell phone's information. The CSI Stick looks like nothing more than a USB flash drive and works just like one, with the capability of copying all data and information stored on a cell phone, including messages that have already been deleted! (How will this affect people recycling their cell phones, if others are able to snag information that has been deleted off of their phones?) This device collects information on contacts in a phone book, confidential e-mails, spread sheets, instant messages, dialed numbers, Web sites visited and other information. The worst part, when a phone has been tampered with using a CSI Stick, no evidence is left behind signifying that the information has been compromised.
This device created primarily for law enforcement, surveillance, and intelligence operations has now become an item available for purchase to the general public for $200. Now, there will be no stopping nosy friends or curious spouses from stealing a peak at our phones to see who we've been talking to and what our calendar looks like.
Currently the product works with most Motorola and Samsung cell phones, capturing all of the data contained within. The next model will work with Nokia, RIM, LG, and other phone types.
This device is an extremely threatening tool that could endanger everyone from corporate employees that work for the government down to teens that depend on their cell phone as being a private medium, free of their parents monitoring. However, this device will be beneficial in secure areas where employees need to be monitored to check that sensitive information is not being compromised.
I do not think this tool should be available to the general public. Although I see its benefits to law enforcement agencies when it comes to catching suspects, I think the product's use by the common man could lead to information being misconstrued by the nosy party, thus damaging relationships and trust. I would hate to have my privacy invaded so much by such a device, that I would choose not use one either!
For more information on this new media topic, please visit http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10028589-83.html?tag=newsCategoryArea.2.
The following video is an interview with the CEO of Paraben Corporation discussing the CSI Stick:
2 comments:
Wow!
I would say I agree with this in a forensic case, but DO NOT with any other minor case, even being criminal.
Isn't this a privacy issue?? It reminds me of the privacy law for journalists/doctors/lawyers, etc. to be protected of their investigated information unless deemed necessary by the government.
Scary!!!
Wow! What will they think of next? We are getting closer and closer to "Big Brother" watching! I don't like it! Keep up the good work, Lindley! Once again, very interesting information!
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