Yes that's funny but not helpful to a legitimate question. I can see why others find you annoying.
A question to the tech savvy from the technically challenged. Before becoming a hobbyist I spent quite a bit of time reading the Newbie forum and also just reading many posts about security. I decided a burner phone was a must, although I have to admit I haven't had to use it much. I bought the phone at a big box retailer, located in a not so nice area, and almost made the mistake of using my bank card. The cashier actually had it in her hand and was about to swipe it when I quickly told her that I wanted to pay cash. Whew....Next hurdle, how to activate it? There aren't a hell of a lot of pay phones around anymore but a manager of the electronics department said she would activate it for me right then and there and used a company computer. I had the feeling that she has done this before and knew the score, drugs or 'Ho's. Cheapest phone I could find with the cheapest available minutes for purchase, which are good for 90 days. 5 months forward, I just switched cell phone plans and now have a new provider (no pun intended) and a new phone; can I take the burner phone SIM card out and use it in my old smart phone - both are/were with the same cell company? The burner phone is old school and a little awkward to use and I'm more comfortable with my old droid. I suppose my old droid could some how be linked to me but I could have also "lost, stolen or sold it." Anyone see an issue with this? I assume my burner phone number will follow to what ever phone the SIM card is inserted in, but maybe not. Thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions?
Yes that's funny but not helpful to a legitimate question. I can see why others find you annoying.
Wad that's interesting I use a hobby phone set up as you advise but a few months back I asked phone guy about traveling he said the government can and we can with authorization from the phone owner but he said the regular guy or gal can't there is no tracking for the common man anyway I'm confused and does the location setting on your phone have anything to do with this
They can triangulate your position on a "Turned On" tracfone so only turn it on
and use it when needed away from home. I don't think a cheap tracfone has
a GPS locator on it but I maybe wrong.
-- Modified on 7/2/2014 10:43:30 PM
The last time I did that it seemed to draw the attention of the phone company. My phone still works, but I'm not sure whether it's a good idea.
As for the sim-switch, there is a phone serial number as well as a sim card serial number. I don't know if it can be read over GSM, but you're free to check out the standards: http://webapp.etsi.org/key/key.asp?full_list=y
I'm kidding, of course, but it's good to be aware of just how much goes on under the hood. Consequently, there are lots of ways to bust into your (way-too-)smart-phone. In addition to attacks against Android, look up "baseband hacking."
The other issue is that your phone's location is stored with the phone company. If you claim that it's stolen, but the phone still shows up in the same locations, that might cause doubts. It depends on where you use it. I would also put some tape over the camera lens if you're that worried, since someone seriously trying to track an Android phone might crack into it and use that to ID you.
It's not likely that anyone would bother with any of this, though, but if you're going to be paranoid, why not be thorough about it?
What we have here is a failure to communicate....partially my fault for perhaps giving too much background and for others to assume paranoia was the underlying factor of my question. I gave the background on the burner phone purchase just so anyone responding would know that it is not linked to me and that I followed the advice given on this discussion board.
Simply put, I don't like the burner phone as it is smaller than a computer mouse and it doesn't fit well in my hand, is difficult to use when I have had to use it - and you know what they say about a man with big hands.....big gloves. I have a perfectly good Android phone that I no longer use since I recently entered the 21st century (14 years late) and joined the Apple cult.
The question still remains, can I just switch SIM cards and will the Android function? I'm not concerned of some entity tracking me and no, I do not plan on putting tape over the camera lens or storing it in a tinfoil wrapped pyramid when not in use.
"...almost made the mistake of using my bank card. The cashier actually had it in her hand and was about to swipe it when I quickly told her that I wanted to pay cash..."
but then you say ...
"...I'm not concerned of some entity tracking me..."
PS. Hit the Ignore button for my handle
I've been using the same phone for years with no problem. It's a tracfone and I have even replaced it with a newer one .If you are that paranoid maybe you should stop seeing providers. Seriously, I've been doing this for years without a problem. No fear!
... and a dollar short but the easiest I've found is to buy burner phone (tracfone), go to public wifi (McDs), and register/add minutes online.