Could new phone case help terrorists?
TERRORISTS could carry out a Paris or Brussels-style attack in Britain using a mobile phone case that can encrypt iPhone calls and texts, a security expert has warned.
The Vysk device clips to the phone and, with the flick of a switch, can be put into stealth mode to stop hackers from gaining access to its data. All calls and text messages are diverted via an encrypted server.
And its cover stops the camera and microphone from being hacked to gain remote access for eavesdropping. But Professor Anthony Glees, director of the University of Buckingham’s Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies, said terrorists could make use of the features to evade the security services – and bring terror to Britain’s streets.
He said: ‘I do not think there should be any form of communication that cannot be decrypted or intercepted.
‘The great success that Bletchley Park had in shortening the war relied on intercepting messages transmitted by wireless and cable.
‘Any device that cannot be used for intercept intelligence is a device in my book that we do not need.
‘By mining big data our people are able to prevent the sort of things in Britain which happened in Paris and Brussels. Anybody that claims to make something that means a terrorist attack is more likely to succeed will have a very heavy burden on their conscience.’
Vysk CEO Victor Cocchia said he has sold the device to major British accountants, banks and law firms.
He said: ‘These devices are intended for people who need to have private, sensitive conversations and cannot risk them being listened in on.
‘If we are told by any intelligence services that they suspect the device is being used by a terrorist then we have the ability to turn it off remotely.’
The device will be sold in Harrods and Selfridges for £825, which will include unlimited encrypted phone calls for a year.