GSM encryption broken

The 21-year-old GSM encryption algorithm has been broken by a 28-year-old hacker. German engineer, Karsten Nohl, (an expert on encryption) announced that the GSM algorithm (A5/1) has been broken by him. This means that he was able to decrypt the secret code that protects the privacy of the vast majority of all mobile calls. It is estimated that this encryption method is used by 80% of all subscribers.

According to Nohl, the current GSM encyption algorithm's security is no longer sufficient. Nohl presented his achievemnets during the four-day conference of computer hackers "Chaos Communication Congress” that is held in Berlin.

The G.S.M. Association quickly recognized his activities as illegal. In addition, the organization that created the GSM algorithm 21 years ago, claims that his discovery poses no threat to the privacy of mobile calls. Experts do not share that optimism.

Clair Cranton, a spokeswoman for the association, told the media that it is theoretically possible but practically unlikely. Praising the GSM algorithm as a safe for 21 years, Cranton admitted, that the breach of its security actually occurred.