How Did the News of the World Hack Into Phone Messages?

Here is a great quote from singer George Michaels. Regarding the shut down the trashy British tabloid, News of the World--for eavesdropping on the phone messages of murder victims, politicians and celebrities--Michaels said: "I believe every individual, whether privileged or the average citizen, deserves the law. And many of us, rich or poor, have been denied it by News International."

Michaels declared the closure of the Rupert Murdoch owned scum-rag, "A fantastic day for Britain."

The man who penned the hit song Faith is right: there's pretty much a firm place reserved in Hell for those who hack into phone accounts and eavesdrop on messages of murder victims for the sole sake of clever headlines.

But what's going on with our cell phones; how did this debacle happen?

The News of the World phone hacking methods were very old school. The tricks reporters used to access voice-mail inboxes involved obtaining the PIN codes for the accounts-in an illegal method known as pretexting.

Here's how it worked:

-The reporters called a cell phone provider's customer-service representative.

-The reporter impersonated, say, a murder victim or celebrity to get details about that person's account.

- The News of the World staffer then exploited a mechanism in cell-phone carriers' system that allowed people to access voice-mail messages remotely--from any phone.

-The reporters then high-fived each other for a job well done. (I'm making this part up.)

Once a vital tool for freelance investigators, such practices are highly illegal in U.K. and U.S.-that's why its bad! This deplorable stunt is brought to you by a publcation who trumpheted such esteem headlines over the years as:

Andrew and the Sex Slave Beast

FI Boss Has Sick Nazi Orgy With Hookers

My Big Fat Gypsy Divorce at just 19

Harry’s bedder than Jen, says Flo

Security experts say the News of the World scandal foreshadows how smartphone consumer growth will lead to more sophisticated breaches. With smartphones becoming the device of choice, these pocket computers are poised to be the next the next target for major cyber attacks. Two of the most common entry points for hackers involve: tricking a phone user into installing poison applications or misleading them into opening dubious links in their Web browsers. 

Be on guard with your smartphone. Institute safeguards. Take caution when you receive junk text on your smartphone-or simply steer clear of any former sleaze-reporters from the News of the World.