Can a Mobile Sim card be traced even if not in a Phone.
I want to consider purchasing a Pay as you go Sim card that I initially thought could offer me privacy.. in that I do not have to offer any of my personal details...to obtain it and can just pay for a sim card package...
which also comes with a voucher that I can either ask the shop to activate it or allow me various options to activate it when I am ready. (within say 60 days or so I believe)
In order to make some VERY private phone calls... I was concerned in case I said something and got reported..
and that the authorities may be able to track me down...
which I believe could happen if I am calling from say one set location.
I do not in this case want to call from my own Home location...
So Ill have to call from other locations..
BUT I say I made a call... and later went back to my home.... I question can I then be tracked...
What if anything is possible to avoid being tracked ?
IF I had left the phone ON.... then I think I can be tracked. I am NOT sure if its still possible if I swith the phone OFF...so the sim is still in the actual phone..
BUT If I remove the sim from the phone after the call.... Hopefully it cannot be tracked if I then went back home.
HOWEVER I later wondered if it may be possible to track any sim card...
as maybe its just like a form of Chip ! like you see people ow using them on Animals..
This link below refers to the question.... But I am not sure if it may be 100% right or not...
I wonder if anyone has any views or experience in this topic ? on how best to avoid any detection if possible...
but still be able to make a phone call from ones mobile on a Pay as You go offer... that is NOT on any contract.
It could be easy to slip up I suspect... so one would have to be careful on the steps that they may take..
and not forget if the situation did somehow get reported and one feared what may happen.
The thing is these days it seems we have to be more careful in what we say both in company or on a phone...
in the more recent changes we are witnessing...
https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/18941/can-a-sim-card-be-tracked-without-cell-phone-and-battery
-Use a disposable phone.
-Use a land-line in an alternate location (Ensure you leave your Cell phone at home)
-Use a PC at an intenet cafe.
Quote from: Ellirium113 on December 28, 2021, 08:54:54 PM
-Use a disposable phone.
-Use a land-line in an alternate location (Ensure you leave your Cell phone at home)
-Use a PC at an intenet cafe.
Thats a ditto from here...one add in is maybe a VPN if you do use a home computer...and one of those little blocker cases for your phone for double sure?
In Florida theres a lot of folks who use burners with cards so there must be a variety of reasons they do so
All the best to you in your situation mate!
Le
Quote from: astr0144 on December 28, 2021, 08:29:32 PM
Can a Mobile Sim card be traced even if not in a Phone.
No, a SIM card cannot work without being attached to a device, so nobody can detect it's location if it is not in a phone (or tablet).
I don't have any experience with things like this, but it sounds like the best way would be using a disposable phone and using it in crowded areas, as that would make it harder for anyone to try to pinpoint the location of any individual phone.
Just a heads up, a lot of burner phone companies now require you to register your phone with your real info. I had three different pay as you go phones with different companies before I settled with a plan and they all required real info. Most burner phone companies are trying to distance themselves from things like drug trafficking and other activities that have given them bad press in the past.
I hear about burner phones on Law and Order SVU. The first cell phone I had was a Tracfone. That was some years back. I could make phone calls with it. Sixty years ago I didn't have any idea that a lot of us would be running around with little computers. We may have still had a party line phone at the time.
Quote from: Shasta56 on January 01, 2022, 03:54:45 AM
Sixty years ago I didn't have any idea that a lot of us would be running around with little computers.
That reminds me of another thing: it's better to choose an old style cell phone instead of a smartphone, a basic phone has much less ways of knowing, for example, where we are.
PS: I saw once a site advertising those cell phones as phones for older people, so that may be a way of finding them among the huge variety of "smart" phones.
Best phone I ever had was the motorola StarTac flipphone...if they still made them Id carry one everywhere instead of this baby computer that costs 1000 dollars or more. I wonder if they still have phones like that somewhere?
Thanks for all your feedback.
Sorry for the delay in reply... I have been offline for a few weeks and only just returned.
Can I check is a Burner phone the same as the OLD or initial Mobile type "Pay as you go phones" ? That I am sure many of us may still have or have sold on or dissposed off. such as Sony or Nokia .
I found this website that refers to Burner phones that I need to try to read and try to understand.
QuoteWhat Is a Burner Phone, and When Should You Use One?
Tim Brookes
@timbrookes and Chris Hoffman
Feb 17, 2021, 6:40 am EST | 6 min read
A hand holding an old feature phone.
Tacio Philip Sansonovski/Shutterstock.com
A "burner phone" is a cheap, prepaid mobile phone that you can destroy or discard when you no longer need it. In popular media, criminals often use burner phones to evade detection by authorities. You might use a burner phone for privacy reasons, as a last resort, or during an emergency.
A "burner SIM" is a related term, and refers to a cheap, prepaid SIM card that you can insert into another phone. You may plan on only using the SIM card for a limited period of time and not linking it to your real identity.
What Is a Burner?
A burner phone is a cheap, prepaid mobile phone that the owner generally doesn't intend to use long term. These phones have traditionally been purchased with cash to avoid any kind of paper trail that would tie the phone number to an individual.
The term was popularized in the hit 2002 HBO series The Wire, where "burners" were used to avoid detection by authorities. Once a number was suspected of being compromised, the device was discarded or "burned" so that the trail would go cold.
Since the rise of iPhones and Android devices, burners are more commonly referred to as "feature phones" or "dumb phones," since the smartphones of today didn't exist in the early 2000s. While the term "burner phone" is still common, SIM cards could also be used in such a manner.
Instead of purchasing an entirely new device, a burner SIM can be used in a smartphone to switch between numbers for a variety of reasons. Some smartphones can even accommodate more than one SIM at a time for this purpose.
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With that in mind, some of the applications of a burner phone rely solely on having a second dedicated device you can use.
Why Would You Use a Burner?
You might use a burner phone or a SIM to protect your identity. If you can manage to procure a handset or SIM card that isn't linked to your real-world identity, you can use the number without the risk of being identified.
There are all sorts of reasons that someone might want to remain anonymous. Maybe you're phoning in an anonymous tip to an employer. Maybe you would like to use a secure messaging service like Signal or Telegram without disclosing your primary phone number.
Maybe you're trying to avoid giving your main phone number to marketers who will likely send you follow-up messages—like when you're viewing a real estate listing or looking for insurance quotes.
Since burner phones are feature phones, they are severely limited in their abilities. Most lack cameras or access to a modern browser, and are instead limited to phone calls and text messaging. Since they are relatively lightweight devices, they have excellent battery life, too.
Many such devices will last for days on a single charge, and sometimes even months if you use the battery sparingly. This makes burner phones ideal for use in an emergency. They are often found in emergency survival kits since they can be charged and turned off until they are required. A burner phone is a spare phone with long battery life that doesn't need an expensive cell phone plan—what's not to like?
RELATED: Signal vs. Telegram: Which Is the Best Chat App?
A Burner Doesn't Guarantee Anonymity
If you're buying a burner phone for privacy reasons that extend beyond simply using the number to send anonymous Signal messages or avoiding spam, be aware that no cell phone provides you with true anonymity.
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It's all about your "threat model"—what threats are you trying to protect your privacy from?
Just think about the process of getting a burner phone from the store. Let's say that you drive to a store, buy the burner phone with a credit card, drive home, and turn it on.
In the process of this: If you took your normal phone with you, your cellular carrier will know that you were at the store at the time the phone was purchased. License plate cameras on the route may have captured your license plate and recorded your movements. A camera in the store may have recorded you buying the phone. Your credit card company will have a record of you buying the phone. When you turn the phone on at home, the cellular carrier your phone uses will have a pretty good idea of where your home address is.
And if you carry your burner phone and normal phone at the same time and both are powered on, anyone looking at cellular phone records can get a pretty good idea that those phones are owned by the same person.
Yes, that's a lot of ways that you could be traced by an adversary with serious resources. If you're really trying to evade government authorities—well, good luck. You'll need it.
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On the other hand, if you just want a new phone number that isn't directly and easily linked to your identity by the companies you deal with and the people you call, that'll do just fine.
And if you're not looking for anonymity and just want a secondary cell phone with long battery life for use in emergencies, this doesn't really matter.
RELATED: Can Anyone Really Track My Phone's Precise Location?
Where to Get a Burner Phone or SIM
Convenience stores and electronic retailers will sell prepaid SIM cards and burner phones. Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and other similar stores will have a good selection of cheap devices or SIM-only plans that allow you to call and text, and not much else. You can often buy prepaid SIM cards from corner stores like 7-Eleven and drugstores like Rite Aid.
You should expect to pay between $10 and $50 for a cheap burner, depending on the features you want. Plans start at around $10, but ultimately, it depends on your intended usage. Most burners are used purely for texting and calling, and any additional features on top of that (touchscreens, cameras, etc.) may be surplus to requirement and a waste of battery life.
Nokia 110
Nokia
The Nokia 110 is a simple 2G feature phone that provides up to 14 hours of talk on a single charge. The BLU Z5 is similarly priced and even has a camera. The Nokia 1.3 is one of the most "advanced" cheap handsets, though it will cost you around $100 and runs Android 10.
A Cheap Burner Phone
Nokia 110 2G Unlocked Phone
The Nokia 110 is a simple feature phone that only supports 2G cellular networks. (But you might want to buy one at a store with cash for maximum anonymity rather than ordering it online.)
Amazon
$79.00
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If you're really looking for anonymity, how far you want to go in anonymizing your purchase is up to you. You could ask someone else to buy it for you, or ask them to purchase you a gift card, which you then might use to buy the phone. You could also use cash in person. For the sake of anonymity, you probably want to avoid using your credit or debit card, so purchasing from an online retailer is probably not the best idea.
If you're only purchasing a burner to throw into a survival kit or to keep in the car for emergencies, you can comb the web for the best deals without worrying about privacy implications. Amazon, eBay, or your preferred local service provider are great places to start.
What About Google Voice and Other Services?
If you're simply looking for a second number that you can use to call and text from a computer, or to use with a service like Signal or Telegram, consider VoIP services. Google Voice, Skype, and other internet telephony providers can give you a number that you can use for basic texting and calling.
Google Voice only works in the U.S., but it's free and easy to sign up for. You can register a new Google Account to use with your new number and take precautions like hiding your IP address using a VPN. Other providers exist, but they will likely charge you for a number (and that may require linking your card).
Google Voice
Google
RELATED: What Is a VPN, and Why Would I Need One?
Burn After Reading
If you're using a burner for privacy reasons, make sure that you take appropriate steps to distance your identity from your purchase. If your interest in a burner is purely for emergency or backup use, make sure that you charge the phone before you stow it (and consider an AA battery charger).
Wondering how you can charge your burner while away from a power outlet? Learn how to charge your phone in the middle of nowhere. If you're wondering how police have tackled this phenomenon in the past, consider watching The Wire.
https://www.howtogeek.com/712588/what-is-a-burner-phone-and-when-should-you-use-one/
Quote from: astr0144 on January 28, 2022, 02:12:44 AM
Can I check is a Burner phone the same as the OLD or initial Mobile type "Pay as you go phones" ?
I think it is, as those "pay as you go" phones are not connected to and dependent on a contract you have to sign.
Based on the Portuguese case (we were the first country to have prepaid SIM cards that you could buy and use on a phone or a USB Internet device), when you buy one of those it comes with, for example, 60 minutes of use of data transfer (either SMSs or talk), and if you need more you can "top it up" by making a payment to a specific account.
That extra payment could connect you to the SIM card, but if you only use it until it runs out of time there is no direct you of connection the user to the card.
But as that article points out, it's relatively easy for the governmental authorities to get enough information to get an idea of who the use is, if they are not careful.
Its seeming that it is actually quite hard to TRY to remain anominous or make any sort of phone call in private..
and if it is possible... I think one really does need to know what steps to take and how best to go about it.
Its seems that you almost have to act like a Secret service type operative ! and I dont think most of us do not qualify to be able to do this !
The only way that I THINK may be possible... is with a Network company called Giff Gaff (G.G) ..
where you can obtain a Sim Card Pack in numerous types of shops / garages etc where they are sold.
and all you need to do then is pay for a Voucher or Card that offers to allow you to put credit on it.. where you can pay for that IN CASH (Dont use a Debit or Credit card or pay online as you will be giving your identity away)
then once you have paid in cash... you can go online somewhere in a WIFI ZONE... Certainly not from your home location....
and then log into GGs website and there is a webpage where you can enter a voucher number that is shown on the Paper Voucher or receipt that you paid for..and then your sim becomes automatically active.
The problem then is where you make the phone calls from...
which as you indicated... it needs to be in quite a busy area... but some where hopefully find a bit of a quite area to allow yourself to think and talk and listen...
Other wise if you are in a low activity area .. I think that calls could be what they describe as triangulated from the closest 3 microwave dishes that receives that mobile signals that can relate to ones phone activity...
and then the other thing is... you need to try to be aware of CCTV... even when buying your sim or Voucher as I am sure that they could track that... you may need to be in disguise when purchasing..
WEARING MASKS may actually be useful in this case ! :)
Although one maybe best using any other form of mask... such as a monkey or Boris Mask ! :)
Quote from: ArMaP on January 29, 2022, 01:43:53 PM
I think it is, as those "pay as you go" phones are not connected to and dependent on a contract you have to sign.
Based on the Portuguese case (we were the first country to have prepaid SIM cards that you could buy and use on a phone or a USB Internet device), when you buy one of those it comes with, for example, 60 minutes of use of data transfer (either SMSs or talk), and if you need more you can "top it up" by making a payment to a specific account.
That extra payment could connect you to the SIM card, but if you only use it until it runs out of time there is no direct you of connection the user to the card.
But as that article points out, it's relatively easy for the governmental authorities to get enough information to get an idea of who the use is, if they are not careful.
Quote from: astr0144 on January 29, 2022, 08:40:17 PM
Its seeming that it is actually quite hard to TRY to remain anominous or make any sort of phone call in private..
Privacy is getting harder to find...
QuoteOther wise if you are in a low activity area .. I calls could what they describe as triangulated from the closest 3 microwave dishes that receives that mobile signals that can relate to ones phone activity...
With
cell phones it's even easier, as the phone works inside a "cell", so the network knows which cell your phone is, then the triangulation using cells can give a very precise location.
Quoteand then the other thing is... you need to try to be aware of CCTV... even when buying your sim or Voucher as I am sure that they could track that... you you may need to be in disguise when purchasing..
That's a problem we do not have much in Portugal (yet), few stores have CCTV cameras. The only places I have always seen CCTV cameras being used are the shops run by Chinese, as they usually get relatively large locations and have only one person near the entrance, so they have several cameras through the store.
WEARING MASKS may actually be useful in this case ! :)
Although one maybe best using any other form of mask... such as a monkey or Boris Mask ! :)
[/quote]
Quote from: ArMaP on January 29, 2022, 08:49:25 PM
Privacy is getting harder to find...
I am Not sure about what you describe... where you describe the the Cell phone works inside a Cell.
can you try to explain in a bit more detail...
Are not most or all Mobile phones classed as Cell Phones ?
Had a quick look at some of the info on this website
but im not sure I fully understand it.. I posted the content below that I managed to copy without accepting the cookies...
It does suggest that Cell phones are a form of / or is a Mobile phone.. but its to do with the signal that deals with the transmissions of the calls... it seemed to make some ref to radio signals.. and certain types of masts..
that may operates in smaller location areas and somehow be able to also link to major network masts.
is this different from microwave type signals ...or still just a form of an Electro mag wave signal.
https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-cell-phone-577492
With cell phones it's even easier, as the phone works inside a "cell", so the network knows which cell your phone is, then the triangulation using cells can give a very precise location.
LUCKY YOU ! and your population...
In the UK.. CCTV is NOW to me an utter Night mare... maybe almost 2nd to China.
There are quite a few TV programs in the uk that refer a lot to CCTV activity.. be it for general crime on the streets...and Cities..
To quite some detail how thiefs steal from shops and the security that try to catch them or monitor them..
where some stores have 20 cameras or more.watching everything that they do from most angles..
and Yet they they may still claim that many still get away with it..
and for many who get caught if its under 200 GBPs worth of goods... they get away without being fined.
also in some cases if they call the Police and they dont turn up within maybe 2 to 4 hrs they have to let the theifs go !
That's a problem we do not have much in Portugal (yet), few stores have CCTV cameras. The only places I have always seen CCTV cameras being used are the shops run by Chinese, as they usually get relatively large locations and have only one person near the entrance, so they have several cameras through the store.
WEARING MASKS may actually be useful in this case ! :)
Although one maybe best using any other form of mask... such as a monkey or Boris Mask ! :)
QuoteA cellphone is any portable telephone that uses cellular network technology to make and receive calls. The name comes from the cell-like structure of these networks. There is some confusion about cellphones being classified differently from smartphones. Still technically, every mobile phone, from the latest Android handset to the simplest feature phone, is a cellphone. It's all about the technology used to transmit your calls, rather than what the handset itself can or cannot do. As long as a phone can send a signal to a cellular network, it's a cellphone.
Getting the Terms Right
The term "cellphone" is interchangeable with the terms "cellular phone" and "mobile phone." They all mean the same thing. The term "smartphone" means a cellphone that offers advanced features beyond calls, SMS messages, and basic organizer software. When people talk about mobile phones, "cellphone" is typically used to describe a simple feature phone. In contrast, "smartphone" describes advanced touch-screen phones.
History of Cellphones
Motorola developed the first commercially available cellphone between 1973 and 1983 and went on sale in the U.S. early in 1984. This giant 28-ounce cellphone, called the DynaTAC 8000x, cost $3,995 and needed to be charged after just 30 minutes of use. The DynaTAC 8000x is almost unrecognizable as a cellphone when compared to the devices we use today.
It's estimated that more than 6 billion cellphones (including smartphones) were in use at the end of 2020.
This video file cannot be played.(Error Code: 102630)
Why Are They Called Smartphones?
Cellular Networks
A cellular network, which gives cellphones their name, is comprised of cellular masts or towers distributed across the country in a grid-like pattern. Each mast covers a relatively small region of the grid, usually around 10 square miles, called a cell. Large mobile phone carriers, such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, erect and use their own cellular towers and control the level of cellular coverage they can provide. Cellular providers don't own all the land their towers are on; instead, large companies often lease the land from the owners. In turn, the large carriers often allow smaller regional carriers to use their towers for a fee.
When you make a call on a cellphone, the signal travels through the air to the nearest mast or tower. Then it's relayed to a switching network and finally on to the handset of the person you are calling via the mast closest to them. Suppose you're making a call while traveling in a moving vehicle, for example. In that case, you may quickly move from the range of one cell tower to the range of another. No two adjoining cells use the same frequency to avoid interference, but the transition between cellular mast areas is usually seamless.
Cellular Coverage
In some countries, cellular coverage is available almost anywhere if you're with one of the large national carriers—in theory. As you might expect, cellular coverage in highly populated areas is usually better than coverage in rural or sparsely populated areas. If you're thinking of changing your carrier, research its coverage in your local area first.
Cellular masts in cities are often close together, sometimes only a few hundred feet apart, because buildings and other structures can interfere with the signal. In open areas, the distance between masts may be several miles because there are no buildings or other structures to disrupt the radio waves. If the cellular signal is weak (rather than nonexistent), consumers can buy a cellular repeater or network extender, both of which can amplify and boost a weak signal.
FAQ
What does it mean when a cellphone is unlocked?
Unlocked phones work with any cellular provider, unlike locked phones that you must use with a particular carrier. While unlocked cellphones come with the freedom to choose your service provider, you can only select carriers that use compatible mobile phone technologies such as GSM or CDMA.
How do you block a number on your cellphone?
To block a number on your Android device, select the number from the Phone app and look for a Block or Block/report spam option. If your Android phone allows it, you can also block all unknown numbers from Phone > Settings > Blocked numbers > Unknown. On iOS, select a number in the Phone app and choose Block this caller or silence all unknown numbers on an iPhone from Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers.
Quote from: astr0144 on January 29, 2022, 09:48:17 PM
I am Not sure about what you describe... where you describe the the Cell phone works inside a Cell.
can you try to explain in a bit more detail...
Are not most or all Mobile phones classed as Cell Phones ?
All mobile phones today (excluding the rare satellite phones) are cellphones.
As the quote you posted says, they are "cell" phones because the telephone networks they use are called "cellular networks", with the network divided in "cells", each cell taking care of the transmissions in its area, receiving the calls made inside it and transmitting the calls from other phones to the ones inside it.
The cells are independent from each other, they take care of the calls and messages that happen inside their range.
Thanks for your more simplified explanation ArMaP...
I think I better understand now how it basically works ! :)
Quote from: ArMaP on January 30, 2022, 01:01:25 AM
All mobile phones today (excluding the rare satellite phones) are cellphones.
As the quote you posted says, they are "cell" phones because the telephone networks they use are called "cellular networks", with the network divided in "cells", each cell taking care of the transmissions in its area, receiving the calls made inside it and transmitting the calls from other phones to the ones inside it.
The cells are independent from each other, they take care of the calls and messages that happen inside their range.