International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers are eavesdropping devices that are being used for intercepting mobile phone traffic and tracking the movement of smartphone users. The guys over at Techopedia have a slightly more detailed explanation: Security experts have discovered security flaws that could allow hackers to listen to private calls and read text messages by using IMSI catchers or ‘stingrays’. So if you are concerned about these things, the new SnoopSnitch can detect IMSI catchers and warn smartphone users if their devices are giving up their personal information. Besides intercepting traffic and tracking the movement, hackers can use this loophole to even manipulate the device remotely. The app uses data contributed by other users, if you will upload your measurement results or security events, you will help improve the data base and support future research, informs Security Research Labs. While SnoopSnitch will prove to be especially useful in business environments, as regular consumers become more wary of their privacy, it will definitely find adoption among them, as well.
