Monitoring analog phone calls is a national pastime. Everyone from electronic hobbyists, to shut-ins, to law enforcement, to career industrial spies are involved.
Is it easy to do? Yes, if it is an analog wireless phone. Not so easy, if the phone uses digital modulation. More difficult if spread spectrum modulation is used.
Can specific telephones be targeted? Yes.
Is it legal? No. The point is academic however.
How is it done?
All wireless telephones are basically radio transceivers. Your voice is transmitted through the air on radio waves. You receive the person you are talking with the same way.
Radio waves are not directional. They disperse in all directions. Anyone with the proper radio receiver can listen in.
Radios which can receive analog wireless telephones are readily available. So are books showing phone frequencies and tips on how to listen. Eavesdropping can be accomplished for less than $100.
How can you regain some privacy?
Try not to use wireless phones for confidential calls.
But, if you must... • Always assume someone is listening. Speak accordingly.
• Trade in your old analog cordless phone for a digital one.
• Use a 2.4 or 5.8 GHz, spread spectrum cordless phone instead of an
analog model.
• Use text messaging.
• Don’t attract attention.
• Be aware of your surroundings when you call; an eavesdropper may
be standing nearby.
• Make sure the person you are calling is secure at their end of the call.
• Do not use company names or other identifiers. Use only first names.
Invent codewords for sensitive topics.
• Set up a call-in number to be answered with a simple hello.
• Don't put all the sensitive information into one call.
Break it up between several calls.
• Remind the other person that you are using a wireless phone so they
will be discreet as well.
• Educate others about wireless phone eavesdropping. • Test for leaks. Drop false bits of information into the conversation.
See if they resurface.
• Consider using a pre-paid cell phone - paid for with cash.
• If your discussion is super-secret encryption or speak in-person. • Don’t attract attention. Be vague and uninteresting. • Use only first names. Invent codewords for sensitive topics. • Do not use company names or other identifiers. • Set up a call-in number to be answered with a simple "hello". • Educate others about wireless phone eavesdropping. • Consider adding speech encryption.
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