GPS tracking device found on an activist's car
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GPS tracking device found on an activist's car
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Re: GPS tracking device found on an activist's car
#2Re: GPS tracking device found on an activist's car
#3I guess it's a sad world when I breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing that this didn't take place in the US.
I like how the agency gummed over the chip silkscreens so you can't see what chips they're using. Even though it's obvious that one is flash, another is a GPS module, and the third is the micro. And it appears that some scraping will show you the part numbers anyway. Amateur hour.
Re: GPS tracking device found on an activist's car
#4Very few companies produce GPS chips. Most devices that include GPS capability do not bother to reinvent the wheel, but instead elect to integrate an existing GPS processing chip. It's unlikely the GPS module is integrated with the processor core of this thing. Since it is likely separate, it would be fun to probe the PCB with a logic analyzer to see if there are any exposed serial (or possibly I2C, SPI) traces relaying the NMEA sentences[1] from the GPS module to the processor. If so, false locations could presented by severing the traces and soldering on a synthetic serial (or I2C, SPI) feed at the right logic level (probably 3.3V), from a microcontroller or computer. The hacked feed could even read a real-time clock to "play back" a stored path of locations every day. Attaching an external data feed is likely as simple as dragging a box cutter over the right traces (data, ground) to disrupt them, and then soldering on some 30 gauge wire to the same traces (after sanding off the soldermask and silkscreen). Since most GPS modules output constantly without any control lines, so there may not even be a control scheme to reverse engineer.
Note to those designing trackers: if you want to make it difficult, use a board with internal layers and keep the GPS nets on the interior of the board. Doesn't make splicing impossible[2], but it would up the difficulty.
1. http://aprs.gids.nl/nmea/ 2. http://www.circuitrework.com/guides/4-2-6.shtml
Re: GPS tracking device found on an activist's car
#5soon these will be built in, a great win for humanity.
Re: GPS tracking device found on an activist's car
#6Uh, any smart phone? Many/most of us are being tracked.
Re: GPS tracking device found on an activist's car
#7Better call Saul
Re: GPS tracking device found on an activist's car
#8Very few companies produce GPS chips. Most devices that include GPS capability do not bother to reinvent the wheel, but instead elect to integrate an existing GPS processing chip. It's unlikely the GPS module is integrated with the processor core of this thing. Since it is likely separate, it would be fun to probe the PCB with a logic analyzer to see if there are any exposed serial (or possibly I2C, SPI) traces relay…
The enterprising hacker could always use a LabSat[1] device to play back a bogus GPS trace. No physical connection to the board is required.
Re: GPS tracking device found on an activist's car
#9It would be interesting to figure out where the data is being sent. It could probably be done in a variety of ways (JTAG? Replace the SIM card and setup a fake GSM base station? Check your local laws...).
It would be pretty ironic if they routed through Tor...
Re: GPS tracking device found on an activist's car
#10Very few companies produce GPS chips. Most devices that include GPS capability do not bother to reinvent the wheel, but instead elect to integrate an existing GPS processing chip. It's unlikely the GPS module is integrated with the processor core of this thing. Since it is likely separate, it would be fun to probe the PCB with a logic analyzer to see if there are any exposed serial (or possibly I2C, SPI) traces relay…
Aw man I loved your comment right up to the point where you gave people a suggestion on how to make better surveillance tech :(