The researchers have uncovered the fact that particular models of the 1100 can be reprogrammed using specially-designed hacking software to employ another person’s telephone number and receive their SMS messages. This presents a particular risk for consumers in countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, where banks use one-time passwords dubbed mTAN (mobile Transaction Authentication Number) sent to an individual’s mobile phone to confirm and secure internet banking transactions.
A hacked Nokia 1100 mobile can thus intercept the mTAN sent via SMS to an individual’s number, an information which – used in conjunction with the same person’s login details and password for the banking website – can compromise the person’s online banking account definitively.
Ultrascan, the company which carried out the research, used a Nokia 1100 phone coupled with the original software criminals use to reprogram the phone and managed to successfully reprogram the 1100 terminal and intercept an mTAN. However, the company needs to carry out additional tests to determine whether the attack can be executed repeatedly.
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