Cell taps: fact or fiction?

I went to a security conference hosted by the IMMIX group last year. It was held at the Spy Museum here in DC. One fellow’s presentation recounted how he sat with his laptop during the first session compiling a collection of e-mails those around him were receiving on their wireless devices. When stepped up to the podium, he read several, eliciting gasps from the room. Cell phone transmissions and most email devices have no or little security. He had our attention. As to your question, yes, it is more common that you think. Our government, and others, have “listening posts” all over the world to gather intelligence. While we can argue the morality or legality of our government spying on it’s own people, other governments are definitely spying on us. Probably any well-versed geek can do this. Good to keep in mind that cell phone conversations are not very private.