Mobile Phone Forensics - Article Example

Introduction. Mobile phones are essential devices that assist in making day to day communication. In the world today, more than 80% of individuals own mobile phones from various manufacturing companies. Since the establishment of the communication gadgets, the mobile phone sector has experienced a series of developments and evolution as a result of innovations and creativity and therefore introducing unique and enhanced features in each generation. (Bruijn 2009). There have been four generations of mobile phones, starting with the 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G.

The reason for the evolution of the wireless generations is the advancement and incorporation of consumer’s needs. With the consequent development, there has been exponential growth in the use of services, hence utilizing the available bandwidth in the universe (Bruijn 2009). First generation mobile phones were meant for voice services as well as analog based protocols. With the advancement in technology, the second generation wireless network was designed for voice services, improved capacity as coverage and also included the first digital standards: GSM and CDMA.

The significant advancement in the third generation was the provision for data consideration. The third generation mobile phones were designed for voice with some data consideration, for instance, text, internet and multimedia and the mobile broadband speed was relatively higher. The present generation of mobile phones is the fourth generation wireless network. It is designed specifically for data. It also incorporates IP-based protocols, (LTE) as well as true mobile broadband. These improvements have also been made due to the need for speed in kilobits per second because of the rising number of mobile phone users.

(Barnes 2011). First generation mobile phones could clock at least 2.4kbps with the second generation clocking at 64kbps. With the continuous increase in the number of users, there was an upgrade in third generation mobile phones to at least 2000kbps and currently the fourth generation mobile phones hit 100000kbps (Glotz 2005). In the fourth generation technologies, Most carriers that employ the use of orthogonal frequency division Multiplexing, (OFDM) quote their services under 4th generation.

According to the International Telecommunication Union, mobile devices need to have the ability to exchange data at 100mb/sec to be classified under 4G network. Long Term Evolution, (LTE) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, WiMAX are other technologies in the fourth generation (Glotz 2005). SIM cards are used along with the GSM devices. They have an integrated circuit meant to store securely the International Mobile Subscriber Identity, IMSI. SIM cards are used in identification as well as authentication of mobile users.

Their design is convenient, and therefore they can be interchanged or transferred to various mobile devices. SIM cards also contain unique serial identities and numbers , ICCID , International Mobile Subscriber Identity, IMSI, security authentication and partial data related to the local network as well as the list of subscribed services by the user and two access passwords to enhance security: the PIN , personal identification number and PUK, personal unblocking code for unlocking the PIN (Bruijn 2009).

SIM cards are used as a primary tool in forensics. They store the network state data that is received from the Local Area Identity. Carrier systems are split into location areas, each having a particular LAI numeral. When the device shifts locations, it saves the new LAI and automatically sends it to the linked operator network along its new location. This data can be used to locate individuals using the device by forensics. (Fadia 2006) In conclusion, forensics should update their tools to provide legal examiners solutions to the new and current technological advancements.

ReferencesBarnes, M. (2011). Mobile phones technology, networks, and user issues. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Nova Science Publisher's.Bruijn, M. (2009). Mobile phones the new talking drums of everyday Africa. Cameroon: Langaa ;.Fadia, A. (2006). Hacking mobile phones. Boston, MA: Thomson Course Technology.