The Cell Seizure Investigation (CSI) stick defines its target group in its name—it’s meant to capture and investigate data on mobile phones, for forensic and other investigators.
It’s a small stick that plugs into the data or charging port of a cellphone and can then copy all the data stored in phone memory—messages, contacts, images, emails, multimedia messages, call logs, deleted content that hasn’t been overwritten, and so on. The user can select which of these should be copied.
To connect to multiple models, CSI Stick comes with ‘cell phone tips’, which are connectors for different models of mobile phones. Currently, tips are available for several Motorola and Samsung models, and will be available for other major manufacturers and models soon.
Once the copying is done, it can be used in conjunction with proprietary desktop software to read and analyze the captured data. The Stick plugs into a computer’s USB port for this.
Though the device has real and wide applicability in the field of forensics and investigation, it also poses an equally real threat to the security of the data on your cell phone.
If you are in the habit of leaving your phone unattended in your office drawer or at a social gathering, there is a potential threat of somebody using this device to get at your personal data. The device leaves no trace behind—you will never know if somebody has copied the data on your phone.
Many situations can be envisaged where the device could be used—keeping tabs on someone, monitoring usage, employers keeping an eye on employees’ mobile phone data, especially where sensitive data is concerned.
CSI Stick is available on the manufacturer, Paraben’s website at $199. This includes the Stick itself, a charging unit, and three ‘tips’ for Motorola and Samsung phones, plus a carrying case. The software to read cell phone data on the computer has to be purchased separately.
Since it has been launched recently, the device hasn’t seen widespread usage yet. However, it is a potential threat and one more reason for not leaving your cell phone unattended, or loaning into little known acquaintances, even for brief periods of time.
