Phony Identification

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Monty Solomon <monty () roscom com>
Date: October 15, 2006 1:47:03 PM EDT
To: undisclosed-recipient:;
Subject: Phony Identification


PERSPECTIVE

Phony Identification

Caller ID lets us avoid those we deem annoyances. But how annoying is
it when someone spoofs the system?

By Tom Keane  |  September 24, 2006

The number on my Caller ID reads 617-000-0000, and I pick it up,
half-thinking it might be James Bond. A little disappointingly, the
call is from the Suffolk County district attorney's office. Law
enforcement types, apparently, can manipulate the telephone system to
hide their real numbers. It makes sense. There are bad guys out
there, and prosecutors don't necessarily want them phoning back.

Some months later, I get another call from the same number. I answer,
visions of DA Dan Conley with a martini - shaken not stirred - on the
other end. Instead, a recorded message starts up, and I hear a
sonorous voice: "I know we can do better . . ." It's from
gubernatorial candidate Chris Gabrieli. Now I really am disappointed.

Since it was introduced about 20 years ago, Caller ID has evolved
from an amusing gimmick ("Hello, Bill." "How did you know it was
me?!") to a ubiquitous tell-all. At home, we use it to avoid
telemarketers; at work, it lets us hide from annoying customers.
Teenagers love the cellphone feature that creates a different ring
depending on whether one is friend, foe, or, worst of all, Mom or
Dad. Of course, it's possible to block one's identity on a call
(press *67), but many of us have set up our phones to automatically
reject anyone who does. Businesses have taken advantage of the
technology as well. Call from home to activate your new credit card
and there's no need to type in your card number. Phone for a
late-night snack and the pizzeria already knows your name, address,
and, one suspects, whether you tip well or not.

The telephone once allowed us to be nameless, then Caller ID seemed
to change all that.

...

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2006/09/24/ 
phony_identification/



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