Stuff You Should Know Phone Phreaking: The Advent of Hacking
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Jul 23, 2024 Dive into the fascinating world of phone phreaking, where early hackers manipulated telephone systems like today's internet wizards. Discover creative techniques used by pioneers, including the story of a blind hacker with perfect pitch. Explore the colorful underground culture, complete with blue and red boxes, and meet legendary figures like Cap'n Crunch. The rise of phone phreaking resulted in a community driven by curiosity and ingenuity. Learn how this quirky subculture laid the groundwork for today's digital hacking landscape.
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Phone System Vulnerability
- The pre-computer phone system, based on manual switchboards and later automatic switches, had a vulnerability.
- Freakers exploited the system by mimicking tones used by automatic switches to route calls.
Exploiting the 2600 Hertz Tone
- By mimicking tones, freakers could trick the phone system.
- A specific 2600 hertz tone signaled an on-hook phone, allowing freakers to make free long-distance calls.
Early Phone Phreaking
- Joe Ingricia, a blind man, used perfect pitch to whistle specific tones and hack the phone system.
- Others used tools like the Cap'n Crunch whistle, which emitted the 2600 hertz tone.