LTE only mode threat model

Conjure6589

My personal threat model is keeping my data from big tech companies as much as I can. From what I can gather after reading up on it in the usage section, it sounds like it makes phone calls more secure but I'm not 100% certain on that assumption. Does switching my phone to LTE only mode help with my threat model in any way?

matchboxbananasynergy

Conjure6589 Hi there!

Your assumption would be incorrect. LTE-only mode makes it so you're only using LTE (also known as 4G).

It disables 2G, 3G and 5G. This reduces attack surface, but it doesn't make carrier texts or calls any more secure. They're still unencrypted.

If you'd like to communicate in a private manner, I would recommend using a messaging app that supports end-to-end encryption like Signal.

I hope that helps! If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to reach out.

Standardwaste

matchboxbananasynergy If I might ask, what would be the benefits of enabling 'LTE only'? I had read it is slightly more secure than 3g and 5g, but is it not still susceptible to MITM attacks such as 'stingray' devices in the united states? I looked into this topic briefly and read some reports that 5g actually increased attack surface, but 4g is still not secure.

AtriumCompound

Standardwaste My crude understanding is that 2G and 3G rely on a lot of legacy code and 5G relies on a lot newer, less battle tested code, both of which are a security risk. By disabling 2G, 3G, and 5G with LTE only mode you thereby improve your security purely by not allowing the code that powers those connections to run. 2G and 3G are also less secure than 4G/LTE due to weak encryption and shouldn't be used (a lot of countries have or are phasing out 2G and 3G networks).

katemason

Standardwaste I understand that fake mobile mast can be imitated by bad actor outside your home. Your phone connects to 2G, 3G it and they can listen in.

strcat

LTE is also almost universally available in countries with decent cellular networks. 2G is largely shut down and 3G is being shut down. 5G is still being rolled out and doesn't have the same coverage as 4G yet. We could add a 5G only mode option at some point though.

abcZ

Certain implementations of 5G are very short range and can provide the carrier with very accurate location awareness. In other words, one of the foundational purposes of 5G is to reduce your security.

Now looking past security for a moment, a very compelling reason to disable some of the older technologies is that each additional radio scheme increases the power consumption, so if you want to save on battery, LTE only mode is ideal.

Personally, I have it set to 3G+/LTE since my network is just a bit too spotty with LTE only.