topic Re: Huawei in Discussions & Feedback

Huawei security

JerryBilt — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 13:11:13 GMT

In response to the latest article about Huawei on most news websites, do I approach O2 and complain they sold me an insecure device (P10)?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-46453425

Re: Huawei

Cleoriff — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 12:51:51 GMT

Hi @JerryBilt

Personally I don't think it's O2 you need to complain to. These devices are available worldwide and other networks supplied them in good faith. They certainly wouldn't have been aware of BT's plans

If you are within the 14 day cooling off period then swap it out or return it if you wish

https://www.o2.co.uk/help/phones-sims-and-devices/our-change-of-mind-policy

@EmilieTcould you tag @Chris_K so he can comment on this?

Re: Huawei

JerryBilt — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 13:22:13 GMT

A couple of things:
1. Huawei have been suspected for a while now. But the information was not in the public domain. The industry (That's O2 and others) were all aware of the possibility that they were insecure. Yet, they still sold their products. Due diligence?
2. The BT story is simply the natural progression to the rumpours now that security of the network is a discussion topic and in the public domain because of 5G. So, my point about the industry always knowing about Huawei insecurity is now common knowledge.
3. Your "personally" comment is not what I want to hear. I want to hear an official statement from your employers.
4. I'm within 9 months of the end of a two year contract. I don't want to be penalised by paying the early settlement fee if the mobile I am purchasing is the slightest bit suspect and needs to be changed early.

Re: Huawei

MI5 — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 13:35:27 GMT

@JerryBilt

This isn't O2 and no one is employed on here.

We are all customers like yourself.

I'd suggest you contact O2 directly http://www.o2.co.uk/contactus

Re: Huawei

JerryBilt — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 13:38:13 GMT

OK, thanks. I hadn't appreciated that, considering the very close links to the O2 domain and all your O2 awards.

Re: Huawei

Cleoriff — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 13:38:59 GMT

@JerryBilt wrote:
A couple of things:
1. Huawei have been suspected for a while now. But the information was not in the public domain. The industry (That's O2 and others) were all aware of the possibility that they were insecure. Yet, they still sold their products. Due diligence?
2. The BT story is simply the natural progression to the rumpours now that security of the network is a discussion topic and in the public domain because of 5G. So, my point about the industry always knowing about Huawei insecurity is now common knowledge.
3. Your "personally" comment is not what I want to hear. I want to hear an official statement from your employers.
4. I'm within 9 months of the end of a two year contract. I don't want to be penalised by paying the early settlement fee if the mobile I am purchasing is the slightest bit suspect and needs to be changed early.

With reference to the comment I've highlighted in red. that won't be possible on here or from me. This is a community forum made up of O2 members just like yourself. I'm not employed by O2 or anyone else for that matter

If you wish to make this official then google the name and address of the CEO for O2 and direct your comments to him..

This isn't the place if you want answers.

Re: Huawei security

viridis — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:01:23 GMT

Isn't this whole Huawei thing like common knowledge?
They were banned by FCC for US sale for years, are still in investigation with MI6 (no, not MI5s brother, the real one) for security concerns, and is pretty much accepted that they have more backdoors than (insert innuendo here)
This isn't a new thing, this is just yet another step in a very long ongoing issue.

Re: Huawei security

gmarkj — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:06:44 GMT

Confused.com
The article linked refers to commercial equipment (mast/antenna/etc).
The OP refers to a handset.
Aren't the two unrelated (apart from the mobile connection part)?
Also, unless the handset is actually faulty (or develops a fault) the only issue could be with data contained - most of which goes to/from google?

Re: Huawei security

JerryBilt — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:12:24 GMT

Aren't you coming at it from the point of view of an interested party. In that you contribute to the forums regularly. Plus you have a very prestigious gold badge ;-).
For the rest of us who don't have such a deep understanding or feel the need to be on top of the tech news all the time, this IS news to us!

Re: Huawei security

JerryBilt — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:14:53 GMT

Fair point. The commercial equipment is different.
But, can anyone say with absolute certainty today, that mobiles manufactured and sold by Huawei are not subject to the same suspicions?

Re: Huawei security

gmarkj — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:22:18 GMT

With that in mind, how can we tell that about any company?
Particularly manufacturers that have an overlay on Android....

Re: Huawei security

JerryBilt — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:27:56 GMT

I've been doing some more digging.
Huawei equipment supplied with an extra chip not specified in the design.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/20**Personal info**/the-big-hack-how-china-used-a-tiny-chip-to-infiltrate-america-s-top-companies?cmpid=socialflow-twitter-businessweek

Re: Huawei security

sheepdog — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:27:15 GMT

And there lies the problem, in the minds of most if the networking equipment is "compromised" then it follows suit that the consumer division is also in the same position. As for suspected for a long time, well practically all offshored manufacturing has been suspect in what they can apply "out of sight" but because of the cost, the risk v profit is in favour of the latter. No surprises really this is becoming more of an issue but thats another debate over outsourcing and labour costs.

I did post something a while back, but search for Cisco and CIA intercepts to see how far this goes for compromising equipment regardless of where its end destination is.

Also, Google is just as bad as is Apple as is Facebook as is...but there will always be the issue of security and who owns what and what use is the data no matter what the equipment is.

Sheepdog in 'post-it pad and pencil' mode

Re: Huawei security

Cleoriff — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:28:08 GMT

@JerryBilt wrote:
I've been doing some more digging.
Huawei equipment supplied with an extra chip not specified in the design.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/20**Personal info**/the-big-hack-how-china-used-a-tiny-chip-to-infiltrate-america-s-top-companies?cmpid=socialflow-twitter-businessweek

@JerryBiltThat link doesn't work. The forum filter has removed some of it...

Re: Huawei security

viridis — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:31:54 GMT

To be fair, my gold badge is self created, I did believe my signature does explain it.

In regards to Huawei, it might be more knowledgeable to myself due to online activity, but... The news of their security issues has not been one only seen on tech sites, BBC, sky, itv etc etc have all ran stories regarding this. But..
It's up to the customer to research their purchases, especially with such high value items.
As for myself, would I have an issue buying a Huawei?
No, probably not.
Most news regarding tech security is based on findings using "what it's, possibles and potentially" and most findings will never see the light of day.

Re: Huawei security

JerryBilt — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:33:26 GMT

Yes, I checked after I posted it and the link failed. Might have something to do with being a subscriber to Bloomberg?

Suggest Googling "The big hack how China used a tiny chip"

Re: Huawei security

MI5 — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:34:44 GMT

Try this https://tinyurl.com/ycywjdmo

Re: Huawei security

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:32:15 GMT

This article is worth reading, as it might help to put any perceived risks into some perspective.

Mind you, it rather depends on how paranoid you are to begin with