Covert Reasons to Have a Burner Phone
Not everyone wants to be found.
Social media and monitoring is everywhere - It has become an inescapable part of everyday life.
Calls, texts, messages and emails are all scanned for certain key words and phrases. The Internet is about as public as it is possible to get: Once something is posted online, it's there forever, no matter what you try to remove it.
In opening ourselves up in our online presences, we also allow access to information that we would rather not allow anyone access to, yet by using Google, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo! and countless online services, we accept that these companies and their advertisers have unrestricted access to all of this information.
Facebook wants to use all of your personal information and use it: Why do you think that Facebook is free to use?
Your movements around the Internet are all monitored, not just by companies eager to profile you and your browsing/shopping habits, but also by various Governments who want/need to monitor internet traffic for security - or nefarious - reasons.
Having a basic mobile phone seriously limits the information that you inadvertently put out there by using apps and the internet, especially when out and about.
Of course, criminals have long known the value of cheap, "disposable" mobile phones which can be used for a set period of time and then disposed of to help cover their tracks - Burner phones and crime go hand in hand.
Some people may want to keep aspects of their lives separate. I'm sure that many users of the adultery-promoting "dating website" Ashley Madison don't submit their main mobile phone numbers when searching for a hook-up. In a similarly unpleasant vein, I have heard about people taking cheap PAYG phones out with them on a night out - If they have to give out "their" mobile number to someone that they meet, they give out the PAYG number (which of course rings and they can "prove" that they are storing the other person's mobile number in their phone), and then bin the SIM/mobile afterwards.
Many people who want to access porn or other 18+ rated websites will use their mobile to do so, but what if they don't want to risk their browsing history showing up on their computer/tablet - or more embarrassingly - on their Internet Service Provider (ISP) account page?
It is very easy to request browsing history from an ISP, and by using mobile data on a smartphone it is possible to avoid embarrassing internet histories from being discovered.
Also, most British ISPs request that you opt in (or out) of being able to access 18+ rated and adult websites when you sign up, and parental controls can scupper chances of being able to visit such websites (as well as potentially logging which web addresses were attempting to be accessed).
All UK network operators require age verification to be able to access most 18+ rated websites on a mobile using a data connection on their network, which does remove the anonymity - But this doesn't mean that anyone else has to know.
The UK Government (and many others across the world) monitor internet use to protect their citizens from terrorism and organised crime. However, logging IP addresses of computers/devices and network connections (e.g. WiFi) is used extensively to monitor even the most innocent of websites, in case they are being used to organise criminal activities.
Altogether this is a good thing, but surveillance is increasingly becoming too intrusive. Many people wouldn't want any Government to know what they have been doing, no matter how innocent; but the fact remains - Surveillance is ongoing, continuous and almost unavoidable.
Even our search histories are admissible in a Court of Law, and whilst there isn't a Government Department scrutinising every single persons' browsing history 24 hours a day, this information is collated and can be used as evidence in certain circumstances.
Do you really want GCHQ to be able to access every single website and webpage that you have visited?
For all of these privacy and counter-surveillance reasons, having a mobile phone that isn't linked to your personal identity and is only used to access websites using mobile data or public WiFi (without logging in to any websites, e.g. Google) will keep prying eyes away from your browsing history.
It's not all about the Internet, though.
If you want a spare number for whatever reason (nefarious, or otherwise), having a different SIM and mobile number in a burner phone is useful.
For many people. work isn't 9-5, and with more of us not only starting work by checking our smartphones when we wake up and during the evenings, the lines between work and home life are getting increasingly blurred - Having a non-smartphone with a personal number can keep work and home life separate, which is useful if your work annoys or upsets your family.
You can buy dual-SIM mobile phones, but these still link you to your location through your phone and existing/main mobile phone number and WiFi connection at home/work, but for people who want two mobile numbers but don't want to carry two mobile phones, these dual-SIM mobile phones are an option. (Dual-SIM mobiles are not yet commonly available in retail shops in the UK, but they are easily available online. Amazon usually have a good selection.)
Essentially, if you need to keep something private (or secret), having a second mobile phone is essential.
Where to obtain SIM cards.
The easiest option which does not require any form of registration whatsoever is to walk into a local convenience store and buy a network SIM (don't forget a top up as well) using cash. This way, there is no record of you ordering a SIM or buying one, other than CCTV in and around the shop.
Petrol stations, local shops and supermarkets all sell SIM card packs (with instructions), typically for around 99p, making obtaining a "disposable" number and connection very simple and easy.
Pop the SIM into your burner phone, dial a phone number as per the instructions and top up using the printed voucher that you bought from the store and your PAYG account now has credit and is ready to use.
Be aware that most main Mobile Network Operators (EE, O2 and Vodafone) charge at least 30p/minute per call. Texts are priced around 14p each. Mobile data is often very expensive, too - So it's worth checking if you can buy a 30 day bundle of minutes/texts/data (which are heavily discounted in contrast to standard network prices) when you activate the SIM - There should be instructions on how to do this in the SIM pack.
Mobile network operator Three offer one of the UK's cheapest PAYG tariffs (3p/minute, 2p/text, 1p/MB of data), and they do offer an unlimited data bundle that lasts 30 days for £20.
Some shops sell other networks such as Lebara, Delight Mobile, Lyca Mobile and other virtual network SIM cards, which offer excellent rates for calling overseas.
For the best value 30 day bundles and the cheapest PAYG tariffs, you will probably have to go online (and register your personal details) to obtain a great value SIM. If you wish to do this, then there is a great resource of information about tariffs and the best value 30 day bundles (no contracts) available on my sister website here: mobile-networks-uk.weebly.com
Social media and monitoring is everywhere - It has become an inescapable part of everyday life.
Calls, texts, messages and emails are all scanned for certain key words and phrases. The Internet is about as public as it is possible to get: Once something is posted online, it's there forever, no matter what you try to remove it.
In opening ourselves up in our online presences, we also allow access to information that we would rather not allow anyone access to, yet by using Google, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo! and countless online services, we accept that these companies and their advertisers have unrestricted access to all of this information.
Facebook wants to use all of your personal information and use it: Why do you think that Facebook is free to use?
Your movements around the Internet are all monitored, not just by companies eager to profile you and your browsing/shopping habits, but also by various Governments who want/need to monitor internet traffic for security - or nefarious - reasons.
Having a basic mobile phone seriously limits the information that you inadvertently put out there by using apps and the internet, especially when out and about.
Of course, criminals have long known the value of cheap, "disposable" mobile phones which can be used for a set period of time and then disposed of to help cover their tracks - Burner phones and crime go hand in hand.
Some people may want to keep aspects of their lives separate. I'm sure that many users of the adultery-promoting "dating website" Ashley Madison don't submit their main mobile phone numbers when searching for a hook-up. In a similarly unpleasant vein, I have heard about people taking cheap PAYG phones out with them on a night out - If they have to give out "their" mobile number to someone that they meet, they give out the PAYG number (which of course rings and they can "prove" that they are storing the other person's mobile number in their phone), and then bin the SIM/mobile afterwards.
Many people who want to access porn or other 18+ rated websites will use their mobile to do so, but what if they don't want to risk their browsing history showing up on their computer/tablet - or more embarrassingly - on their Internet Service Provider (ISP) account page?
It is very easy to request browsing history from an ISP, and by using mobile data on a smartphone it is possible to avoid embarrassing internet histories from being discovered.
Also, most British ISPs request that you opt in (or out) of being able to access 18+ rated and adult websites when you sign up, and parental controls can scupper chances of being able to visit such websites (as well as potentially logging which web addresses were attempting to be accessed).
All UK network operators require age verification to be able to access most 18+ rated websites on a mobile using a data connection on their network, which does remove the anonymity - But this doesn't mean that anyone else has to know.
The UK Government (and many others across the world) monitor internet use to protect their citizens from terrorism and organised crime. However, logging IP addresses of computers/devices and network connections (e.g. WiFi) is used extensively to monitor even the most innocent of websites, in case they are being used to organise criminal activities.
Altogether this is a good thing, but surveillance is increasingly becoming too intrusive. Many people wouldn't want any Government to know what they have been doing, no matter how innocent; but the fact remains - Surveillance is ongoing, continuous and almost unavoidable.
Even our search histories are admissible in a Court of Law, and whilst there isn't a Government Department scrutinising every single persons' browsing history 24 hours a day, this information is collated and can be used as evidence in certain circumstances.
Do you really want GCHQ to be able to access every single website and webpage that you have visited?
For all of these privacy and counter-surveillance reasons, having a mobile phone that isn't linked to your personal identity and is only used to access websites using mobile data or public WiFi (without logging in to any websites, e.g. Google) will keep prying eyes away from your browsing history.
It's not all about the Internet, though.
If you want a spare number for whatever reason (nefarious, or otherwise), having a different SIM and mobile number in a burner phone is useful.
For many people. work isn't 9-5, and with more of us not only starting work by checking our smartphones when we wake up and during the evenings, the lines between work and home life are getting increasingly blurred - Having a non-smartphone with a personal number can keep work and home life separate, which is useful if your work annoys or upsets your family.
You can buy dual-SIM mobile phones, but these still link you to your location through your phone and existing/main mobile phone number and WiFi connection at home/work, but for people who want two mobile numbers but don't want to carry two mobile phones, these dual-SIM mobile phones are an option. (Dual-SIM mobiles are not yet commonly available in retail shops in the UK, but they are easily available online. Amazon usually have a good selection.)
Essentially, if you need to keep something private (or secret), having a second mobile phone is essential.
Where to obtain SIM cards.
The easiest option which does not require any form of registration whatsoever is to walk into a local convenience store and buy a network SIM (don't forget a top up as well) using cash. This way, there is no record of you ordering a SIM or buying one, other than CCTV in and around the shop.
Petrol stations, local shops and supermarkets all sell SIM card packs (with instructions), typically for around 99p, making obtaining a "disposable" number and connection very simple and easy.
Pop the SIM into your burner phone, dial a phone number as per the instructions and top up using the printed voucher that you bought from the store and your PAYG account now has credit and is ready to use.
Be aware that most main Mobile Network Operators (EE, O2 and Vodafone) charge at least 30p/minute per call. Texts are priced around 14p each. Mobile data is often very expensive, too - So it's worth checking if you can buy a 30 day bundle of minutes/texts/data (which are heavily discounted in contrast to standard network prices) when you activate the SIM - There should be instructions on how to do this in the SIM pack.
Mobile network operator Three offer one of the UK's cheapest PAYG tariffs (3p/minute, 2p/text, 1p/MB of data), and they do offer an unlimited data bundle that lasts 30 days for £20.
Some shops sell other networks such as Lebara, Delight Mobile, Lyca Mobile and other virtual network SIM cards, which offer excellent rates for calling overseas.
For the best value 30 day bundles and the cheapest PAYG tariffs, you will probably have to go online (and register your personal details) to obtain a great value SIM. If you wish to do this, then there is a great resource of information about tariffs and the best value 30 day bundles (no contracts) available on my sister website here: mobile-networks-uk.weebly.com