rayhunter
A Rust tool for detecting IMSI catchers (cell-site simulators) on mobile hotspots like the Orbic RC400L.
What is rayhunter?
Rayhunter is an open-source Rust tool that detects IMSI catchers, also known as cell-site simulators or stingrays, which are devices used for cellular surveillance. It runs on mobile hotspots like the Orbic RC400L to identify unauthorized interception of mobile communications. The project focuses on accessibility and reliability to help users protect their privacy against surveillance.
Privacy-conscious individuals, activists, journalists, and security researchers who use mobile hotspots and want to detect potential cellular surveillance.
Rayhunter offers a user-friendly, open-source alternative to commercial detection tools, with a focus on minimizing false positives and supporting multiple devices through community contributions.
Overview
Rust tool to detect cell site simulators on an orbic mobile hotspot
Use Cases
Best For
- Detecting IMSI catchers on Orbic RC400L mobile hotspots
- Monitoring cellular networks for unauthorized surveillance devices
- Privacy protection for activists and journalists in high-risk environments
- Security research on cell-site simulator detection techniques
- Educational projects about cellular surveillance and countermeasures
- Community-driven expansion of device support for detection tools
Not Ideal For
- Users requiring detection on standard smartphones without dedicated hotspots
- Projects needing out-of-the-box support for a wide variety of cellular devices
- Situations where legal compliance and risk mitigation are top priorities
- Applications demanding real-time automated countermeasures upon detection
Pros & Cons
Pros
Designed to be easy to install and use regardless of technical skill, as the README emphasizes accessibility for all levels.
Engineered to minimize incorrect detections, ensuring reliable alerts for surveillance monitoring without unnecessary noise.
Extends device compatibility beyond the Orbic RC400L through community contributions, fostering collaborative improvements.
Developed by EFF as an open-source project, allowing for auditability and trust in its detection methods and ethics.
Cons
Primarily built for specific hotspots like the Orbic RC400L, with other devices relying on incomplete or community-driven support, as noted in the README.
The disclaimer highlights potential civil or criminal liabilities, especially outside the US, which may deter risk-averse users from deployment.
Focuses solely on detection without built-in mechanisms for mitigating threats, limiting its utility in active defense scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
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