textfiles/phreak/db001.005

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                                The Third Cartel

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                                   Presents:



                                Manuscript III

                              Field Phreaking II

                              -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

                                  July,  1988





Introduction:  The purpose of this manuscript is to introduce useful

-------------  phreaking techniques.  These techniques have been developed

by the Third Cartel and have proved to be convenient and reliable.  This

manuscript is a continuation of Manuscript II: Field Phreaking.





Pay Phone Hacking:

==================



The safest way to get phreaking codes is by hacking them on a pay phone.  The

chances of getting caught are extremely remote, especially if you switch pay

phones every few minutes.  One problem with hacking codes is that when you find

a code by dialing it randomly, you often forget what code you dialed.  To

prevent this, we print out a sheet filled with 6-8 digit random codes on the

computer.  Then we start testing each of these codes off of a 950 number.  This

works great, especially since 950's are not charged!  Cross off each code on

the paper that doesn't work, and mark the ones that do work.  This technique

takes a lot of patience, but it's worth it if you have a terrible short-term

memory.





Telco Boxes:

============



This is our prime focus in Manuscript III.  Every field phreaker worth his

weight in dung should at least know the basics about phone boxes.  There are so

many different types that we can only cover the major groups.  But once you

learn about a few boxes, it'll be easy to learn about others.  Be sure to

bring a test phone with you [see Manuscript II] so you can connect up to phone

lines.



Small Boxes:  Small telephone boxes typically contain 1 to 20 different phone

------------  lines.  They are usually in convenient and safe locations.  They

are easy to open, and can be closed quickly.



Home Boxes:  Unless you live in an apartment complex, your home box should be

very easy to locate.  It is small box located on the side of your house;

usually a foot or two off the ground.  Many times it will be beige colored

and may require a ratchet [Usually 3/8"] to open.  If you have more than one

line in your house, your box will probably be fairly large and light gray.

You'll need a ratchet and a screwdriver to open a two-line box.  In the

one-line box there will be five terminals or screws.  The top two screws should

have red and green wires leading to them.  If you connect your test phone clips

to these screws, you'll be on the line.  Usually, the two screws below contain

the same phone line.  The very bottom screw, in the middle, is the ground.  In

the two-line boxes, you should be able to figure out how to hook up to the

lines rather easily.  They even have a modular plug jack that you can plug a

normal phone into.  There are also several terminals that you can hook the

clips up to.



Aluminum Multi-Line Boxes:  These boxes are usually found behind business

buildings and shopping centers.  Some condominium complexes also have these

boxes hooked up to walls on a few units.  Each box contains five or more phone

lines.  The boxes are rectangular and made of aluminum, are very easy to open

and close, and often say "Western Electric" on the front.  Once you get the box

open, you will see several pairs of terminals grouped diagonally.  Simply

attach your phone clips to a correct pair, and you'll be on a phone line.  Run

an ANI on the phone line to find its number.  If your phone happens to be

polarity sensitive, and you get no dial tone when hooked up to terminals,

reverse the alligator clips and you'll be on the line.



Small Distribution Boxes:  These boxes, usually either light green, or a very

dark green, are not very common, and can be found behind shopping centers,

houses, and other buildings.  You'll probably need the ratchet to open it,

and a knife to strip some wires.  The top of the box pulls off if you loosen

the screws enough.  Inside, there will be several wires.  Two different sizes

of wires are found in distribution boxes.  The larger wires lead to nearby

buildings.  The smaller wires lead to another distribution box where they are

spliced into larger wires and sent to buildings.  These boxes take the most

time to use because they have no terminals and you have to find the correct

wire pairs.  It's easiest to find the large wire pairs, so start out with

those.  Once you find a phone line, you might want to tape together or label

the wire pair for future reference.  Use the same procedure for the smaller

wires.  If you find a good box, and are willing to take the time, these boxes

can be very worthwhile!



Medium Boxes:  Medium boxes carry more lines than small boxes but are usually

-------------  found in somewhat risky locations.  Most of them require a

ratchet for access, and they usually open on a hinged door.



Medium Distribution Boxes:  These are identical to the small distribution

boxes, but carry far more phone lines.  Many times, after taking off the cover,

there will be a flat access plate you can open with a ratchet.  Use the same

procedure for this box as outlined in the small distribution box description.



Flat Peg Boxes:  Flat Peg boxes are frequently found behind grocery stores,

shopettes, and other businesses.  Sometimes they can be found in an office

phone room or in the back halls of shopping malls.  They are typically big,

square boxes mounted to a wall and are opened by a handle on a hinged door.

Sometimes, they are mounted away from a building.  We've seen some that are

double sided and require a ratchet to open.  Inside, the terminals will be

grouped in approx. 10 X 3 inch columns.  The terminals are long flat pegs.

There are four terminals per row.  It is sometimes difficult to hook up to a

line since the terminals are so close together, but you'll get the hang of

it after a few tries.



Large Boxes:  These boxes sometimes contain hundreds of phone lines.  They are

------------  found along busy streets and in business areas or apartment

complexes.  You'll need a ratchet to open one.



Wire Box:  The wire box is about three feet tall and has two doors opened by

one latch.  The wires lead into long, plastic, rectangular grouping stations.

There should be a tool attached by two screws to the side of a door.  Connect

your phone clips to these screws.  Now connect the tool to a plastic grouping

station.  If you connect the tool correctly, you will be on a line.  There are

several different lines contained in a single grouping station.



Terminal Boxes:  In our opinion, the terminal box is the king of boxes.  A

single box may contain up to eight hundred lines.  You can't miss these boxes

because of their size.  They stand at least four feet tall and have the

characteristic light green color of most boxes.  After opening a box, you will

see many red and white numbered terminals pairs on each side.  On the inside of

each door, there are two screws to connect your test phone to.  Leading out

from the screws is a double current alligator clip that can easily connect to

any pair of terminals.  This easy connection tool makes this the most

convenient box to use, and the most profitable.



Helpful Tips:  Now that you know how most major boxes work, you will be able to

-------------  figure out how other boxes work.  By now we're sure you have

thought of some interesting things to do with boxes.  Here are some tips you

might find helpful.



The Perfect Box:  The most tedious step in field phreaking is finding "The

Perfect Box."  This box should be located away from streets and hidden from the

view of homes.  When working on this box, there should be no worry of being

caught or observed.  Finding this box might take quite a while, but don't give

up hope; it's well worth the time and effort.  Try looking around waterways

such as creeks, lakes, and ditches.  If you have easy access to wilderness

areas, such as the mountains, try looking for Perfect Boxes around there.



Beige Boxing:  We're not sure exactly who invented the beige box, but it can be

extremely useful for surveillance and blackmail purposes.  The only materials

you need for a beige box are two wires and your test phone.  Connect the wires

to the ring and tip of the line you want to tap.  Make sure your wires are

hidden, and lead them to your house or other location.  You then can connect

your phone to the wires and listen in on conversations or use their phone line

however you want.  Make sure that you don't use a boxed line when the victim

is likely to pick up his phone and hear you.



Safety Tips:



o  Well, first of all, be extremely careful when choosing a box to work on.

   Two of us got arrested for using the wrong box at the wrong time.  Make

   sure that nobody will see you when you're working on it, because you're

   putting your record at risk.  Of course, if you're under 18, you don't have

   to worry quite as much, but going to court is not K-Rad.



o  Try wearing gloves when working on phone lines.  You don't want to get

   shocked or leave fingerprints around.



o  If you ever open a box that has huge cables in it, it's probably a power

   box.  The power box is usually dark green and stands a few feet in height.

   Don't even think of messing with one unless you want to risk having a

   painful death.  If you absolutely *must* disconnect someone's power, then

   use *EXTREME* caution when disconnecting the cable.  Wear heavy duty gloves,

   make sure that you aren't wet, and don't use metal tools.



o  Always look for your boxes at day, and work on them at night.



o  Have a getaway car or bike ready in case of an emergency.



o  If anyone catches you, act cool and calm.  You don't want to say "uh, well,

   umm...well I was just uh...," because that makes you look suspicious.

   *Always* have a story ready *before* you start opening boxes!  This has

   saved us a couple of times.



o  You might want to incorporate your fake I.D. card into the scheme so people

   think that you work for the phone company.  Remember, this won't work on

   telco employees.  Only attempt to fool average citizens.  If they call the

   cops or telco, take off.



   This concludes Manuscript III.  We described most of the major phone boxes

so that you'll be able to figure out how other boxes work.  If you find a major

box that should also be in this Manuscript, drop one of us a note on a board

and tell us about it.  Likewise, we're open to any comments, criticisms, and

suggestions.

    We'll put the layout for our fake I.D. card in Manuscript IV, since some

users wanted to know how we made one.  Thanx for taking the time to read this,

and look for the release of Manuscript IV soon!



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                                  The  HORN

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