The use of IMSI catchers, devices that mimic legitimate cell towers to intercept mobile communications, poses a threat to personal security and privacy, according to a recent public advisory.

These devices, also known as “Stingrays,” operate by detecting and analyzing the signals of all cellphones within their range, regardless of the brand or network provider.

The government advisory reveals the constitutional violations and the potential misuse of IMSI catchers for deception, location tracking, and theft of personal data.

“IMSI catchers can be used to mislead, track your location, and steal personal information,” the advisory warns.

To combat the risks associated with IMSI catchers, the advisory provides several protective measures, including: turn on airplane mode or turn off your phone in sensitive areas to avoid connecting to fake towers; avoid using public Wi-Fi to reduce the risk of government surveillance compromising your data; disable location tracking when not necessary to minimize tracking risks; and update your phone’s software to address security issues that might be exploited by IMSI catchers.

Once connected, IMSI catchers can track your location using your phone’s ID; intercept calls and messages that are not encrypted; block communication by disconnecting your phone from the real tower; and send fake messages disguised as from trusted sources.