Beige Box

                                   Construction and Use

         Invented and Written by:

          
The Exterminator and The Terminal Man

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INTRODUCTION
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  Have you ever wanted a lineman's handset?  Surely every phreak has at least
once considered the phun that he could have with one.  After searching unlocked
phone company trucks for one for months, we had an idea.  We could build one.
We did, and named it the "Beige Box," simply because that is the color of ours.
In the following file we will give complete instructions for the construction
and use of a Beige Box.

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CONSTRUCTION
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  The construction is very simple.  First, you must understand the concept of
the device.  In a modular jack, there are four wires.  These are red, green,
yellow, and black.  For a single line telephone, however, only two matter:  the
red (ring) and green (tip).  The yellow and black are not necessary for this
project.  A lineman's handset only has two clips on it:  the ring and the tip.

  You will need a phone (we reccommend a touch-tone) with a modular plug, a
modular jack, and two large alligator clips (preferably red and green,
respectively).
Take the modular jack and look at the bottom of its casing.
There should be a grey jack with four wires (red, green, yellow, and black)
leading out of it.  To the end of the red wire attach a red alligator clip.  To
the end of the green wire attach a green alligator clip.  The yellow and black
wires can be removed, although I would only set them aside so that you can use
the modular jack in future projects.  Now insert your telephone's modular plug
into the modular jack.
That's it.

  This particular model is nice because it can be easily made, is inexpensive,
uses common parts that are readily available, is small, is lightweight, and does
not require the destruction of a phone.

----- --- ----
BEIGE BOX USES
----- --- ----

  There are many uses for the Beige Box.  However, before you can use it, you
must know how to attach it to its output device.  This device can be any of
several Bell switching apparatus that include terminal sets (i.e., remote
switching centers, bridging heads, cans, etc.).  To open most Bell Telephone
switching apparatus, you must have a 7/16 inch hex driver.  This piece of
equipment can be picked up at your local hardware store.  With your 7/16 hex
driver, turn the security bolt(s) approximately 1/8 of an inch counter-clockwise
and open.  If your output device is locked, then you must have some knowledge of
destroying and/or picking locks.  However, we have never encountered a locked
output device.
Once you have opened your output device, you should see a mass
of wires connected to terminals.  On most of your output devices, the terminals
should be labeled "T" (Tip -- if not labeled, it is usually on the left) and "R"
(Ring -- if not labeled, it is usually on the right).  Remember:  Ring - red -
right.
The "Three R's" -- a simple way to remember which is which.

  Now you must attach the red alligator clip (ring) to the "R" (ring) terminal.
Attach the green alliagtor clip (tip) to the "T" (tip) terminal.  NOTE:  If
instead of a dial tone you hear nothing, re-adjust the alligator clips so that
they are not touching each other or other terminals.  Also make sure that they
are firmly attached.  By this time you should hear a dial tone.  Dial ANI and
find out the number that you are using (you wouldn't want to use your own).

Here are some practical applications:

o  Eavesdropping

o  Long distance, static-free phone calls to phriends

o  Dialing direct to Alliance Conferencing (also static-free)

o  Phucking people over

o  Bothering the operator at little risk to yourself

o  Blue Boxing with a greatly reduced chance of getting caught

o  Anything at all that you want, since you are an extension on

   that line

Eavesdropping:
-------------

  To be most effective, first attach the Beige Box and then your phone.  This
eliminates static caused by connecting the box, therefore reducing the potential
suspicion of your victim.  When eavesdropping, it is always best to be neither
seen nor heard.  If you hear someone dialing out, do not panic; but rather hang
up, wait, and pick up the receiver again.  The person will either have hung up
or tried to complete their call again.
If the latter is true, then listen in,
and perhaps you will find information worthy of blackmail!  If you would like to
know who you are listening to, after dialing ANI, pull a CN/A on the number.

Dialing Long Distance:
------- ---- --------

  This section is self-explanatory, but don't forget to dial a "1" before the
NPA.

Dialing Direct to Alliance Conferencing:
------- ------ -- -------- ------------

  Simply dial 0-700-456-1000 and you will get instructions from there.
I prefer
this method over PBXs, since PBXs often have poor reception and are more
difficult to come by.

Phucking People Over:
-------- ------ ----

  This is a very large topic for discussion.  Just by using the other functions
described, you can create a large phone bill for the person (they will not have
to pay it, but it is a hassle for them).  In addition, since you are an
extension of the person's line, leave your phone off hook, and they will not be
able to make or recieve calls.
This can be extremely nasty because no one would
suspect the cause of the problem.

Bothering the Operator:
--------- --- --------

  This is also self-explanatory and can provide hours of entertainment.  Simply
ask or say things to her that are offensive and you would not like traced to
your line.  This also corresponds with the previous described section, Phucking
People Over.  After all, guess who's line it gets traced to?  He he he...

Blue Boxing:
---- ------

  See a file on Blue Boxing for more details.  This is an especially nice
feature if you live in an ESS-equipped prefix, since the calls are, once again,
not traced to your line.

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POTENTIAL RISKS OF BEIGE BOXING
--------- ----- -- ----- ------

Overuse of the Beige Box may cause suspicions within the Gestapo,
and result in legal problems.  Therefore, I would recommend that you:

o  Use more than one output device

o  Choose a secluded spot to do your Beige Boxing

o  Keep a low profile (i.e., do not post under your real name

   on a public BBS concerning your accomplishments)

o  In order to make sure that the enemy has not been inside your

   ouput device, I reccomend that you place a piece of

   transparent tape over the opening of your output device.

   Therefore, if it is opened in your absence, the tape will be

   displaced and you will be aware of the fact that someone has

   been intruding upon your territory.

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DISCLAIMER
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Since this file has been written for information purposes only, the authors
cannot and will not take any responsibility for the construction and use of the
Beige Box.

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    This file was written by The Exterminator and The Terminal Man

  Friday, May 17, 1985
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Sysops have permission to post this material on their bulletin board
 systems, provided that it is in an elite section and none of the
material is altered in any way.
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