Traditionally in the phreaker culture, any device thought to be connected to a phone line is called a "box" and is named after a color since the first "blue box" invented by Captain Crunch, the father of the phreak scene. Since all colors were quickly used for this purpose, other fanciful names began to be used to name boxes. IÆve tried to make a definitive list of all the known "color boxes" with a brief description of each. IÆve done a lot of research to find and classify them all, reading through about 300 documents. In most cases IÆve used quotes from the original documents for the descriptions. Since most boxes were invented in the æ80s or early æ90s, this article is mainly meant for informative and historical purposes. Many of these
boxes donÆt work nowadays. (Some may never have worked at all.) However, some still do. And sometimes similar models can even be found in stores.
IÆve catalogued 94 phreak boxes of 75 different kinds (counting only boxes with different functions), and 17 aliases (same box with a different name). IÆve also included five non-phreak boxes of four different kinds (boxes not meant to plugged into the phone line - they re meant for use with the electric line or something else) The raw total is 99 boxes of 79 kinds and 17 aliases, which adds up to 116 box names When the name of a box is included between parentheses the box name is actually just an alias of another box When the name of a box is included between, square brackets, the box has been created or reinvented by someone else using a different scheme and/or different components When thereÆs one box that uses the name of an already existing box (supposedly because the author was unaware of it), IÆve added to it a sequential number between parentheses, such as (2), (3), etc.
(2600 Box) (another name for the Blue Box). See Blue Box.
Acrylic Box (aka Extended Bud Box). The purpose of this box is to get Three-Way Calling, Call Waiting, programmable Call Forwarding, and an easier way of extended Bud Boxing, stealing them from the fortunate ones on your block. Created by The Pimp.
ALF Box. A tone generator for the Apple IIe with an ALF Music Synthesizer Card. Created by Sir Briggs of the SouthCentral Discount Waremeisters (SCDW) of Texas.
Aqua Box. Every true phreaker lives in fear of the dreaded F.B.I. "Lock in Trace." For a long time, it was impossible to escape from the lock in trace. This box offers an "escape route" by lowering the voltage on the phone line. Concept by Captain Xerox. Plans by: The Traveler.
Assassin Box (sometimes misspelled as Assasin Box, Asassin Box, Asasin Box). A box designed to scare, harm, or kill people at the phone by a shock of electricity right in the ear as soon as the victim starts dialing a number. This box was designed, because its authors, after trying a Day-Glo Box for some weeks "were bored and decided to move on to telephone terrorism." Linked by Grim Reaper.
[Beagan Box] (sometimes misspelled as Began Box) [similar to Beige Box, Beige Box Revisited, Day-Glo Box]. See Beige Box. Concept and Design: Black Box. Beta Testing: Lord Reagan.
Beige Box [similar to Beagan Box, Beige Box Revisited, Bud Box, Day-Glo Box]. A homemade linemanÆs handset, also known as REMOBS (REMote OBserving Systems). With a Beige Box you can do the following things: "Eavesdropping; long distance, static-free free fone calls to phriends; dialing direct to Alliance Conferencing (also static-free); phuking up people; bothering the operator at little risk to yourself; blue boxing with a greatly reduced chance of getting caught; anything at all that you want, since you are an extension on that line." Invented by The Exterminator and The Terminal Man. Date: Friday, May 17, 1985.
(Beige Box Revisited] [similar to Beagan Box, Beige Box, Day-Glo Box]. See Beige Box. By Mercenary. Year: 1992 or later.
Black Box. A Black Box is a device that is hooked up to your fone that fixes it so that when you get a call, the caller doesnÆt get charged for the call. This is good for calls up to a half hour. After that the fone company gets suspicious, and then you can guess what happens. The original box was created in the USA. There are modified version! for other countries. Original author unknown. UK Black Box by K.S. Reach of The Hackers Academy (March 1988). Greek Black Box by Fabulist and Enigma (year 1992).
Blast Box. All a Blast Box is is a really cheap amplifier (around five watts or so) connected in. place of the microphone on your telephone meant to talk to someone on the phone who just doesnÆt shut up.
Blast Box II. Similar to the Blast Box, but designed to blow up other peopleÆs computers, instead of their ears.
Bleeper Box [UK version of the Blue Box]. The United KingdomÆs own version of the Blue
Box, modified to work with the UKÆs phone system. Based on the same principles. However, British Telecom uses two sets of frequencies, forward and backward.
Blotto Box. For years now every pirate has dreamed of the Blotto Box. It was at first made as a joke to mock more ignorant people into thinking that the function of it actually was possible. This box quite simply, can turn off the phone lines everywhere. Originally conceived by King Blotto. Created by The Traveler.
Blue Box (aka 2600 Box). The mother of all: boxes. The first box in history which started the, whole phreaking scene. Invented by John Draper (aka "Captain Crunch") in the earlyÆ 60Æs, who discovered that by sending a tone of 2600Hz over the telephone lines of AT&T, it was possible to make free calls. In the 1960Æs, the makers of CapÆn Crunch breakfast cereal offered a toy-whistle prize in every box as a treat for the Cap,Æn Crunch set. Somehow John Draper (who called 'himself "Captain Crunch" since then) discovered that the toy whistle just happened to produce a perfect 2600-cycle tone. Discovered by Captain Crunch (John Draper). Year: early 1960Æs.
(Blue Con Box) (short name for the Blue Conference Box). See Blue Conference Box.
Blue Conference Box (aka Blue Con Box). A Blue Box and a Con Box combined.
Bottle-Nosed Gray Box [selective version of the Rainbow Box]. This box will do damage to only your phone, the line between you and your enemy, and your enemyÆs modem, whereas the Rainbow Box just takes everything out. By The Dolphin that came from Belmont.
[Brown Box] (aka Opaque Box) [similar to Con Box, Party Box, Three Box]. Created by The Doc.
Bud Box. This box is quite similar to a Beige Box, except this is a portable unit. It is extremely handy for free voice calls and tapping a nearby houseÆs line. Invented by Dr. D-Code and The Pimp of The Slaughtered Chicken.
Busy Box. This box is attached to the outside of the personÆs house in their telephone box. It makes it so that when any phone inside that house is picked up, no dial tone is heard and no calls can be received or sent. This is good for lame BBSÆs as they tend not to call out much, and it will remain undetected for a longer period of time. Invented by Black Death.
Charging Box (aka Light Box). This box is used to indicate when a call is being charged for and when it is not. Once installed, the box has two lights, a green one and a red one. Green means free and red shows that you are being charged. Created by Stinky Pig Productions (a UK team).
(Chart Box) (short name for the Chartreuse Box). See Chartreuse Box.
Chartreuse Box (aka Chart Box, Obnoxious Box). Your telephone line is a constant power source. This box is designed to allow you to tap that power source and give you up to 12 volts (more if you use a transformer). Created by Wonko The Sane.
Cheese Box. This box (named for the type of box the first one was found in) turns your home phone into a pay phone. It can be used together with a Red Box to make free calls. Created by Otho Radix (?).
Chrome Box. A portable self-contained device to manipulate traffic signals. Not a phreak box. Created by Remote Control. Date: June 14 1988.
Clear Box. This box works on "post-pay" payphones (a kind of payphone that could be found in Canada and in rural United States). In other words, those phones that donÆt require payment until after the connection has been established. If you donÆt deposit money, you canÆt speak to the person at the other end, because your mouthpiece is cut off û but not your earpiece. (Yes, you can make free calls to the weather, etc. from such phones.) With this box the user is able to speak to the other person for free. The clear box thus "clears" up the problem of not being heard. Author: Mr. French of 2600. Originally published in the July 1984 issue of 2600.
Cold Box. Usage unknown. Cited in the Blotto Box document. Created by The Traveler.
Con Box (aka Conference Box) [similar to
Brown Box, Party Box, Three Box]. This box allows you to connect two lines in your house to give Three-Way type service, creating a party line.
(Conference Box) (expanded name for the Con Box). See Con Box.
Copper Box. Uses cross-talk feedback to try to damage sensitive equipment of a phone company. More a method than a real box. Conceived by The Cypher. Year: 1986.
Crimson Box (sometimes misspelled as Chrimson Box) [similar to Green Box (2), Orange Box, Hold Box, Hold On Box, White Box (2), Yellow Box (2)]. This box is a very simple device that will allow you to put someone on hold or make your phone busy with a large amount of ease. You flip a switch and the person canÆt hear you talking. Flip it back and everything is peachy. It doesnÆthave a LED to show when hold mode is on. Created by Dr. D-Code. Year: 1985.
Dark Box. Multi-Purpose Network Manipulation Unit. This boxÆs basic design allows you to call anywhere on earth without fear of being billed or traced. Created by Cablecast Operator of the Dark Side Research Group. Year: 1987.
(Day-Glo Box' (aka DayGlo Box) [similar toBeige Box]. This box lets you place calls for free with no time limit, no possibility of a wiretap, and the calls can be placed from anywhere in the world. Conceptualized by John F. Kennedy.
Diverti Box. Cited in the Blotto Box document. Probably used to divert a phone call. Created by The Traveler.
Dloc Box. Call/receive on two lines with the option to conference them. By The Dark Lords of Chaos: Prowler, Apprentice, Pro Hack, Zeus, Tarkmeth, Blackstoke, Lazer. Date: October, 3 1988.
DNA Box. Not actually a box but a project of the Outlaw Telecommandos to hack cellular phones in the early era of those devices (1989). Issued in February 1989.
(Extended Bud Box) (another name for the Acrylic Box). See Acrylic Box.
Fuzz Box. This box duplicates the tones of coins dropping down the phone chute, thereby allowing the user to place calls without paying for them.
Gold Box [similar to X-Gold Box]. When you put a gold box on two phone lines it lets anyone who calls one of the lines call out on the other. So when the phone company traces the line it will tell them that youÆre calling from the line you hooked the gold box up to. By Dr. Revenge, cosysop of Modem Madness (516).
Grab Box. This box uses inductive coupling to join with any radio that uses a coil for an antenna (such as an AM, longwave, or shortwave radio) and allows you to lengthen it considerably. Not a phreak box. This kind of box can be commonly found in an electronic shop. By Shadowspawn.
Green Box. This box generates tones for Coin Collect, Coin Return, and Ringback. It must be used by the CALLED party.
(Green Box (2) J [similar to Crimson Box, Orange Box, Hold Box, Hold On Box, White Box (2), Yellow Box (2)]. A hold button. See Crimson Box.
(Gray Box) (another name for the Silver Box) See Silver Box.
[Hold Box] [similar to Crimson Box, Green Box (2), Orange Box, Hold On Box, White Box (2), Yellow Box (2)]. A hold button. See Crimson Box.
[Hold On Box] [similar to Crimson Box Green Box (2), Orange Box, Hold Box, White Box (2), Yellow Box (2)]. A hold button. See Crimson Box.
Infinity Box (sometimes misspelled as Infiity Box). When the phone number of a telephone containing an infinity box device is dialed and a certain note is blown into the phone from a Hohner Key of C harmonica, the bugged phone does not ring and, whatÆs more, enables the caller to then hear everything said in the room that the phone is located in. As long as the caller wants to stay on the phone, all is open to him or her. If the phone is lifted off the hook, the transmitter is disconnected and the "bugged" party receives a dial tone as if nothing was wrong with the line. Description by Iron Man of The Crack Shop. From the original "Infinity Transmitter" by Manny Mittleman.
In-Use Light Box. A device that signals whether or not an extension of a particular phone line is off-hook. It does not indicate whether or not a phone is being tapped, and will light whenever any extension is picked up. By The Night Owl AE.
Jack Box. A device to generate tones created starting from a phone keypad.
Jolly Box. Software written in 8086 assembly which generates several phone tones ("Multi-Fre-quenz-Demon-Dialer for Global Access"). Code by Jolly Roger. Updated by Zaphod Beeblebrox of Control Team. Date: probably 1993 or earlier.
(Light Box) (another name for the Charging Box). See Charging Box.
Loud Box. Makes your voice louder over the phone line. Especially meant for use in conference calls. Designed, written and built by Mr. Bill.
Lunch Box (aka Tap Box). The Lunch Box is a very simple transmitter used for eavesdropping. It is quite small and can easily be put in a number of places. Created by Dr. D-Code.
Magenta Box. When you call up line one from your house, you will get a dial tone almost immediately. Using DTMF you can dial anywhere that the person who owns line two has service to. Which means you can direct dial Alliance, Australia, and your favorite BBS for free. Designed by Street Fighter.
Magenta Box (2). A portable ringing generator which, if connected to a phone line, will make the phone on the end of it ring. It works by using a relay as a vibrator to generate AC which is then stepped up by a transformer and fed through a capacitor into the phone line to make the phone ring.
Mauve Box. Generates a magnetic field to tap the nearest phone conversation (somehow similar to Tempest, the system to tap video screens). Created by Captain Generic with help from The Genetic Mishap. Date: November, 24 1986 - 19:08.
Meeko Box. A multi-purpose box with the following features: It is able to record telephone conversations with excellent quality. It is able to play a source directly into the phone line. It can keep the phone line open. You can box without using a phone, and headphones (requires a modem). Designed by Meeko of Hi-ReS UK. Year: 1994.
Mega Box. A cable rerouter to hook up a second line in your house.
Modu Box (aka Modula Box). A second phone plug attached to an existing one. Designed by Magnus Adept.
(Modula Box) (expanded name for the Modu Box). See Modula Box.
[Music Box] [similar to Pink Box (2)]. ItÆs basically a Pink Box (2) without the LED. See Pink Box (2). Created by Aluminium Gerbul.
Mute Box. This box lets the user receive long distance calls without being detected.
Neon Box (aka Record-o-Box) (erroneously used as an alias for the Blast Box II) [similar to Sound Blaster Box, Rock Box, Slug Box]. A device that adds a normal jack interface to a telephone, allowing the sending of music or tones into the phone line, or the recording of conversations using the microphone input of a recorder. This kind of box can be commonly found in a phone shop.
Noise Box [similar to the Scarlet Box]. It is a device you can attach to a victimÆs phone line so that an abnormal amount of noise will be present on the line at all times, which would make data transmissions almost impossible and voice communications annoying, to say the least. By Doctor Dissector of Phortune 500.
(Obnoxious Box) (another name for the Chartreuse Box). See Chartreuse Box.
Olive Box. An alternative ring for your phone with a light that also flashes when the phone rings. By Arnold, sysop of Hobbit Hole AE (HHAE) East Branch.
(Opaque Box) (another name for the Brown Box). See Brown Box.
(Orange Box' [similar to Crimson Box, Green Box (2), Hold Box, Hold On Box, White Box (2), Yellow Box (2)]. A hold button. See Crimson Box.
Paisley Box. A multipurpose box that combines the functions of several boxes, including blue, beige, and blotto. Among other things can seize operator lines and remotely control all TSPS and TOPS consoles. By Blade of the Neon Fucken Knights.
Pandora Box. A device that generates a high intensity sound to produce pain. A similar device (usually called "phasor") is commonly sold in security shops for personal defense. By Dr. Rat of Rat Labs, S.F., CA. Year: 1986.
[Party Box] [similar to Brown Box, Three Box, Con Box]. This box allows free Three-Way calling, connects two phone conversations at once, without any static or excess wiring, or even having two phone lines. Created by Greyhawke of The Dark Knights (TDK).
Pearl Box [similar to Pearl Box 2 - Advanced Pearl Box]. This is a box that may substitute for many boxes which produce tones in hertz. The Pearl Box when operated correctly can produce tones from 1-9999Hz. As you can see, 2600, 1633. 1336, and other crucial tones are obviously in its sound spectrum (yet youÆd need two Pearl Boxers to generate combined tones, such as the ones of the dialpad). Created by Dr. D-Code. Year: before 1989.
[Pearl Box 2 - Advanced Pearl Box ] [similar to Pearl Box]. A Pearl Box made in an easier and cheaper way. Created and Tested by Dispater, Date: July 1 1989.
Pink Box. Allows you to hook two separate phone lines together to have Three-Way calling with hold on either line, as well as bringing a dia] tone into the conversation with someone and allowing them to dial the number with touch tone< so it will connect Three-Way. When they hang up, it will disconnect Three-Way calling. No more need to play with the hook for Three-Way.
Pink Box (2) [similar to Music Box]. The function of a "Pink Box" is to add hold button that allows music or anything else to be played into the telephone while the person is on hold. This modification can either be done right in the telephone or as a separate box. This kind of box can be commonly found in a phone shop.
Plaid Box. Turns a pulse phone line into a touch phone capable line.
(Portable Gray Box) (another name for the Gray Box). See Portable Silver Box.
Portable Silver Box (aka Portable Gray Box). A batteries-operated Silver Box that can fit in a pocket for use in payphones or wherever. By The Phone Phantom.
[Power Box] [similar to Tron Box]. The power box is a simple device that will allow you to completely bypass the meter-reading equipment of the power company. It works by connecting the power line running into your house directly instead of through the meter (which records electricity usage for the power company). When implemented correctly, there is no possible way that you can be detected by the power company and therefore save many hundreds of dollars through its use. Not a phreak box. Concept and Plans by Cursor. Date: August 9 1990.
Puce Box. This box emits vaporous LSD. Line noise may cause strychnine formation.
Purple Box. This box allows switching between two phone lines, putting one of them on hold. A LED shows which line is on hold. Created by The Flash. Date: February 26 1986.
Rainbow Box [non selective version of the Bottle-Nosed Gray box]. Connects the electric line to the phone line blowing up everything. Odds are you will take out every phone in the neighborhood and get caught. By The Dolphin that came from Belmont.
Razz Box. This box allows you to tap your neighborÆs line without your neighbor knowing it. You can also make free phone calls. Written by The Razz and released by The Magnet of Crime Ring International. Date: November 12 1988.
(Record-o-Box) (another name for the Neon Box). See Neon Box.
Red Box [similar to the Red Box Whistle]. The Red Box basically simulates the sounds of coins being dropped into the coin slot of a payphone. The traditional Red Box consists of a pair of Wien-bridge oscillators with the timing controlled by 555 timer chips.
[Red Box Whistle] [similar to the Red Box]. A phreak in the Midwest has extensively tested a method of red boxing which uses nothing more than a pair of brass or aluminum whistles. This method is very similar to the original blue boxing as it was discovered by CapÆn Crunch. Reported by The Researcher.
Red Green Box [combines a Red Box and a Green Box]. This is a device that generates the tones for red boxing and green boxing. By Pink Panther.
Ring/Busy Box. When connected to a phone line, this box will cause a busy signal anytime a call is made to that particular line. They can still use their phone to make outgoing calls. By MOrtaSkuld.
[Rock Box - Basic] [similar to the Rock Box û Advanced, Neon Box, Sound Blaster Box]. The Rock Box channels the music from the stereo out to the phone line via the headphone output. It also can record conversations. Created and designed by Video Vindicator of the Shadows of IGA.
[Rock Box - Advanced ] [similar to the Rock Box - Basic, Neon Box, Sound Blaster Box]. The Rock Box channels the music from the stereo out to the phone line via the headphone output. It also can record conversations. The Advanced version has more complex wiring and better audio quality. Created and designed By Video Vindicator of the Shadows of IGA.
Sand Box. Usage unknown. Cited in the Crimson Box document, By Dr. D-Code. Year: 1985 or 1986.
[Scarlet Box] [similar to the Noise Box]. The purpose of a Scarlet Box is to create a very bad connection. It can be used to crash a BBS or just make life miserable for those you seek revenge upon. Written and created by The Pimp.
Servo Box. Uses R/C car servos to change lines in poles outside of house. This could be a nice idea, but very expensive and hard to do.
Silver Box (aka Gray Box) [similar to Solid State Silver Box]. The silver box transforms keys 3, 6, 9, # to special keys A, B, C, D.
[Slug Box] [similar to the Neon Box]. A slug box is a recording box that stops and starts the tape recorder when a connection is made. Date: May 14 1990, 10:18 pm.
Snow Box. An underground television transmitter built using commercially available parts. Not a phreak box. Date: June 13 1988.
Solid State Silver Box (can be shortened as SSSilver Box) [similar to Silver Box]. This box uses an integrated circuit to generate the tones rather than converting a phone keypad.
(SSSilver Box) (short name for the Solid State Silver Box). See Solid State Silver Box.
[Sound Blaster Box] [similar to Neon Box, Rock Box]. A device that adds a normal jack interface to a telephone, allowing the sending of music or tones into the phone line, or the recording of conversations using the microphone input of a recorder. Better than a Neon Box. By ShadowHawk. Date: March 31 1994.
Static Box. This box keeps the voltage regulated so that you can avoid static. This allow a more stable line for high speed modems (which at the time meant 2400bps). In a certain way itÆs the opposite of boxes like the Noise Box. Created by The Usurper and The Raver of the Lords of Twilight. Date: Originally released on November 21 1986 Second release on December 27 1987.
Switch Box. With the Switch Box you can put one on both phone lines on hold with visible indicators of each lineÆs status, conference call with two people, change a phone from line I to line 2, and lastly, make one phone line physically dead to the outside world. By Autopsy Saw.
Sword Box. The sword box is just essentially a Bud/Beige/Day-Glo Box with enhancements and modifications. The structural differences in the Sword Box make it better however, and thus safer for you to use. By Grim Reaper/STS. Date: November 22 1987.
Tan Box (itÆs not the short name of the Tangerine Box, which is a different box). It allows you to make recordings from a phone line, and it willonly record once the victimÆs phone is picked up. ItÆs like a Neon Box combined with a Beige Box.
Tan Box (2) (itÆs not the short name of the Tangerine Box, which is a different box). It serves as a phone ringer. You have two choices for ringers: a piezoelectric transducer (ringer) or a standard 8 ohm speaker.
(Tanger Box) (short name for the Tangerine Box). See Tangerine Box.
Tangerine Box (can be shortened as Tanger Box. CanÆt be shortened as Tan Box, which is a different box). Enables you to plug it in, then listen to the conversation, without them hearing a click or anything... plus a jack for headphone, or tape. By Happy Harley.
(Tap Box) (another name for the Lunch Box). See Lunch Box.
[Three Box] [similar to Brown Box, Party Box, Con Box]. Use one line, another line, or both. Like a Con Box, but better because it uses LEDs for which line you are on.
Tron Box [similar to Power Box]. It will put a reverse phase signal on the line and cancel out the other phase and put a reverse phase signal running everything in the house. It should make the electric meter run backwards. Not a phreak box. By Pure Evil.
Urine Box (aka Zap Box). It basically creates a capacitative disturbance between the ring and tip wires in anotherÆs telephone headset. By Wolf-gang von Albatross of the Underground Elite. Date: March 2 1986.
V-Box. Detect voltage changes in phone lines (used for taps).
Violet Box. This box allows calls to be made from payphones with just one coin, keeping the line from being released when time is up. The author was going to call this the "Yellow, Violet and Brown Box" but then decided that name was too long so he stuck to just violet because it sounded nice. By The Kez.
White Box. Turns a normal touch tone keypad into a portable unit. This kind of box can be commonly found in a phone shop.
[White Box (2)] [similar to Crimson Box, Green Box (2), Orange Box, Hold Box, Hold On Box, Yellow Box (2)]. A hold button. See Crimson Box.
White Gold Box. A White Box and a Gold Box combined. Created by The Traveler.
Fellow Box. This box can switch a payphone from working to out of order and vice versa. By Captain Hook. Date: February 3 1986 û 5:47.
[Yellow Box (2)] [similar to Crimson Box. Green Box (2), Orange Box, Hold Box, Hold Or Box, White Box (2)]. A hold button. See Crimson Box.
(Zap Box) (another name for the Urine Box) See Urine Box. The scheme and description is the same for the urine box, but itÆs attributed to another author. By KiLLg0re Trout [BULge].
OCR'd from Pg15-20 of the 19:1 issue of 2600.
Scanning, OCRing, and revision by Diognes The Fox 2k3
