Cellphone Camera Questions

[SkyRider]

Question 1: Can the camera function even if the cellphone is not connected to a service and is locked? I suspect the answer is yes.

Question 2: If my cellphone is not connected to a service can hacker still steal my Jennifer Lawrence nudie pics? I suspect the answer is no.

Basically, I want to use my cellphone as a camera and not as a cellphone.

 

[asuran]

Since a cellphone has connection capabilities, there will always be potential for digital leaks.
You can try to always keep it on 'airplane' mode.

If there is any reason for anyone to specifically target you then there is always a way if they try hard enough. But under normal circumstances I don't think anyone would have interest in your pics.

Remember the time when credit cards were 'safe' but then it turns out that the ill-intent can take info out of the magnetic strip?

 

[explorerzip]

Yes, you can still use the camera on your phone even if you have no service i.e. airplane mode or if you don't have a SIM card inside. You just won't be able to upload those photos to Facebook, etc. You can, however, plug the phone into a computer using a USB cable and see the photos. You can also connect to wifi even when you have no cell service or no SIM card inside.

The bad news is that if someone gets a hold of your phone i.e. steals it, they can also plug in a USB cable to your phone and see all the data unless you put a strong password on your phone.

 

[SkyRider]

Since a cellphone has connection capabilities, there will always be potential for digital leaks.
You can try to always keep it on 'airplane' mode.

If there is any reason for anyone to specifically target you then there is always a way if they try hard enough. But under normal circumstances I don't think anyone would have interest in your pics.

Remember the time when credit cards were 'safe' but then it turns out that the ill-intent can take info out of the magnetic strip?

Yes, you can still use the camera on your phone even if you have no service i.e. airplane mode or if you don't have a SIM card inside. You just won't be able to upload those photos to Facebook, etc. You can, however, plug the phone into a computer using a USB cable and see the photos. You can also connect to wifi even when you have no cell service or no SIM card inside.

The bad news is that if someone gets a hold of your phone i.e. steals it, they can also plug in a USB cable to your phone and see all the data unless you put a strong password on your phone.

Thanks guys. Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid but I am thinking of having two cellphones. One cellphone to simply do normal cellphone stuff. The other "unconnected" cellphone to take "personal" photos and videos. Thanks for the advice about having a strong password in case my "personal" cellphone is ever stolen. BTW: Didn't know I could connect to wi-fi even if I have no service.

 

[clules]

Remove the SIM card and the device will not connect to any mobile network. However you still will be able to connect to the internet via WIFI and USB cable, disable the WIFI and do not connect the phone to your computer. All functions that do not require connectivity will continue to work, this includes the camera, music player, games...etc. I still have a first generation iPhone that I use strictly as a music player. You will still need to charge the device.

 

[SkyRider]

do not connect the phone to your computer.

I have a stand-alone "unconnected" computer for "personal" use. This way I will have an "unconnected" cellphone for camera work which I will never connect to wi-fi and a stand-alone "unconnected" computer. I will also password protect these two devices. I think my Jennifer Lawrence nudie pics are now safe from hackers.

P.S. I think those celebrities got hacked because they were using "connected" cellphones to take compromising photos.

 

[oldjones]

Remove the SIM card and the device will not connect to any mobile network. However you still will be able to connect to the internet via WIFI and USB cable, disable the WIFI and do not connect the phone to your computer. All functions that do not require connectivity will continue to work, this includes the camera, music player, games...etc. I still have a first generation iPhone that I use strictly as a music player. You will still need to charge the device.

I am curious how you got that music onto the phone, unless you briefly ignored your own good advice and took the risk of connecting to a computer or the internet. Or <gasp!> both!

 

[SkyRider]

Guys, just to be clear, I can do all this with a locked phone, right (because I don't want to pay an unlocking fee)?

 

[justawildchild]

Guys, just to be clear, I can do all this with a locked phone, right (because I don't want to pay an unlocking fee)?

Your camera on your phone is independent of your service provider. Also, the Jennifer Lawrence pictures were not taken from her phone....they were taken from the site that operates "the Cloud". Her phone was set up to automatically upload her pictures to the cloud......and the cloud was hacked.

If you have WIFI turned on, your pictures could be uploaded if it is set up with the cloud.......just keep the wifi off so you will have no worries of your nude selfies getting online.

 

[SkyRider]

Guys, just one last question. Is it prudent to remove the SIM card and the micro SD card if I decide to sell or trade-in the old cellphone? I suspect the answer is yes.

 

[explorerzip]

Guys, just one last question. Is it prudent to remove the SIM card and the micro SD card if I decide to sell or trade-in the old cellphone? I suspect the answer is yes.

Definitely remove the micro SD card (assuming your phone has one) and the SIM card. You'll need the SIM card for your next phone anyway. If your phone does not have a micro SD card slot, you should still take the extra step of securely erasing the built in phone memory. FYI a factory reset does not erase this properly. Here's a guide on how to do it, though I haven't tried it myself. The guide's for Android, but you should be able to find something on the web. Failing that, I guess you can bring it to an Apple store and have them show you how to securely erase it.

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/the-best-way-to-completely-wipe-your-android-device/

 

[explorerzip]

I have a stand-alone "unconnected" computer for "personal" use. This way I will have an "unconnected" cellphone for camera work which I will never connect to wi-fi and a stand-alone "unconnected" computer. I will also password protect these two devices. I think my Jennifer Lawrence nudie pics are now safe from hackers.

P.S. I think those celebrities got hacked because they were using "connected" cellphones to take compromising photos.

It's not so much that the smartphones were connected to the Internet, it's the service that they were uploading photos to i.e. iCloud was broken into. I suppose if you really want to be paranoid, you could buy a point and shoot digital camera that does not have built-in wifi. So the only way to get pics off of the camera would be to plug it into a PC. Mind you, someone could still steal the camera or SD card on it. As far as I know, there's no way to encrypt an SD card inside a regular camera.

You could get a film camera since the kids probably wouldn't know what to do with the roll of film

 

[asuran]

It's not so much that the smartphones were connected to the Internet, it's the service that they were uploading photos to i.e. iCloud was broken into. I suppose if you really want to be paranoid, you could buy a point and shoot digital camera that does not have built-in wifi. So the only way to get pics off of the camera would be to plug it into a PC. Mind you, someone could still steal the camera or SD card on it. As far as I know, there's no way to encrypt an SD card inside a regular camera.

You could get a film camera since the kids probably wouldn't know what to do with the roll of film

I was thinking the same thing, but then I thought SkyRider probably like the phone-camera because it's light and fits into a pocket more easily and inconspicuously.

 

[SkyRider]

I thought SkyRider probably like the phone-camera because it's light and fits into a pocket more easily and inconspicuously.

Yes, plus I already have the cellphone so no need to buy a real camera.
BTW: Is there a market for used cellphones? I know that some stores will accept a trade-in but the offer is rather low ended.

 

[appleb]

Guys, just to be clear, I can do all this with a locked phone, right (because I don't want to pay an unlocking fee)?

Yes, you can take pictures on a locked phone.

A locked phone only restricts what cellular service the phone will work with. A phone being locked or unlocked has no effect on what you can do with the camera.

 

[TeeJay]

Even if cell phone is locked you can still use it for other purposes (eg in your case, a camera)
There are many possible hacks to wirelessly transfer your pictures (eg WiFi, Bluetooth, some of the newer smart LAN apps). Just disable them all.

Having said this, even an el cheapo digital camera will offer much better pictures (plus ability to optical zoom) & battery will last way longer
Why would you want to bother with using your old cell?

 

[SkyRider]

(plus ability to optical zoom)
Why would you want to bother with using your old cell?

Ability to optical zoom is not a concern as it is for "up close and personal" pics. I have the old cell already so I thought I would simply use it only for "intimate" camerawork. The alternatives are to try to sell it, trade it in, keep it in the basement or junk it.

Question: What do you guys do with your old cellphones?

 

[explorerzip]

Ability to optical zoom is not a concern as it is for "up close and personal" pics. I have the old cell already so I thought I would simply use it only for "intimate" camerawork. The alternatives are to try to sell it, trade it in, keep it in the basement or junk it.

Question: What do you guys do with your old cellphones?

I have a small collection of flip phones from the late 90's, early 2000's that I just hung onto because there was no way to sell them online in those days: no Craigslist or eBay. Even today, its not worth the time IMO to sell them. There is certainly a market for just about anything, but it depends on what you are selling. Old Apple products are fairly hot commodities, but anything else is just junk to everyone except collectors.

Depending on your cell carrier, you can sell your old phone back to them assuming that's in good condition. You're probably lucky to get $15 or $20 out of them, but it might be worth it if you're upgrading to a new phone.

 

[oldjones]

I have a small collection of flip phones from the late 90's, early 2000's that I just hung onto because there was no way to sell them online in those days: no Craigslist or eBay. Even today, its not worth the time IMO to sell them. There is certainly a market for just about anything, but it depends on what you are selling. Old Apple products are fairly hot commodities, but anything else is just junk to everyone except collectors.

Depending on your cell carrier, you can sell your old phone back to them assuming that's in good condition. You're probably lucky to get $15 or $20 out of them, but it might be worth it if you're upgrading to a new phone.

As long as they have chargers, you could donate them to a women's shelter. 911 service is independent of providers and account status, which makes them still useful as emergency devices.

 

[explorerzip]

As long as they have chargers, you could donate them to a women's shelter. 911 service is independent of providers and account status, which makes them still useful as emergency devices.

Never even thought of that. Thanks! I wonder if they will even work because they are CDMA phones i.e. do not use SIM cards. I imagine they should still be able to call 911? I believe there was a time when the telcos used to charge people for 911 service.