BLUE BOXES -=-=-=-=-= BY: THE TECHICIAN -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- A LAYMAN'S DEFINITION OF BOXES: ------------------------------- In this article I will discuss the mystery of Boxes. To begin with, just what is a Box? A Box is a small box that you hook up to your phone to allow you to do special things. The box does this by generating tones which trick the phone company into thinking one of many things. For example, a Fuzz Box duplicates the tones of coins dropping down the phone chute, and thereby allowing the user to place calls without paying for them. Another type would be the Mute Box. This particular Box lets the user receive long distance calls without being detected. The touch-tone phone you have now works by using tones. Each number or button creates a different tone. However, this discussion will be limited to Blue Boxes. Blue Boxes create a 2600Hz tone (Hz stands for Hertz. It is a measure of frequency). A Blue Box will enable the user to place free phone calls anywhere in the world without being detected - sometimes. These and all other Boxes are illegal, but used extensively nevertheless. To use a Blue Box you would first call up a voice 800 number, such as Bell Telemarketing. The person would answer the call, you would stay silent, and then that person would hang up. Then you use your Blue Box to generate a blast of 2600HZ and they will think you hung up, but you didn't. This method of Blue Boxing is called Outward Boxing. The user can do other things as well such as Inward Boxing which allow the user to become an Operator and make Emergency Breaks and the like. Using a blue box is very risky because of the Electronic Switching System (E.S.S.). This is the computerized central office equipment. Supposedly the panacea to all telephone lines and the backbone of those future services we won't enjoy for years to come. The tone that is given out does not register on E.S.S. as a legal touch-tone. Another problem is E.S.S. doesn't like the way they use 800 numbers. BLUE BOX TONES: 1 = 900+700 Hz 2 = 1100+700 Hz 3 = 1100+900 Hz 4 = 1300+700 Hz 5 = 1300+900 Hz 6 = 1300+1100 Hz 7 = 1500+700 Hz 8 = 1500+900 Hz 9 = 1500+1100 Hz CODE 11 = 1700+700 CODE 12 = 1700+900 KP = 1700+1100 KP2 = 1700+1300 START = 1700+1500 Here are a few more codes: AREA CODE + 121 = INWARD 800 + 141 + 1212 = RATE/ROUTE AREA CODE + 131 = INFORMATION UNIVERSAL has been changed to TOLL STATION at 181 MORE BLUE BOX FUN ----------------- After using the Blue Box for some time, I have learned of its usefulness. Let's say that you want to find an unpublished phone number. The normal way is to go through a thing called "EMERGENCY UNPLUBISHED". If you want to find a number and keep your identity a secret however, use your Box to dial KP131S. When the Operator answers, ask for the Supervisior. Then tell him that you are an Operator from the 514 area code (or what ever area you blew 2600 from) and you are unable to reach Emergency Unpublished. The Supervisor will call his Supervisor (now we are getting close to God), and they will trace the line back to verify that you are an Operator. Don't get worried. They can't tell where you are calling from. Only that you are on the 514 trunk. They will give you the number and you will blow them off with 2600. Don't just hang up. Say "Thank you Operator." If you are rude, they will become suspicious. Also, there is a 4 digit verification code that will allow you to tap lines. I used to have one, but it doesn't seem to work anymore. Try hacking it. How to make international calls with a blue box... -------------------------------------------------- Ma Bell has two ways to make international calls, either by satellite or by cable. Satellite seems to be the fastest but cable usually gives better connections. Now, to make an international call you would first dial: KP+212+XXX+START where xxx is that equals the overseas sender you would like to use. You can use 182,183,184,185,188. After you have dialed kp+212+182+start then you should hear CHIP CHUNK WONK... this means that the trunk is ready to receive instructions. Then you would dial... KP+0(OR1)+COUNTRY CODE+CITY CODE+NUMBER+START So a correct number would be, kp+0+44+82+859-169+start Then you should hear the call to start to go through. Now to get on a Canadian sender you would dial kp+519+119+s then you would do the same thing as if you were calling in the United States dial kp+519+119+start then it answers then you dial kp+xxx-xxx-xxxx+start if you need Canadian area codes just look in the yellow or white pages. The above is a good way...here is another one for International calls which is a bit easier: After you have gotten on a trunk... dial KP+COUNTRY CODE (Must be 3 digits, so if the country code is 44, you would dial 044. However, some places do have a 3 digit country code so would not need that extra 0) then hit start and the trunk will do a 2600 to you signaling that the trunk is ready for the city code and the #...well, lets see those Line Identifiers...NY is 958...what is yours? The above article on Blue Boxes was brought to you by....... The Technician.