Lock down the security of your LG Voyager

Greetings,

Sadly, the security of your LG Voyager is flimsy and can be easily overcome. But don't blame your LG Voyager---it is true of almost all LG phones. Remember, that your phone allows anyone to make emergency calls even when it is "locked". The thinking is that you may be unconscious after an accident and unable to unlock your phone. A friend or bystander will be able to use your phone to call for help. They can dial 911 and they can dial anyone in your ICE (In Case of Emergency) list. And guess what? They can also call *228. This is Verizon's programming number and this is the source of the vulnerability.

Anyone who has access to your phone can call *228 and press 1 to reprogram your phone and both your general password (Phone Lock Code) and restrictions password (Service Lock Code) will be reset to their default values (the last 4 digits of your telephone number for both). Then they will gain access to your contacts list, photos, videos, calendar, call and message history, and all of your phone's settings. For example they can turn the GPS transceiver off. This is a trick that some children use when they want to prevent their parents from tracking their whereabouts with Verizon's VZ Chaperon service.

Fortunately, there is a workaround that will lock down the security of your phone so no one can reset the passwords. However, there are some caveats and you'll have to decide if the solution is right for you.

Here's the secret: Your LG Voyager has a third password and it is set to 000000 (six zeroes) by default. I'll show you how to change it below. This password is simply called the "Service Code" and it is used to access the hidden ServicesLG and Services menus. Plus---and this is the key---it is also used when your phone calls *228. The Verizon reprogramming system expects to see Service Code 000000 and if any other code is transmitted by your phone, it will not allow your phone to be reprogrammed. You'll hear an error message instead.

But this also creates some problems. Since the Verizon reprogramming system will not work, you also can't dial *228 and press 2 to reset your roaming settings. According to Verizon, you should reset your roaming settings at least once a month because the frequencies used by the cell towers change regularly. If you don't do this, you'll notice that the signal strength indicated by your phone will gradually diminish over time and your call quality will degrade along with it. To get around this problem, you'll need to regular set the Service Code back to 000000 so you can reset the roaming settings then change it back to your secret code again afterward.

But an even greater problem is that if you forget your new Service Code there will be not way to get it back. This means your phone will be forever prevented from using the *228 reprogramming service. And it will never again be possible to access either of the hidden service menus. Therefore it will be imperative that you carefully record your new Service Code and NOT lose it.


How to change the Service Code of your LG Voyager
The purpose of this procedure is to work your way deep into the first item in the Services menu (1. Service Prg.) until you get to the "More" option. The left option button will be labeled "OK" for most of this procedure and you'll have to press it repeatedly---don't confuse it with the OK button in the middle of the navigation pad. You'll also have to use it a few times. When you get to the "More" option, it will enable you to change the Service Code.

Stay alert because sometimes you'll need to press the OK button in the navigation pad instead of the left option button (which may also be labelled "OK" in the display). Plus, you'll have to use the right option button once.

1. Open your LG Voyager and use the qwerty keypad to:
2. Enter ##program10000, press Send and enter service code 000000 to launch the Services menu.
3. Select "1. Service Prg." and the MEID and (p)ESN numbers should be displayed.
4. Press the left option button ("OK") and the MDN number should be displayed. This should be your telephone number.
5. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the MIN number should be displayed. This should also be your telephone number.
6. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 Home SID setting should be displayed.
7. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 Name setting should be displayed.
8. Press the left option button ("Edit") and a Text Editor will appear so you can change the NAM1 Name. Do NOT change it.
9. Press the OK button ("Save") to save the NAM1 Name setting (remember you should not have changed it---you should be saving the same name).
10. Press the OK button again (NOT the left option button) and a "Basic NAM1 is completed" message will appear.
11. Press the right option button ("More") and the Security Code setting will be displayed. The default value is 000000 (six zeros).
12. Enter a new Security Code and carefully make a note of the new setting.
13. Press the left option button ("OK") to accept the new value. The NAM1 MCC setting will be displayed.
14. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 NMSID will be displayed. This will usually be two zeros followed by your telephone number.
15. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 True IMSI MCC setting will be displayed.
16. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 True IMSI NMSID setting will be displayed.
17. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 PRL Enabled setting will be displayed.
18. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the CDMA Home SID/NID settings will be displayed.
19. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 CDMA Pri. CH A setting will be displayed.
20. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 CDMA Sec. CH A setting will be displayed.
21. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 CDMA Pri. CH B setting will be displayed.
22. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 CDMA Sec. CH B setting will be displayed.
23. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the Lockout SID/NID settings will be displayed.
24. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 Home Sys Reg setting will be displayed.
25. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 Forn SID Reg setting will be displayed.
26. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 Forn NID Reg setting will be displayed.
27. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM1 Acc Ovld Class setting will be displayed.
28. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the NAM2 Setting should be displayed.
29. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the Phone Model setting should be displayed.
30. Press the left option button ("OK") again and the Slot Cycle Index should be displayed.
31. Press the left option button ("OK") again the phone will exit the Services menu and reboot.

As you can see above, you will press the left option button (labeled "OK" on the display) many times to advance through the menu until you reach the end. I've listed the items displayed so you'll know exactly where you are in the menu and how many more steps there are to go. It actually goes much quicker than it looks.

Best regards, WiredNot

What is my ICE list?

It's your In Case of Emergencey list. Most cell phones have them nowadays. They are usually configured from your Contacts List (you'll see it at the top of your LG Voyager Contacts List). You enter the contact info that you want someone to have if there is an emergency and someone else needs to call for help because you are unable to. You can also enter a brief note about any health problems you have.

When you configure your cell phone for security so that it is password-protected at turn on, the only thing someone can do with your phone before the password is entered is call 911 and call any of the contacts in your ICE list.

Best regards, WiredNot

badass, thabks