Triggerfish

Triggerfishes are about 40 species of often brightly colored fishes of the family Balistidae. Often marked by lines and spots, they inhabit tropical and subtropical oceans throughout the world, with the greatest species richness in the Indo-Pacific. Most are found in relatively shallow, coastal habitats, especially at coral reefs, but a few, such as the aptly named oceanic triggerfish (Canthidermis maculata), are pelagic. While several species from this family are popular in the marine aquarium trade, they are often notoriously ill-tempered.

Anatomy and appearance

The largest member of the family, the stone triggerfish (Pseudobalistes naufragium) reaches 1 metre (3.3 ft), but most species have a maximum length between 20 and 50 centimetres (7.9 and 19.7 in).

Triggerfish have an oval shaped, highly compressed body. The head is large, terminating in a small but strong- jawed mouth with teeth adapted for crushing shells. The eyes are small, set far back from the mouth, at the top of the head. The anterior dorsal fin is reduced to a set of three spines. The first spine is stout and by far the longest. All three are normally retracted into a groove. The anal and posterior dorsal fins are capable of undulating from side to side to provide slow speed movement. The sickle shaped caudal fin is used only to escape predators.

Triggerfish (surveillance)

Triggerfish describes a technology of cell phone interception and surveillance using a mobile cellular base station (microcell or picocell). The devices are also known as cell-site simulators or digital analyzers.

Device capability

  • Tracking of a cell phone by a mobile FBI van (Wireless Intercept and Tracking Team) which seeks to locate a cell phone lacking GPS tracking by scanning for its emissions. This first became known for its use in tracking hacker Kevin Mitnick.
  • Mimicking a cell phone tower to force cell phones in the area to reveal their phone numbers, serial numbers and locations. A report by Global Research of Canada suggests that this feature was used to identify and round up the RNC 8, organizers seeking to lead protests at the 2008 Republican National Convention.
  • Intercepting a cell phone call by a man in the middle attack, if the option is enabled, and the user makes or receives a call.
  • Controversy and concerns

    Neither the user nor the cell phone provider needs to know about Triggerfish for it to be used successfully. A court order is required, but the device circumvents provisions of CALEA barring use of pen register or trap-and-trace devices.

    Podcasts:

    PLAYLIST TIME:
    ×