You Can Drive But You Cannot Hide: Detection of Hidden Cellular GPS Vehicle Trackers

Cyberstalking poses a significant international threat due to the large number of individuals affected worldwide and the severe nature of many incidents, which can be violent. Perpetrators often employ cellular GPS tracking devices to follow drivers or passengers in transit, exploiting the fact that these vehicles aren't linked to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth networks. Adding to the issue are factors such as the low initial cost of these devices, their easy availability online, and their small size which allows them to be concealed in a target's vehicle. To our knowledge, no previous research addresses the detection of clandestine cellular devices, making this study the first to introduce an affordable and practical solution for would-be victims. Our research is specifically dedicated to identifying hidden 4G LTE IoT cellular GPS tracking devices on or in a vehicle. We present an innovative algorithm designed for effective uplink frequency analysis, enabling dependable detection within a three-foot range when utilizing standard commercial hardware. This study aims to improve the privacy and security within the vehicular community.