What is a pager?
A pager is a small electronic device used to send and receive messages. It originated in New York City in the 1950s and has become popular worldwide since the 1980s. The main advantage of a pager is that it is independent of the mobile network and works via radio signals. There are three types of pagers: one-way, two-way, and voice pagers.
Recent incidents
On September 18, a series of blasts took place in some border areas of Lebanon and Syria. The cause of these blasts was explosives sent through pagers. According to initial reports, 9 people were killed and more than 2000 people were injured in these blasts. Hezbollah has blamed Israel for these attacks.
Use and security of pagers
Hezbollah advised its members not to use mobile phones, due to which people resort to pagers. However, the security systems of pagers are not strong. Pager data is not encrypted, which makes it easily hackable. According to experts, an explosive device can be fitted into a pager and activated through a signal.
Technical threat
According to experts, the pagers in which the blasts took place may contain military-grade explosives ranging from 10 to 20 grams. This explosive was hidden inside a fake electronic component. This type of attack makes it clear that the pager has the capability to be converted from a simple communication device to a deadly weapon.
Conclusion
These explosions carried out through pagers in Lebanon and Syria have exposed a new layer of security and technical threats. This incident makes it clear that even old technical devices can face new threats. In future, more attention will be required to the security of such devices.