[Liberty Ship]

Not sure if this is a general Blackberry security question or if it is browser specific.

On a cross country drive over the weekend, I saw a large warehouse facility with a corporate name on it. I was curious about what they did. So I opened my Bolt browser v 2.50 and googled the name. I hit their Web site, saw the line of business, then backed out and closed the browser. I never consciously interacted with the Web site. I had never heard of the company before that.

This morning, I missed a call on my Blackberry. They did not leave a message. I googled the phone number and it was the company I had looked up over the weekend!

I don't get that many phone calls. This can't be a coincidence? Can someone surface our Blackberry phone numbers based on a simple, passive visit to their Web site?

[rambo47]

I doubt it, but what you experienced makes me now wonder. If you have contacted other companies in that line of business I'd say they got your phone number from one of those other companies you contacted. Then it would be an understandable coincidence. Still a long-shot, but explainable. Otherwise I have to assume Bolt sent them a cookie with your contact info.

[Liberty Ship]

Originally Posted by rambo47

I doubt it, but what you experienced makes me now wonder. If you have contacted other companies in that line of business I'd say they got your phone number from one of those other companies you contacted. Then it would be an understandable coincidence. Still a long-shot, but explainable. Otherwise I have to assume Bolt sent them a cookie with your contact info.

Nope, I've had no contact whatsoever with other companies in that line of business, and I am three states away from the source of the call. I hardly ever give out my cellular (Blackberry) phone number and if I get 10 calls a week, that's unusual and they would come from family or very close business associates. I don't want to blame Bolt if this is a Blackberry thing, though. It would just be nice to know what my exposure is when I access sites!

[rambo47]

I have honestly never heard of that with ANY browser on any platform. I've accessed many corporations' sites via my BlackBerry browser and have never gotten a call. Very strange!

[Liberty Ship]

All I can figure is that either the browser delivered a cookie with my SIM info as you described (hard to believe) or the company somehow has a hacking program that analyzes incoming IP addresses generates phone numbers from them.

What I can't believe is that a company I had never heard of before I had cause to google their name and hit their web site rang my phone 4 days later for the first time. One of only 5 incoming calls I've had in the last 7 days!

Oh well...

[aiharkness]

That would be too much coincidence for me, especially if I got the call on my mobile number when I don't generally give it out, and doubly so if it was a company that would otherwise have no reason to expect me to be a potential customer or source. But I don't have an explanation for exactly how they would have gotten your number via the browser when you visited their page.

When you downloaded the browser, did you register it, and provide your mobile number? What about permissions? (I don't use Bolt. Don't know what they ask for.)

Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

[Liberty Ship]

I don't remember ever giving up my mobile phone number in any registration process. However, I looked at Bolt's "permissions" and they are extensive and complicated and not easy to understand. Many are an undefined "custom." Possibly, therein lies the hole.

Anyone out there have the brains and experience necessary to analyze Bolt permissions in this context? I love the Bolt browser, but if it's distributing personal info, I need to know.

ETA: One category of "Permissions" is "Phone." The default is "Custom."

[devnull]

In case you haven't already found it, here's their privacy policy. >> Bolt Browser - Privacy Policy

You might also ask your questions in their discussion forums as well. Possibly get more answers. >> BOLT Browser Forums