There May be Gold in That Silver Box

Written By Doctor Cypher on 09/09/88

Little has been documented about the use of the silver box. Many assume a silver box is just a set of Autovon keys, or more advanced readers may be familiar with its use in conjunction with the standard Directory Assistance ACD (Automated Call Distributor which distributes the calls to the individual Directory Assistance operators) but in reality there are several applications to the hidden row than meets the eye.

I will not explain the construction methods here, for they are widely available on many telecom-oriented bulletin board systems, but rather go into detail about using them.

The ACD and DA operators: The ACD can be reached through calling ------------------------ a Directory Assistance operator and holding down the D key (941+1633 Hz) while the operator answers her console, the tone will trip the circut and drop you into the ACD. One way to verify that you have tripped the circut is a Stutter-tone, or pulsing dialtone. From this prompt, you can dial up to 10 possible functions:

  1. - Rings the Toll Text board - Useful if you dont have the numbers on file.
  2. - Sometimes dead circut, other times milliwatt test.
  3. - Sometimes milliwatt test, others 1000/1004 Hz tone.
  4. - Usually dead circut
  5. - Always dead circut
  6. - Low end of loop - If your friend calls the ACD on the same op. as you do, and dials 7, you are connected.
  7. - High end of loop.
  8. - 600 ohm termination
  9. - Usually dead circut
  10. - Usually dead circut
Notes: If you are having trouble with this method, try the 414 DA operator. It never fails, but the dial tones will sound more like a busy signal than a dial tone.

No 'Codes'? Well, if your friend lives in the same state, arrange to meet on the 800-555-1212 ACD (functions: 6,7.)

Autovon Tone Set: The silver box keys also appear on the standard ---------------- Autovon (the military phone network) keypad. The functions are as follows: 

      A - Flash

      B - Flash Override (Priority)

      C - Priority Communication (dial)

      D - Priority Override (used to
          reach busy numbers in extreme
          emergencies.  When the tone
          is hit, I believe a flag is
          set as an emergency
          condition, and only for top military)
To use the Autovon keys, scan for your local Milnet or Autovon port. All numbers are 7 digits (for those of you who insist on trying this, please take the proper security measures.)

Centegram hacking: Yes, your silver box can also be used for ----------------- hacking earlier versions of Centegram. While hacking the system administrators box and entering an invalid code, the system will attempt to log you off, but hit 'C' and feast your ears on 'Welcome to the message center...' Another use in Centegram hacking is when you are entering an auth. code, it will recognize A, B, C, and D as valid digits for added security.

(Special thanks goes out to Phiber Optik for the help with ACD and Felix the Hack for the Centegram information.)