Security warning with respect to Apple Tags. They can steal your account. Affects all apple device owners. (1 Viewer)

[Gromett]

I know at least one person on this forum is using them, but can't find the thread.

This doesn't just affect those who own the tags though it affects all apple device owners.

Be wary.

Hackers can use AirTags to steal your Apple account — what you need to know

'Found AirTag' page can be altered to contain malicious code

www.tomsguide.com

Apple AirTag Bug Enables ‘Good Samaritan’ Attack – Krebs on Security

krebsonsecurity.com

 

[Tony68000]

Thanks for the tip off. To be clear, this vulnerability doesn’t affect the owner of the AirTag, but could affect the finder of the tag. If the owner has put malicious code in their phone number field, then the finder, when scanning the device, could be redirected to a phishing page.

Users of these tags have nothing to worry about, finders of these tags, maybe. I think this is one of those extreme edge-cases - a hacker would have to purchase an AirTag, plant malicious code in their phone number field, then drop the £29 device somewhere hoping someone finds it and falls for the phishing scam. There are easier and cheaper ways for hackers to get your details. I suspect Apple will address this soon regardless.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Air tag ?

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[funflair]

Air tag ?

AirTag

Attach AirTag to everyday items, like your keys or a backpack, to easily keep track of them in the Find My app.

www.apple.com

I had never heard of them until an alert popped up on my phone at the Stratford Fun rally, I can only assume that somebody there had one.

 

[SpeedyDux]

£29 -

 

[MajorClanger]

In the meantime, you can (partially) mitigate this by enabling Two-Factor Authentication in Settings > iCloud > Password & Security.

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[phase3begins]

Safer to assume anything can be hacked….if someone thinks your device is worth hacking.
use any security systems / advice for your device.

 

[Boris7]

I believe Apple have closed this loop hole now, but more worrying is air tags can be used to track people in effect.

That sounds fine if your talking about your kids, but what if someone wanted to effectively spy on you?

There are cases of untrusting spouses etc putting these in cars etc and following people’s movements, in effect your own iPhone is reporting your movements without you knowing, scary stuff.

Its possible to stop this by using a Bluetooth tracker app such as BLE but how many of us are going to run a trace each day?

 

[pandas]

I believe Apple have closed this loop hole now, but more worrying is air tags can be used to track people in effect.

That sounds fine if your talking about your kids, but what if someone wanted to effectively spy on you?

There are cases of untrusting spouses etc putting these in cars etc and following people’s movements, in effect your own iPhone is reporting your movements without you knowing, scary stuff.

Its possible to stop this by using a Bluetooth tracker app such as BLE but how many of us are going to run a trace each day?

This is incorrect. To prevent the very point you are making about tracking unsuspecting people they make a loud audible noise if out of physical range from your iPhone after a few hours. You will find the link if you search 'spare keys' on this site. You can track your children if the have a phone and turn the location manager on - sadly a mate of mine has his wife's tracker on so it alerts him when she is 2 miles away from home so he can....put the kettle on and make a her a cup of tea!

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[Boris7]

This is incorrect. To prevent the very point you are making about tracking unsuspecting people they make a loud audible noise if out of physical range from your iPhone after a few hours. You will find the link if you search 'spare keys' on this site. You can track your children if the have a phone and turn the location manager on - sadly a mate of mine has his wife's tracker on so it alerts him when she is 2 miles away from home so he can....put the kettle on and make a her a cup of tea!

The audible alert is easily turned off.

 

[pandas]

The audible alert is easily turned off.

That's not my understanding but I am not an expert, don't have one and it rather defeats the objective of that feature. If you could it could therefore be worth investing in one as an inexpensive tracker for the electric bikes so please let us know how to turn the feature off.

 

[Boris7]

That's not my understanding but I am not an expert, don't have one and it rather defeats the objective of that feature. If you could it could therefore be worth investing in one as an inexpensive tracker for the electric bikes so please let us know how to turn the feature off.

I’ve no idea, but having been tracked by some of these bloody things for a few months I can assure you it’s possible.

Im actually moving away from Apple devices for this very reason.

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[Coastal Cruiser.]

Have these on our dogs collars,

 

[Coolcats]

I know at least one person on this forum is using them, but can't find the thread.

This doesn't just affect those who own the tags though it affects all apple device owners.

Be wary.

Hackers can use AirTags to steal your Apple account — what you need to know

'Found AirTag' page can be altered to contain malicious code

www.tomsguide.com

Apple AirTag Bug Enables ‘Good Samaritan’ Attack – Krebs on Security

krebsonsecurity.com

People are more likely to get hacked by leaving Bluetooth on and in discovery mode. I just love these scare stories no doubt a patch will come along soon. What is the random chance someone finds a lost tag and is able to create code and ‘inject it’ pretty slim at the moment so just turn the feature off if your worried.

The more you open your devices up the more chance of being hacked. It doesn’t matter what manufacturer. Leave a door open and some idiot will gain access.

I should add I use tile and never leave it connected permanently only connect via Bluetooth if I want to use it that way it greatly reduces tracking and hacking.

 

[pandas]

Have these on our dogs collars,

only wear mine at home so not much point

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[Gromett]

I just love these scare stories no doubt a patch will come along soon

This is a seriously old thread (in computer terms). Patch was done a long time ago.

 

[Coolcats]

This is a seriously old thread (in computer terms). Patch was done a long time ago.

Lol I did see someone else post that, but thanks for the update

 

[Mikeco]

Absolutely no idea what this post is about, ignorance is bliss.

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[bobnick]

No apples in this house at the mo.

 

[Gromett]

Lol I did see someone else post that, but thanks for the update

BUT!!!

Apple AirTags being used by thieves to track high-end cars to steal

Canadian police say they've had five such incidents since September.

arstechnica.com

 

[Coolcats]

BUT!!!

Apple AirTags being used by thieves to track high-end cars to steal

Canadian police say they've had five such incidents since September.

arstechnica.com

And there are some 600 tile users in my locality there is no way I leave my blue tooth on all the time and only occasionally switch on tile locator if needed. You will note tracking is not unique to air tags and if your using Facebook, Google and a Plether of other apps you are being tracked quite nicely thank you.

So use air tags if you need and choose which features you may want to use to if not then don’t, you have a choice to be tracked or not from any of these products and services.

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[Gromett]

And there are some 600 tile users in my locality there is no way I leave my blue tooth on all the time and only occasionally switch on tile locator if needed. You will note tracking is not unique to air tags and if your using Facebook, Google and a Plether of other apps you are being tracked quite nicely thank you.

So use air tags if you need and choose which features you may want to use to if not then don’t, you have a choice to be tracked or not from any of these products and services.

I was taking the mick.

 

[Coolcats]

I was taking the mick.

No problem