Hackers can track you by your cell phone's battery

Discussion in 'Technical' started by CATO, Aug 4, 2015.


  1. CATO

    CATO Monkey+++

    Just an FYI for normal people.

    No need to tell us you use two cans and a string to communicate or put your phone in a lead-lined kryptonium crystal box when you travel. Just go pat yourself on the back and chant "op-sec lord."

    Your smartphone battery maybe helping spies track you
    [​IMG]
    INDIATODAY.IN NEW DELHI, AUGUST 4, 2015 | UPDATED 17:56 IST



    Smartphone batteries could be the new privacy risk if a new research is to be gone by. It has now come to light that phone batteries can aid spies in tracking users' whereabouts based on the websites they visit. Private information sent by these 'rogue' batteries can help miscreants identify phone owners as well as track them around the internet.

    It doesn't matter if the user has the most careful privacy precautions in place which adds to the seriousness of the issue.

    Miscreants are taking advantage of the same software in HTML5 that tells websites how much battery is left in a users' phone to track their moves. According to the research, the same technology that allows websites to help preserve battery life when the users' phone is running low on juice can be used to identify them as they sift through the internet.

    The fact that websites don't require users' permission to view their phones' battery mark means every phone will respond to the request giving away information. All this is done without users' knowledge.

    While using VPNs or going incognito may seem safe options to maintain your privacy, there's no way to get around the security problems in the battery software, says the study.



    Read more at: Your smartphone battery maybe helping spies track you : News, News - India Today
     
    Marck, Dont, Homer Simpson and 3 others like this.
  2. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    Maybe it is time to track down one of these "lead-lined kryptonium crystal box"!! :eek:
     
    Marck, Homer Simpson and Tully Mars like this.
  3. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    It's none of their business how much battery I have. Nuke 'em from orbit, it's the only way to be sure.[ghrit]
     
    Homer Simpson likes this.
  4. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    Anybody have experience with any of these products: RFID Wallet | Credit Card Sleeve | Identity Stronghold - though none of them would prevent your battery from narcing you to a website when you are using it.
     
    Marck likes this.
  5. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    3M-TA3 likes this.
  6. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    There's a better way to protect a cell battery from informing on you. I use it continuously. No damn cell or "smart" phone to distract me or interrupt my life with "gotta have it now" people bugging me.
     
    pearlselby, Tully Mars and Yard Dart like this.
  7. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    I only wish that I could do the same...... someday!!
     
    Tully Mars likes this.
  8. sec_monkey

    sec_monkey SM Security Administrator

    Last edited: Aug 4, 2015
  9. hitchcock4

    hitchcock4 Monkey++

    Hey 3M-TA3
    As long ago as 7 years ago I bought the "secure sleeve" from Identity Stronghold (Secure Sleeve for Passports ( IDSH1002-001 ) is current address for the same). Since that was 7 years ago, and I see that the company is still around, that is good news. I have used it for many trips to hold my passport, and even keep it in the sleeve while the PP is in my safe.
    Of course, I haven't tested the RFID block-ability myself (trust but verify). If you read the Amazon questions and Answers (Amazon.com : Identity Stronghold RFID Blocking Secure Sleeve / Case for Id & Credit Card - Pack of 10 : Business Card Holders : Office Products) then you can see that others have tested the product that I have.

    Of course, this doesn't help with the battery from the OP.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 25, 2015
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