Austrian researcher Bluesnarfs at 1.08 miles
Get that little lead bag for your cellphone ready; long distance Bluesnarfing (aka using Bluetooth to hijack a cellphone or PDA) is here. An Austrian Bluetooth researcher in Santa Monica Bay recently used an antenna and a modified dongle (don't do this at home, kids) to steal the entire address book as well as send an SMS from a target phone 1.08 miles away. (Looks like they could have also used the BlueSniper we reported on yesterday.) Along the way they saw dozens of Bluetooth devices that were similarly vulnerable, although they say they focused only on that one phone. Bluetooth-enabled cellphone makers (we're looking in your general direction, Nokia) are denying that Bluesnarfing is a serious risk because it has to be done in such close proximity to the victim, but it looks like that theory's out the window…
[UPDATE: We've just been contacted by the Flexilis team who conducted the experiment in conjunction with Martin Herfurt, the Austrian researcher. They organized the event with Martin. Thanks, John!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jalexster @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM
Woo! We can hijack a phone from 1.08 miles! Go us!
Anyway, I have an iBook with Bluetooth. God help the people who deved bluetooth if my laptop is vunerable.
I was going to get a Bluetooth phone aswell. Looks like that dream is out the window. I'll get one with Wi-Fi as compensation. Or not.
Willy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM
I built a tiny Faraday cage for my cell phone, but it really messed with my reception. ;-)
Jalexster @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM
I just made an absoloute idiot out of myself. it syas Austrian, not Australian.
I take back the title and first sentance of my previous comment.
Mike Outmesguine @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM
Just wanted to update Engadget readers on other links about this story. Visit Engadget's sister-site on Weblogs Inc. for more "I was there" stuff. http://wireless.weblogsinc.com/entry/3733164530774830/
sinan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM
Hi how much equipment for doing this cost..and how to infiltrate without a victim noticeing?