Apple's AirTags Are Being Used As Stalkerware (VIDEO)
AirTags: For more than just finding your keys.
Apple AirTags Are Being Used As Stalkerware, Here's How To Find Them
This Essay article is part of a Narcity Media series. The views expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
Recently, I've been seeing articles about people misusing AirTags to stalk women and steal cars. While it's not the first location tracking device being misused, it's definitely one of the better ones. As a young woman myself, this has obviously concerned me.
My fears were only amplified when Apple released a blog post addressing the trend of AirTags being used for criminal purposes.
But why exactly AirTags?
Well, they're small, a reasonable price point, and a little too good at what they do.
Instead of GPS, AirTags use Bluetooth to locate its exact location. Unlike other trackers, AirTags also uses Apple's ultra-wideband Precision Finding Network. A network that allows the 1.65 billion Apple devices in the world to talk to each other, allowing for a highly-accurate location finding service. Throw in the "Find My" function available to Apple users and you have a tracker that you can locate anywhere in the world.
Well, as long as it has Apple devices nearby to connect to.
According to the blog post, Apple "took this concern seriously in the design of AirTag. It’s why the Find My network is built with privacy in mind, uses end-to-end encryption, and why we innovated with the first-ever proactive system to alert you of unwanted tracking."
When an unknown AirTag is detected by your iPhone, it will let you know it's nearby and how long it's been following you. This is how people have discovered unwanted trackers on their belongings. There's also an alert system built into the AirTag that will emit a beeping noise if it's separated from its owner for a long period of time.
However, these safety features only go so far.
First off: I'm an Android user.
I won't receive a notification that an AirTag is nearby, and I'm not about to buy an iPhone. Thankfully, as I cover in my most recent video, there are a few free and reliable Android apps available.
The other issue is one that all computer technology has: it can and has been hacked.
Stacksmashing, a German security researcher, has already shown that AirTags can be hacked.
Yesss!!! After hours of trying (and bricking 2 AirTags) I managed to break into the microcontroller of the AirTag! \n\n/cc @colinoflynn @LennertWopic.twitter.com/zGALc2S2Ph— stacksmashing (@stacksmashing) 1620510624
By breaking into the AirTag's microcontroller, he was able to change the URL that puts the person who found the tracker in contact with its owner. While he didn't necessarily make it a better tool for stalking someone, Stacksmashing did make it a great tool for phishing attacks.
À la dropping USBs in a parking lot to see if anyone is dumb enough to plug them into a computer.
As for the sound notification, there have been reports of people selling AirTags with the speakers removed or disabled. Which makes that security feature a mute point.
Apple noted in the blog post that they have been "actively working with law enforcement on all AirTag-related requests we’ve received. Based on our knowledge and on discussions with law enforcement, incidents of AirTag misuse are rare; however, each instance is one too many."
If you want to see these tiny devices in action, or you're an Android user wondering how to protect yourself, you should check out my AirTag YouTube video.