Slashdot Mirror
Spammed by Bluetooth
An Anonymous Reader writes "BBC News is reporting a new craze - using Bluetooth to send unsolicited messages. Apparently lots of phone owners are leaving Bluetooth switched on, meaning that anyone within range can send a short message. The phenomenon is known as "bluejacking". It's not clear at present that this is being done by anyone other than pranksters, but one can't help wondering, how long before commercial spammers catch on."
I can see it now, Mom and Pop stores could have messages sent to your device as you walk past or near their entrance
Bluetooth-enabled devices must include an easy hardware switch which allows the convenient shutting off of Bluetooth functionality. An indicator light displaying the current status must also be included on the device. Devices like the Tapwave Zodiac are well designed and include these features.
I always save my last mod point to mod up a good troll. You people are too serious.
Because the best security method is security via obscurity. It's been proven time after time.
(Sorry to post the obvious in response to a flamebait... someone's gotta do it, do I deserve the mod downs that may follow? ;)
I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
What might be more interesting is bluetooth viruses. We're probably fairly safe since we dont have a monoculture in mobile phones like that which exists on the desktop, but you can just imagine bluetooth viruses hopping from phone to phone as their owner travels around :-). Plus the fact that its very difficult to update phones to fix holes could make this a pretty big problem if such security holes were found.
were you expecting to see a sig here? perhaps you'd rather see the inside of an ambulance!
Yeah, I'm not sure this sort of thing is likely to be abused. Maybe a local store will pop a message to my phone with some sort of lure to get me in, but unlike most Spam that would be relevant and hopefully interesting. The range thing means I'd be within throwing distance of the "Spammer" to, so unwelcome offensive spam is likely to incur the potential for physical retaliation.
You are in a maze of twisted little posts, all alike.
Absolutely.. What you will see is kiosks that are setup in crowded areas (Airport terminals, malls, etc..) that continually look for devices to send messages to. Potentially big business.
At the most basic level, you'll see stores use this as a means to automatically transmit specials and what-not as you walk into the store.
Turn s60 photos into awesome videos with mScrapbook for all S60 3rd edition phones!
Wow... does the potential for having someone send a message to your phone really invoke such ire? Somebody needs a hug...
I mean really, let's think about this: If you're walking in front of my coffee shop and I "bluejack" you with a coupon for a half-price latte, are you gonna come in and beat the crap out of me because I made your phone beep? I think we're so programmed to see (and hate!) 'spam' that we automatically get our hackles raised about something that could actually be a cool way to support small businesses and escape the "WalMart" mentality.
I know I'm guilty too, but I'm trying to learn to relax. Just my two cents worth... decimate at will... (sigh)
You are in a little twisting maze of passages, all different. You're screwed.