Researchers from the University of Washington have discovered a security hole in none other than a pair of running shoes! Their article Devices That Tell On You: The Nike+iPod Sport Kit, details how the Nike+iPod Sport Kit transfers information wirelessly to the iPod. This information can be easily intercepted by a relatively simple to build device that tracks where the user is in real time via Google Maps. Thus, a criminal would be able to determine where you are and the best time to strike. They could know when you are getting close to home when they are robbing your place or determine when you are in a secluded area in order to mug you.

Several different media groups have covered this. Here are some that I have run across:

What truly amazes me is that you do not have to actually buy a pair of Nike shoes or have an iPod in order to track someone with this device. Just put the sensor, which looks like a powerful RFID tag, into someone’s backpack or jacket pocket and you have an instant tracking bug.

For those if you who are really into stuff like this, read the full technical report. It really has some interesting ideas and concepts.

Also, here are some screen shots of their bug tracker and the software that they created:
figure_gumstix.jpg figure_googlemaps.jpg figure_interface.jpg

Now, I guess this could also be used for good. You could put one of these things in your kids clothes and activate it if they go missing. Especially if they could be expanded to use the cellular network. It could be a great addition to the Amber Alert system.

What do you think of this? Is it something to be truly concerned about or is it just fear mongering?

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Tim Fehlman