Nike + IPod As A Tracking Device

[Thomas] found a paper from 2006 that describes using the Nike + iPod system as inexpensive tracking devices. Yep, it’s old as dirt but we think it’s fascinating reading! [Scott Saponas] and his fellow authors take a hard look at the lack of security in the system in a twelve-page PDF. They cover several different ways to capture and track one of the $29 tags in someone’s shoe, including using the Gumstix reader above, or a slightly modified 3G iPod. If the sensors are not removed or manually switched off when not in use they can be picked up by any RF reader within range. Because the tags are cheap and available, one could be planted on an unsuspecting victim James-Bond-style. Maybe this is what prompted Apple’s half-hearted attempt to restrict hacking the devices to do things like unlock doors.

Of course if you don’t want to do the reading you could download their video presentation or just stream it.

5 thoughts on “Nike + IPod As A Tracking Device

  1. Interesting, a lot of people don’t seem to realize how devices like this can be misused. RFID chips in ID and bank cards aren’t the only way a person can be tracked without their knowledge.

  2. Uh oh, now the government is going to start tracking our every move by our feet. Somebody needs to start making tin foil booties.

    Incidentally, how many people who would feel nervous about carrying RFID bank cards/ID/training shoes also walk around with a 24/7 connected GPS-capable MOBILE TELEPHONE and think nothing of it?

  3. Oh wow, these guys were kind of blind. The Nike+ protocol is a modified version of bluetooth. They basically made a Bluetooth discovery tool that then transmits it’s findings over Bluetooth.

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