Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Skuzzy on February 06, 2017, 12:23:17 PM

Title: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: Skuzzy on February 06, 2017, 12:23:17 PM
Just thought you might like to know.

Google has added code to Chrome to allow WEB pages to snoop on Bluetooth.

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/02/05/chrome_56_quietly_added_bluetooth_snitch_api/
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: Dobs on February 06, 2017, 01:13:57 PM
So those with bluetooth laptops (is there such an animal as bluetooth desktops?) need to be aware when using Chrome.
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: Skuzzy on February 06, 2017, 01:39:40 PM
A number of OEM desktops do come Bluetooth capable.
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: pembquist on February 06, 2017, 04:16:38 PM
When I was in high school my girlfriend's brother was a little crazy and hung out with some other crazies who all believed in various conspiracy plots with one unifying belief being that "they" were controlling peoples minds with microwaves over the telephone. I remember watching him yell into the handset "get off, get off, they are doing it now." These days he doesn't seem THAT crazy anymore.
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: Skuzzy on February 06, 2017, 04:27:40 PM
What I find funny and a bit sad is the fact Google makes about $50 billion U.S. each year on data users gives to them for free.  Pretty cool deal, for them.
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: TequilaChaser on February 06, 2017, 05:41:00 PM
A number of OEM desktops do come Bluetooth capable.

My ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe Motherboard I chose for my i7-2600k Intel PC build back in 2011, has Bluetooth onboard

TC
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: DaddyAce on February 06, 2017, 07:42:21 PM
Hmmmmm, I have Chrome on my phone, and am sure I'm not the only one.....
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: OldNitro on February 07, 2017, 05:57:39 AM
Since the Snowden revelations, we have seen Stingray, Palentir, console game systems, and Smart TV's that "watch you back". Even have warnings in the owners manuals to be careful what you do or say. And I am sure there are other systems, that we don't know about yet.

I still know people who used to crack the tinfoil hat jokes. Well I don't hear them too much any longer! When I see these people now, including members of my own family, I say; "Looks like my tinfoil was working pretty good huh? How has that dooshbag on your head been workin for you?"  :neener:

Now, I will say no more.  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: Ramesis on February 07, 2017, 07:14:27 AM
Since the Snowden revelations, we have seen Stingray, Palentir, console game systems, and Smart TV's that "watch you back". Even have warnings in the owners manuals to be careful what you do or say. And I am sure there are other systems, that we don't know about yet.

I still know people who used to crack the tinfoil hat jokes. Well I don't hear them too much any longer! When I see these people now, including members of my own family, I say; "Looks like my tinfoil was working pretty good huh? How has that dooshbag on your head been workin for you?"  :neener:

Now, I will say no more.  :lipsrsealed:

Now requires a platinum hat  :D
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: hgtonyvi on February 07, 2017, 01:30:45 PM
My gaming desktop has Bluetooth technology. Sometimes I think all these new technological are added so they can be used to hack/spying on people.
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: zack1234 on February 09, 2017, 02:37:12 AM
i had a reporter knocking on my door asking who flew the Yak9T for the Soviets in WWII.

Apparently he got information that someone flew said plane at my address from a unknown source. (I presume I have been violated by the snooping Google minions)

I set the the dog on him and kicked him in the spuds :old:

He came back the following day with $50 and a thank you note for the spud incident  :old:
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: Bruv119 on February 09, 2017, 02:42:38 AM
zack that is an outrage!    :old:
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: BuckShot on February 09, 2017, 06:59:48 AM
What would they gain by looking at blue tooth connections?

"Hey , this guy's phone is connected to an ihome waterproof speaker"... that kind of thing?
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: Bizman on February 09, 2017, 11:30:03 AM
What would they gain by looking at blue tooth connections?

"Hey , this guy's phone is connected to an ihome waterproof speaker"... that kind of thing?

Your comment may sound funny, but let's think what it can include:

First: Since it's a waterproof speaker, the guy seems willing to spend money to both aural media and audio electronics - a marketing option!
Second: His bathroom time can be measured, both for marketing purposes to make him enjoy his staying, and for criminal purposes such as burglary while he's enjoying an hour long podcast.
Third: A speaker can work as a microphone and the function of the connection can be changed using a piece of program code.
Third and a half: If he's connecting his phone into the speaker, there already is a microphone. It hasn't been proved yet, but numerous people have reported Facebook ads mirroring discussion near a laptop. Think about the guy being a shower tenor. If he seems to sing along "Bella Napoli" but not "Highway to Hell" with the ad loaded "free" Spotify, would the next ad spot include travel ads to Italy?
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: Mar on February 14, 2017, 02:34:36 PM
Don't you need to specifically allow a website to access bluetooth though?
Title: Re: Chrome users might want to know
Post by: Bizman on February 15, 2017, 01:53:19 AM
Don't you need to specifically allow a website to access bluetooth though?

Not necessarily. Google might set that on by default in Chrome. Remind you that Google is first and foremost an advertising agency whose customers are the advertisers. We mere mortals who use Google's services are resources, targets, whatever. Definitely not customers! If they can legally increase their profit by enabling Bluetooth, they'll do it.

How many people actually know how to look at the advanced settings of their browser?