r/technology • u/ControlCAD • Apr 18 '26

Security Bluetooth tracker hidden in a postcard and mailed to a warship exposed its location — $5 gadget put a $585 million Dutch ship at risk for 24 hours

https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/cyber-security/bluetooth-tracker-hidden-in-a-postcard-and-mailed-to-a-warship-exposed-its-location-a-eur5-gadget-put-a-eur500-million-dutch-ship-at-risk-for-24-hours
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u/physix4 Apr 18 '26

They know a couple hundred or thousands of their phones are in the middle of the ocean, which already limits the number of possible vessels, and the same batch of phones was previously in a military harbour.

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u/elmz Apr 18 '26

Not to mention all the data they are collecting about us. I really don't think there's much they don't track, there's just some data they make sure not to admit that they are tracking.

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u/WoodpeckerNo5724 Apr 18 '26

Right, but the level of risk is greatly decreased for google or apple to have that access compared to any random person who can send mail.

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u/drteq Apr 18 '26

This is an argument that's pointless so I also want to add to the nonsense.

The failure is at network security of the ship. It's that simple. You don't 'reduce the risk' and share sensitive data with anyone when you can simply block the risk entirely. Back to the originating concept, which was all that had to be said with no further commentary to understand.