Researchers at George Mason University have discovered a way to trace almost any Bluetooth device using Apple Find my network. Hacked, called nroottag, can be used by hackers to make any Bluetooth device “ignorant Homing Beacons.”
The researchers figured out a way around how an Apple Airtag changes its Bluetooth address using a cryptographic key that protects the airtag from being hacked. The researchers developed key search methods to create a compatible Bluetooth address that the key adapts by bypassing the secure key.
Updated March 1st: According to Apple, Discovery from George Mason University demonstrates how an Android, Windows or Linux device can be hacked, and then find that mine can be used for tracking. This is not a vulnerability in Apple’s Airtag, find my or other Apple products. An update to find mine was issued on December 11, 2024 to protect against abuse and recognized George Mason University in the release notes.
Researchers claim 90 percent success with their nroottag -hack, which can be performed externally without administrator access to a unit. It also does not matter which platform the device is on; Devices running Android, Windows and Linux have been hacked as well as smart TVs and VR headsets.
However, the hack requires intense treatment force to create a compatible nroot roof quickly. The researchers used “hundreds of graphics treatment units (GPUs)” using GPU rent services usually used by AI developers and Bitcoin miners. To help cut back on treatment, hackers can save the list of failed nroottags for reference.
The hack was reported to Apple in June 2024 and a firm was released on December 11, 2024. Apple acclaimed officially vulnerability, according to George Mason University’s report.
How to protect yourself
Due to the huge amount of treatment power to perform nroottag -hacked successfully, a user is unlikely to see this attack in nature. Users can take precautions by paying attention to Bluetooth messages from apps asking for unjustified and unexpected permission to connect. Users can check which Bluetooth devices are connected to iPhone, iPad and Mac in the Bluetooth system settings.
Apple releases security fixes through us updates, so it is important to install them as soon as possible. It is also important to update apps on your Mac, which you can do through the App Store or an App’s settings. Macworld has several guides to help, including a guide on whether you need antivirus software, a list of Mac viruses, malware and Trojans and a comparison of Mac safety software.