Beware of ‘beacons’ that people hide in their belongings to ‘secretly track’ location – iPhone and Androids can ‘detect stalkers’

A STRANGER or even someone you know could be tracking you using a Bluetooth beacon.

These are smaller tracker tags that can be used to spy on your exact movements.

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Tracker tags – like Apple AirTags – are a great way to keep tabs on your belongings.

For example, you can put an AirTag on your keys so you don’t lose them, or put one in your luggage before your flight.

But stalkers can leverage these tags to “secretly track” your movements, according to security experts at Kaspersky.

The good news is that it’s extremely easy to find these tags hidden on your belongings – and stifle any attempt to come after you.

“Small Bluetooth tags for finding lost items are a godsend for frequent travelers and people who are simply forgetful,” explained Kaspersky’s Stan Kaminsky.

“The possibility of remote tracking was quickly appreciated not only by the forgetful, but also by scammers and stalkers.

“By placing an AirTag on a victim – for example, placing it in the pocket of a bag or under a car license plate – it is possible to track a person’s movements without their knowledge.

“Thieves use this technology to steal expensive cars, and stalkers and jealous partners use it for surveillance and harassment.”

Fortunately, Apple and Google have teamed up to detect when a tracker you don’t own is being used to follow you.

This way, you can stop “beacon” tracking in a matter of seconds.

HOW TO DETECT TRACKER BEACONS ON IPHONE

First, make sure you have updated to the latest version of iOS on your iPhone.

Then just look for a notification that an item has been “detected near you” or is moving with you.

“If you see the above message on your device, it means that an AirTag or other Find My accessory has been separated from the person who registered it and is now moving with you,” explains Apple.

“It is possible that the AirTag is attached to an item that you are borrowing.

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“It’s also possible that the owner is tracking you without your knowledge.”

You can quickly check whether your iPhone has recently detected such a device.

Just go to the Find My app on your iPhone, tap Items, and choose Items Detected With You.

There will be an option to see a dashed line on a map that shows where the item was detected with you.

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The app may also offer the option to play sound on the tracker, potentially helping to expose its location.

And on the latest iPhone models With Ultra Wideband technology, you will be able to use Find Near with precise location to pinpoint your exact position on your clothing, bag, or car.

You will be able to disable the AirTag and prevent it from sharing your location.

Just tap Instructions to disable and follow the steps on your screen.

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After disabling the AirTag, the owner will no longer be able to receive updates about their current location.

And you will stop receiving unwanted alerts about the item.

If you find the AirTag, you can hold the top of your iPhone near the white side to display a notification.

Tap it and you will be able to view a web page that contains information about the AirTag.

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This includes your serial number, plus the last four digits of the phone number belonging to the person who registered you.

This way, you will be able to identify who is tracking you.

The AirTag may also have been marked as lost and this page may provide information on how to contact the owner.

HOW TO DETECT TRACKER BEACONS ON ANDROID

Google also offers ways to find Bluetooth trackers.

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Make sure you are running the latest version of Androidto start.

Then you should receive unknown tracker alerts if you are being followed by a tag.

“An unknown tracker alert is sent when someone else’s tracking device is separated from them and if your Android phone detects that the tracker is traveling with you and out of the owner’s Bluetooth range,” explains Google.

“Notification alerts you to the tracker and tells you how to find it and what to do next.”

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When you see the notification, tap it to open a map.

This will show a map of where the tracker has been detected traveling with you.

And like the iPhone, you can use your Android phone to “play sound” on the tracker.

This will not notify the tag owner and may help them discover the tag.

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Once you find the tracker, tap Next Steps.

You can get and save tracker information and disable it.

If you find an AirTag, for example, and want to disable it manually, press down and turn it counterclockwise on the back of the tracker.

Then simply remove the cover and remove the battery.

This will completely stop any tracking of that AirTag.

Just be sure to write down the tracker information before disabling it, as you may need it for your records.

You can also run a manual scan on your Android phone.

Just go to Settings > Security & Emergency > Unknown Tracker Alerts and choose Scan Now.

Manually checking for tags that are following you will take about 10 seconds.

There is also a dedicated app on Android called Tracker Detect.

It is available on the Google Play Store and can help expose unwanted tracking devices.