- Kamala Harris says she won’t use wireless headphones for security reasons
- Vulnerabilities have been found in many products with great name
- Security risk is very very low but it is not zero
Everyone loves wireless headphones – but maybe everyone shouldn’t. That’s what Kamala Harris suggests, and she knows more than most of us: talking to Stephen Colbert last week she explained why her preference for wired earplugs rather than wireless wasn’t because she’s old -fashioned.
“I know I’ve been teased about this,” she said. “But I like these sorts of ear pods that have [a cable] Because I served in the Senate Intelligence Committee. “
As she explained, “I have been in classified orientations and I tell you you shouldn’t be on the train using your Earpods [she meant AirPods here] Thinking someone can’t listen to your conversation. “
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This is not tinfoil hat -territory
With very few exceptions, most wireless headphones via Bluetooth – and earlier this year identified German IT security analysts vulnerabilities in a whole range of headphones from very big names including Bose, Jabra, JBL, Marshall and Sony. The system-on-a-chip manufacturer used by these companies has since updated its SDK to deal with the problem, even though we would be foolish to assume it’s the only one.
The presence of a vulnerability in a chip does not mean that it has been or will be exploited. But that’s an option. Last year, Bliry demonstrated how to take advantage of such vulnerability to record sound from “a particular high-end headset”. And this year, it turned out that a bluetooth vulnerability could enable the interception of calls in the car.
The risk from wireless devices is not just interception. For example, the United Kingdom’s Justice Department notes that Bluetooth devices can be used to track anyone’s location. It also tells the staff that although Bluetooth is fine for people working with “official” material, it may not be enough for “officially sensitive or higher material”.
The probability that the average pair of headphones or earplugs that are captured by someone will disappear small. And it’s probably just as good because 3.5mm audio plug also disappears-even you can of course always use a USB-C adapter or DAC to go the cable. But most of the best headphones today are wireless, especially for carrying outdoors – and double, so if you want active noise reduction. Wired ANC earrings are almost eradicated, frustrating for security
For the average listener like you or I am the security risk almost zero. But if you, like Kamala Harris, do not have an average job, there are plenty of people who are willing to invest serious time, talent and tech in trying to listen to your communication. And it could mean that the best wired earplugs are the smart feature – to go wirelessly becoming ruthless.
