- Kamala Harris says he will not use wireless headphones for security reasons
- Vulnerabilities have been found in many renowned products
- The safety risk is very low, but it is not zero
Everyone loves wireless headphones, but maybe everyone should not. That is what Kamala Harris suggests, and she knows more than most of us: talking to Stephen Colbert last week, he explained why her preference for cable headphones on wireless was not because she was past fashionable.
“I know they have mocked me about this,” he said. “But I like it these types of headphones that have [a cable] Because I served in the Senate Intelligence Committee. “
As she explained: “I have been in classified information sessions and I tell you that you are not on the train using your Earpods [she meant AirPods here] Think that someone cannot listen to your conversation. “
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This is not a territory of aluminum paper hat
With very few exceptions, most wireless headphones are connected through Bluetooth, already the beginning of this year, German security analysts identified vulnerabilities in a large number of headphones of very large names, including Bose, Jabra, JBL, Marshall and Sony. Since then, the system manufacturer in a chip used by these companies has updated its SDK to address the problem, although it would be nonsense to assume that it is the only one.
The presence of vulnerability in a chip does not mean that it has been exploited or that it will be exploited. But it is a possibility. Last year, Bluzespy showed how to take advantage of such vulnerability to record audio from “a particular high -end headset.” And this year it arose that a vulnerability of Bluetooth could allow spy in calls in the car.
The risks of wireless devices are not just interception. For example, the United Kingdom Ministry of Justice points out that Bluetooth devices can be used to track someone’s location. He also tells the staff that, although Bluetooth is fine for people who work with “official” level material, it may not be safe enough for “official-sensible or higher material.”
The probability that the average torque of headphones or headphones will be intercepted by anyone is variable. And that is probably just as good, because 3.5 mm audio shots are also disappearing, although, of course, you can always use a USB-C or DAC adapter to connect. But most of the best headphones are wireless today, especially for outdoor use, and doubly, so if you want active noise cancellation. Cable ANC headphones are almost extinct, frustrating for safety
For the average listener like you or me, the safety risk is practically zero. But yes, like Kamala Harris, it does not have exactly an average work, there are many people willing to invest time, talent and technology to try to listen to their communications. And that could mean that the best cable headphones are the intelligent movement: wireless IR could be reckless.
