Security concerns hit wireless devices

Simple 'plug and play' wireless gadgets are putting consumers’ privacy at risk.

The warning comes after a team of student researchers at the University of Washington found that thieves or stalkers could make use of the simple ‘plug and play’ wireless transmitters in the Nike and iPod Sport Kit to track people’s locations.

However, it is not just this device that could cause consumers problems, according Scott Saponas, contributor to the report entitled Devices That Tell on You: The Nike+iPod Sport Kit.

He said: "The Nike+iPod Sport Kit is a cutting edge consumer gadget that is representative of the future of computing devices. [As people] start to use more and more of these devices on a daily basis, there become more ways to lose our privacy."

The kit, is a ‘plug and play’ device that has been designed for joggers to log the amount of calories they burn and the distance they run. It consists of a pedometer in the sole of the Nike shoe, and a receiver which plugs into the bottom of the iPod Nano. Running data can then be uploaded through iTunes to a dedicated Nike+ website.

However, although many users will welcome ease of use that comes with such a product, James Walker, wireless product manager at Zyxel, believes that the ‘plug in play’ option is what is leading to these problems.

“Although wireless can be secured with authentication and encryption many consumer devices don’t use these as standard as having to take time to configure this dispels the ‘plug and play’ ability of the device,” he said.

Owners of the Nike+iPod kit have been told that they can protect themselves by making sure they turn off the sensor that slips into the shoe from the Nike+iPod sport kit, as this is what broadcasts the unique identifier. But Walker and Saponas said more needs to be done to keep consumers safe when it comes to wireless devices.

“We hope that in the future, privacy is considered as an important design goal in the wireless gadgets we use every day," said Saponas.

Walker also recommends that consumers help themselves by “seeking education on this new technology".

Both Apple and Nike refused to comment.