{"id":2296,"date":"2018-08-23T13:00:39","date_gmt":"2018-08-23T20:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/blog\/?p=2296"},"modified":"2019-02-22T16:48:59","modified_gmt":"2019-02-23T00:48:59","slug":"google-devices-location-tracking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/google-devices-location-tracking\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Google Devices Giving Away Your Home Location?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In June 2018, news came out that a researcher at Tripwire discovered security flaws where Google Home<\/a> and Chromecast<\/a> exposed users locations.<\/p>\n

How This Happened, Why It Matters, and What Can You Do<\/h2>\n[aesop_video src=”youtube” id=”XEkvAdczYZk” width=”100%” align=”center” disable_for_mobile=”off” loop=”off” controls=”on” autoplay=”off” mute=”off” viewstart=”off” viewend=”off” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Google operates by connecting and mapping WiFi through a giant list of locations. This includes information taken from smart cars as they traverse streets (used for street view) and connect to various WiFi signals.<\/p>\n

Other times, Google retains data adapted from Android devices which are connected to GPS in addition to WiFi. Letting people know where you live without your consent puts your data and information at risk from malicious hackers.<\/p>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/My-Post-56.jpg” panorama=”off” imgwidth=”200″ offset=”200″ align=”center” lightbox=”on” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

Here is what the discovery explained: A hacker or criminal could use a technique named DNC rebinding to allow malware (via malicious advertisements or websites) to connect with the user\u2019s home equipment and networks! This hack was enough to give a location a mere 32 feet from the right home or business!<\/p>\n

This would then allow potential scammers or spammers to hack into all devices (computers, smartphones, etc.) on your network. This was of particular concern as it could risk honest individuals being blackmailing (fraudulent calls from fake FBI or debt collectors saying money must be paid, lest threat or punishment occur), etc.<\/p>\n

While this discovery gave Google notice about what it needed to fix (and fast, though Google first denied this was a problem), it also lets Google device users know what security measures to take to avoid future problems.<\/p>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/My-Post-57.jpg” panorama=”off” imgwidth=”200″ offset=”200″ align=”center” lightbox=”on” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

Stay on the Cutting Edge<\/h2>\n

Always stay up to date on potential safety fixes or newly discovered hacks against the devices you use. Concerned about your information might be appearing on the web where you don\u2019t want it to?<\/p>\n

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