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Flaw in 17 Google Fast Pair audio devices could let hackers eavesdrop


Google told Engadget its affected Pixel Buds are already patched. (Google)

Now would be a good time to update all your Bluetooth audio devices. On Thursday, Wired reported on a security flaw in 17 headphone and speaker models that could allow hackers to access your devices, including their microphones. The vulnerability stems from a faulty implementation of Google's one-tap (Fast Pair) protocol.

Security researchers at Belgium's KU Leuven University Computer Security and Industrial Cryptography group, who discovered the security hole, named the flaw WhisperPair. They say a hacker within Bluetooth range would only require the accessory's (easily attainable) device model number and a few seconds.

"You're walking down the street with your headphones on, you're listening to some music. In less than 15 seconds, we can hijack your device," KU Leuven researcher Sayon Duttagupta told Wired. "Which means that I can turn on the microphone ...


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