Beware ‘beacons’ people hide on your belongings to ‘covertly track’ location – iPhone and Androids can ‘detect stalkers’

A STRANGER or even someone you know might be tracking you using a Bluetooth beacon.

These are smaller tracker tags that can be used to spy on your exact movements.

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Tracker tags – like the Apple AirTags – are a great way to keep tabs on your belongings.

For instance, you might want to put an AirTag on your keys so you don't lose them, or put one on luggage before a flight.

But stalkers can take advantage of these tags to "covertly track" your movements, according to security experts at Kaspersky.

The good news is that it's extremely easy to find these hidden tags on your belongings – and squash any attempts to stalk you.

"Small Bluetooth tags for finding lost items are a godsend for frequent travelers and simply forgetful people," explained Kaspersky's Stan Kaminsky.

"The possibility of remote tracking was quickly appreciated not only by the forgetful but also by scammers and stalkers.

"By planting an AirTag on a victim — for example, slipping it into a purse pocket or under a car license plate — one can track a person’s movements without their knowledge.

"Thieves use this technology to steal expensive cars, and stalkers and jealous partners use it for surveillance and harassment."

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Thankfully Apple and Google have teamed up to detect when a tracker that you don't own is being used to follow you.

That way, you can stop the "beacon" tracking in a matter of seconds.

HOW TO DETECT TRACKER BEACONS ON IPHONE

First, make sure you've updated to the latest version of iOS on your iPhone.

Then simply look out for a notification that an item has been "detected near you" or is moving with you.

"If you see the above message on your device, it means that an AirTag or other Find My accessory has been separated from the person who registered it and is now moving with you," Apple explains.

"It’s possible that the AirTag might be attached to an item you’re borrowing.

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"It’s also possible that the owner might be tracking you without your knowledge."

You can quickly check to see if your iPhone has recently detected such a device.

Just go into the Find My app on iPhone, tap on Items, then choose Items Detected With You.

There will be an option to see a dashed line on a map that shows where the item was detected with you.

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The app may also give you an option to Play Sound on the tracker, potentially helping to expose its location.

And on newer iPhone models with Ultra Wideband technology, you may be able to use Find Nearby with Precision Finding to locate its exact position in your clothing, bag, or car.

You'll be able to disable the AirTag and stop it from sharing its location.

Just tap on Instructions to Disable and then follow the steps on your screen.

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Once you've disabled the AirTag, the owner will no longer be able to get updates on its current location.

And you'll stop receiving any unwanted alerts for the item.

If you do find the AirTag, you can hold the top of your iPhone near the white side to pull up a notification.

Tap it and you'll be able to view a webpage that contains information about the AirTag.

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This includes its serial number, plus the last four digits of the phone number belonging to the person that registered it.

That way, you may be able to identify who is tracking you.

The AirTag may also have been marked as lost, and this page could give you info on how to contact the owner.

HOW TO DETECT TRACKER BEACONS ON ANDROID

Google also offers ways of finding Bluetooth trackers.

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Make sure you're running the latest version of Android, for a start.

Then you should receive unknown tracker alerts if you're being followed by a tag.

"An unknown tracker alert is sent when someone else’s tracker device is separated from them and if your Android phone detects the tracker is traveling with you and out of Bluetooth range from the owner," Google explains.

"The notification alerts you to the tracker and tells you how to find it and what to do next."

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When you see the notification, tap it to open a map.

This will show a map of where the tracker has been detected travelling with you.

And like on iPhone, you can use your Android phone to "Play Sound" on the tracker.

This won't notify the owner of the tag, and may help you uncover it.

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Once you find the tracker, tap on Next Steps.

You can get and save the info of the tracker, and disable it from working.

If you find an AirTag, for instance, and want to manually disable it, then push down and twist anti-clockwise on the back of the tracker.

Then simply remove the cover and take out the battery.

This will totally stop any tracking from that AirTag.

Just make sure you've noted down the info of the tracker before disabling it, as you may need this for your records.

You can also run a manual scan on your Android phone.

Simply go into Settings > Safety & Emergency > Unknown Tracker Alerts and then choose Scan Now.

It'll take about 10 seconds to manually scan for any tags that are following you.

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There's also a dedicated app on Android called Tracker Detect.

It's available from the Google Play Store and can help to expose unwanted tracking devices.