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A Denial Of Service Attack From Two Feet Away?

Overhype

from the must-be-difficult-to-track-down-who's-at-fault dept

Fri, Feb 10th 2006 10:06am — Mike Masnick
For the past few years, a number of firms have been overhyping the risk associated with mobile viruses, as they all looked to release mobile anti-virus solutions. It's true that mobile viruses may eventually be a problem, but for now, most of them require the recipients to be "very, very stupid.". Still, if people were getting worked up about mobile viruses, why not get them worked up about other mobile threats as well? The latest is a warning that certain Sony Ericsson phones are vulnerable to Bluetooth-based denial of service attacks. While it's true that some enterprising folks have figured out ways to extend the range of Bluetooth, for the most part any such denial of service attack is going to come from something extremely close to where you are. Besides, the point of a denial of service attack is usually to take down a specific server online. It's hard to see many circumstances when a similar attack on someone's mobile phone would make much sense.
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  • identicon
    SiliconCowboy, 10 Feb 2006 @ 11:02am

    Ultimate Revenge

    It's the nerds ultimate revenge on that popular girl in high-school that wouldn't go out with them. Do a DOS attack on her phone so she can't send those ever important txt messages during class.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 10 Feb 2006 @ 11:36am

      Re: Ultimate Revenge

      wait untill schools start doing this in each classroom to prevent possible cheating on tests...LOL

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Ben McNelly, 10 Feb 2006 @ 11:59am

    No Subject Given

    Thats got to be the shortest most useless artical I have seen in a while.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Alex Pearsall, 10 Feb 2006 @ 12:41pm

    Well... maybe..

    I can see it being very useful. Ever been in a line checking out, and the person in front of you is too busy chatting on their phone, to actually unpack their goods from their cart, or pay for them in a timely matter?

    Yea, gives me ideas.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    anonymous coward, 10 Feb 2006 @ 12:54pm

    No Subject Given

    I would love a DoS attack on that loudmouth on the bus...

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Nutsack Jones, 10 Feb 2006 @ 1:16pm

      Re: No Subject Given

      Most people don't even know how to enable Bluetooth on their cell phone.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 10 Feb 2006 @ 1:41pm

        Re: No Subject Given

        this would be great if placed under each seat in a movie theater... or at least built into each SUV

        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 10 Feb 2006 @ 1:45pm

          Re: No Subject Given

          How can you do a DOS on a BT phone if the BT is turned off or requires authentication?

          [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    silentrite, 10 Feb 2006 @ 2:08pm

    it could happen

    It could happen...but its not going to. Honstly, except for people being stupid there is no point to temporarily shut down someones cellphone. Wouldn't it be easier to just tell them to shut up? If they're close enough to use bluetooth they're close enough to smack. :) its quicker anyway.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 10 Feb 2006 @ 2:14pm

    DoS for servers of companies you hate, not loudmou

    Besides, the point of a denial of service attack is usually to take down a specific server online. It's hard to see many circumstances when a similar attack on someone's mobile phone would make much sense.


    People dont write or use programs and buy hardware and use it to shut up the loudmouth - then go to jail. They do it to extort companies or just piss em off.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 10 Feb 2006 @ 3:21pm

      Re: DoS for servers of companies you hate, not lou

      wow - forget about building a TV-JAMMER (thing from the 80's where you could block OtA TV from 20 feet away), I think I will build one of these in electrical/shop class and piss-off that neighbor of mine who always has those strange women coming and going from his apartment beside mine.

      thanks Mr BTDoS inventor!

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Sohrab, 12 Feb 2006 @ 11:51am

    No Subject Given

    lmao. Yea, I think people are finally figuring out what the hell bluetooth is and its not a cavity.

    Service attack on that would be so usless because what pertenge of phones have bluetooth, let alone are constantly using them?

    The most bluetooth on a public level that gets used is not even for syncing data but just using a headset.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]


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