My next door neighbours, in the other 'half' of my semi-detached house, have apparently installed a Samsung 'Stand' t.v. I know this because while I was listening to a podcast on headphones (Sony WX1000 M3 phones) yesterday I heard part of a conversation from next door. I recognised the voice instantly as it was so clear, but listened to the podcast twice more to check what I had heard was not a glitch in that. I checked which Bluetooth kit I had connected to my Mac (OS 11.4 Big Sur) and a Samsung Stand t.v. was listed with the 'connect' icon beside it. This is the only 'foreign' device I've ever seen listed in Bluetooth. Obviously I don't know the password so wouldn't have been able to connect anyway but I didn't try it. These neighbours are engaged in some kind of criminal activity; I've learned not to have any contact with them and the police are involved.
Samsung's website says that their t.v. models don't pick up signals from Bluetooth peripherals like mice and keyboards, but how secure is this? Are my router and computer passwords the sum of the protection I have against the possibilities of this technology? I went through firewall options when I installed the new OS but rechecked I had everything I don't need, turned off. I'm asking because two months ago they tapped my landline phone and were using it as a microphone to listen inside my home. They took my contacts then called my mobile which showed the incoming call as coming from my own landline phone. The police said it's very unlikely they were actually able to hear my phone conversations. Initially I didn't see the repeated flashing of the handset because I was sorting a lot of books and the handset was hidden. The main phone is in another room. My cat noticed something happening; he was distressed, growling, ears back or flicking constantly, staring at a spot high on the party wall and trying to climb the furniture to reach it. The woman has assaulted me twice. I've had to write up the history of the harassment I've had from these neighbours over the last 15 months and instead of e-printing I set up a USB connection and printed what I needed that way, just 'in case'. I also use a wired mouse, put a USB cable in my convertible keyboard, and turn Bluetooth off while I'm doing this stuff. This is crazy, but very serious. I'm severely disabled and the ease of Bluetooth is positively helpful, not just a convenience.
Is there a threat that technology like this can be used for listening in on others? Is it a known problem? I don't have a t.v., online catch-up is enough for me. I'm only a user of this stuff, not an expert. I'd really appreciate your views on whether there's a threat to others as well as the user having to make sure they know the potential risks to themselves. These neighbours are aware of the problem - their television hasn't shown in my Bluetooth devices today.
TIA for your hellp.
Meridien
Samsung's website says that their t.v. models don't pick up signals from Bluetooth peripherals like mice and keyboards, but how secure is this? Are my router and computer passwords the sum of the protection I have against the possibilities of this technology? I went through firewall options when I installed the new OS but rechecked I had everything I don't need, turned off. I'm asking because two months ago they tapped my landline phone and were using it as a microphone to listen inside my home. They took my contacts then called my mobile which showed the incoming call as coming from my own landline phone. The police said it's very unlikely they were actually able to hear my phone conversations. Initially I didn't see the repeated flashing of the handset because I was sorting a lot of books and the handset was hidden. The main phone is in another room. My cat noticed something happening; he was distressed, growling, ears back or flicking constantly, staring at a spot high on the party wall and trying to climb the furniture to reach it. The woman has assaulted me twice. I've had to write up the history of the harassment I've had from these neighbours over the last 15 months and instead of e-printing I set up a USB connection and printed what I needed that way, just 'in case'. I also use a wired mouse, put a USB cable in my convertible keyboard, and turn Bluetooth off while I'm doing this stuff. This is crazy, but very serious. I'm severely disabled and the ease of Bluetooth is positively helpful, not just a convenience.
Is there a threat that technology like this can be used for listening in on others? Is it a known problem? I don't have a t.v., online catch-up is enough for me. I'm only a user of this stuff, not an expert. I'd really appreciate your views on whether there's a threat to others as well as the user having to make sure they know the potential risks to themselves. These neighbours are aware of the problem - their television hasn't shown in my Bluetooth devices today.
TIA for your hellp.
Meridien
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