Did you think your smartphone was safe, secure in your hand? However, an over-the-counter gadget on the Internet is capable of jamming it and hacking many other devices.
Gadgets that seem harmless can sometimes be much more threatening than you think. This is the case of Flipper Zero, an electronic device that has recently attracted the attention of technology enthusiasts and cybersecurity experts. This device, which looks like a toy with its monochrome LCD screen, colorful buttons, and dolphin mascot, actually hides astonishing hacking capabilities. Sold at around 200 euros, it quickly became known on platforms like TikTok, where it is nicknamed the “Tamagotchi of hackers”.
The Flipper Zero stands out for its ability to perform “geek jokes” such as turning off screens remotely or opening the charging hatch on Tesla cars. Although it was originally designed to help security professionals test and secure systems, its functionality can be misused for malicious purposes. This device is equipped with several types of antennas, allowing it to manipulate systems such as infrared remote controls, NFC bank cards, or even RFID chips used to open doors.
These abilities, which may seem harmless, however hide a much more dangerous potential. A cybersecurity expert recently demonstrated the use of Flipper Zero to disrupt iPhones via the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. At Def Con 2023, an event dedicated to hackers, this expert presented a device that sent fake notifications to neighboring iPhones, tricking them into connecting to a fake Apple TV. This offered hackers an opportunity to steal personal information, like Apple IDs, while saturating phones with pop-ups, rendering them virtually unusable.
This attack was quickly reproduced, revealing an even more worrying flaw: even in airplane mode, the iPhone remains vulnerable if Bluetooth is not manually disabled in the phone’s settings. The potential scope of this attack is also alarming. According to the researcher, it could reach several kilometers, which considerably increases the risk of large-scale exploitation.
Against all expectations, the Flipper Zero is easily available for sale. More than two years after its launch, it is still easily accessible on well-known online stores such as Amazondespite the platform’s announced efforts to remove it from its offers. With its legal but dangerously misuseable functions, this device clearly illustrates the risks associated with the malicious use of technological gadgets.