Category: iBeacon

Using Covert Channels with iBeacon

A new study Implementation and Analysis of Covert Channel Using iBeacon (PDF) explores the creation and analysis of covert communication channels using iBeacon, which is based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Covert channels are methods used to transmit information secretly, bypassing normal security measures.

The authors introduce two types of covert channels: one that uses the payload of the iBeacon broadcast messages and another that employs the broadcasting intervals. The payload-based covert channel modifies the UUID, Major, Minor, and TX power fields of the iBeacon packets to transmit covert messages. This method achieved a maximum throughput of 911,600 Bytes per second (Bps) with a Packet Delivery Rate (PDR) consistently above 75%, indicating its efficiency in transmitting substantial data covertly.

The interval-based covert channel, on the other hand, encodes messages in the time intervals between consecutive iBeacon broadcasts. Although this method provides higher concealment compared to payload-based channels, it has a lower channel capacity and can cause transmission delays.

The experimental setup involved using Raspberry Pi devices to simulate the transmission and reception of iBeacon packets, where various advertising intervals were tested. The findings highlighted that shorter advertising intervals resulted in higher throughput, with the best performance observed in the 100–200 ms range.

The study concludes by emphasising the potential for significant data transmission through BLE beacons and suggests future research to explore countermeasures against such covert channels.

iBeacon vs Beacon: Understanding the Difference

The term ‘Beacon’ is a generic name for all types of devices that use standard Bluetooth to transmit signals. Among these, iBeacon is the most popular and widely recognised.

Beacons: The Broad Category

Beacons are small, wireless transmitters that use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to send signals to nearby devices. These signals can trigger actions, such as sending notifications, providing navigation or tracking assets. The technology is simple yet powerful, enabling a myriad of applications across various industries, from retail to healthcare.

The term ‘Beacon’ encompasses a variety of beacon types, each with its unique specifications and use cases. These include Eddystone, AltBeacon, and, of course, iBeacon. Despite their differences, all beacons share the fundamental ability to transmit data using Bluetooth, making them interoperable with any Bluetooth-enabled device that scans for such signals.

iBeacon: Apple’s Contribution to Beacon Technology

Among the different types of beacons, iBeacon is perhaps the most well-known. It’s important to note that while the iBeacon data format was developed by Apple, it can be detected by any device that has Bluetooth scanning capabilities, not just Apple products.

The iBeacon protocol defines a specific data format for Bluetooth advertising. This format includes three main components:

  • UUID (Universally Unique Identifier): A 128-bit value that uniquely identifies the beacon or a group of beacons.
  • Major Value: A 16-bit integer used to group related beacons. For instance, all beacons in a specific retail store might share the same Major value.
  • Minor Value: Another 16-bit integer that allows for more granular identification within a group. This could, for example, differentiate individual beacons within a retail store.

Other Types of Beacons

While iBeacon is the most prominent, several other beacon technologies are worth mentioning:

  • Eddystone: Developed by Google, Eddystone is an open beacon format that supports multiple data frame types. This flexibility allows it to broadcast URLs, telemetry data and other forms of information, making it versatile for various applications.
  • AltBeacon: Created by Radius Networks, AltBeacon is an open and interoperable beacon standard. It aims to provide a flexible alternative to proprietary beacon formats, ensuring compatibility across different platforms and devices.

Inside the iBeacon Data Advertising

The iBeacon Bluetooth packet structure includes the following fields:

  • Preamble: A series of bytes that mark the beginning of the transmission.
  • Access Address: A 32-bit field that identifies the packet as a BLE advertisement.
  • PDU (Protocol Data Unit): Contains the actual iBeacon data, including the UUID, Major, and Minor values.
  • CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check): Ensures data integrity by checking for errors in the received data.

The brevity of this format allows iBeacons, in fact all beacons, to operate effectively with minimal power consumption, making them suitable for prolonged use in various environments.

Using iBeacon in Libraries

A new paper Smart Library Applications in Oman using iBeacon Technology: A Case Study by Asma Abdullah Saleh Alabbadi and S. M. Emdad Hossain discusses the implementation of Bluetooth technology at the University of Nizwa Library in Oman to enhance library services using the latest technology. They use Bluetooth Low Energy to provide location-based services within the library, allowing users to easily locate books on the shelves, receive updates about new arrivals and library events and reduce staff workload by automating responses to frequent queries.

The study highlights the increasing integration of smartphones and communication technologies in various sectors, emphasising the need for academic libraries to adopt these technologies to improve efficiency and user satisfaction. By linking Bluetooth with the library’s Koha system through a smartphone application, users can navigate the library more independently, which streamlines operations and improves service delivery.

The paper includes a detailed discussion on the broader applications of spatial computing and iBeacon technology in various fields, showing its versatility and relevance. The authors propose further support for modern technological integration in libraries to maintain relevance and enhance the user experience.

How Much is iBeacon?

There are different beacon models that contain different battery sizes that mainly determine the beacon cost. Beacons with small coin cell batteries cost of the order of €10, $10, or £10. Larger battery beacons with sensors cost up to €30, $30, or £30 or more.

It’s possible to get lower cost beacons direct from China but hidden shipping, money transfer, import duty, import tax and carrier import disbursements inflate the cost. Most brands work ‘just in time’, only manufacturing once they have received payment thus delaying order by weeks or months during holiday periods. Furthermore, they all use freight forwarders, through Hong Kong, that take up to an extra 10 days.

VMware Workspace ONE UEM Supports iBeacons

VMware Workspace ONE UEM (Unified Endpoint Management) is a comprehensive solution designed to manage and secure endpoints in an enterprise environment. It’s part of the broader VMware Workspace ONE platform, which offers a suite of tools for digital workspace services.


Workspace ONE UEM provides IT administrators with the ability to manage a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops, across various operating systems like iOS, Android, Windows and macOS. The goal is to streamline the process of deploying, securing, and managing these devices, ensuring that they are compliant with company policies and that corporate data remains protected.

Apple iBeacon, integrated with Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub v5.1+, enhances location awareness for devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). BLE offers efficient device tracking without draining battery life and is more precise than geofencing. iBeacons can monitor multiple regions at once, ensuring privacy as devices are tracked only upon entering or exiting specific areas.

To utilise this, set up a third-party iBeacon, configure it in the UEM console, establish iBeacon regions and then push device profiles with iBeacon capabilities. This allows the Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub to detect when devices enter these regions and log any changes in iBeacon ranges.

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What is the Difference Between Beacon and iBeacon?

iBeacon is a protocol designed by Apple that sits on top of, or uses, the Bluetooth LE protocol. Think of Bluetooth LE as a standard mechanism for sending a short amount of information that can be anything. In the case of iBeacon this ‘anything’ is the UUID, major, minor and a power calibration value called the measured power. We have a post explaining these iBeacon values.

Xerox Bluetooth Kit for AirPrint

Xerox offers a Bluetooth Kit designed for AltaLink B81XX and C81XX models, which facilitates AirPrint discovery through iBeacon technology. This kit not only provides Bluetooth connectivity but also enables iBeacon discovery, making it easier for users to find and link up with compatible Xerox printers via their Apple devices.

Additionally, the kit supports Wi-Fi Direct, allowing for mobile printing without the need for a network connection.

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What is the Difference Between iBeacon and Eddystone?

iBeacon, a standard developed by Apple, was introduced in 2013 as part of the iOS 7. It’s based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), a power-efficient variant of Bluetooth technology. The strength of iBeacon lies in its background support on iOS devices, which allows for easier detection of beacons.

Google introduced Eddystone in 2015. This protocol for beacons was developed to embrace a broader range of uses. Eddystone offers multiple frame types to cater to various data needs like URLs, unique identifiers and sensor data. One most distinctive feature of Eddystone was the Eddystone-URL, where the beacons could send out a web address. However, this has been limited by the discontinuation of Google Nearby in Android.

Despite the differences in their design and features, both iBeacon and Eddystone share common ground in their use of standard Bluetooth advertising. They send different data in the same standard Bluetooth advertising packets. This shared aspect of technology ensures that they can both communicate effectively to both iOS and Android.

While Eddystone’s versatile frame types and open protocol initially made it appealing, it has seen a decline since the discontinuation of Nearby in Android. Currently, most new systems requiring smartphone applications to detect a beacon opt for iBeacon.

However, when it comes to locating and detection using gateways rather than smartphones, iBeacon vs Eddystone becomes less relevant and the beacons’ Bluetooth MAC addresses are usually used. The advertising packets can instead be used for sensor data, for example, temperature and humidity.

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Is iBeacon Still Used?

You might have stumbled across comments on social media saying something like ‘Is iBeacon still used?’, ‘Remember iBeacon’ or ‘Is iBeacon still a thing?’. It’s a question that tends to crop up now and then. The truth is, iBeacon technology is not only still around, but it has flourished and evolved, becoming integral to various industries.

When Apple first introduced iBeacon technology back in 2013, it was mainly designed for retail notifications. At the time, it seemed like an interesting innovation, enabling stores to communicate with their customers via their smartphones. But, in reality, that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Over the last decade, beacons have evolved from a technology used exclusively in retail stores to one that’s employed across a multitude of industries. The technology has seen enhancements and adaptations, moving well beyond simple notifications and sales promotions.

One of the most significant adaptations of iBeacon technology has been in real-time locating systems (RTLS). Used to track objects and people within confined areas, this technology has made its mark in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. Hospitals, for instance, utilise RTLS to monitor equipment and patient movement, reducing waiting times and improving efficiency.

Sensors have become more sophisticated with the help of beacons. From monitoring environmental conditions to tracking health metrics, these smart Bluetooth beacons are integral in gathering vital information. Think of applications such as monitoring temperatures in office buildings or tracking the temperature and humidity in agricultural settings.

IoT represents a world where everyday objects are connected to the internet, sharing information and interacting with each other. Beacons play a pivotal role here, together with gateways. Whether it’s smart homes adapting to your preferences or industrial equipment notifying operators of required maintenance, the applications are boundless.

What began as a way for retailers to send notifications to shoppers in a store has become a technology with applications that stretch as far as the imagination. The beacons of today is more sophisticated, more versatile and more integral to modern life.

So the next time someone on social media questions the relevance of iBeacon, you’ll know the answer is not only a resounding ‘yes,’ but a testament to how far a single technology can evolve.

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Factors that Impact the Cost of a Bluetooth Beacon

One of the factors affecting the cost of a Bluetooth beacon is the quality of the hardware used. The beacon’s components, such as the Bluetooth chip, battery, antenna and casing all contribute to the overall cost. High-quality components typically result in a higher-priced beacon but they also provide better range and longevity.

Larger beacons with longer battery lives tend to be more expensive because they require higher capacity batteries, more efficient Bluetooth chips or both. The advantage is that they need to be replaced less frequently, potentially reducing maintenance costs over time.

The range of features that a beacon supports can also affect its cost. Some beacons are designed to be basic, providing only the core functionality of broadcasting a signal. Others offer advanced features like motion sensing, temperature monitoring or water resistance. These additional features increase the beacon’s usefulness, but they also increase its cost.

Small battery, low cost beacon vs large battery, waterproof, higher cost beacon

The software that accompanies the beacon and the level of customer support provided by the manufacturer also affects the price. Companies that offer the best documentation, apps and customer service charge a premium for their products.

If you require a beacon to be customised to suit specific needs, this also increases the cost. Customisations include unique casing designs, branding and specific firmware modifications.

One thing that doesn’t change with cost is compatibility. All beacons work equally well with Android, iOS and gateways.