Experts advise protecting yourself against stalking in the digital age

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — Technology is constantly evolving to make our lives a little easier, but it is also making it easier for stalkers.

A common device to keep tabs on your things could be used to target you.

The Tile device is pretty popular. You attach it to something you don't want to lose, like your keys or even your pet. Your phone uses an app and Bluetooth to find the item it is attached to if it is lost.

Security experts warn it is possible to use it as a tool for stalking in the digital age.

They're small, relatively inexpensive, and possibly a way for someone to keep tabs on you.

"It could definitely be used that way, for sure," said security engineer Brent Long with Alias Forensics.

Over the past few years, there have been several reports of these tiny devices used to stalk or spy on people.

In one case, someone's ex attached it to their vehicle. In another case, one was dropped in a woman's purse.

"You can track your device or whatever device you have this on for 30 days," said Long. "So if someone was going to stalk someone, you'd have a pretty good idea of where they go."

Long explained the stalker would have to mark the device as "lost," and anyone with a Tile app within a hundred feet of it would report back the Tile's location without even knowing it.

One way to protect yourself is to scan for Bluetooth traffic. Pull up your car's list of Bluetooth available devices, and see if a Tile or any other unknown device continues to show up. You can also lower your chances of being a target by staying off public Wi-Fi and turning off any location sharing.

"Don't share your passwords. Don't connect to devices you're not aware of," said Long. "Just taking your common sense safety precautions and steps to protect yourself, it will definitely leave you better off."

As our world gets more connected, it's an ever-evolving threat. Stalking in the digital age is keeping security experts and potential victims on their toes.

"Everybody has phones, different devices with them at all times, and there is more than likely ways there is location sharing, ways they can be tracked," said Long. "So it's definitely a precaution people have to look at."

The laws are a little murky when it comes to using a Tile for stalking. In one case where it was placed on a car, a suspect in Houston was charged with a misdemeanor of unlawful installation of a tracking device.

But in another case, police reportedly said they couldn't do anything, because the suspect's name was also listed on the car's title.