beaconing

Beacons are signals emitted periodically by a device or object to announce presence, convey status, or coordinate actions. The term covers a range of contexts from biology to technology and security.

In computer networks, beaconing describes periodic transmissions used to maintain network state or to advertise service availability. In Ethernet and Wi-Fi, beacon frames are special frames sent by access points at regular intervals to synchronize clients. In wireless sensor networks and distributed systems, devices may emit heartbeats or keep-alives to indicate they are online and reachable.

In wireless advertising, Bluetooth beacons and similar technologies broadcast identifiers and small payloads to nearby receivers for location-based services and proximity marketing.

In navigation and safety, a beacon is any signal, light, or radio transmission used to mark a location or guide travelers, including lighthouses, radio beacons, and maritime navigation aids. Some beacons are fixed infrastructure; others may be mobile or temporary.

In biology, beaconing refers to natural signaling where organisms emit signals to attract mates, deter rivals, or mark territory. Bioluminescent organisms or pheromone signaling can be described as beacons in ecological communication.

In cybersecurity, beaconing is the periodic contact from an infected host to a command-and-control server or from malware to its operator, often to report status or receive new instructions. Detecting abnormal periodicity can aid incident response.

Beacons as a concept therefore span multiple domains, functioning as deliberate, regular signals that help coordinate action, convey information, or guide movement.