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Can Bluetooth Be Hacked? Blue Tooth Security Risks

Summary: This 3-minute article discusses Blue Tooth security risks and how Blue Tooth connections can be hacked. Learn about bluejacking, bluebugging and bluesnarfing and how to provide appropriate cybersecurity. Contact DIGIGUARD CYBERSECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) or visit www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to schedule a cyber risk analysis and discuss innovative solutions to ensure your Blue Tooth and all your wireless devices have the best possible small business cybersecurity protection.

Blue Tooth technology has become a massive part of our connected world. Everything from earbuds to car stereos continually expands the use and power of blue tooth connections. It has made many things more convenient and wireless. But as is with all wireless connections, cybersecurity has become a serious concern.

There are several types of blue tooth attacks:

  • BlueJacking – What is “Bluejacking?” Bluejacking is just what it sounds like – Blue Tooth hijacking. With bluejacking, one blue tooth device hijacks (breaches) the security of another device with annoying spam advertisements. Because blue tooth transmissions only have a range of about 30 feet, the hacker’s device must attack at close range. This attack can be accomplished almost anywhere as long as it’s over a short distance. For example, anyone waiting with you in a train station or airport can be bluejacking your phone from 10 seats away. Although these attacks are mostly a nuisance, these messages might be phishing attacks disguised as one of your trusted sources. Also, if the embedded link redirects you to a malicious website, you could be tricked into disclosing private data. One impulsive click could launch an attack.
  • BlueBugging – What is “Bluebugging?” BlueBugging uses your Bluetooth connections to open a “backdoor” to your blue tooth devices. Backdoors give an inside track to your devices and all the sensitive information they contain. Unfortunately, bluebugging is easy for hackers to spy on your activities and find opportunities for scamming.
  • BlueSnarfing – What is “Bluesnarfing?” A Bluesnarfing attack is a more dangerous version of Bluejacking in that, unlike bluejacking, which only sends data to your devices, bluesnarfing can send and receive data from your Blue Tooth-connected devices. BlueSnarfing can allow cybercriminals to steal your text messages, photos, email, and other private identifying data. The more data the cyber thieves can steal, the more likely they will be able to stage another, perhaps more deadly, cyberattack.

Ways to Protect Your Bluetooth Connections

  • Setup a Phone Locator – By using a phone locating app such as “Find My Phone,” if you lose your phone or it’s stolen, you will be able to locate and, if necessary, lock your phone.
  • Do Not Send Private Data via Bluetooth Connections – Unless you encrypt your data, you should never send sensitive information such as passwords and bank info through Bluetooth.
  • Do Not Leave Your Bluetooth Settings Set to “Discoverable” – By leaving Bluetooth in “Discoverable” mode, your device will continually search for available networks. Enabling this feature increases the cybersecurity risks. Unless you are pairing a new device, Bluetooth should not be left “On.”
  • Turn Bluetooth Off When Not Using It – By only turning on Bluetooth when you need it, you will limit the opportunities for a cyberattack.

Case Study

An accountant was waiting for her flight out of Laguardia airport in New York. When the airline announced the flight was delayed, she decided it would be a good time to transfer data from her cell phone to her laptop. Aware that public WiFi was not a safe connection, she decided she would use Bluetooth to make the data transfer of her private information. Unaware of the security risks related to Bluetooth data transfer, she set her laptop on the chair next to her with her phone on her lap and began the file transfer. Unfortunately, in the waiting area, two rows behind her, a cyber thief who regularly steals data at airports and train and bus stations intercepted her Bluetooth signal and captured her file transfer.

When she got off the plane at her destination, she received many security texts from her bank alerting her that there was suspicious activity on her accounts.

DIGIGUARD’s Innovative Solutions For Small Business Cybersecurity

As your home or SMB grows, expands its network and adds more devices such as Bluetooth devices, smart controls, wireless access and remote access, your network vulnerability grows, too. DIGIGUARD specializes in proactive cybersecurity and network security and has a wide array of solutions for home users and small to midsized businesses to defend against cyberattacks and other network data breaches. They are cybersecurity experts who can ensure your confidential personal, business and financial data have the best protection possible. Furthermore, they can help establish cybersecurity best practices and train your employees, so they do not inadvertently open your company to a cyberattack. That training will work in tandem with your Incident Response Plan so that everyone knows exactly what to do in the event of a cyberattack. DIGIGUARD’s services in cybersecurity are up-to-the-minute and cost-effective. They will enable SMB owners to concentrate on operating their businesses without fear of a data breach crippling their operations.

Contact DIGIGUARD CYBERSECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to discuss protecting your Bluetooth and the best cyber protection for your home or SMB’s private data before you face a deadly cyberattack.

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