Why You Shouldn’t Leave Bluetooth On All the Time
Whether using wireless headphones, making hands-free calls in a car, or transferring data from one phone to another, Bluetooth technology has made many everyday tasks much easier. However, alongside this convenience lies a significant security risk. At a time when personal cyber data is highly valuable worldwide, it is worth reconsidering how safe it is to keep Bluetooth turned on constantly on your phone.
Security Risks and the Threat of Cyberattacks
Although users normally need to grant permission before connecting to another device via Bluetooth, hackers can exploit technical vulnerabilities to gain covert access to devices. Security weaknesses have been found in various Bluetooth-enabled hardware, including Fitbit devices, which criminals have used to track users’ locations.
Recently, serious vulnerabilities were discovered in several pieces of hardware based on ‘Airoha’ technology. These flaws could allow hackers within a specific range to steal call recordings, contact lists, and messages from mobile devices, as well as eavesdrop on conversations.
Researchers at KU Leuven in Belgium have also discovered vulnerabilities in at least 17 audio devices powered by ‘Google Fast Pair’ that can potentially be hacked remotely. Their ‘Whisper Pair-U’ tool can be used to check whether a device is secure.
Using techniques such as ‘BlueBugging’ and ‘BlueSnarfing’, criminals can exploit nearby Bluetooth connections to steal sensitive data.
Effective Ways to Stay Safe
The simplest and most basic way to protect yourself from cyberattacks is to turn off Bluetooth on your phone as soon as you no longer need it. Technology experts also recommend keeping the Bluetooth option hidden rather than always set to ‘visible’ or discoverable mode.
iPhone users should exercise extra caution with the ‘Live Listen’ feature, as it uses Bluetooth to transmit audio directly from the microphone to AirPods, potentially creating an additional hacking risk.
Meanwhile, when returning a rental car or selling an old vehicle, it is important to disconnect your smartphone’s Bluetooth connection from the car’s system and delete all personal information. Using wireless ‘Android Auto’ in a vehicle requires both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which can increase potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
//DBTech/BMT/OR//
