Bluetooth is one of the most trusted wireless sharing tools by most people that’s inbuilt into smartphones, tablets and laptops. However, like WiFi which is a target for hackers, hacking through Bluetooth also known as Bluebugging can take place giving hackers the ability to break into your devices and steal personal information. Bluetooth is one of the most used tools because of how much one can accomplish with it. Not only do you get to share files with other devices, but you can also play audio wirelessly and get data from wearable devices.
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How hacking through Bluetooth works
Hackers use specialised software which automatically detects nearby devices equipped with Bluetooth. They can also see which networks your device has previously connected to; this is important because your phone treats these networks as trusted and will connect to them automatically in future.
If the cybercriminals can replicate a trusted network, they can trick your device into connecting to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices that they control. The hackers can then bombard your device with malware, spy on you and even steal your data from your text messages and apps.
Hacking through Bluetooth is most likely going to happen in busy public places. Choosing a busy place allows the hackers to remain undetected and to monitor devices that tend to pass by regularly. Hackers may also choose places where people linger for several hours like cafes, bars and restaurants.
Once you are hacked, you’ll start receiving automated messages and files from unknown senders as you move through specific areas. These unknown files are malware designed to break into the recipients’ phones and steal data, according to investigations.
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What you can do to protect yourself from hacking through Bluetooth
- Always disable Bluetooth on your devices whenever it is not in use.
- Secondly, ensure to disable file-sharing services that rely on Bluetooth like AirDrop or Fast Share unless you are sending or receiving files from a trusted friend.
Cutting off access to Bluetooth services makes it much harder if not impossible to be a victim of hacking through Bluetooth.
Finally, ensure your smartphone, Tablet and Bluetooth-enabled computer have an anti-malware application installed. If a hacker attempts to breach your device, it detects and blocks suspected activities by using the Anti-Malware application to protect your privacy and personal data.
Fortunately, attacks with bluebugging are still not very common – but they can change rapidly with the latest advancements in technology emerging every single day.
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