A report from the American news network "Fox News" has warned against keeping your smartphone's Bluetooth turned on all the time, highlighting potential risks you may face. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology that allows various devices to communicate with each other, found in phones, cars, speakers, televisions, headphones, keyboards, printers, and more. Bluetooth operates similarly to Wi-Fi networks and cellular networks but performs simpler tasks over smaller ranges and does not require cellular signals or internet connections.
So, how could you be at risk through Bluetooth? There are several ways hackers can exploit Bluetooth to threaten you, especially if they are in close proximity, including:
- Sending spam messages and links that lead you to harmful content or programs for the purpose of fraud.
- Connecting to your phone and installing malware on it, allowing hackers to listen to your conversations, read your messages, and access your contacts.
- The risks can escalate if attackers obtain information from your phone, like call logs, photos, passwords, or banking data, which they may use to commit crimes and frame you.
Here are some tips from cybersecurity experts to protect yourself from Bluetooth hackers:
- Turn it off when not in use, which also extends your phone’s battery life.
- Disconnect your phone's Bluetooth from devices you no longer use or devices that you lose or sell.
- Do not send sensitive information via Bluetooth, especially in public places where others can easily intercept it.
- Do not accept any files or messages from unknown sources via Bluetooth.
- Do not connect your phone to unfamiliar devices via Bluetooth.
- Keep your phone updated.
