The term “Bluetooth” was coined by the 10th-century Danish Viking leader named “Harald Blâtland” (which translates to Bluetooth). This technology was developed in 1994 to replace wires and cables for the connectivity of devices.
Bluetooth technology allows different devices to connect and communicate with others. This technology allows the devices to communicate with other devices without cables or other wires. It is a short-range wireless technology used for exchanging data within a fixed range between devices. It is used as an alternative to wire connections for exchanging files, photos, and videos between nearby devices.
Bluetooth technology is the most widely used mode of sharing within a short range. Bluetooth provides a range of up to 10 meters. It can connect up to eight devices. Each Bluetooth is a local area network to access data between nearby devices. Anybody can freely use the technology without a license. Its easy-to-use advantage makes it so popular in today’s generation that we find almost everything with Bluetooth technology like our cars, headphones, cellphones, speakers, computers, Bluetooth calling watches, etc.
How can it be misused?
Bluetooth as a wireless data transfer standard has some cybersecurity risks. We don’t want unauthorized parties to have access to the data that we are transferring via Bluetooth, nor do we want them to have access to our Bluetooth - enabled devices.
So let us find out what are the security risks with Bluetooth. Bluetooth is often targeted by hackers to get access to our data and can discreetly send malicious data to computers and smartphones. This makes it important to know what is happening with your Bluetooth connections. Sometimes it becomes difficult to identify a Bluetooth attack since the methods used by hackers are carefully designed to be Unrecognizable.
Here are different types of Bluetooth attacks that have been discovered in past years.
- Bluesnarfing- This attack is designed to work on devices that are set to be non-discoverable over Bluetooth. If this attack is carried out successfully, it can copy all the content and all the data stored on your device.
- Bluejacking- It is the most common Bluetooth attack and one of the least dangerous. It is used to send spam messages.
Some steps to Secure your Bluetooth-
- Make sure your device is not discoverable.
- Do not share personal or sensitive information via Bluetooth.
- Be careful in connecting.
- Turn your Bluetooth off, when not in use.
- Unpair the device, when it is not needed.
- Install security patches and update whenever possible.
Follow these easy steps to enjoy the widespread Bluetooth technology while migrating its cyber security risks.
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