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Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows people to enjoy hands-free calling when connected to their mobile devices for audio, navigation, and more. Bluetooth is enabled on many devices like mobile phones, laptops, iPads, headphones, etc., which could be an invitation for hackers to break this function.
Most people leave their Bluetooth on at all times, although in reality they should only turn it on when needed. This is easier said than done, of course, and is therefore unlikely to follow. To illustrate some of the dangers of reckless use of Bluetooth, here are five common vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to hack into Bluetooth devices.
Common Bluetooth Hacks and Vulnerabilities:
1. BlueBorne
The name BlueBorne comes from the fact that it can "spread through the air (in the air) and attack devices via Bluetooth" (Armis). When this vulnerability is exploited, hackers can “use Bluetooth connections to infiltrate and take full control of targeted devices” (Armis).
What devices are affected by this vulnerability?
How to prevent a BlueBorne attack?
2. Bluesnarfing
Bluesnarfing attack is a type of network attack that occurs when a hacker “connects to your Bluetooth device without your knowledge and steals or compromises your personal data” (Globalsign).
This attack takes place without the knowledge of the victim and will only work if Bluetooth is enabled on the device. Bluesnarfing allows hackers to obtain information that could lead to more dangerous cyber attacks.
How to Prevent Bluetooth Hacking with Bluesnarfing?
3. Bluejacking
Bluejacking occurs when “one Bluetooth device hijacks another with spam advertisements and typically has a range of ten meters or about thirty feet” (AT&T Cybersecurity).
This means that the hacker can be in the same room with you. This particular attack prevents attackers from gaining access to your device or information on it; rather, it is used to send spam to users' devices and annoy them. The attack is carried out without the knowledge of the user.
How to prevent saucerjacking?
4. Bluetooth Simulation Attacks (BIAS)
Another way for hackers to hack Bluetooth devices are Bluetooth spoofing attacks. Attackers are targeting the "legacy secure connection authentication procedure during the initial establishment of a secure connection" (h-isac).
The main advantage of BIAS attacks is that “the Bluetooth standard does not require the legacy authentication procedure to be mutually used when establishing a secure connection” (h-isac).
If the exploit is successful, the hacker can act as an intermediary to intercept sensitive data shared between the two connected devices.
How to prevent bias?
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) presented “mutual authentication requirements along with validation of connection types to prevent downgrade attacks” (CPO journal).
5. BlueBugging
This exploit was developed after hackers realized how easy it is to hack Bluetooth using Bluejacking and BlueSnarfing.
BlueBugging uses "Bluetooth to create a backdoor on the victim's phone or laptop" (AT&T Cybersecurity). An attacker can not only hack into Bluetooth devices, but also view all data on your device.
How do I prevent BlueBugging?
Bluetooth security tips
Two devices can be paired when they are relatively close, giving hackers a chance to intervene.
Here are some safety tips to follow:
Thoughts on preventing Bluetooth hacking
Bluetooth is a popular feature on most devices today, which is why attackers are so interested in hacking these devices.
The five hacks described above are just a few of the attack methods that I find important to discuss, but there are definitely more vulnerabilities. If you keep a close eye on each hack, the ways to prevent each one are pretty much the same.
Bluetooth products are used on a daily basis, whether connecting to car speakers or headsets. Therefore, it is very important to educate people and companies about Bluetooth security in order to prevent such attacks.
When attackers successfully gain access to your device, they have the ability to spy on your communications, manipulate and steal confidential information. Bluetooth attacks will continue to occur with either existing attacks or zero-day vulnerabilities. People are tied to their phones and tend to store all sorts of information on them, so do your part to prevent attackers from easily hacking your Bluetooth device.
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows people to enjoy hands-free calling when connected to their mobile devices for audio, navigation, and more. Bluetooth is enabled on many devices like mobile phones, laptops, iPads, headphones, etc., which could be an invitation for hackers to break this function.
Most people leave their Bluetooth on at all times, although in reality they should only turn it on when needed. This is easier said than done, of course, and is therefore unlikely to follow. To illustrate some of the dangers of reckless use of Bluetooth, here are five common vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to hack into Bluetooth devices.
Common Bluetooth Hacks and Vulnerabilities:
- Blueborne
- Bluesnarfing
- Bluejacking
- Bluetooth Simulation Attacks (BIAS)
- BlueBugging
1. BlueBorne
The name BlueBorne comes from the fact that it can "spread through the air (in the air) and attack devices via Bluetooth" (Armis). When this vulnerability is exploited, hackers can “use Bluetooth connections to infiltrate and take full control of targeted devices” (Armis).
What devices are affected by this vulnerability?
- Computers
- Mobile phones
- IoT devices
How to prevent a BlueBorne attack?
- Turn off Bluetooth when not in use
- Update your device's system software to make sure it has the latest version.
- Don't use public Wi-Fi and be sure to use a VPN as an extra security measure.
2. Bluesnarfing
Bluesnarfing attack is a type of network attack that occurs when a hacker “connects to your Bluetooth device without your knowledge and steals or compromises your personal data” (Globalsign).
This attack takes place without the knowledge of the victim and will only work if Bluetooth is enabled on the device. Bluesnarfing allows hackers to obtain information that could lead to more dangerous cyber attacks.
How to Prevent Bluetooth Hacking with Bluesnarfing?
- Turn off Bluetooth when not in use
- Don't connect to untrusted devices
- Do not store confidential information on a Bluetooth device
- Use a strong password / PIN
3. Bluejacking
Bluejacking occurs when “one Bluetooth device hijacks another with spam advertisements and typically has a range of ten meters or about thirty feet” (AT&T Cybersecurity).
This means that the hacker can be in the same room with you. This particular attack prevents attackers from gaining access to your device or information on it; rather, it is used to send spam to users' devices and annoy them. The attack is carried out without the knowledge of the user.
How to prevent saucerjacking?
- Turn off Bluetooth when not in use
- Ignore spam emails if you receive them
4. Bluetooth Simulation Attacks (BIAS)
Another way for hackers to hack Bluetooth devices are Bluetooth spoofing attacks. Attackers are targeting the "legacy secure connection authentication procedure during the initial establishment of a secure connection" (h-isac).
The main advantage of BIAS attacks is that “the Bluetooth standard does not require the legacy authentication procedure to be mutually used when establishing a secure connection” (h-isac).
If the exploit is successful, the hacker can act as an intermediary to intercept sensitive data shared between the two connected devices.
How to prevent bias?
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) presented “mutual authentication requirements along with validation of connection types to prevent downgrade attacks” (CPO journal).
5. BlueBugging
This exploit was developed after hackers realized how easy it is to hack Bluetooth using Bluejacking and BlueSnarfing.
BlueBugging uses "Bluetooth to create a backdoor on the victim's phone or laptop" (AT&T Cybersecurity). An attacker can not only hack into Bluetooth devices, but also view all data on your device.
How do I prevent BlueBugging?
- Disable Bluetooth function if not needed
- Do not accept pairing requests from unknown devices
- When you first connect to a device, do so at home.
- Make sure you always have the latest system software installed.
Bluetooth security tips
Two devices can be paired when they are relatively close, giving hackers a chance to intervene.
Here are some safety tips to follow:
- Disable Bluetooth function if not needed
- Do not accept pairing requests from unknown devices
- Make sure you always have the latest system software installed.
- Make sure your purchased device has the appropriate security features.
Thoughts on preventing Bluetooth hacking
Bluetooth is a popular feature on most devices today, which is why attackers are so interested in hacking these devices.
The five hacks described above are just a few of the attack methods that I find important to discuss, but there are definitely more vulnerabilities. If you keep a close eye on each hack, the ways to prevent each one are pretty much the same.
Bluetooth products are used on a daily basis, whether connecting to car speakers or headsets. Therefore, it is very important to educate people and companies about Bluetooth security in order to prevent such attacks.
When attackers successfully gain access to your device, they have the ability to spy on your communications, manipulate and steal confidential information. Bluetooth attacks will continue to occur with either existing attacks or zero-day vulnerabilities. People are tied to their phones and tend to store all sorts of information on them, so do your part to prevent attackers from easily hacking your Bluetooth device.
