Don’t Be A Victim: Leaving Your Phone’s Bluetooth On Is A Major Security Risk

Protecting yourself from creeps and hackers is a big job, but certain habits make it easier.

Here’s a simple one: Stop giving out your phone number to every place that asks for it. Read this tip I put together on the best ways to hide your phone number and email address for help.

Another smart step is to regularly check your most important accounts. Use Google? Start here.

Here’s a mistake I bet you didn’t know you were making: leaving your smartphone’s Bluetooth on 24/7.

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Bluetooth is everywhere

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless radio technology that allows different devices to communicate with each other. You’ll find the technology in cars, speakers, televisions, headphones, keyboards, mice, printers and more.

It works similarly to Wi-Fi and cellular networks, but performs simpler tasks at shorter distances. You don’t need a cellular signal or network connection to use Bluetooth, and it doesn’t use data.

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You’ll find the technology built into almost every smartphone you can buy these days. But as with a Wi-Fi network or other connection, Bluetooth has vulnerabilities.

Here’s how these attacks work

There are several ways hackers can take advantage of Bluetooth-enabled devices:

• They send spam emails and malicious links to trick you into providing personal information or downloading malware.
• Hackers connect to your phone and install malware or backdoor access. Then they listen to your conversations, read your messages and access your contacts. They are, in essence, tapping your phone.
• Cybercriminals harvest information from your phone, such as call logs, photos, and passwords, and use them to commit identity theft or hold them for ransom.

Hackers and scammers must be close to you to use Bluetooth to hack your phone. But in just about any public space, you’re aloof from strangers.

What can you do about it

Although Bluetooth is beneficial for many applications, be careful how you use it.

My advice: turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it. Keeping it active all the time makes your device more discoverable. As an added bonus, keeping Bluetooth turned off will increase your device’s battery life.

File Photo – A Bluetooth logo is seen at the 2013 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 8, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

Here are some other ways to protect yourself:

• Unpair Bluetooth devices you no longer use or those you lose or sell.
• Do not send sensitive information via Bluetooth, as other people can easily intercept it. You should avoid sending anything via Bluetooth in public places, even to your friend sitting next to you.
• Do not accept any unknown files or messages via Bluetooth.
• Don’t accept Bluetooth pairing requests from devices you don’t recognize.
• Keep your devices up to date to protect yourself from the latest threats.

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How to turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone or Android phone

There are several ways to turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and turn it off. You can also swipe down from the top right of your screen to open Control Center and tap the Bluetooth icon.

The same steps work for Android phones: go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth and turn it off. (Note: Steps vary depending on your phone model. Search or search for Bluetooth if these steps don’t match your phone.)

You can also swipe down from the top of the screen to show the status bar, then swipe down and tap Bluetooth to turn it off.

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Airplane mode also disables Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, among other things, so it works in a pinch, but you won’t receive calls or texts.

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Plus, I researched and found the best freelance news sites. I get gifts from my cable company, and you can too. Scammers prey on elderly people on health insurance. Here’s what to watch out for and tell your family!

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