Bluetooth is a useful wireless service that falls under the category of “Personal Area Network” or PAN. This provides wireless functionality to mice, keyboards, headset and earpieces, and game controllers. It also provides for computer to computer file transfers, a feature most people don’t know about or use.
But a hacker could use your Bluetooth connect to connect to your PC and browse around you files looking for backing information or credit card numbers. They can also access Bluetooth enabled devices like cell phone and Blackberries, and use then connect to make calls and steal contact information.
It is a simple matter to protect yourself from these intrusions.
- Keep your Bluetooth settings to “non-discoverable” when you are not using a Bluetooth device.
- Use a strong PIN code. use a pin of 5 or more digits to secure your device, and change it from the default.
- Do not store credit card numbers, social security numbers, or other financila or personal data on your wireless device.
- Keep your device secure with the latest software updates.
Like so many things, Bluetooth security takes a combination of awareness and common sense security practices. Have read this, you have the awareness part done. Now go and make sure to change what needs changing on you wireless devices.
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About the Author:
I am a cybersecurity and IT instructor, cybersecurity analyst, pen-tester, trainer, and speaker. I am an owner of the WyzCo Group Inc. In addition to consulting on security products and services, I also conduct security audits, compliance audits, vulnerability assessments and penetration tests. I also teach Cybersecurity Awareness Training classes. I work as an information technology and cybersecurity instructor for several training and certification organizations. I have worked in corporate, military, government, and workforce development training environments I am a frequent speaker at professional conferences such as the Minnesota Bloggers Conference, Secure360 Security Conference in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, the (ISC)2 World Congress 2016, and the ISSA International Conference 2017, and many local community organizations, including Chambers of Commerce, SCORE, and several school districts. I have been blogging on cybersecurity since 2006 at http://wyzguyscybersecurity.com