26-07-2016, 12:39 PM
Bluesnarfing is the theft of information from a wireless device through a Bluetooth connection, often between phones, desktops, laptops, and PDAs. This allows access to a calendar, contact list, emails and text messages. Bluesnarfing is much
more serious in relation to Bluejacking, although both exploit others’ Bluetooth connections without their knowledge. Any device with its Bluetooth connection turned on and set to “discoverable” (able to be found by other Bluetooth devices in range) can be attacked. By turning off this feature you can be protected from the possibility of being Bluesnarfed. Since it is an invasion of privacy, Bluesnarfing is illegal in many countries.
There are people who have predicted the doom of bluetooth tooth attacks like bluesnarfing. Their reasoning is that WiFi will eventually replace the need for bluetooth devices and without bluetooth, it make sense there will be no bluetooth attacks.
While convincing and logical, bluetooth have yet to be phased out long after WiFi is in use. In face, there are more and more devices using bluetooth technology. The main reason: It's free. Unlike wifi which is a overall network and you are just a "user" in the network, you "own the network". You can switch in on and off anytime you like, and you don't have to pay a cent. There is no logic for example to use wifi for connecting with your headset, but bluetooth fits that function perfectly.
In fact, this neglect on the importance of bluetooth has led to an added advantage to bluesnarfers. Because every is concern about their wifi security, they neglect the fact that their short ranged network which is their bluetooth can easier be hacked into for someone who is nearby or even far away but with the right equipment.
The reason why there is little news about bluesnarfing is that there is no good solution to the problem at the moment, save for switching off your bluetooth device.
So my advice is, be careful if you keep confidential information on your bluetooth devices.
more serious in relation to Bluejacking, although both exploit others’ Bluetooth connections without their knowledge. Any device with its Bluetooth connection turned on and set to “discoverable” (able to be found by other Bluetooth devices in range) can be attacked. By turning off this feature you can be protected from the possibility of being Bluesnarfed. Since it is an invasion of privacy, Bluesnarfing is illegal in many countries.
There are people who have predicted the doom of bluetooth tooth attacks like bluesnarfing. Their reasoning is that WiFi will eventually replace the need for bluetooth devices and without bluetooth, it make sense there will be no bluetooth attacks.
While convincing and logical, bluetooth have yet to be phased out long after WiFi is in use. In face, there are more and more devices using bluetooth technology. The main reason: It's free. Unlike wifi which is a overall network and you are just a "user" in the network, you "own the network". You can switch in on and off anytime you like, and you don't have to pay a cent. There is no logic for example to use wifi for connecting with your headset, but bluetooth fits that function perfectly.
In fact, this neglect on the importance of bluetooth has led to an added advantage to bluesnarfers. Because every is concern about their wifi security, they neglect the fact that their short ranged network which is their bluetooth can easier be hacked into for someone who is nearby or even far away but with the right equipment.
The reason why there is little news about bluesnarfing is that there is no good solution to the problem at the moment, save for switching off your bluetooth device.
So my advice is, be careful if you keep confidential information on your bluetooth devices.
