Bluesnarfing is a Bluetooth hacking attack that allows hackers to access and steal data from wireless devices. Hackers exploit vulnerabilities in the target device’s object exchange protocol (OBEX) to download sensitive data. To prevent bluesnarfing, turn off Bluetooth or set your device to hidden, use security features like PIN numbers and two-factor authentication, and upgrade to newer devices. Bluejacking involves sending unsolicited messages, while bluebugging allows the attacker to take control of the targeted device’s features.
Bluesnarfing is a type of hacking attack that uses a Bluetooth connection to gain access and steal data from a wireless device.
Bluetooth® is a high-speed, close-range wireless technology that allows data to be exchanged between devices such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets and desktop computers. While Bluetooth technology has a wide variety of useful applications, it has historically been associated with certain data security vulnerabilities.
What is a Bluesnarfing Attack?
In a bluesnarfing attack, a cybercriminal or hacker gains access to the data on the victim’s phone. This is possible when the target phone has Bluetooth turned on and is “discoverable,” meaning that nearby devices can locate and pair it. The hacker exploits vulnerabilities within the target device object exchange protocol (OBEX), which is used to exchange information between devices and is an essential component of Bluetooth.
To perform this type of attack, a hacker pairs their mobile phone with the victim’s phone, allowing the hacker to access and download data from the paired phone. This is typically done with a utility like Bluediving, which identifies susceptibilities in nearby devices. Experienced programmers can create their own bluesnarfing tools, download one from the dark web, or even hire someone else to carry out the attack.
Typically, the hacker’s goal is to steal sensitive data from the target phone, such as emails, text messages, contact lists, calendar entries, passwords, photos or videos. In some cases, the hacker can even alter the data stored on the target device. In a bout of bluesnarfing, the owner of the target phone is usually unaware that something has happened to their device.
Unless the hacker has specialized equipment, he must be within 30 meters of the victim’s phone for the attack to be successful. “Bluesniping” is a type of bluesnarfing in which the hacker uses equipment to increase the range of the paired phone, allowing him to attack devices that are further away than the standard Bluetooth range.
Did you know?
Bluesnarfing is illegal in most countries, as it is an extreme invasion of privacy.
The first case of bluesnarfing was recorded in 2003, during safety tests of Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Computers and other Bluetooth-enabled devices can also be targets of bluesnarfing, but their complex security systems make it less dangerous than phones.
The term “snarfing” is used by computer programmers to refer to copying data over a network without proper permission.
How can you prevent bluesnarfing?
“Discoverable” phones are more likely to become victims of a bluesnarfing attack, as this allows a hacker to pinpoint the phone’s Media Access Control (MAC) address.
The only way to completely eliminate the risk of a bluesnarfing attack is to turn off Bluetooth, because the hacker won’t be able to access the connection. However, there are other ways to dramatically reduce the likelihood of a bluesnarfing attack.
Aside from disabling Bluetooth completely, the best way to avoid becoming a victim of a bluesnarfing attack is to make sure your phone is set to hidden or undetectable, especially when it’s in a public place. While this doesn’t make your device invulnerable to potential attacks, if your phone is set to hidden, the hacker can’t see the MAC address. Determined hackers could still get into your phone by guessing the address through a brute-force attack, but that would take millions of tries.
Do not accept pairing requests from unknown devices.
To deter bluesnarfing attacks, make sure you’re using all of your phone’s security features, like creating a long PIN number or turning on two-factor authentication.
Install an anti-bluesnarfing utility that warns you of unauthorized connections between your phone and any nearby device.
Developments in mobile software have made new devices significantly less vulnerable to bluesnarfing attacks than older models released when Bluetooth technology was less secure. If you are worried about a bluesnarfing attack, consider upgrading to a newer device.
Bluesnarfing vs. Bluejacking vs. Bluebugging
Bluesnarfing, bluejacking, and bluebugging are all cyberattacks that can be performed on Bluetooth-enabled devices, but have some significant differences in their goals and implementation.
Bluejacking
Bluesnarfing is sometimes confused with bluejacking, which is another type of Bluetooth hacking. The main difference between bluejacking and bluesnarfing is that the former involves transmitting data to the targeted device whereas the latter involves stealing data.
Bluejacking typically involves sending unsolicited messages or advertisements to the target device and is considered less serious than bluesnarfing. It is much easier to perform a bluejacking attack than a bluesnarfing attack and was often used in the early days of Bluetooth as a joke.
Bluebugging
Bluebugging is a type of attack that goes beyond the data theft inherent in bluesnarfing. In a bluebugging attack, the attacker actively takes control of the targeted device’s features, such as making phone calls, setting up call forwarding, or sending text messages. Bluebugging allows the attacker to intercept phone calls without the victim realizing that their phone has been “bugged”.
While the idea of falling victim to a bluesnarfing attack sounds scary, the good news is that Bluetooth security has improved dramatically since the early 2000s. In most cases, setting your phone to “hidden” or “undetectable ” offers valuable protection against potential hackers.
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