Leaving your smartphone’s Bluetooth connection when you’re not using it would expose you to major security vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit.
You take the phone out of your pocket, turn on Bluetooth, and put your wireless headphones or earphones in your ears. A gesture that has become commonplace for many smartphone users. Add to that the connection to your speakers, your car or your connected watch and you quickly realize that you use Bluetooth connections on a daily basis.
Bluetooth is now the most common option for communicating between devices close to each other. You may be using it to transfer photos without a USB cable or a video to a media streaming player like the Chromecast. But do you remember to turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it?
The Dangers of Leaving Bluetooth On
On its website, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) warns about vulnerabilities in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which can be used by cybercriminals to collect sensitive data or simply steal your identity. A problem far from new and which has already affected all the operating systems on the market which have since deployed updates to strengthen their level of security.
A problem that tech giants take very seriously. Recently, Google would work on the detection of Bluetooth trackers on Android to limit the risk of spying. Same observation for Apple which fights against the unwanted use of its AirTags. A security issue that smartphone users should take seriously by adopting a few simple steps to strengthen the security of their devices.
How to protect your devices
Rest assured, there is no need to make complicated manipulations to reinforce your security. The first instinct to have is to deactivate your smartphone’s Bluetooth when you are not using it. You can perform this action from the shortcuts panel on Android or iOS. In addition to protecting you, this will also result in less energy consumption, which is always good to take to extend the autonomy of your phone.
The other good thing to do is update your phone. This time, go to the settings to check if a new version of the operating system is available. We are not talking here about a new version of the OS, but simply about security updates deployed by the manufacturer. Users sometimes tend to overlook them, because they do not bring new functionalities, but are essential to protect you from possible security vulnerabilities that cybercriminals know how to exploit.
[related_posts_by_tax taxonomies=”post_tag”]
The post Why you should turn off your smartphone’s Bluetooth when you’re not using it appeared first on Gamingsym.