Bluetooth Vulnerabilities

When I visited Kuwait for a vacation, I was surprised by seeing the traffic jam caused by the youngsters trying to send messages to the mobile phones in their vicinity using Bluetooth. The act of sending unsolicited messages over Bluetooth to Bluetooth enabled devices is known as Bluejacking. This is harmless and the Bluejacker usually sends text messages and simply waits for a reaction from the recipient.

Bluesnarfing and Bluebugging are the other two vulnerabilities which have been exploited by the hackers to access the data in the Bluetooth enabled phones.

Bluesnarfing refers to the act of hacking the Bluetooth device and gaining access to the private data. The information that can be accessed in this manner includes the phonebook and associated images, calendar, and IMEI. The best way to reduce the Bluesnarfing attack is by setting your phone in non-discoverable mode.

Bluebugging is the art of accessing the mobile phone commands using Bluetooth technology without notifying or alerting the user. This security issue allows a hacker to make phone calls, send and receive text messages, read and write phonebook contacts and even connect to the internet.

Bluetooth technology has put more effort on the security issues so that the users can use this technology without any fear. Some of the major Bluetooth product manufacturing companies form a governing body to drive development of Bluetooth wireless technology, and implement and market the technology in their products. The main tasks for the Bluetooth SIG are to publish Bluetooth specifications, administer the qualification program, protect the Bluetooth trademarks and evangelize Bluetooth wireless technology.