Bluebugging Can Give Hackers Access To Your Chats, Contacts & More

If your phone or device gets attacked by the bluebugging, the hacker can take control of all your contacts, chats & more. They can delete or modify your data.

By “bluebugging,” a type of hacking, hackers can gain access to devices having discoverable Bluetooth connections. 

A hacker can utilize this method once a device or smartphone has been “bluebugged” to listen in on calls, read and send messages, and rob or alter contacts. 

For laptops or desktops with Bluetooth connectivity, it initially seemed risky.

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Later, hackers attacked mobile phones and other devices using this method. Martin Herfurt, an independent security researcher, asserts that the bug took advantage of a Bluetooth protocol weakness to gain access to the user’s phone book and call history.

What devices are in danger?

Any device with Bluetooth capabilities can be “bluebugged.” Such hacks are feasible when wireless earbuds are used. 

Users that link apps to TWS (True Wireless Stereo) headphones or other devices can record conversations. 

Once your contacts are compromised, the hacker has access to them and can modify or remove them, conduct and capture chats, read or send messages, and far more.

What is the process of bluebugging?

Attacks referred to as “bluebugging” rely on Bluetooth-compatible gear. The Bluetooth setting on the device must be set to be discoverable, which is usually the default. 

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The hacker then attempts to connect over Bluetooth with the gadget. Once a connection has been made, hackers can disable authentication by using brute force assaults. 

In order to acquire unauthorized access to the compromised device, they can also put malware on it. It is possible to hack Bluetooth-enabled devices when they are within a 10-meter range of the hacker.

How is blue bugging prevented?

One method to avoid bluebugging is to turn off Bluetooth and unpair Bluetooth devices when not in use. 

A VPN, restricting the use of public WiFi, and updating the software system on the device all give an extra layer of security.

The default setting for Bluetooth on most devices is discoverable, which leaves your devices open to connections from strangers. 

The first step you should do to prevent others from discovering your Bluetooth devices is to deactivate Bluetooth settings. By doing this, they can’t pair with the device and won’t become hacker targets.