Bluetooth: how to protect yourself from a hacker attack

No connection is really secure, even with Bluetooth connections you should protect yourself from hackers. We show you where the risks are and how you can avoid them.

Bluetooth connections become victims of hackers

• With Bluetooth, photos, text files and various other documents can be sent. The transfer is simple and fast, but also insecure.
• Because not only professionals can hack Bluetooth connections, even hackers and children are able to do this.
• The corresponding tools can be found quickly on the Internet and in special forums. The operation of the software is usually not particularly difficult.
• Even if you are not using Bluetooth at all, there are a few things to keep in mind. Read on in the next paragraph.

This is how Bluetooth connections are hacked

• The moment of coupling is particularly critical. If you connect two devices via Bluetooth for the first time, a PIN is requested. You must enter this on one of the devices. Intercepting the PIN is not difficult and opens the door for hackers.
• You should be particularly careful when the connection between two devices that are already connected is interrupted. Once you have paired your smartphone and laptop, for example, you will not be able to do this again so quickly. So that the hacker does not have to wait for a new pairing for years, he can provoke a new pairing.
• Connect your mobile phone via Bluetooth to the hands-free system of your car, you should also be careful here. Older cars in particular use an insecure standard PIN that can be easily cracked. Listening to your phone calls is therefore not a big problem.

Bluetooth: How to protect yourself from a hacker attack

• Only connect your Bluetooth devices in a safe environment. You should avoid crowds of people and cafés with free WiFi.
• If you want to be on the safe side, only connect your devices if no other Bluetooth devices are displayed within your range.
• Turn off the Bluetooth connection on your devices when you are not using them. This is not only safer but also saves battery.
• If an existing Bluetooth connection is disconnected and you have to pair the devices again, cancel the process for the time being. In this case, you should only re-establish the connection in a really secure environment.

In the next practical tip, we will show you how to use several Bluetooth speakers at the same time.