From wireless communication to hands-free work environments, Bluetooth devices have made life more convenient. However, they’ve also introduced a host of hidden vulnerabilities that can compromise your business’s security.
Many organizations overlook Bluetooth security, underestimating how easily attackers can exploit these connections to access sensitive data or disrupt operations. The problem is that Bluetooth-enabled devices like smartphones, laptops, and even printers are constantly in use, and each one could serve as an entry point for hackers.
With decades of experience protecting businesses from all kinds of cyber threats, our team at Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS) believes that Bluetooth security should be on your radar. Otherwise, you might be leaving the door open for cyber threats to infiltrate your network uncontested.
In this article, we’ll explore eight common Bluetooth risks that could be affecting your business right now—and we’ll dive into how you can mitigate them effectively.
8 Common Bluetooth Risks for Your Business
When considering Bluetooth security for your business, it's important to be aware of several vulnerabilities and risks that could impact your network, devices, and data. Here are the most common Bluetooth risks to watch out for and how to address them:
1. Bluejacking
Bluejacking involves sending unsolicited messages to nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices. Attackers use this technique to push messages or advertisements onto a victim's device without their consent.
While bluejacking is typically harmless and more of an annoyance, it can be used to send spam or phishing messages that trick users into downloading malicious content or providing sensitive information.
Bluejacking typically occurs because Bluetooth devices are often left in discoverable mode, which allows anyone in range to detect and send messages to them. While not inherently dangerous, bluejacking could serve as a gateway to more severe attacks, such as phishing. Attackers could trick users into clicking on malicious links or giving away credentials.
How to Mitigate It:
Ensure Bluetooth devices are set to “non-discoverable” mode when not actively pairing with other devices and educate employees about not interacting with unsolicited Bluetooth messages.
2. Bluesnarfing
Bluesnarfing is a more dangerous attack where an unauthorized person gains access to information on a Bluetooth-enabled device without the owner’s consent. The attacker can steal sensitive data like contact lists, messages, emails, calendars, and even files. This can lead to significant data breaches, especially if the device contains confidential business information, such as customer data or proprietary business materials.
Unlike bluejacking, which is more of an annoyance, bluesnarfing allows for serious data theft. Attackers can silently connect to a victim's device and siphon off private information. With business devices, this could mean the loss of sensitive corporate data like financial records, client lists, or proprietary technology.
How to Mitigate It:
Ensure devices have strong pairing authentication, such as PINs or passkeys, and use Bluetooth encryption to protect transmitted data. Encourage employees to turn off Bluetooth when not needed and avoid pairing in public spaces.
3. Bluebugging
Bluebugging is a sophisticated Bluetooth attack that allows attackers to take control of a victim’s device. Once connected, the attacker can make phone calls, send messages, and even access data stored on the device. Attackers can take full control of the device, potentially compromising sensitive communications, stealing data, and making unauthorized calls or texts. Bluebugging can even allow attackers to eavesdrop on conversations.
Bluebugging is more dangerous than bluesnarfing because attackers can gain remote control over the target device. This means they can listen in on calls, manipulate apps, access sensitive data, or even use the device’s internet connection for malicious purposes. In a business setting, this could lead to significant privacy violations, corporate espionage, or financial fraud.
How to Mitigate It:
Regularly update device firmware to patch vulnerabilities and disable Bluetooth when not in use. Use strong pairing codes and monitor device activity for signs of unauthorized access.
4. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks
In an MITM attack, an attacker intercepts the communication between two Bluetooth devices and either listens in or alters the information being exchanged.
MITM attacks can result in data breaches where sensitive information like authentication credentials, personal data, or business communications are intercepted. The attacker could also modify messages in transit, leading to misunderstandings or manipulation of data.
Bluetooth MITM attacks occur when two devices communicate over an unsecured connection, allowing an attacker to hijack the communication. This can happen if the devices are using weak or outdated encryption protocols, allowing the attacker to decrypt and read messages. For businesses, this could mean stolen credentials, intercepted communications, or even manipulated business data.
How to Mitigate It:
Ensure that Bluetooth communication is encrypted using the latest standards. When pairing devices, use secure methods like numeric comparison or passkey entry to verify authenticity and avoid public pairing sessions where MITM attacks are more likely.
5. BlueBorne Attacks
BlueBorne is a collection of vulnerabilities that allow attackers to take control of devices through Bluetooth, even if the device isn’t actively paired with another. BlueBorne attacks can allow attackers to completely take over devices, steal sensitive information, spread malware, and propagate throughout an entire network if other vulnerable devices are connected.
Unlike traditional Bluetooth attacks, BlueBorne doesn’t require the attacker to be paired with the victim’s device. They only need to be within Bluetooth range. This attack exploits vulnerabilities in the Bluetooth protocol itself and can allow the attacker to gain access to all the device's features, including the camera, microphone, files, and applications. BlueBorne can spread malware throughout a network, posing a huge risk to businesses.
How to Mitigate It:
Update all devices regularly to ensure that the latest security patches are applied. Disable Bluetooth when it’s not in use and limit its use to trusted environments.
6. Bluetooth Device Impersonation
In this attack, an attacker impersonates a trusted Bluetooth device to trick users into connecting to it. Users may inadvertently connect to a malicious device, allowing attackers to intercept communications or push malware onto the victim’s device.
Attackers can spoof the MAC address of a legitimate Bluetooth device, causing the target device to believe it's communicating with a trusted entity. This can lead to unauthorized access or even allow attackers to install malicious software on business devices. For businesses, this could mean compromised communications, data loss, or malware infections spreading through the network.
How to Mitigate It:
Ensure that employees are trained to recognize suspicious Bluetooth connection requests and verify device legitimacy before connecting. Devices should be set to require manual approval before pairing.
7. Outdated or Insecure Bluetooth Protocols
Older Bluetooth versions have weaker encryption and outdated security measures that attackers can easily exploit. Devices using these outdated protocols are more susceptible to attacks like bluesnarfing, MITM, and bluebugging.
Older Bluetooth standards, such as Bluetooth 1.x or 2.x, lack advanced encryption and security mechanisms that are present in more recent versions like Bluetooth 4.2 and 5. These older protocols are prone to various types of exploits, including data interception and unauthorized access. Businesses relying on devices with outdated Bluetooth protocols are leaving themselves open to attacks.
How to Mitigate It:
Always update devices to support the latest Bluetooth versions and security features. Ensure that older devices with outdated protocols are replaced or properly secured.
8. Human Error
One of the most common Bluetooth vulnerabilities comes from employees who leave their devices in discoverable mode or connect to insecure devices without realizing the risks. Employees may unknowingly expose their devices to attackers by connecting to unsecured Bluetooth devices in public spaces, or by neglecting to disable Bluetooth when it’s not in use.
Human error, such as leaving Bluetooth enabled in a public setting or failing to authenticate a trusted device, can lead to attacks like bluejacking, bluesnarfing, or MITM. Employees may inadvertently connect to rogue devices, which can then access sensitive information or inject malicious code. The lack of awareness around Bluetooth security can often result in the most significant breaches.
How to Mitigate It:
Conduct regular employee training on Bluetooth security best practices, such as turning off Bluetooth when not needed, avoiding pairing with unknown devices, and ensuring that device settings are properly configured. Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies across the organization.
Need Help with Securing Your Business from Bluetooth Risks?
Bluetooth technology can significantly enhance the convenience and efficiency of your business. However, without the right security measures, it can also open the door to serious risks. From device impersonation to data theft, Bluetooth vulnerabilities shouldn't be ignored. If you want to protect your business from these unseen dangers of Bluetooth technology, you need to understand the potential threats and take proactive steps to secure your devices.
At ITS, we’re here to help you strengthen your Bluetooth security and overall cybersecurity strategy. Contact us today for a free IT security assessment. You can also check the following resources for more ways to reduce cyber risk:
- 10 Tips to Protect Sensitive Business Data
- 14 Cyber Hygiene Tips to Keep Your Business in Tip-top Shape