Your smartphone can hack via Bluetooth. Here's how to avoid it

Yesterday experts Armis computer company discovered a dangerous vulnerability in the Bluetooth protocol. It allows attackers to secretly gain complete control over virtually any device, using the wireless interface.

To be more precise, the experts found several problems in the implementation of the Bluetooth protocol for various platforms (Windows, Linux, Android, iOS). All of them were united under the common name BlueBorne.

Since Bluetooth is the most common way to exchange data between the closely spaced devices, the threat may be subject to a lot of equipment - from desktop and mobile gadgets to various categories of the Internet of things.

Attack using BlueBorne does not require any user interaction, and this makes it even more dangerous. Bluetooth-enabled devices are constantly searching for a connection to other gadgets, so theoretically can create their own breeding Bluetooth-worm, which provoke global epidemic scale.

Here is a demonstration of hacking smartphone running Android. The attacker seamlessly connects to the Bluetooth device and making a photo of the victim.

How to avoid danger?

Armis company has already notified BlueBorne all leading software manufacturers, including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and the Linux community. Immediately began to develop a special patch that eliminates the vulnerability. However, prior to their publication may take several days or even weeks.

Therefore, according to computer security experts recommend before the patch to disable Bluetooth on your device. Or, to use a compound of this protocol is as little as possible for some reasons it is impossible for you. And be sure to install all security updates, which will appear in the near future.

Android users can also check their device using a special utility. She released by Armis, and found that BlueBorne. You can use it to analyze the safety of not only your gadget, but also all the others that will be within the reach of Bluetooth-connection.