Police in China Warn: This Common Phone Setting Could Put You at Risk

Yesterday? Last week? Or sometime in 2020, when you first bought your phone?

Chinese security authorities are warning users about the risks of leaving Bluetooth enabled unnecessarily, including potential data theft, tracking, and malicious connection requests.

And no, we're not saying some random guy at Starbucks can automatically hack your phone just because your Bluetooth is on. Cybersecurity isn't quite that magical.

But security vulnerabilities do exist, and attackers can exploit them under certain conditions.

Your Bluetooth Has Trust Issues

So how exactly could someone exploit your Bluetooth? According to Chinese cybersecurity expert Wang Yuanyuan, here are three common ways criminals used to exploit vulnerabilities or trick unsuspecting users.

1. Turn your phone into a listening device. If your phone or Bluetooth headset has a security flaw, an attacker may be able to connect without your approval and potentially activate the microphone. Because apparently, your private conversations might need an audience.

2. Track your movements. Bluetooth signals can help attackers identify nearby devices and, in some circumstances, track their movements. Your phone: making friends you never asked for.

3. Send you malware. Criminals may disguise malicious connections as legitimate requests or trick you into accepting files. Open the wrong file, and your personal data or saved account credentials could be at risk. That innocent-looking “Accept” button? Maybe don't treat it like a dating app swipe

And if you think this doesn't concern you, just remember: even Mark Zuckerberg has famously been photographed with tape covering his laptop's webcam.

If one of the world's biggest tech bosses has resorted to something as primitive as duct tape to protect his privacy, perhaps the threat from tech criminals is worth taking seriously after all

No, you don't need to wrap your phone in tape or live in a cave. But turning off Bluetooth when you're not using it? That's probably a much easier place to start.

Stay connected, folks. Just don't connect to everyone like how you do at the club. 

Add our customer service above to join the grou