The invention of Bluetooth has been helpful for a variety of reasons — namely, because it allows devices to communicate to one another and share data and information. But, with that, comes the possibility of a privacy breach. And, depending on the Bluetooth accessories that you use, your risk can be enhanced. Apple experts agree: this is the one Bluetooth device you have to stop using ASAP. It can be the source of major privacy concerns and simply isn’t worth the risk, according to Tech Expert Waleed Madni, Co-Founder at How2PC.
Bluetooth Keyboards
Yes, you can use a Bluetooth keyboard wherever you roam and it has the ability to connect to a variety of devices, including your laptop, phone, and even a television. But its privacy risks far outweigh its benefits, according to Madni.
“I want folks concerned with privacy to stop using Bluetooth keyboards ASAP,” Madni says. “Although it may seem of little concern, using a Bluetooth keyboard is an astronomical privacy failure unless you deliberately want each keystroke to be neighborhood knowledge.”
There are plenty of bluetooth keyboard negatives to keep on your radar.
“The talk between the source (mostly a computer) and the Bluetooth keyboard done via frequency exchange is susceptible to interference,” Madni says. “Unless there is a strong encryption mechanism in place, hackers can Bluejack the connection and monitor all your communication activity; the messages you send, the email you reply to, the projects you are working on, etc.”
Once a Bluetooth keyboard is compromised, Madni says fake emails can also be generated which the user will have no idea about. “The existing messages can also be edited meanwhile new ones can also be sent to any one of your contacts,” Madni says. “All the while, a compromised Bluetooth keyboard is not only a liability in terms of communication but can also be a gateway to other critical hacks like storage drives, credit cards information, cloud data, etc. Therefore it may lead to a complete catastrophic mishap for your privacy.”
A common practice employed by hackers is to sit outside corporate offices with their high-range antennas capable of accessing Bluetooth devices at a faraway range, according to Madni. “User credentials are stolen as they sign in using Bluetooth keyboards and access is gained to critical data like admin passcodes,” Madni notes.
If all of these possibilities sound terrifying, the great news is that eliminating one Bluetooth accessory from your life — the Bluetooth keyboard — can cut down on your chances of leaking your most sensitive information.
