The Dark Side of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

July 21st, 2008 at 5:00am, General,

With everyone using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and RFID wireless technology, be aware that hackers know it exists as well.

Hackers have been around for a long time, snatching data from PC's and laptops in the wired world. Now, since we have data flowing around our heads in the air with Bluetooth and Wi-fi technology everywhere, hackers are armed with more tools to capture personal data from our phones using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi technologies.

At The Times of India, Sujata Dutta Sachdeva reports on how hackers snoop on mobile phones and warns that there are already 200 viruses that exist in the world with more created every day. They recommend the best route is the apply your security features on your mobile device, such as "antivirus, firewall, anti-SMS spam, and data encryption technologies and install regular security updates to protect phones from viruses and other malware."

In addition, CNet has covered wireless security as well with their news on Protecting against Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and RFID data attacks. The one quote from the article should give people an idea how "secure" we really are (a video is available at the bottom of the article on CNET as well).

Many people don't realize that new U.S. passports have RFID technology with weak encryption that makes the data on the chip easy to read with the proper reader device.

Wireless technology isn't being used just for crime. The Evening Telegraph reports on how police are using Bluetooth wireless technology at the Peterborough United vs. Liverpool football game to remind individuals on keeping their personal possessions safe and to not advertise your property to thieves. This is just one way Bluetooth wireless technology is used to fight crime, but other techniques will be applied as they become available to more mobile devices.