Should You Turn Off Bluetooth? The FCC Says Yes. I’m Not So Sure.
The Federal Communications Commission recently reminded Americans that turning off Bluetooth when you’re not using it can help protect your devices from hackers. It’s one of those warnings that sounds alarming at first. After all, Bluetooth is everywhere. It’s how we connect our earbuds, smartwatches, fitness trackers, speakers, and even our cars. But how much risk is there really? If you open your Bluetooth settings in a crowded coffee shop or airport, you’ll probably see a long list of nearby devices. Earbuds, speakers, laptops, smartwatches, and phones. According to the FCC, leaving Bluetooth enabled could allow hackers to exploit vulnerabilities and gain access to your device. The concern isn’t completely unfounded.
Bluetooth attacks are real. Security researchers have demonstrated attacks with names like Bluejacking and Bluebugging for years. But most of these attacks require a hacker to be physically nearby, target a vulnerable device, and exploit a security flaw that often has already been patched through software updates. In most cases, simply seeing a Bluetooth device doesn’t mean someone has access to it. If someone attempts to connect to your device, you’ll typically receive a notification or be asked to approve the connection. That doesn’t mean you should ignore Bluetooth security. Keeping your phone, tablet, and computer updated is one of the best ways to protect yourself.
If you use a personal hotspot, it’s also a good idea to turn it off when you’re finished using it. But for most people, there are bigger cybersecurity risks than Bluetooth hackers sitting nearby. Phishing text messages, scam websites, fake customer service calls, and weak passwords are responsible for far more security problems than Bluetooth attacks. In fact, while researching this story, I was reminded of a mistake I made myself.
A few weeks ago, while on vacation, I signed into my YouTube account on a smart TV and forgot to sign out before leaving. That’s probably a more common privacy risk than Bluetooth hacking. The next guest wouldn’t have access to my Gmail account or Google password. But they could have access to my YouTube profile, watch history, playlists, subscriptions, and recommendations. The same thing can happen if you forget to sign out of Netflix or other streaming services on a hotel, Airbnb, or vacation rental television.
Fortunately, both Google and Netflix make it easy to check. In your account settings, look for Security or Manage Devices. You’ll see a list of devices connected to your account. If you spot a TV, streaming device, or computer you no longer use, you can sign it out remotely with just a few clicks.
So, should you turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it? Sure. It won’t hurt unless you mind turning it back on again for the car stereo, or if you have a smart watch connected to it. But rather than worrying about things that could happen, we should probably spend more time worrying about the things that do happen. And if you’ve traveled recently, it might be worth taking a minute to see what devices are still logged into your accounts. For example, if you connect your phone to a rental car, you’ll want to remove it from the Bluetooth options. Some vehicles save contacts and account information.
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