Bluebugging

Bluebugging

Subject:: Science and Technology

Concept:

Bluebugging is a hacking technique that allows individuals to access a device with a discoverable Bluetooth connection.

Prerequisite for hacking:

• A bluebugging hacker must be within a 10-meter range (Bluetooth signal range) of your device for the bluebugging attack to work. However, hackers can use booster antennas to widen the attack range.
• Your device’s Bluetooth must be in discoverable mode, which is the default setting for most devices.

How is blue bugging done?

• A hacker attempts to pair with a victim’s device via Bluetooth. Once a connection is established, the hacker installs a backdoor or malware to bypass authentication.
• The malware is usually designed to gain unauthorized access by exploiting a vulnerability. In some cases, the attacker can compromise a device through a brute-force attack, which entails repeatedly logging in to a victim’s account by randomly guessing username-password combinations.
• As soon as the hacker gains access, he/she can essentially do what the device owner can, such as reading messages, making calls, or modifying contact details.
• Bluebugging manipulates a target phone into compromising its security, thus creating a backdoor attack before returning control of the phone to its owner.

What can bluebugging do?

• The hacker can read and send messages, access the victim’s phonebook, and initiate or eavesdrop on phone calls.
• Once control of a phone has been established, it is used to call back the hacker who is then able to listen in to conversations, hence the name “bugging”
• It pretends to be the headset and thereby “tricking” the phone into obeying call commands. Not only can a hacker receive calls intended for the target phone, he can send messages, read phonebooks, and examine calendars.
• Even the most secure smartphones like iPhones are vulnerable, any app with access to Bluetooth can record users’ conversations with Siri and audio from the iOS keyboard dictation feature when using AirPods or headsets, a hacker can gain unauthorized access to these apps and devices and control them

Ways to safegaurd from bluebugging: Update your devices, make your Bluetooth devices “undiscoverable”, reject strange messages, watch out for suspicious activity(phone is suddenly disconnecting and reconnecting calls), monitor sudden spikes in data usage

Difference between bluebugging, bluesnarfing, and bluejacking:

• Bluejacking uses Bluetooth to pair with your device to “prank” you. Usually, bluejacking hackers send you annoying pictures or messages to promote products.
• Bluesnarfing uses Bluetooth to hack into your device to download sensitive data, such as images, phone book information, and messages.