Camilla Jessen
Hackers are taking advantage of wireless convenience — and your phone bill could pay the price.
Wireless connections make life easier, from pairing headphones to streaming music in the car.
But the very convenience of Bluetooth could end up costing you big, cybersecurity experts warn.
As Bluetooth device use continues to rise — projected to grow by 8% per year through 2028, according to a report by Bluetooth SIG — so does the risk of digital attacks.
Cybersecurity company NordVPN is sounding the alarm.
Hidden Dangers
“The flexibility of Bluetooth is also its biggest weakness,” says Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN, in a statement to Dagensps.
Just switching your phone to “discoverable” mode could open the door to hackers without you even noticing.
Among the most serious threats is “bluebugging.” It is cyberattack where hackers take full control of your device. They can read your messages, listen to your calls, and even access your photos.
A less invasive — but still alarming — method called “bluejacking” lets attackers send unwanted messages to your phone.
It doesn’t stop there: Some hackers use your connection to make expensive international calls — and the charges show up on your bill.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
The good news? Staying safe is simple if you follow a few basic rules:
- Turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it.
- Set your device to “invisible” to avoid showing up on nearby Bluetooth scans.
- Reject unknown connection requests.
- Use strong, unique PINs — not defaults like “0000” or “1234.”
- Monitor your phone for unusual behavior or unexpected charges.
“Just a few small steps can protect you from a big headache,” Briedis says.