Bluetooth

wwe · 31-07-2007, 03:34

Hi i just heard that if u leave your bluetooth on your mobile all the time people can hack in to it is that true?

Paul · 31-07-2007, 06:11

Depends if you leave it "discoverable" or not. Probably do more harm to the battery life than anything.

AntiSilence · 31-07-2007, 06:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Depends if you leave it "discoverable" or not. Probably do more harm to the battery life than anything.

If I leave my Bluetooth powered up (can't leave it discoverable) then the battery is dead in about a day without even using it

**Jefferson T** · 31-07-2007, 07:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwe

Hi i just heard that if u leave your bluetooth on your mobile all the time people can hack in to it is that true?

Indeed as the others have said - only turn it on if you need it for something - like satnav or to send / receive a file.

I always look when I go somewhere, and usually there are 20 odd people who's phones are open and have their bluetooth on. If I was a dodgy character I could take my pocket pc with me and use THEIR phone to make a call..

Xaccers · 31-07-2007, 09:40

Wouldn't they have to accept the bluetooth connection?

**Jefferson T** · 31-07-2007, 09:41

Not in all cases no, it depends on the phone.

bopdude · 31-07-2007, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefferson T

Not in all cases no, it depends on the phone.

Absolutely right, depending on a few if and buts and makes of phones there IS a lot someone of a dubious nature can / could do, including getting all details / programs / contacts and as you say, making calls from said phone

It's a bad world out there

Slyder · 31-07-2007, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwe

Hi i just heard that if u leave your bluetooth on your mobile all the time people can hack in to it is that true?

Its called Bluejacking and it dosnt work so well with newer phones, believe me

cookie_365 · 31-07-2007, 18:37

I've had Bluetooth turned on on my phones pretty much continuously for the last 3 years with no battery life problems and nothing dodgy on the bill.

Except the dodgy stuff I was responsible for myself, of course

handyman · 31-07-2007, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slyder

Its called Bluejacking and it dosnt work so well with newer phones, believe me

Used to enjoy a spot of bluejacking ;-)

Especially when I used to wait for Handybird to finish work at asda. Plus working overlooking a town centre theres loads of people without things secured.

Pia · 31-07-2007, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie_365

I've had Bluetooth turned on on my phones pretty much continuously for the last 3 years with no battery life problems and nothing dodgy on the bill.

Except the dodgy stuff I was responsible for myself, of course

I have always left my Bluetooth on constantly and not noticed any battery life difference either. Though one time i did get myself a virus from my noseyness, not accepted a file ever since

This is what i posted back in April 2006 over at VF.....

Quote:

Strange thing happened to me yesterday....

I was in a taxi on my way home from work, when i checked my phone for messages, and it said on the screen "receive bluetooth message from...?"
Anyway i was very confused because i was sat next to the taxi driver and there was no sign of a mobile phone

So out of curiosity i clicked 'yes' and it gave me some program called Commwarrior...

Anyway, i was thinking how weird this was because nobody else was in range and it certainly didn't appear to be the taxi driver!

I installed it, but then thought it was strange that i couldn't find it in my phone's menu, only in the applications list, so i deleted it thinking it might be some sort of hacker!
When i got home i googled it and found out that Commwarrior is in fact, a mobile phone virus... (i wasn't too sure if my phone was smart enough to carry a virus with all the posh ones they have out these days!)

I'm on pay as you go and only had about 75p credit on my phone.. so when i was getting "Failed" messages and some multimedia messages in the outbox it was raiding my phone book, and sending mms messages to my friends with itself infected in the message! So, it managed to send one, but i think it was an invalid number so hopefully hasn't delivered!

Read more about the virus here: http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/commwarrior.shtml

I got rid of it by installing f-secure 30 day trial anti-virus for phones and it cleared it right up! (go to http://mobile.f-secure.com on your mobile)
It's a good program, by the way, but since the viruses aren't very common i can't justify paying for it

This virus could cost you an absolute fortune if on a contract phone!

So, some tips from me.... if on contract phone- think about buying the f-secure scanner for your phone!
If on PAYG, don't keep too much credit on your phone at one time... and mostly, keep your bluetooth switched off until you need it on!

(I now have a different phone)

Let this be a lesson to all of us

Hom3r · 31-07-2007, 20:12

isn't it called bluejacking?

I've heard that they can setup a victims phone to dial the number they are calling to go via a premium rate line.

wwe · 01-08-2007, 02:16

is there any program u can install on ur phone to stop people from trying to hack it i on a lg u978

LSainsbury · 01-08-2007, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwe

is there any program u can install on ur phone to stop people from trying to hack it i on a lg u978

Why don't you just switch bluetooth off when you're not using it?

Blimey! A simple solution - and no software involved!!!

Slyder · 03-08-2007, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwe

is there any program u can install on ur phone to stop people from trying to hack it i on a lg u978

Theres some software floating around yes, but as LSainsbury has said - just turn your Bluetooth off, otherwise me and handyman might be tempted to not only make long distance calls from your number - but read your txts, look at your dirty photos and steal your mp3's...

All of which can be done with ease given the right phones used.