Bluesnarfing

What Does Bluesnarfing Mean?

Bluesnarfing is a device hack performed when a wireless, Bluetooth-enabled device is in discoverable mode. Bluesnarfing allows hackers to remotely access Bluetooth device data, such as a user’s calendar, contact list, emails and text messages. This attack is perpetrated without the victim’s knowledge.

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Techopedia Explains Bluesnarfing

Bluetooth-enabled devices are vulnerable to bluesnarfing attacks when in discoverable mode because hackers can respond to queries from other Bluetooth-enabled devices, thus gaining unauthorized access to information.

Most mobile phone discovery modes are activated by default. Unless the mode is deactivated, a device is susceptible to bluesnarfing attacks. The only way to fully protect a wireless device against bluesnarfing is to turn off Bluetooth. Keeping the phone in "invisible" mode provides some protection.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…