2023-10-30 21:30:02
JVTech News At Cybersecurity Conference, Hacker Demonstrates Why iPhone Bluetooth Should Be Disabled Completely
Published on 10/30/2023 at 10:30 p.m.
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A hacker recently demonstrated at a cybersecurity conference how incompletely disabling Bluetooth might expose users to security risks.
A demonstration to raise awareness
Jae Bochs, a hacker and technology researcher, took advantage of the
DEF CON conference
in Las Vegas to perform a frightening demonstration. Its mission: to show why it’s crucial to properly turn off the iPhone’s Bluetooth connection when not in use.
For his demonstration, Bochs used a 2W Raspberry Pi Zero, two antennas, a Linux-compatible Bluetooth adapter, and a portable battery. All of this equipment, with the exception of the battery, costs around 70 euros. This configuration allowed him to send messages to iPhones present in the perimeter.
When iPhone Bluetooth is turned off from Control Center, the connection is not completely interrupted. Some functions remain active and can be exploited to compromise user security.
Even in “Airplane” mode, iPhone continues to search for other devices to connect with, whether sending via AirDrop or finding lost items via the search network.
Bochs’ experience perfectly illustrates this situation. It successfully simulated an Apple device trying to connect to nearby iPhones, thereby activating pop-ups on those devices. Notifications prompt users to connect their Apple ID or share a password with a nearby Apple TV.
It is important to note that this demonstration, although worrying, did not put users in danger. Bochs had programmed his device not to receive or store data. So, even if a user falls into the trap, their data remains safe.
To avoid this type of situation, the solution is simple: you must deactivate Bluetooth from the iPhone settings. Otherwise, the Bluetooth function enters a sort of “sleep mode”.
To do this, simply go to the Configuration menu, then to Bluetooth, and finally click on the deactivation option. Only then will Bluetooth be completely disabled, making users less vulnerable to this type of attack and increasing their level of security.
Well, this still means that you will no longer be able to use your devices. The solution is therefore not permanent, but it should surely help to highlight the problem so that Apple can take care of it. This demonstration highlights the risks associated with incompletely disabling Bluetooth on the iPhone.
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