Advice Request Safe to leave Bluetooth turned on all the time?

[Ink]

Is it safe to leave the phone's Bluetooth turned on all the time?


OS
- Android 10
- iOS 13

 

[upnorth]

Since I seen reports about BlueBorne, KNOB and the latest BIAS attacks, I personal tend to disable Bluetooth when I don't need or use it.

Most of this is patched anyway nowadays, but one actually have to check those patches is installed on the phone as just because it's mentioned in an article ain't the same.

 

[CyberTech]

I always turn off bluetooth because i never use it anyway, as upnorth posted thats a reason i felt like there is something access my phone without knowing i always turn off like Location, bluetooth, others when i dont use them its safe...

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

Depends on hardware. If it's a iPhone or Google Pixel then yes because of good isolation and stuff like IOMMU.
Of course system needs always be up2date with not more then a week behind Google/ Apple updates.

Also Bluetooth has a low range which make it hard for attacks against safe systems

 

[bayasdev]

In addition it also drains your battery

 

[blackice]

Depends on hardware. If it's a iPhone or Google Pixel then yes because of good isolation and stuff like IOMMU.
Of course system needs always be up2date with not more then a week behind Google/ Apple updates.

Also Bluetooth has a low range which make it hard for attacks against safe systems

If @security123 says it’s safe, then it must be!

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

In addition it also drains your battery

Only if it's used by Apps. Else you will not see Bluetooth listed in power management (same for GPS)
New devices also use Bluetooth Low Energy stuff.

If @security123 says it’s safe, then it must be!

I only repeat what experts say.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

Disable it along with WiFi when not in use / public space if possible.
Both can be used as for snooping or as a vector and it's pretty dangerous since low access to the baseband chip firmware ( usually requires an exploit)

Only if it's used by Apps. Else you will not see Bluetooth listed in power management (same for GPS)
New devices also use Bluetooth Low Energy stuff.


I only repeat what experts say.

Yeah the Bluetooth low power or whatever it's called has less radius so it's technically a lot safer .

 

[Ink]

@upnorth Thanks for the video.

In addition it also drains your battery

If on, but not connected, Bluetooth uses less than WiFi?
Also I find 4G Mobile Data to be most draining.

Disable it along with WiFi when not in use / public space if possible.

I prefer a constant Internet connection, either WiFi or 4G is enabled at all times.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

@upnorth Thanks for the video.


If on, but not connected, Bluetooth uses less than WiFi?

Also I find 4G Mobile Data to be most draining.

Yes Bluetooth uses less energy then WiFi and the low energy Bluetooth variety can probably run a few days if not more on today's smart phone batteries(my parents had an iot device using this technology Wich ran weeks on a smaller battery then most smartphones)

 

[CyberTech]

In addition it also drains your battery

i forgot to say! This^

@upnorth

If on, but not connected, Bluetooth uses less than WiFi?

Yes i think because they keep refreshing like finding other bluetooth/wifi every like 10 secs or 1 min? i dont know

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

Disable it along with WiFi..
Both can be used as for snooping or as a vector and it's pretty dangerous since low access to the baseband chip firmware ( usually requires an exploit)

No. See my Bluetooth post. It's the same.

Just use secure hardware and up2date system.

Also see e.g.

 

[blackice]

I only repeat what experts say.

To be clear I wasn’t making fun, I meant it. You do a good job with your research.

 

[upnorth]

I recall another Bluetooth issue called " Bluefrag " as I even mentioned it in my own mobile configuration thread, but I couldn't find a post with the patch. It was released as a Critical update in February and I somehow forgot add it in the thread. CVE-2020-0022.

Huawei EMUI security updates Feb-20|HUAWEI Support Global

We are releasing monthly security updates for flagship models. This security update includes Google patches.This security update includes the CVE announced in the February 2020 Android security bulletin.

consumer.huawei.com

This is what I mean about check/confirm your vendors updates.

Another video about Bluetooth vulnerabilities and more easy to understand, is an issue from 2017 with a Vaultek VT20i handgun safe.

 

[Local Host]

Is the same as the leaving the key to your house on the door, anyone who passes by can enter.

I disable everything when not in use, Android is like swiss cheese when it comes to exploits.

 

[roger_m]

I only enable Bluetooth in the very rare cases I need to use it, so 99% of the time I have it disabled.

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

Is the same as the leaving the key to your house on the door, anyone who passes by can enter.

More like old door/ key vs modern door with e.g. fingerprint

 

[South Park]

I only enable Bluetooth on any device when actually transferring files, otherwise I keep it off to save battery and preserve privacy. WiFi, only turned on when I need it.

 

[Ink]

Is the same as the leaving the key to your house on the door, anyone who passes by can enter.

I disable everything when not in use, Android is like swiss cheese when it comes to exploits.

How about for iOS 13 with latest updates? Asking for both devices.

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

How about for iOS 13 with latest updates? Asking for both devices.

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