Your Bluetooth headphones may be a security risk

Bluetooth headphones have become a go-to choice for music, podcasts, and even making calls, but cybersecurity experts warn that they could also expose users to hacking risks.

Criminals can exploit weaknesses in Bluetooth connections to impersonate devices and even gain access to nearby smartphones.

Leon Hannibal, senior consultant at Wolfpack Information Risk, notes that the specific incidents that have prompted the warning are not common to all Bluetooth headphones.

"Your Apple AirPods are safe. No problem there."

Hannibal explains that there is a certain chip that is put into the Bluetooth module that is vulnerable to being hacked.

"A malicious actor could access the Bluetooth module, get certain information off of it."

Part of that information is the link key that gives the headphones access to your phone.

"This access is then whatever app on your phone grants it."

Moreover, if that link key goes missing, hackers can then emulate the user's headphones.

"So I could then connect to your phone, pretending to be those earpods at any time without any further authorisation from you."

Hannibal adds that users do not need to get rid of their devices, but they should update firmware, review Bluetooth settings and disable connections when not in use.

To listen to Hannibal in conversation with CapeTalk's John Maytham, use the audio player below: