Unsafe telephones
More and more organisations are providing their personnel with ‘advanced’ mobile phones, with options for infrared, internet, photographs, etc. In short, mobile phones nowadays are a lot more than just telephones.
One of the latest wireless means of communication is called Bluetooth. This function is used to transfer data from telephone to telephone or from PC to telephone. In this way, for example, an address book or email folder can be synchronised and kept up-to-date.
The many options provided by Bluetooth are often underestimated, and so are the risks. If Bluetooth is activated, it means that the telephone is working not just as a ‘receiver’, but also as a ‘transmitter’. A transmitter with a standard range of up to 15 metres!
And remember that nowadays not only PC’s can be hacked, but also telephones. This means that hackers can access all the data in your telephone! All they need is hardware that supports Bluetooth (a laptop or PDA) and the right software (which is easy to obtain). Given that a laptop – whether using an amplifier or not – often has a range of as much as 100 metres, a hacker can strike in a traffic-jam, in a restaurant, or even at the office...
And now there is a new threat to mobile phones – viruses. Mobile phone viruses can spread in different ways and often infect phones through Bluetooth. If activated, a virus will try to install itself on other devices. An infected phone can be misused in many ways; for example, the hacker can make calls at the owner’s expense, transfer (confidential) data, view the owner’s email messages, etc.
Be very alert, therefore, about the use of mobile phones in your organisation and be sure to make a list of the equipment in use, especially in and around your building. If phones with Bluetooth are already being used, make sure that clear, written guidelines are drawn up for their use. Communicate these guidelines to your employees and make them aware of the possible risks. And make sure that the security possibilities, as already installed on the mobile phone are fully operational and regularly updated.
One of the latest wireless means of communication is called Bluetooth. This function is used to transfer data from telephone to telephone or from PC to telephone. In this way, for example, an address book or email folder can be synchronised and kept up-to-date.
The many options provided by Bluetooth are often underestimated, and so are the risks. If Bluetooth is activated, it means that the telephone is working not just as a ‘receiver’, but also as a ‘transmitter’. A transmitter with a standard range of up to 15 metres!
And remember that nowadays not only PC’s can be hacked, but also telephones. This means that hackers can access all the data in your telephone! All they need is hardware that supports Bluetooth (a laptop or PDA) and the right software (which is easy to obtain). Given that a laptop – whether using an amplifier or not – often has a range of as much as 100 metres, a hacker can strike in a traffic-jam, in a restaurant, or even at the office...
And now there is a new threat to mobile phones – viruses. Mobile phone viruses can spread in different ways and often infect phones through Bluetooth. If activated, a virus will try to install itself on other devices. An infected phone can be misused in many ways; for example, the hacker can make calls at the owner’s expense, transfer (confidential) data, view the owner’s email messages, etc.
Be very alert, therefore, about the use of mobile phones in your organisation and be sure to make a list of the equipment in use, especially in and around your building. If phones with Bluetooth are already being used, make sure that clear, written guidelines are drawn up for their use. Communicate these guidelines to your employees and make them aware of the possible risks. And make sure that the security possibilities, as already installed on the mobile phone are fully operational and regularly updated.
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