Bluejacking

Bluejacking is sending anonymous, unwanted messages to other users with Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones or laptops.

Bluejacking depends on the ability of Bluetooth phones to detect and contact other Bluetooth devices nearby. The Bluejacker uses a feature originally intended for exchanging contact details or “electronic business cards”. He or she adds a new entry in the phone’s address book, types in a message, and chooses to send it via Bluetooth. The phone searches for other Bluetooth phones and, if it fi nds one, sends the message.

Despite its name, Bluejacking is essentially harmless. The Bluejacker does not steal personal information or take control of your phone.

Bluejacking can be a problem if it is used to send obscene or threatening messages or images, or to send advertising. If you want to avoid such messages, you can turn off Bluetooth, or set it to “undiscoverable”.

Bluetooth-enabled devices may also be at risk from the more serious Bluesnarfi ng.

Sophos.com