How To Hijack A Bluetooth Speaker With An Android Or iPhone

By John Adebimitan

A Bluetooth speaker can be hacked or hijacked in a variety of ways. One option is to use the default PIN that most Bluetooth speakers come with. Another option is to take advantage of a flaw in the device’s firmware, and also, getting access to the speaker itself.

It is impossible to hack or hijack a Bluetooth speaker if it is not discoverable. It can, however, be hijacked if it is discoverable and while it is not an easy task, a skilled individual may take control of a Bluetooth speaker. To learn more, read on.

How to Hijack a Bluetooth Speaker with an Android Phone

You can hijack a Bluetooth speaker with an android phone by pairing your phone after rebooting the speaker. To make this method work, get close to the speaker and press and hold the Bluetooth logo for 2–3 seconds. This refreshes the speaker’s connections with already connected devices, allowing you to pair with the device.

Another method you can use is to install third-party apps like kali Linux on your android phone. The “Bluetooth-hcidump” utility in Kali Linux can be used to find susceptible Bluetooth speakers. You can use this program to capture and analyze Bluetooth packets.

It can also be used to locate devices that are vulnerable to assaults.

How to hijack a Bluetooth speaker with an iPhone

To hijack a Bluetooth speaker with an iPhone, make sure you have access to the speaker. If the device allows only one pairing at a time and it’s already connected to another device, reboot the speaker and connect to it. To do this:

  • Check to see if the Bluetooth speaker is switched OFF.
  • Go to Settings, then click Bluetooth on the device you want to connect (for example, your phone) and look for your speaker in the list of Bluetooth devices.
  • To connect, turn ON the Bluetooth speaker.
  • After pressing the connect button, turn the speaker ON while your device tries to connect to it.
  • After that, your speaker should connect to your device.

Another method is the use of third-party apps like Btproxy and Gatttool. Note that while it is possible to hijack a Bluetooth speaker with this method, it is, however, not a straightforward process. With these apps, you’ll be able to carry out what is called a KNOB attack.

A man-in-the-middle attack known as a KNOB attack can be used against Bluetooth devices. It enables an attacker to force two devices to connect without authentication or with insecure encryption. After then, the exploit will reduce the Bluetooth link’s entropy to 1-byte. Entropy is an important aspect of Bluetooth security since it determines how much the Bluetooth encryption will change over time.

As a result, once it has been weakened, the attacker will be able to decrypt any traffic delivered over the Bluetooth connection. For KNOB to work, the hacker or hijacker must be nearby to the connected Bluetooth devices.

Is it possible to hack a Bluetooth speaker?

Yes, it is! Bypassing the security of a Bluetooth device is possible, allowing you to hijack or hack it and get complete control over what it plays from the speaker. Unfortunately, the process is technical and several security concerns might make it difficult for you to hijack a Bluetooth speaker.

Can you Disrupt a Bluetooth Signal?

Yes, you can disrupt a Bluetooth Signal. Bluetooth technology sends signals from one device to another via radio frequencies or RFs. The signal might be blocked when a Bluetooth device is connected to another wireless device that uses the same frequency. Also, note that Bluetooth can be interfered with or blocked totally by metal objects and electrical devices emitting strong RFs.

Therefore, you can completely hijack a Bluetooth speaker if you can get your hands on a transmitter that sends out a far stronger signal than any surrounding Bluetooth device. However, the transmitter would have to transmit in the same bandwidth as the Bluetooth protocol and be close enough in a range of about 5-10 feet to work.

How do I block unwanted users on Bluetooth?

Some Bluetooth gadgets are quite limited in terms of security. But, in general, it is technically achievable to develop a system that allows you to block someone from your Bluetooth device. To block unwanted users on a Bluetooth device:

Create a robust security code.

This is one of the most straightforward methods for preventing your Bluetooth speaker from being hacked or hijacked. Make sure you use a strong, difficult-to-guess security code.

Update your firmware

Make sure your firmware is up to date since this will repair any vulnerabilities in the device’s firmware.

Make use of a robust encryption technique

It will be more difficult for someone to hack or hijack your Bluetooth speaker if the encryption standard is greater.

Turn OFF Bluetooth when not in use

When you’re not using Bluetooth, make sure it’s turned OFF. As previously stated, hackers and hijackers can only take control of your Bluetooth speaker if it is turned ON. You can help safeguard your gadget from being hacked or hijacked by turning it OFF when you’re not using it.

Pairing with public devices is not recommended

When you connect your Bluetooth speaker to a public device, it becomes exposed to attacks. As a result, only pair your Bluetooth speaker with devices you are confident in.

Read also: How to Move Unmovable Apps to SD Cards

How do I block Bluetooth interference?

Bluetooth devices frequently interfere with other devices, particularly those that use the same frequency. Interference can be exploited to hijack a Bluetooth speaker and it takes various forms, making determining the source of the problem even more challenging.

Some interference sources include WiFi, Microwaves, Satellite Dishes, and so on.

To get rid of interference, the following ideas might be useful:

  • Bluetooth devices should be kept away from building materials that can function as a barrier. Metal, concrete, plaster, and brick are examples of these materials.
  • Bluetooth devices should not be placed near microwaves or fluorescent lights. This is because they use the same frequency as Bluetooth devices, and therefore should be avoided.
  • Try a new channel after rebooting your router. Depending on your router, channel surfing may take place automatically or require manual selection. If at all possible, test out multiple channels to see if one is a better fit.
  • Bring your gadgets closer to the router. You may substantially boost the strength of your WiFi connection by repositioning your device.

Conclusion

In summary, Bluetooth speakers are handy devices that let you listen to music remotely. They may, however, be subject to hacker and hijacker attacks.

Furthermore, force pairing is not an option on most current Bluetooth speakers because of better security. However, you can still hijack a Bluetooth speaker, by either putting the speaker in pairing mode, resetting the speaker, or jamming the speaker to override a Bluetooth speaker connection.

Also, note that you may help safeguard your Bluetooth speaker from being hacked or hijacked by following the advice in this article.

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