Hackers Can Even Hack Your Earbuds To Spy On You, Here's How To Stay Safe

Hacking is getting embedded in the core of tech because with modern gadgets and software, hackers are also getting the chance to get more vulnerable openings. In a recent development, security researchers have found a series of vulnerabilities that could possibly let the hackers take control or audio devices and other accessories from brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi, Nothing, JBL, Sony, and even Marshall. In a few cases, the vulnerability could also allow hackers to track the victim's location. The security lapse were tracked down in a wireless protocol dubbed Fast Pair that has been developed by Google to make the pairing of Bluetooth devices easier with all Android and ChromeOS devices. What's concerning is that the iPhone users who have never

owned a Google product are also vulnerable to the potential cyber attack. The same has been confirmed by the researchers at KU Leuven University Computer Security, Belgium, and Industrial Cryptography group.Researchers have dubbed these type of attacks as WhisperPair and it could let any threat actor in a 50 feet proximity to silently pair with the targeted audio accessory and then compromise them. After being hacked, these devices could be used by the hackers to disrupt phone conversation, play their audio, or even use the device microphones to listen to the victim's surrounding conversations. Sayon Duttagupta said to Wired, 'You’re walking down the street with your headphones on, you’re listening to some music. In less than 15 seconds, we can hijack your device. Which means that I can turn on the microphone and listen to your ambient sound. I can inject audio. I can track your location.'He further said, 'The attacker now owns this device and can basically do whatever he wants with it.'

How To Stay Safe From Whisperpair attacks?

First things first, keep your Bluetooth turned off when you are not using it because that way, hackers will have no passage to intervene. Furthermore, never accept pairing requests from random devices and decline in most of cases until it is not something triggered by you. Furthermore, avoid pairing in public placed along with keeping the firmware of your buds up to date.