All the cool kids are going back to wired headphones, and so is Vice President Kamala Harris—not to be cool but to be safe. We’ve seen videos of people hacking Bluetooth systems everywhere, from baseball games to high school rallies; it even happened to my dorm’s TV at 3 a.m. Maybe Vice President Harris is onto something. So, keep reading for some cybersecurity best practices in the world of Bluetooth.
Why wired headphones?
Vice President Harris believes wired headphones are safer and less likely to be hacked. She sees Bluetooth headphones as a major security risk. Is she right? According to hackernoon.com, Bluetooth technology is enabled on phones, laptops, iPods, headphones, etc. And, unfortunately, people make the mistake of leaving the feature on, making it easy for hackers to connect to a device and steal information. So, wired headphones are the new vibe and a cybersecurity best practice.
Are Bluetooth headphones going extinct?
“Bluetooth is endangered but not extinct,” according to ScienceABC. The technology was first seen to be very good, but then an attack on the Nokia and Ericsson phones occurred, where hackers connected and manipulated devices. People’s opinions on Bluetooth quickly changed. So, many people have stuck with wired headphones, especially those in the tech field who know cybersecurity best practices and the benefits of wired headphones. Tech websites such as The Next Web, SoundGuys, and Ear Rockers say that wired headphones produce better sound, are cheaper, and help avoid hackers.
Stay safe, and protect your information.
Here are some cyber-safety tips for using Bluetooth.
- Turn your Bluetooth off when it’s not in use. When Bluetooth is still on, it will search for a device to connect to, and hackers like to mess with naive people.
- Change Bluetooth settings to “not discoverable.” Hackers won’t be able to locate your device if this setting is on.
- Be careful which devices you pair to. Be absolutely sure of the device you want to connect to before clicking on a random device. Hackers can inherit your information if you connect to one of their devices.
- Avoid pairing your device in public. If it’s the first time you’re pairing a device, do it at home. Being out in public will give hackers a better chance to get your information.
- Unpair your device from lost or stolen gadgets. Disconnect any device that is no longer in use.
Wired headphones are IN and safer. Did stylish teens know this information before switching back to wired headphones? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section!