There is worldwide alert for new malware affecting millions of devices.
Computer security company Armis, based in the United States, discovered the vulnerability in at least five billion devices. The virus or malware, as they are known, silently infiltrates and can take control of your data.
According to the company, BlueBorne can break security on devices (smartphones, tablets, computers, cars and IoT terminals) with Android operating system, iOS, Windows and Linux. That is, on most devices that are used regularly and have Bluetooth enabled.
"Unlike traditional malware or attacks, the user does not have to click on a link or download a questionable file. No user action is required to allow the attack (..) BlueBorne is one of the largest potential attacks that have been discovered in recent years, "explains the Armis statement.
The virus acts very quickly and without raising the user's suspicions. Like a flu, malware spreads from an infected device that, being close to a Bluetooth enabled smartphone, enters without permission and can control or steal device data, as well as install unwanted applications.
The infiltration process takes less than a minute, thanks to the fast pairing technology offered by Bluetooth. However, unlike a normal connection, malware does not require the authorization of the device owner, it only requires the active Bluetooth function.
The security company has already alerted software companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, Samsung, LG, among others, to create a protection patch to its users. Apple was the only company that issued a short statement at the time, "the vulnerability does not affect the latest iOS updates," they said. With this, Apple asks iPhone and iPad users to update to the latest version available and avoid malware.
The responsibility for data protection of companies is enormous, especially in the case of technology companies using Android, for having the largest number of users worldwide. In addition, nowadays Bluetooth is necessary to connect, for example, the smartphone with a smartwach or with wireless headsets, leaving the door open to possible viruses such as BlueBorne.
This is the video created by the company: