You are at risk if location and bluetooth are kept ON

 Hyderabad: Leaving your location services ‘on’ can significantly affect your cyber security and privacy, warn cyber security experts. When this feature is active, your smart phone constantly shares information about your movements and whereabouts.

Cybercrime DCP Rithi Raj said “turning data on makes your data vulnerable. It's like leaving your front door open. Additionally, enabling Bluetooth on your device can pose potential risks. Turn off location services and Bluetooth should be used cautiously. Ensure that you're not exposing more information than you need to."

These types of crimes are on the rise as they can send bugs to completely get access to your phone.

Cyber security expert Praveen Tangella told Deccan Chronicle that when Bluetooth is active, your device becomes more susceptible to cyber threats, such as data interception and privacy breaches. Cybercriminals can exploit Bluetooth connections to steal your data or potentially plant malware on your device. Connecting to public Wi-Fi networks with Bluetooth enabled amplifies these risks. Public Wi-Fi can be less secure, whereby it becomes easier for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities in your device. he said

Moreover, users should be cautious about malicious apps and scams. One should be aware of phishing attempts, fraudulent apps and requests for location data, especially from unknown sources. It's essential to scrutinise each app's permissions, Tangella added.