Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is warning consumers that hackers can burrow into mobile devices using technology used for hands-free calling and wireless keyboards.

Hackers are exploiting Bluetooth wireless connections to access texts, contacts and photos, send texts and even place long-distance telephone calls.

Bluetooth uses a low-powered transmitter and receiver that allow wireless handsets, keyboards and car stereos to interact with mobile devices.  Though the range of these devices is limited, hackers use special software and antennas to intercept the signals of compatible devices nearby using a technique called “bluebugging.”

Although this hacking method is relatively new and has been used mostly to hack the phones of government officials and celebrities, it is a reminder that consumers have to stay one step ahead of the criminals by understanding the risks and taking steps to protect themselves.

Scammers can hang out in a busy area such as a coffee shop, mall or any other public area and hack into nearby phones that are Bluetooth-enabled, using the phones to call long distance numbers and rack up charges for the unsuspecting victims.

BBB offers the following tips to ensure your Bluetooth isn’t hacked:

-Turn off your mobile device’s Bluetooth or put in “not discoverable” mode when you are not using it.

-If you make a call from your car, be sure to switch it off when you get out. Crowded public places are top spots for hackers.

-Don’t accept pairing requests from unknown parties.  If you happen to pair your phone with a hacker’s computer, then all your data will be at risk.

-When pairing devices for the first time, do so at home or in the office – not in a public area.

-Log out of shopping and banking applications when you are finished using them and never allow an app to store your login and password.

-Make sure you download and install regular security updates.  Device manufactures will release updates to address threats and correct weaknesses.

-Install software to allow you to wipe your device clean remotely in case you lose it or it is stolen.

You can find additional, related information at www.bluetooth.com.

As a new generation comes online,  Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona warns parents that mobile applications for smart phones and tablets are siphoning children’s data and sharing it.  In most cases, the applications’ developers do not disclose whether data is being collected, with whom it is being shared nor how it is used.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a study called “Mobile Apps for Kids – Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade,” nearly 60 percent of children’s applications available from the iTunes store and Google Play that were examined by researchers “…failed to provide any information about the data collected through the app, let alone the type of data collected, the purpose of the collection and who would obtain access to the data.”

The data collected and shared can include the child’s location, telephone number, contacts, device ID, and other information contained in the mobile device.  More worrying, according to the FTC, is that some applications offer the ability to make purchases and provide links to social media “without disclosing these features prior to download.”

The FTC study found that only 20 percent of the apps reviewed disclosed any privacy policies, almost 60 percent of them transmit information from the mobile device to advertisers, analytics companies and other third parties, and 22 percent contained links to social networking sites.

BBB recommends parents take steps to protect their children and families’ personal information:

Research before downloading – In view of the FTC’s conclusion that most children’s app developers are not giving parents adequate information, carefully review feedback from other consumers, not only at the download sites, but also through search engines.

Consider avoiding free apps – 58 percent of free apps that were studied were “ad-supported,” and typically led to an app download site when clicked.  Paid applications, which are not supported by advertising, usually cost between $1 and $10 – less expensive than most books and toys.

Control kids’ sharing – Determine whether applications allow young users to post their own content to social media sites and decide whether it is appropriate to allow your children to do so before downloading an app.

When it comes to protecting kids’ privacy, the FTC says it “hasn’t seen any progress” by application developers to address concerns about the lack of disclosure and data collection and use.

BBB recommends parents take the lead in ensuring their children are protected from advertisers and others who attempt to develop a detailed profile of their children’s behavior through the use of mobile applications.

Gone are the days of having to rely on your “brick and mortar” store to drive shoppers to your business. These days, traveling retailers can make a sale with just the touch of a button and the swipe of a credit card via their smartphone.

No matter how large or small the business, employees don’t even need to be near their store’s credit card processor to make a credit transaction with their customer. Using smartphone credit card readers, businesses have the capability of taking their sales to the next level, but Better Business Bureau is advising business owners to make sure that such a system is right for their business.

For businesses looking to add the credit card reader capability to their sales, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona recommends the following tips:

Do your research. Just like a landline-based credit card system, you’ll need a merchant account to process payments, a scanner device to read the card, and software (app) to make it run. Don’t skimp on research. Start with your bank or your credit card service for suggestions on recommended services and devices. Check out all vendors at www.bbb.org. Ask for references.

Choose the right combination. Your smartphone merchant account might interface with your existing landline-based account, and that will make life easier. Build from there; find the app you feel comfortable using that has the features you want. There are over a hundred apps available for different smartphones; each is usually compatible with a number of different swiping devices. The reader itself is the last step (and the easiest to replace or exchange).

Read the fine print. Using a smartphone credit card reader might be a great way to increase your sales while on the road. However, make sure to read the fine print for the smartphone app to make sure that you won’t be charged while you’re not using it.

Offer the customer service your shoppers expect. Some shoppers may not be familiar with this kind of payment method. Be sure to offer them the option of having a receipt emailed to them, or even offer to print the receipt there with a separate smartphone printer. This will reduce the hassle should your customer want to return the product.

Beware of scams! As with any emerging technology, scammers are figuring out how to exploit vulnerabilities. Don’t buy the devices or apps from vendors you don’t know.

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