For retailers everywhere, it’s a challenging new day. Security threats are a constant – both inside their four walls and out. The big security breaches we hear about on the news; the smaller ones sometimes not. But their impact remains costly to us all. The need for mobility, rapidly evolving technology and meeting growing customer expectations for network user access continues to complicate matters for retail IT – and has set the stage for the increased risk with over the air breaches using rogue Bluetooth® devices.
Bluetooth technology has transformed how we connect – both at home and at work. It is intended for consumer product connectivity and can be misused for gaining entry into enterprise applications. The technology is often used for payment card readers, but is also being misused by hackers as an unsecured way to gain access into retailers’ networks. Once inside, they can install malware onto point of sale (POS) devices and plant a rogue Bluetooth transmitter. Then, using their own mobile devices, they can download collected information to their device as they walk by undetected – up to 300 feet away.