Bluesnarfing

Primary definition

Bluesnarfing is a cyberattack that steals data from Bluetooth-enabled devices (phones, laptops) without the user's knowledge, exploiting vulnerabilities in the Bluetooth Object Exchange (OBEX) protocol. It allows attackers to download contacts, emails, text messages, and photos, often operating within a 10-15 meter range.

Also known asBlueSnarfing · Bluesnarf attack · Bluetooth snarfing · OBEX bluesnarfing · Bluesnarf
1 sources cited4 related termsReviewed Aug 10, 2026
NICCS GlossaryView source

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NICCS

Bluesnarfing is a cyberattack that steals data from Bluetooth-enabled devices (phones, laptops) without the user's knowledge, exploiting vulnerabilities in the Bluetooth Object Exchange (OBEX) protocol. It allows attackers to download contacts, emails, text messages, and photos, often operating within a 10-15 meter range.

NICCS Glossary · 2024

Cite this term

Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Bluesnarfing. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/bluesnarfing

Sources

1 cited · last checked Aug 10, 2026

01

NICCS Glossary
NICCS Glossary

Single-source

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