The Myths

Retired advice

Myth: Turn off Bluetooth and NFC

Turn off Bluetooth and NFC: Wireless exploits in the wild are extraordinarily rare and typically require specialized hardware, physical proximity, and unpatched devices. Modern phones and laptops isolate these components and require user consent for pairing.

Why it’s outdated

Everyday crime works at scale: stolen and reused passwords and scam messages reach millions of people at once. An attack over Bluetooth or NFC means being physically near one person at a time, which is why such attacks are extraordinarily rare. NFC works only over a couple of centimeters, and phones ask before pairing or paying. Switching these radios off and on all day costs time and breaks things you rely on, like headphones and car audio, for no real benefit.

Do this instead

Leave Bluetooth and NFC on. Keep automatic updates on, as you should anyway.

Is this advice for everyone?