Bluetooth-security-411

Bluetooth Security

These days, all communication technology faces the

issue of privacy and identity theft, with Bluetooth

being no exception. Almost everyone knows that email

services and networks require security. What users

of Bluetooth need to realize is that Bluetooth also

requires security measures as well.

The good news for Bluetooth users is that the

security scares, like most scares, are normally over

dramatized and blown entirely out of proportion. The

truth being told, these issues are easy to manage,

with various measures already in place to provide

security for Bluetooth technology.

It's true that there has been some Bluetooth phones

that have been hacked into. Most devices that are

hacked into are normally those that don't have any

type of security at all.

According to Bluetooth specialists, in order to hack

into a Bluetooth device, the hacker must:

1. Force two paired devices to break their

connection.

2. Steal the packets that are used to

resend the pin.

3. Decode the pin.

Of course, the hacker must also be within range of

the device, and using very expensive developer type

equipment. Most specialists recommend that you

have a longer pin, with 8 digits being recommended.

Fundamentals of security

The "pairing process" is one of the most basic levels

of security for Bluetooth devices. Pairing, is

two or more Bluetooth devices that recognize each

other by the profiles they share - in most cases

they both must enter the same pin.

The core specifications for Bluetooth use an

encryption algorithm, which is completely and entirely

secure. Once the devices pair with each other,

they too become entirely secure.

Until they have successfully paired, the Bluetooth

devices won't communicate with each other. Due to

this pairing process and the fact that it is short

range - Bluetooth technology is considered to be

secure.

As the news has indicated, experienced hackers

have developed ways to get around this level of

basic security. There are ways to get around this

threat, as you can install software to prevent

hackers from getting in.

With Bluetooth becoming more and more popular, it's

really no wonder that security is always in

question. As Bluetooth gets bigger and better,

security will always be something that no one

really takes lightly.

If you've been concerned about Bluetooth security

in the past, rest assured that newer devices will

offer bigger and better security. Preventing

hackers from getting in is something every owner

is concerned about - and the manufacturer's are

very aware.

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