Bluetooth Security
Bluetooth is a well known wireless technology used for short range communications destined to substitute the cables connecting portable and fixed devices at the same time with high levels of security. The significances of Bluetooth technology are sturdiness, less power and low cost. The infrastructure of Bluetooth allows a numerous devices for the connection and communication with each other. Bluetooth technology works in the uncertified ISM (industrial, scientific and medical) band between 2.4 and 2.485 GHz, using a spread spectrum, frequency hopping, full-duplex signal at a permissible rate of 1600 hops/sec.
The 2.4 GHz ISM band is available in most of the countries without license. Bluetooth devices operate within a range of 10 to 100 meters or 30 to 300 feet range that can share data with a throughput of 1Mbps in the Version 1.2 and up to 3 Mbps in the Version 2.0 + EDR (Enhanced data rate). In any wireless networking infrastructure, security is a dismal. There are a number of devices available for hacking the contents of a specific user. The radio waves are prevented from getting transmitted to destination and this is done by the interception or the fabrication of datum. There are various modes available to securely transfer the contents between two Bluetooth enabled devices.
Bluetooth consists of several security modes to the market manufacturers giving them an option for which mode to select for their Bluetooth enabled gadget. In many cases, the customers can enable the trusted devices mode which activates to exchange data without the permission of the vendor or the owner of the gadget. In the remaining cases, service-level security and device-level security are the two security modes that work together to prevent Bluetooth gadgets from unwanted data transmissions.
Security methods include authentication and recognition procedures that hamper the use of Bluetooth services to the registered user and the users must be aware of the file acceptance and data transfer. Until these measures are followed by the owners, hacking is very rare. Any user can switch on his ‘non-discoverable’ mode to get rid of the visibility of his/her device from other devices. User can transmit data primarily in their homes by synchronizing devices within home which will not result in any security breach from public. Old mobile virus producers have taken chances of Bluetooth’s automated connection to send infected files to the devices. The infected files do not move away, however the devices are well authenticated and restricted from the infected files approaching them.
There are 3 ad-hoc security issues namely the blue-jacking, blue-bugging and the car whisperer. When a Bluetooth user involve in sending a business card or as a text message within a ten meter radius, blue-jacking takes place. A hacker in a remote area can make use of any user phone by remotely accessing its features like sending text messages, dialing a name in contact list, accessing multimedia contents etc, is called blue-bugging which is more of a problem. A software that enables to send and retrieve audio files from car stereo is said to be car whisperer. As in a computer security hole, the new technologies are always prone to security vulnerabilities and the manufacturers often upgrade their technological tools.
There are two well known modes available in the Bluetooth security namely the discover mode and the non-discover mode. When it is in the former mode it is easy to connect it to a computer for upload or download some private data. Famous celebrities are merely prone to security breach for this kind of approach since they are unaware of the Bluetooth technology and its enhancements.
In the latter mode, the device name is not listed in other device during the search process. But one who is well known to the Bluetooth MAC address, they can attempt for sending infected files with the help of previously paired devices. It’s always better to have a sound knowledge about the technology before using one.
