Keyboard Encrypted Against Sniffing/Key Logging?

Question

Level 1

15 points

Keyboard Encrypted Against Sniffing/Key Logging?

I was just listening to Steve Gibson on Security Now talking about how Microsoft wireless keyboards encrypt only via single bit XOR that would be hard for someone radio-sniffing not to break. He mentioned that logitech claimed secure keyboard to computer transmission, but didn't know to what extent it was secure.

I took a look around Apple.com and did a search, but if there's any info on Apple keyboard security, I couldn't find it.

I've been interested in one of the new keyboards for a while. Has anyone here found anything on security?

Mac Book Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Dec 15, 2007 4:24 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Dec 17, 2007 5:30 AM in response to reneritchie

Hello ren:

The approximate distance a Bluetooth KB can transmit is about 30' (10 meters). Unless you are worried about someone that close to you somehow intercepting keystrokes, I would forget the issue.

Barry

Reply

Answer 2

reneritchie Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 20, 2008 1:09 PM in response to Barry Hemphill

Thanks Barry,

Under 30' sniffing is exactly what my concern is. That's why I'm interested to know what, if any, encryption Apple has in the blue tooth devices.

Reply

Answer 3

xmiinc

Level 1

74 points

Jan 21, 2008 8:57 AM in response to reneritchie

This is a good question/topic! One thing to remember...that's 30 unencumbered feet. IOW, walls, doors, and windows, will reduce BT range in the real world. However, how that impacts security depends on the specifics of your location. Of course, I'd like to think that the whole business of pairing devices with individual BT modules would include a bit of encryption...but I'm not counting on it. Thanks for bringing up the topic!--Tom

Reply

Answer 4

reneritchie Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 23, 2008 8:13 PM in response to xmiinc

Thanks Tom. Floors and ceilings too, I gather, as we live in a 3d world, but I didn't and don't want to make assumptions 🙂

Reply

Answer 5

reneritchie Author

Level 1

15 points

Feb 9, 2008 7:51 PM in response to reneritchie

Still haven't found anything on this.

Anyone else?

Reply

Answer 6

reneritchie Author

Level 1

15 points

Mar 20, 2008 8:12 PM in response to reneritchie

Watching Gibson again, this time on the soon-to-be late, lamented Lab with Leo, and he's elaborating that wireless keyboards in general are fairly easily sniffed, but Bluetooth keyboards, while not perfect, benefit from the the inherently better security afforded by the spec itself.

So, Apple Keyboard is better than standard wireless keyboards at least, maybe not as good as secure wireless.

Reply