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Bluetooth "discoverable" security question

I would like to know when bluetooth on my system is turned OFF but still set to "discoverable" is it still discoverable by unknown devices? Also is it possible for anyone to gain access to a machine (via hacks, after having discovered it) when bluetooth is OFF. Thanks for any info.

Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Apr 25, 2009 4:44 PM

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Posted on Apr 25, 2009 9:34 PM

The On/Off switch is the master switch for Bluetooth. If it's off then the entire Bluetooth system, including the transceiver is turned off.

As such you can't be 'discoverable' if Bluetooth is off. Nor can you be hacked (at least via Bluetooth).

If the 'discoverable' checkbox remains active when the master switch is off then that's a bug in the UI.
FWIW, in Leopard the Discoverable checkbox automatically turns off when you turn Bluetooth off, so they fixed that part in Leopard.
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Apr 25, 2009 9:34 PM in response to TC5A

The On/Off switch is the master switch for Bluetooth. If it's off then the entire Bluetooth system, including the transceiver is turned off.

As such you can't be 'discoverable' if Bluetooth is off. Nor can you be hacked (at least via Bluetooth).

If the 'discoverable' checkbox remains active when the master switch is off then that's a bug in the UI.
FWIW, in Leopard the Discoverable checkbox automatically turns off when you turn Bluetooth off, so they fixed that part in Leopard.

Apr 26, 2009 2:36 AM in response to Camelot

Thanks for the answer. Yes on my machine, MacBook Pro 2.16 C2D, 10.4.11 the "discoverable" box remains checked and not greyed out even when Bluetooth is turned off. The "allow device to wake computer from sleep" was also checked. This is how I noticed someone fired up a Bluetooth device nearby in the building because my computer woke from sleep unexpectedly. Which made me wonder about the "discoverable" status being that "wake from sleep" was functional. Is "wake from sleep" meant to remain functional even when Bluetooth is off?

Bluetooth "discoverable" security question

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