Are bluetooth headsets safe?

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Level 1

24 points

Are bluetooth headsets safe?

Hello,
I just got a bluetooth headset (Sony DR-BT21G) and was wondering if it is safe to use in public. I've read about "bluejacking" and "bluesnarfing" and am paranoid about people hacking into my iphone and stealing information. (I was on the train today and my headphones suddenly cut out and I got paranoid, thinking that something like this was happening).
Is this possible and is this something I should be concerned about? Thank you very much for your help.

Message was edited by: Jack Q

Mac book Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.5), 2.4 GHz, Motu Traveler, Logic Pro 9

Posted on Mar 9, 2010 6:46 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 9, 2010 7:17 PM in response to Jack Q

Info on bluejacking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluejacking

The iPhone doesn't include the OBEX bluetooth profile which is required for sending a file or exchanging files.

And info on bluesnarfing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluesnarfing

Currently available programs must allow connection and to be 'paired' to another phone to copy content.

One instance of Bluesnarfing software that was demonstrated (but never made available for download) utilised weaknesses in the Bluetooth connection of some phones. *This weakness has since been patched by the Bluetooth standard. There seem to be no available reports of phones being Bluesnarfed without pairing, since the patching of the Bluetooth standard.*

Message was edited by: Allan Sampson

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Answer 2

Ziatron

Level 5

4,214 points

Mar 9, 2010 9:40 PM in response to Jack Q

All wireless systems are less secure than wired. Signals from a wireless device can be intercepted.

Your risk is low, but not zero.

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