strange bluetooth pairing request

I just got a strange Bluetooth pairing request from an iPad where the name of the iPad is unknown to me. I was using my iMac and the dialog box pairing request just popped up, I just starred at it for awhile and it said passcode incorrect, pairing unsuccessful. Can others see my iMac and try to pair with it. Checking the bluetooth icon in the status bar, under Browse Device... I can see that stranger's iPad listed, tried to connect to it but could not. Is that just a nosy person with too much time on his hands or are there any bluetooth security concerns? (I am unaware of any)

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3), mid 2011

Posted on May 7, 2012 6:35 AM

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3 replies

May 7, 2012 6:40 AM in response to nerdatheart

Yup, just a nosy person, or malicious. If you aren't using Bluetooth, I would just turn it off until you need it ( unless you have a b.t. Keyboard or something). You can actually search for devices from your iMac and see what come up. That's how someone found you. The b.t signal doesn't stop at your walls! Unless, of course, your walls have anti-bluetooth penetrating paint! Lol. Just be cautious, and keep an eye on your stuff! Like I said, I would turn it off if you don't absolutely need to have it on.

May 7, 2012 8:01 AM in response to Jeremy Sykes

I have the trackpad, so that's why my BT is on, from a little reading, BT is very secure with layers of encryption protecting the signal from one device to another, still there is this fear of the unknown on my part, and even if it is super secure, its still disruptive when you are working on something and the pairing request pops up, how annoying!


I unchecked the Discoverable checkbox on the BlueTooth System Preference page on the Mac, now I can't see my iMac from my iOS device anymore under the BT section in iOS system pref, when Discoverable was on, I could see this iMac from my iOS device and try to connect to it.

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strange bluetooth pairing request

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