Strange Mobile device tried to connect to my iMac via Bluetooth! Should I be concerned?

I would not be too concerned about it, sounds like a neighbor playing around.

They would need the pairing password, it's unique to each device and is generated by the Mac as needed. They would need to be able to see the screen on the Mac to obtain it. Browse device means look for files on the device that is connecting (or connected).

Is it connected or not? (In the menu, under devices, disconnected devices are in normal text, connected ones are bold)

I asked you if the listing was in bold text, you answered everything but, so I have no idea whether it is connected.

Good luck.

If it is on the list when you "browse device" means that it is within range of your computer, probably belongs to a neighbor. If they tried to connect or pair, it is probable that they did it in error. If it is not showing as "connected" you are OK. I have made that error in the past myself, selecting the wrong device to connect. I wouldn't be too concerned unless it happens repeatedly. Since you said you don't use Bluetooth, you can turn it off and remove the concern completly.

That was helpful!

Ah, I see now, and as you're stopping Bluetooth it is of no matter now.

Bluetooth is very limited, in range (20 to 40ft on a good day) and abilities (it was designed for the connection of mice and keyboards, file transfer is an addon. Pairing almost invariably requires a code.

drewwwy! wrote:

One last question, does "discoverable mode" act like broadcasting your SSID on a router?

Yes it is similar, if either is discoverable the other may see it, and that applies to your WiFi as well (over a greater range and with potentially more dangerous consequences)

Your choice.

I don't think it's exactly a password that's needed. It's that when two devices connect over Bluetooth they are paired, which requires unique encryption keys at both ends. This encryption can be cracked using Bluetooth sniffer software, and then it must be decrypted. But it's not a simple job, a lot of trouble to go to, and it's unlikely a neighbor has the means. But, in theory, at least, it is vulnerable to a man-in-the-middle exploit.

I once got a pairing request. Most likely inadvertently from someone's phone. Simply denied it and then made sure Bluetooth Discoverable was off.

Message was edited by: WZZZ

WZZZ wrote:

Csound1 wrote:

Bluetooth is very limited, in range (20 to 40ft on a good day)....

The Bluetooth on my wife's iPad, before I turned it off, put out a signal much further than that. Out of curiosity, I took it down to the lobby of our building, easily a hundred feet or more--just guessing--through one floor and a number of walls. It was still getting a healthy signal there. Maybe the Mac's Bluetooth isn't so powerful. Probably depends on the device being used. I know if I move my mouse not far away from the Mac the connection is quickly lost.

That is an extraordinary connection distance for BlueTooth, did you happen to investigate the data rate at that range?

This really only applies to older Blutooth devices (so should exclude an iPad)

Many USB Bluetooth adapters or "dongles" are available, some of which also include an IrDA adapter. Older (pre-2003) Bluetooth dongles, however, have limited capabilities, offering only the Bluetooth Enumerator and a less-powerful Bluetooth Radio incarnation.^{[citation needed]} Such devices can link computers with Bluetooth with a distance of 100 meters, but they do not offer as many services as modern adapters do.^{[clarification needed]}

The spec for Bluetooth is a bit vague but here is some general info.

But wireless is a bit like playing Roulette 🙂

That is an extraordinary connection distance for BlueTooth, did you happen to investigate the data rate at that range?

I edited out that paragraph about the Blutooth range of the iPad. My memory was fuzzy and I realized it had to have been the WI-Fi, not the Bluetooth, that had that range. That couldn't have been possible.

WZZZ wrote:

That is an extraordinary connection distance for BlueTooth, did you happen to investigate the data rate at that range?

I edited out that paragraph about the Blutooth range of the iPad. My memory was fuzzy and I realized it had to have been the WI-Fi, not the Bluetooth, that had that range. That couldn't have been possible.

Unlikely, but not impossible (Marconi got across the Med with 1w, it was a good radio day however)

RF range is so dependent on weather and other climactic effects that a reliable range is impossible to specify but I agree, 100ft away means that it was probably WiFi making the connection. In my day job I deal with RF (low power, 100mw or less) all the time, it is a very unpredicatble method, and BlueTooth is merely RF at lower power than usual.

You might like this, an adhoc BlueTooth network is properly called a scatternet. Wonderful word.