How safe is Apple's Bluetooth wireless keyboard?

I have just connected my Apple Bluetooth wireless keyboard and received phishing emails, while also identifying four different threats on two different computers (MacBookAir and MacBookPro) after running www.malwarebytes.com/mac free download, per Apple Care's assistance. How safe is the Apple wireless keyboard requiring Bluetooth? Would a USB wireless keyboard be safer? What should I use to keep my information secure?

MacBook Pro, iOS 10.1.1, Mac OS High Sierra 10.13.4

Posted on Apr 26, 2018 4:48 PM

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22 replies

Apr 26, 2018 5:06 PM in response to RJMendez

YouTube is definitely not your best source of information of much of anything. Except maybe kitten videos.

RJMendez Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 26, 2018 5:46 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Would you please explain the safety of Bluetooth to improve the quality of your answers? Otherwise, please allow others to reply with informative responses. Thank you.

RJMendez Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 27, 2018 8:17 AM in response to Phil0124

Okay, I'm all set now. Thank you. lol

RJMendez Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 30, 2018 7:41 AM in response to RJMendez

Also, what about the USB wireless v. Bluetooth question I had? What is the difference between how they work and is one safer than the other?

Apr 27, 2018 7:53 AM in response to RJMendez

RJMendez wrote:

Firstly, to respond to IdrisSeabright, please note that the article was posted by Phil0124.

I was not referring to the article Phil linked to. I posted a link to an article yesterday at 7:57p. That's why I said "Re-read the article I linked to...", not "Re-read the article Phil linked to..."

This one:

Effective defenses against malware and other threats

But, yes, I have read the article Phil linked to as well. And, you're way overthinking this. There's an old axiom taught to medical students: When your hear hoofbeats, don't think zebras, think horses." In other words, it is far more likely that the adware ended up on your computer by the usual means than by anyone hacking your Bluetooth. Orders of magnitude more likely, in fact. So, rather than worry about something that pretty much can't happen, read the article I linked to which give you practical steps to take to avoid getting adware in the future.

RJMendez Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 27, 2018 7:53 AM in response to Phil0124

The authentication is a one-to-one pairing, yet there are four Security Modes (1-4) (p. 26). Encryption Mode 1 reads "No encryption is performed on any traffic" (p. 33).

When is "Low energy Security Mode 1" used and what devices use this low energy security mode?

Level 1 specifies no security, meaning no authentication and no encryption will be initiated.
Level 2 requires unauthenticated pairing with encryption.
Level 3 requires authenticated pairing with encryption. 4.2 added
Level 4 which requires authenticated low energy Secure Connections pairing with encryption (p. 39).

Apr 27, 2018 8:29 AM in response to RJMendez

I would get read of McAfee if it were my computer. I haven't used anti-virus software since sometime in the mid-nineties, prior to Mac OS X, when there were a few viruses around.

I occasionally run Malwarebytes but I don't keep it permanently installed and don't pay for the version that scans in the background. I try to follow the suggestions in the article I posted (not the one Phil posted 😉). And, I haven't ever had any serious issues.

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How safe is Apple's Bluetooth wireless keyboard?