WHAT IS A BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth What Is It?

Bluetooth technology has been around since 1999, but as with anything new, consumers were a little confused about how it worked and what it is and or was.

The purpose of the technology was to eliminate cable connections and enable more portability. It's strength, it can handle both data and voice transmissions with security and at low cost.

It's weakness, you have to have units relatively close to one another. One good example, is your cell phone and your Bluetooth headset. It works fine up to 30 feet, if you go past the 30 foot limit, you'll lose the caller.

Are Bluetooth capabilities limited to cell phones? No. This technology can be used with:

Headsets and accessories
Networking
Mice
Keyboards
Keyboard/Mouse combos
Printers
GPS devices
Laptops
Desktops

How Does the Bluetooth Headset Work

For simplicity sake, I'll walk you through the steps that your Bluetooth headset and your cell phone must go through to communicate.

Communication can only begin between your cell phone and your headset if both devices are Bluetooth capable and, your cell phone recognizes the bluetooth headset you are using.

In other words, your cell phone has to be both Bluetooth compatible and capable, or communication will not take place between the two devices. As you know, there are no wires, they communicate totally through low level radio waves.

Here's a more technical explanation of how the connection works between the two devices. When your bluetooth devices connect they creates a piconet. A piconet (personal area network) can fill a room or just encompass the distance between your headset and the cell phone stored in your belt-clipped cell phone carrying case. Though, I'm making reference here to your cell phone it also works the same with your stereo system or computer system, etc. just as long as the devices are Bluetooth capable and compatible.

Networking-What Is It?

You can connect up to eight devices at the same time, just as long as the devices are within 32 feet of one another. With so many wireless devices talking to one another, you would think there would be a massive clash between the devices. But that's not the case. Why?

The reason is called "spread-spectrum frequency hopping". Spread-spectrum frequency allows a device to use any of 79 randomly chosen frequencies to communicate with another Bluetooth device. This randomness lessen the possibilities of any interference between your devices.

Bluetooth Security

It is important that you secure your bluetooth wireless tech products because they are susceptible to spying and remote access. Just like WiFi is susceptible if the network isn't secure.

Below are some Bluetooth jargon used regarding security problems:

Bluejacking - A Bluetooth user sends a business card-text message to another Bluetooth user(s) within a 32 foot radius. The user receiving the message, has no idea what the message is, and allows it. What happens then? The contact (Individual who sent the message) will be added to the user's address book, and the contact can send the receive messages that automatically opens. Why? The contact becomes a known contact.

Bluebugging - allows hackers to remotely access a user's phone and uses it's features. Such as placing calls and sending text messages, and the user won't even know that it is happening.

Bluesnarfing- stealing Information.

War-nibbling- Thieves drive around looking for Bluetooth signals to attack.

How To Protect Yourself

Below are some suggestions on how to protect yourself.

The best bet is to turn off your Bluetooth when you are not using it. Note: Putting yourself in "hidden mode" or "private" does not protect you from hackers.

Use a strong pin code - Numbers 5 or greater helps to protect you because they are a little harder to crack.

Stay up to date on security issues and make sure you check for software updates from your manufacturer.

Bluetooth hacking is currently more prominent in Europe because they utilize their cell phones to make purchases and to store financial and personal data. Which you can see makes hacking a serious problem.

But this cell phone utilization seen in Europe will be making it's way to the US. Thus, it's wise to know how to deal with the issues and how to protect yourself now, instead of later.