Dangers Of Bluetooth

[Guest username132]

I'm concerned about the security issues behind bluetooth. I was thinking of getting a dongle for my PC but would that mean people (theoretically) could gain access? And what about mobile phone viruses? If I want to use a bluetooth headset, how do I stop my phone accepting any other incoming signals apart from with my headset? Is it possible?

[Guest Jamma14]

There are no viruses as yet on windows smartphones.

Bluesnarfing - (unauthorised viewing of files via bluetooth) is not very common and can only be done by a user using a laptop.

If they plan to do it, they'll be aiming to access other computers, not phones and so the bluesnarfing software would probably not work to access the phone, and even if it could I doubt they'd bother trying.

Things you can do: You can turn bluetooth to "on" rather than "discoverable" to stop devices even picking the signal up, or put your bluetooth name as the tab character (which restarts nokia phones when they do a bluetooth scan). :)

Although basically I wouldn't worry, other phones aren't going to get unauthorised access and security measures you could put on could just by bypassed by a laptop (but no-ones gonna bother doing it).

If you do see someone who's been running around following you with a laptop for the last few minutes then you could switch bluetooth off. :D

As for your PC, only way it could get accessed would be if someone broke into you house to get close enough, in which case they'd probably steal it. :)

James

[Guest username132]

Okay, thanks for the advice :)