Bluetooth And The Social Concerns Regarding It

Bluetooth technology is basically the now standard when talking about wireless connectivity. Utilizing a low power radio frequency, Bluetooth is among the most common of features integrated into various devices of different classes and different functions.

Through the utilization of Bluetooth technology, Bluetooth equipped digital cameras could easily send or transfer pictures to other Bluetooth enable devices, wirelessly. Bluetooth printers could easily print documents utilizing Bluetooth. Bluetooth enabled audio headsets provide music lovers with more freedom, considering that there are no wires with these items and their successful operations.

Bottom line, aside from being wireless, Bluetooth technology is also quite universal when it comes to the connections it is capable of handling, thus its equally deserved status as THE way to go when going wireless.

But, as with most wireless technologies being implemented into the world of today, there are certain social concerns regarding Bluetooth, particularly in the area of Bluetooth security.

Security, Bluetooth, and Social Concerns Regarding the Two

Because it is wireless in nature, social concerns regarding Bluetooth technology security is somewhat quite expected. The security implemented by Bluetooth technology is based on the SAFER+ block cipher, and works on the principle of user authentication, as well as pass key derivation. The E22 algorithm is responsible for generating the connection pass key, while the E0 stream is utilized in encrypting data packets.

With this alone, hacking into Bluetooth connections wouldn't be an easy task for those with bad intentions. Here are two of the most popular hack types which have raised social concerns regarding Bluetooth technology.

Bluejacking – Basically, with Bluejacking, the act of data alteration and/or data removel doesn't occur in the "targeted device". What happens is Bluejackers get to send anonymous business cards to Bluetooth equipped mobile phones. These business cards may feature messages of the lewd or flirty nature. Messages could be received within the ideal distances of Bluetooth connections, and stands to be one of the many social concerns regarding Bluetooth. Ironically, by simply hiding one's Bluetooth mobile phone connection, or simply turning it off, one could be spared from these annoying Bluejack scenarios.

Bluebugging – A mobile phone gets to be "remote operated" this way, allowing Bluebuggers to initiate phone calls, or send messages, or edit phonebook contacts in the target mobile phone. Hackers should be within the ideal Bluetooth range should his attack be effective in its very self. Again, hiding one's active Bluetooth connection, or simply turning it off could spare Bluetooth enabled mobile phone users from being Bluebugged.

So there you have it, two security issues with Bluetooth which has aroused social concerns regarding it. Bottom line, people should just be aware of their Bluetooth statuses, the best defense against problems to come where security social concerns are being talked about.