Difference between revisions of "Bluetooth"
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| − | '''Bluetooth''' | + | '''Bluetooth''' is a [[telecommunication]] standard for short range wireless communication between cell phones, tablets, computers, and other mobile electronics. The weak transceivers create a personal area network, which extends only a short distance beyond its user. Most Bluetooth devices operate at 2.45 GHz and are "class 2" rated, meaning a wireless range of 30 feet. Data can be exchanged at a rate of 1 megabit per second. Class 1 Bluetooth is less common, but has an increased range of up to 300 feet.<ref>http://www.mobileinfo.com/Bluetooth/FAQ.htm#t6</ref> |
| − | Bluetooth is | + | In general, Bluetooth is used for voice communication (typically through a headset, although now through automobile sound systems),<ref>[http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/news/article/0,289142,sid40_gci943232,00.html?offer=briefcase Bluetooth overview, searchmobilecomputing.com]</ref> local music broadcast (to speakers or a headset), device control (through a keyboard, mouse, gamepad, or other device), and communication on the Internet through a networked and Bluetooth-enabled device. |
| − | Bluetooth is named for the 10th century Viking king Harald Bluetooth. <ref>[http://www.phonescoop.com/glossary/term.php?gid=411 Bluetooth, Phonescoop.com]</ref> | + | ==History== |
| + | Bluetooth is named for the 10th century Viking king Harald Blåtand, who's last name roughly translates as "Harald Bluetooth."<ref>[http://www.phonescoop.com/glossary/term.php?gid=411 Bluetooth, Phonescoop.com]</ref>He reigned from A.D. 940 to 985, and is known for having united Denmark and Norway and to have brought Christianity to Scandinavia<ref>http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=27656&seqNum=4 Retrieved 10/24/2017</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Security== | ||
| + | As a wirelesss technology, security is always a concern for Bluetooth communication. The connections are typically encrypted, and the devices use frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology to jump from one frequency to another making the connection more difficult to listen in on.<ref>http://www.mobileinfo.com/Bluetooth/FAQ.htm#t1</ref> However, there are some security concerns with Bluetooth technology. It has been found a number of different times to be vulnerable to penetration for various nefarious purposes. An early vulnerability allowed for "bluejacking," which was a method by which unauthorized messages could be sent to users. However, a more modern and concerning set of vulnerabilities is "blueborne," which enables attackers to infiltrate vulnerable devices without the user's knowledge or consent. This attack method was developed by Armis as a proof-of-concept, which has not been released in detail for the security of everyone who uses Bluetooth 5.<ref>https://www.armis.com/blueborne/</ref> Mobile device manufacturers quickly got to work finding a way to patch the vulnerability.<ref name="theinquirer.net">https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/3017247/new-bluetooth-hack-doesnt-require-pairing-with-victims-device</ref><br /> | ||
| + | The underlying concern with Bluetooth is that to offer the functionality it does, it needs system access on its host device greater than that of even the user.<ref name="theinquirer.net">https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/3017247/new-bluetooth-hack-doesnt-require-pairing-with-victims-device</ref> If exploited, it offers a great deal of access into the device's system, and much harm could be done, or information stolen. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| + | [[Category:Technology]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Computers]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:35, October 24, 2017
Bluetooth is a telecommunication standard for short range wireless communication between cell phones, tablets, computers, and other mobile electronics. The weak transceivers create a personal area network, which extends only a short distance beyond its user. Most Bluetooth devices operate at 2.45Â GHz and are "class 2" rated, meaning a wireless range of 30 feet. Data can be exchanged at a rate of 1 megabit per second. Class 1 Bluetooth is less common, but has an increased range of up to 300 feet.[1]
In general, Bluetooth is used for voice communication (typically through a headset, although now through automobile sound systems),[2] local music broadcast (to speakers or a headset), device control (through a keyboard, mouse, gamepad, or other device), and communication on the Internet through a networked and Bluetooth-enabled device.
History
Bluetooth is named for the 10th century Viking king Harald Blåtand, who's last name roughly translates as "Harald Bluetooth."[3]He reigned from A.D. 940 to 985, and is known for having united Denmark and Norway and to have brought Christianity to Scandinavia[4]
Security
As a wirelesss technology, security is always a concern for Bluetooth communication. The connections are typically encrypted, and the devices use frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology to jump from one frequency to another making the connection more difficult to listen in on.[5] However, there are some security concerns with Bluetooth technology. It has been found a number of different times to be vulnerable to penetration for various nefarious purposes. An early vulnerability allowed for "bluejacking," which was a method by which unauthorized messages could be sent to users. However, a more modern and concerning set of vulnerabilities is "blueborne," which enables attackers to infiltrate vulnerable devices without the user's knowledge or consent. This attack method was developed by Armis as a proof-of-concept, which has not been released in detail for the security of everyone who uses Bluetooth 5.[6] Mobile device manufacturers quickly got to work finding a way to patch the vulnerability.[7]
The underlying concern with Bluetooth is that to offer the functionality it does, it needs system access on its host device greater than that of even the user.[7] If exploited, it offers a great deal of access into the device's system, and much harm could be done, or information stolen.
References
- â http://www.mobileinfo.com/Bluetooth/FAQ.htm#t6
- â Bluetooth overview, searchmobilecomputing.com
- â Bluetooth, Phonescoop.com
- â http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=27656&seqNum=4 Retrieved 10/24/2017
- â http://www.mobileinfo.com/Bluetooth/FAQ.htm#t1
- â https://www.armis.com/blueborne/
- â 7.0 7.1 https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/3017247/new-bluetooth-hack-doesnt-require-pairing-with-victims-device