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3 Bluetooth Issues, 1 Bluetooth Weapon The FBI Is Worried About
Max Penn
Contributing Writer
2006-07-12
 Insider Reports RSS Feed
Bluetooth may become a headache for law enforcement. Some of the bluetooth technology security issues are commonly known, but one (see #2) is something almost no one knows about.
The FBI knows about this "blue weapon" and it is pretty worried for good reasons.
The four potential problems:
1- Unauthorized access
A bluetooth device can possibly be surreptitiously accessed and have it's information downloaded. Especially since most devices by default come with security disabled.
Criminals as well as law enforcement itself could potentially use or misuse this capability.
Accessing and downloading all kinds of information from bluetooth devices make the possibility of phone cloning and modification of information, as well as identity theft a real concern.
2- Anonymous communication
Furthermore, there's a method of communication using bluetooth that allow for anonymous messaging.
Criminals could use this capability to facilitate their illicit activities by communicating with each other without having law enforcement listening in on their conversations.
Here's the basic of how it works...
When two bluetooth devices first start to communicate with each other, they need to authenticate each other. This is called "handshake".
As they handshake there is a designated area of this part of the communication process that is utilized to transmit the name of one device to the other.
This designated area can allow criminals (or just about anyone) to cram in short three or four word messages in there - thus providing criminals with a three/four word anonymous communication capability from one device to another where law enforcement is blind to this communication taking place.
It's possible to send an anonymous message of up to 248 characters, to be exact.
Something authorities are genuinely worried about.
3- Gaining access to data on a cell phone
With early versions of bluetooth-enabled cell phones, it's possible to connect and gain access to some of the data on this cell phone, including its calendar and phonebook.
This is done with a specific piece of software we won't mention here.
4- Sniffing
While not a threat in itself, sniffing is more commonly known. It's about using a tool designed to scan and identify devices.
Since most bluetooth devices usually have their security disabled by default, a hacker will often be able to compromise the security of such devices pretty easily.
Identity theft, phone cloning and data manipulation of computer files are then posssible, as mentioned at t he beginning of this article.
In conclusion
While new wireless technologies are always touted and appreciated, one should always make sure he knows how to utilize it as securely as possible.
If this means consulting with an expert or doing your own research, then do it because the security of your data is probably worth gold to you...
...and may be worth gold to others as well...
Tags: bluetooth, security
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About the Author:
Max Penn is one of the man behind the Espionage Guide Website where you can learn all about surveillance and countersurveillance gear. To learn more, you can go to spy stores
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