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is the first step in keeping handhelds secure. The following are the terms you should know:
Bluejacking means anonymously sending an electronic business card or photo to another Bluetooth user. This enables an attack called "bluesnarfing," which allows an attacker to access the address book, contact information, e-mail and text messages on another user's mobile phone. Phone manufacturers released a patch when this threat was announced, but it has not been determined if Bluetooth-enabled PCs are vulnerable.
War nibbling is a take-off on war driving. Instead of cruising for open 802.11 networks, nibbling refers to finding unsecured or unpatched Bluetooth connections.
Bluesniping was recently coined by security researchers who used a highly directional antenna and a laptop running inexpensive software to establish connections with Bluetooth-enabled devices from over a half-mile away. Although the research wasn't malicious, attackers could use this technique to steal information from a distance, without leaving any signs of the attack.
FIVE BLUETOOTH SECURITY BASICS
Home: Introduction
Step 1: Learn the lingo
Step 2: Disable devices
Step 3: Authentication and encryption
Step 4: Acceptable use
Step 5: User education
| Mathew Schwartz is a freelance writer, editor, and photographer based in Paris, France. He regularly contributes information security and corporate compliance stories to Enterprise Systems, Information Security magazine, and IT Compliance Now. His work also appears in numerous other publications, including the Times of London and Wired News. Other recent work includes a 235-page usability report on the world's top 10 intranets, coauthored for the Nielsen Norman Group. Corporate writing clients have included life-insurance firm SBLI, and Intel. |
This was first published in May 2005
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