Bluetooth Risks

California drivers since the beginning of this month are no longer allowed to talk on the phone and drive at the same time. As a result, the market for handsfree headsets is booming. When a similar law was introduced in the Netherlands years back everyone bought corded handsfree sets or had expensive kits built into their cars, now Bluetooth is everywhere so cordless headsets are selling like hotcakes.

But opening up the wireless connection on your phone could allow for more than just handsfree talking. If you don't set your phone up right you may provide an avenue for miscreants or pranksters to access your phone and in the worst case copy your data, including phone book, e-mail messages and pictures.

Scott Budman of the Bay Area's NBC 11 News did a nice piece on potential security risks associated with Bluetooth. He came to McAfee and talked to me. You can see the short segment from the broadcast below. It aired on the evening news and shorter versions also aired again durint two morning news shows on NBC 11.