Bluetooth version numbers ranged from 3.0 to 5.2, with 3.0 being the most recent.

This line doesn't make sense. The most recent is 5.2 would be correct. Bluetooth firmware are almost never updated on devices, users take those as secure for granted. And you are stuck with whatever you bought. Convenience trumps security, it's a given.

anticupidon:

Convenience trumps security, it's a given.

For something like BT, it really ought to stay that way. I always saw BT as more of a convenience than a necessity, and I don't think it was smart for anyone to ever really trust its security. That's not to say BT devices should be insecure, but rather, you shouldn't be doing anything particularly sensitive over BT unless there is another layer of encryption involved. If all you're using BT for is printing your homework, connecting a gamepad, or listening to music, hackers aren't going to be interested. BT is short-range enough that you're not going to get people pranking you either.

schmidtbag:

For something like BT, it really ought to stay that way. I always saw BT as more of a convenience than a necessity, and I don't think it was smart for anyone to ever really trust its security. That's not to say BT devices should be insecure, but rather, you shouldn't be doing anything particularly sensitive over BT unless there is another layer of encryption involved. If all you're using BT for is printing your homework, connecting a gamepad, or listening to music, hackers aren't going to be interested. BT is short-range enough that you're not going to get people pranking you either.

man i use my computer nowadays with some nice taotronics bt headphones ..... i can not go back to using cabled headphones only that i stand from my computer changing room to make coffee etc and they just keep playing is too convenient ! and their battery last 20 ++ hours pretty much i charge it once every 3 days .... and they never run out of juice on me !

@schmidtbag yeah, no one uses BT except on their mouse, right?! heard about bt enabled door locks/controllers/etc? its more than 10 issues, most likely including something a little more risky than someone picking up you headphone connection.

fry178:

@schmidtbag yeah, no one uses BT except on their mouse, right?! heard about bt enabled door locks/controllers/etc?

I have heard about them and they're a terrible idea. They're notoriously insecure. I stand by my original statement: if you care about security, you don't use BT.

Bluetooth is designed to be insecure. So what's the big deal?

@schmidtbag consumers might be experts in one or maybe few areas, but not all, and like many other products/services, customers should be able to expect stuff is safe, or at least not an added risk (from use). the same way ppl expect their cars to be safe, or their gas boiler not exploding. all things ppl are using without detailed knowledge of how it works or what is not "safe" when using them..

fry178:

@schmidtbag consumers might be experts in one or maybe few areas, but not all, and like many other products/services, customers should be able to expect stuff is safe, or at least not an added risk (from use). the same way ppl expect their cars to be safe, or their gas boiler not exploding. all things ppl are using without detailed knowledge of how it works or what is not "safe" when using them..

There are 2 counter points to that: 1. Like I said in my original post, I'm not advocating that BT be insecure, or that BT should put less attention into security. There's a big difference between "don't use this expecting security" vs "this doesn't need to be secure". Think of it like driving a car vs a motorcycle: one is obviously less safe than the other. That doesn't mean motorcycles should be less safe, but you'd be a fool for buying a motorcycle if safety was a major concern. 2. If the average consumer doesn't know the level of security of BT, chances are, they don't need to care. Most people aren't doing anything on BT that would threaten their lives in any meaningful way.

I got that the first time. and im not talking about ppl expecting this to be for "secure" coms, but at least "safe" to use. just because bikes are less save than 4, doesnt make it acceptable to have it made/inspected/repaired in a worse way than a car/truck. i expect consumers to be able to have a BT enabled device in/around a house/apartment etc, without introducing a larger risk of "anything", the same way we dont have to (safety) check hot water taps temperature before each bath, or lay under the car to check the brakes prior to every trip.