Bluetooth Technology and Security - A Review

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances (using shortwavelength radio waves in the ISM band from 2.4 to 2.485 GHz) from fixed and mobile devices, building personal area networks (PANs). Invented by telecom vendor Ericsson in 1994, it was originally conceived as a wireless alternative to RS-232 data cables. It can connect several devices, overcoming problems of synchronization [7]. Bluetooth is managed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), which has more than 19,000 member companies in the areas of telecommunication, computing, networking, and consumer electronics. Bluetooth was standardized as IEEE 802.15.1, but the standard is no longer maintained. The SIG oversees the development of the specification, manages the qualification program, and protects the trademarks. To be marketed as a Bluetooth device, it must be qualified to standards defined by the SIG. A network of patents is required to implement the technology, which is licensed only for that qualifying device [8].