Motorola MC3000 Security, Turning the Bluetooth Radio Mode On and Off

class is difficult to obtain due to power and device differences, and whether one measures open space or closed

office space.

Security

The current Bluetooth specification defines security at the link level. Application-level security is not specified. This

allows application developers to define security mechanisms tailored to their specific need. Link-level sec urity is

really between devices not users, while application-level security can be implemented on a per-user basis. The

Bluetooth specification defines security algorithms and procedures needed to authenticate devices, and if needed,

encrypt the data flowing on the link between the devices. Device authentication is a mandatory feature of Blueto oth

while link encryption is optional.

Pairing of Bluetooth devices is accomplished by creating an initialization key that is used to authenticate the

devices and create a link key for them. Entering a common PIN number in the devices being paired generates the

initialization key. The PIN number is never sent over the air. By default, the Bluetooth stack responds with no key

when a key is requested (it is up to user to respond to the key request event). Authentication of Bluetooth devices

is based-upon a challenge-response transaction. Bluetooth allows for a PIN number or passkey that is used to

create other 128-bit keys used for security and encryption. The encryption key is derived from the link key used to

authenticate the pairing devices. Also worthy of note is the limited range and fast frequency hopping of the

Bluetooth radios that makes long-distance eavesdropping difficult.

It is recommended:

• Perform pairing in a secure environment

• Keep PIN codes private and don't store the PIN codes in the mobile computer

• Implement application-level security.

Turning the Bluetooth Radio Mode On and Off

Turn off the Bluetooth radio to save power or if entering an area with radio restrictions (e.g., an airplane). When the

radio is off, the mobile computer can not be seen or connected to by other Bluetooth devices. Turn on the Bluetooth

radio to exchange information with other Bluetooth devices (within range). Communicate only with Bluetooth radios

in close proximity.

To disable Bluetooth, tap Bluetooth icon > Disable Bluetooth. The Bluetooth icon changes to indicate that Bluetooth

is disabled. An exclamation point appears with the icon.

NOTE It is not recommended to perform Bluetooth wireless technology inquiry when high rate 802.11b operation is

required.

NOTE To achieve the best battery life in mobile computers with multiple radios, turn off the radios that are not being

used.