# Am I compromising my computer's secutity? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 31, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-compromising-my-computers-secutity/386169 "2006-12-31T02:03:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-compromising-my-computers-secutity/386169/1 "2006-12-31T02:03:58Z")
I decided it’s time for a new keyboard and picked up [this](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7393723&st=bluetooth+keyboard&type=product&id=1124432186576) (hey, I got a lot of gift certs for xmas). I just realized it’s bluetooth. The thing is, I don’t know ANYTHING about bluetooth other then what I read on the internet (ie celebrity cell phones etc…). So when I plug the bluetooth thing into my computer is everyone going to be able to see what’s on my computer or is it more or less secure? ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2006, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-compromising-my-computers-secutity/386169/2 "2006-12-31T02:43:14Z")
A Bluetooth device has to be paired with the device it talks to (this is a sequence you go through when you set it up). I do not know the details of the protocol but encryption is involved. There are [potential holes](http://www.niksula.hut.fi/~jiitv/bluesec.html) but someone would have to be hell-bent on intercepting the transmission. Then again, with the right equipment they could also read what’s on your screen from the next room, IIUC. I don’t think this poses a significant security risk for the average user. If I were working on a top-secret government project it might be different. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2006, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-compromising-my-computers-secutity/386169/3 "2006-12-31T02:54:13Z")
According to [this FAQ](http://www.mobileinfo.com/Bluetooth/FAQ.htm), Bluetooth has a range of around 32 feet. I’ll let you draw the conclusions about whether that is a problem where your computer/keyboard sits. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2006, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-compromising-my-computers-secutity/386169/4 "2006-12-31T02:55:30Z")
By the way, the only reason I haven’t bought a similar Logitech cordless keyboard/mouse is because they farked up the keys above the arrow keys. I use them for FPS games. Why’d they do that? ---
**Author:** ![biometricks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@biometricks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biometricks)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2006, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-compromising-my-computers-secutity/386169/5 "2006-12-31T03:30:28Z")
Whenever you transmit data through air there’s a security risk because, well, it’s air. It’s not like you have to physically tap a wire or something. But as \*Control \* mentioned, it has a very short range and that range gets shorter when there are walls or other obstructions in the way. I wouldn’t be too concerned about it… ---
**Author:** ![xiix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d6d6ee/32.png) [@xiix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xiix)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2006, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-compromising-my-computers-secutity/386169/6 "2006-12-31T03:35:48Z")
Technically speaking, your computer is less secure if your keyboard uses a wireless technology (especially a relatively young/unsophisticated technology like Bluetooth). That being said, in all likelihood your computer is not secure as it is. Any computer-savvy teenager with 60 minutes of time to spare could probably find any number of ways to compromise your system’s integrity and copy all your data. More advanced hackers could simply take advantage of the electromagnetic radiation you computer gives off to wireless receive all your info from across the street. See [Tempest - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TEMPEST) for more info. So I’d say, enjoy the new keyboard and don’t worry about the security ramifications as they’re very minor in the grand scheme of things. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2006, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-compromising-my-computers-secutity/386169/7 "2006-12-31T04:22:05Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] By the way, the only reason I haven’t bought a similar Logitech cordless keyboard/mouse is because they farked up the keys above the arrow keys. I use them for FPS games. Why’d they do that? [/QUOTE] ::Looks at picture on unopened box:: Dammit, where’s “insert” oh there it is. That’ll take some getting used to.