Bluetooth is a short-range wireless communication technology that allows data transmission between devices such as smartphones, hearing aids, computers, cars, printers, smart watches, among others. Its main advantage is that it eliminates cables, making it ideal for fast, portable, and automated connections.

Version	Release Year	Notable improvements
Bluetooth 1.0	1999	First functional standard
Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR	2004	Faster speeds and lower consumption
Bluetooth 4.0 (LE)	2010	Longer battery life, ideal for IoT devices
Bluetooth 5.0	2016	Increased range, speed and data capacity
Bluetooth 5.2	2020	LE Audio, Multi-Channel, Energy Efficient
Bluetooth 5.3	2021	Improvements in latency, security, and overall efficiency

Bluetooth is still valid not only in personal accessories, but also in industrial, medical, and automotive sectors.

Bluetooth has come a long way when it comes to security. Originally, its focus was more on comfort than protection, which made it the target of multiple attacks such as BlueSnarfing or BlueBugging. Today, security is much stronger.

Security Function	Description
Secure Simple Pairing (SSP)	Introduced in Bluetooth 2.1. Use public-key cryptography to prevent interceptions.
LE Secure Connections	From Bluetooth 4.2. It uses ECDH (Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman) for secure key exchange.
Authentication and Authorization	Reliable device control and access restrictions.
AES-CCM encryption	Data protection in transit.

Despite these advances, deployment errors or insecure configurations can still pose risks.

There are standards and regulations that promote good implementation and security practices in Bluetooth. Here are some of the most relevant:

Standard or Standard	Main Application
NIST SP 800-121	Security Guide for Bluetooth Technologies
OWASP IoT Project	Recommendations for IoT devices, many of them with Bluetooth
ISO/IEC 27001	Security management including controls over wireless communications
Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group)	Body that defines the development of the Bluetooth specification

NIST’s recommendations are especially useful for companies that use Bluetooth devices in corporate or industrial settings.

Bluetooth is present in multiple industries that require simple, low-power, limited-range wireless communication:

• Health: Wearable medical devices, heart monitors, and glucometers.
• Automotive: entertainment systems, hands-free, proximity sensors.
• Retail: beacons for location and contextual marketing.
• Industry: machinery sensors, cordless tools, predictive maintenance.
• Smart homes: locks, voice assistants, light controllers and air conditioning.

Despite new alternatives such as Zigbee, UWB or Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth is maintained due to its low cost, energy efficiency and ease of integration.

Although Bluetooth security has improved, the weakest link is still the user. Here are some practices to help you minimize risks:

• Activate Bluetooth only when you need itAvoid leaving it on all the time to reduce your attack surface.
• Review and remove paired devices that you no longer useThis prevents compromised devices from reconnecting without your knowledge.
• Turn off Visible or Discoverable modeThis prevents others from detecting your device.
• Update your devices regularlyMany attacks exploit flaws already fixed by manufacturers.
• Don’t accept connections you don’t recognizeAvoid pairings in public places without knowing who you’re connecting with.

For power users and system administrators, there are additional controls that can be applied:

Control	Description
MDM with Bluetooth policies	MDM systems allow you to disable or restrict their use.
IDS for wireless connections	They can alert about unauthorized connections.
Operating system-level firewall	Some allow you to actively control Bluetooth services.
Data Encryption and MFA	For applications that use Bluetooth as a communication channel.

Bluetooth is a technology that is here to stay. Its low power consumption, ease of integration and controlled range make it ideal for multiple uses. However, as with any wireless technology, its security depends in large part on how we use it.

Your best defense is knowledge. Knowing how to protect yourself and adopting good practices will make the difference between a comfortable connection… and an open vulnerability.

Thanks for reading me!!!