Bluetooth, Eavesdropping and Cars
By R. Longwell, contributing editor

Let’s face it: using a cell phone while driving is distracting at the very least and can be downright dangerous. In many states it has been outlawed. Hands-free, in-car phones are certainly less distracting, but they have the huge disadvantage of not being portable.

Bluetooth offers a great improvement by providing hands-free in-car calling. But there are potential drawbacks, including safety and security. So how do get Bluetooth in your car, and do you really want one? What should you be aware of when installing bluetooh? Is Bluetooh Eavesdropping a reality?

Bluetooth is a relatively new technology and has many emerging uses. Although its primary function is still hands free calling, the potential for its many uses in automotive devices is large. Bluetooth is also being used for music and video streaming.

Built-in Bluetooth in automotive products and in the OEM market is more common now. Infotainment platforms by car manufacturers and the inclusion of wireless audio streaming in aftermarket products has increased significantly. Audio streaming in cars is the first application. Video streaming is the next big Bluetooth 3 opportunity open to exploration by manufacturers in the not too distant future. Roughly 20 per cent of all new automobiles globally had Bluetooth technology in 2007, according to research from market analysts Allied Business Intelligence.
Many 2009 models offer Bluetooth. For older models, if your car is a high-end 2004 model or newer, your vehicle may already be Bluetooth capable. If this is the case, you simply need a Bluetooth cell phone. Your cell phone must be able to communicate with the Bluetooth device in your car.

If your car is not Bluetooth equipped, numerous cellular phone and aftermarket companies make adapter kits. Most of the aftermarket systems work with almost all Bluetooth-equipped cell phones.

Whether you hire a professional to install the kit or purchase a portable kit, keep a couple of things in mind. To get the best results, mount the microphone no more than 16 inches from your mouth, either adjacent to your rearview mirror, on your headliner, or on the overhead console. Be sure the path between the microphone and your mouth is not blocked by anything, such as the sun visor or rearview mirror, and isn’t in line with direct airflow from your air vents.

The components should interfere with the seats, the shifter, or the mirrors. Be especially careful that nothing is in the path of the air bag, or serious injury could result. It’s not always obvious where air bags deploy, so consult your owner’s manual or call your dealer if you are unsure about installing the system yourself.

Another problem, especially with self installation, is possible interference between wireless devices among themselves and between sensitive car electronics.
Also, Eavesdropping on Bluetooth Automobiles may be an issue. For example, a spy tool called The Car Whisperer allows someone with a Laptop and a directional antenna to inject audio to, and record audio from, stopped, parked or y bypassing cars that have a connected or even unconnected Bluetooth unit running. Many manufacturers use a standard passkey which often is the only authentication that is needed to connect. These pass-keys are frequently all to simple, such as 0000. This eavesdropping tool could be used to harass drivers or listen covertly to conversations in nearby cars by accessing the microphone.
As with all new technologies, such as email, ways to exploit conveniences should be considered in users and developers security planning.

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