User guide

BlackBerry Smart Card Reader Security 7

Bluetooth security measures on the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader

The following default security methods on the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader enhance the existing protection of

the Bluetooth wireless technology on Bluetooth enabled BlackBerry devices.

Security method Description

Limited use of discoverable mode When the user starts the Bluetooth connection process between the

BlackBerry Smart Card Reader and the Bluetooth enabled

BlackBerry device or computer, the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader

enters into discoverable mode long enough for the BlackBerry

device or computer to search for the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader

and pair with it. The BlackBerry Smart Card Reader is designed to

enter into discoverable mode whenever it displays the reader ID and

its LED is solid green.

Limited use of serial port profiles The BlackBerry Smart Card Reader uses the Bluetooth Serial Port

Profile only, allowing you to use application control to shut down all

the other profiles and prevent third-party applications from using

the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader.

Bluetooth pairing process helps

prevent passive attack

The BlackBerry Smart card Reader Bluetooth pairing process uses a

random key (unlike the hard-coded keys that headsets and other

Bluetooth enabled devices use).

The Bluetooth pairing process is always user-driven from the

BlackBerry device or computer. If a message prompts users to type a

pairing password when they did not start a pairing process, they

know that another device that they might not want to connect to

started the pairing process. The Bluetooth pairing process is

designed to help prevent a passive attack in which an attacker

attempts to search for the BlackBerry device PIN.

Control of the Bluetooth range You can use the Maximum Bluetooth Range IT policy rule to control

the Bluetooth wireless transceiver power level on the BlackBerry

Smart Card Reader. Setting the power level also controls the range

of proximity between the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader and the

BlackBerry device at which the two parties close the Bluetooth

connection between them. The range value does not translate to a

specific distance because the Bluetooth range is partially

determined by the power level. The range value is also heavily

influenced by environmental factors, including obstructions and

electromagnetic radiation. As a general rule, the Bluetooth range at

power setting n+1 is longer than the range at power setting n.