Bluetooth is a way for portable devices like cell phones, PDAs, laptops, printers and digital cameras to communicate with each other over short-distances (10 -100 meters). Bluetooth works on globally available, unregulated radio frequencies, so it does not cost anything to use it. Most phones and PDAs these days are equipped and ready to use Bluetooth out of the box, since you do not have to set anything up with a service provider.
Bluetooth can be used to transfer data like songs, pictures, files, short video clips, ring tones, business cards, etc. It can also be used for remote control of various household appliances like TVs, refrigerators, etc. from your Bluetooth-equipped computer.
Cellular service providers often disable Bluetooth data transfer on their cell phones, especially on “locked” phones that you buy directly from the provider. This is because they want each subscriber to pay for services, instead of exchanging wallpapers, ringtones, games, etc. with other subscribers.
The early versions of Bluetooth were not very secure and were susceptible to attacks called bluesnarfing. The current version, Bluetooth 2.0, has addressed these security breaches by plugging up many security holes. See the bluesnarfing encyclopedia entry for more information on bluesnarfing and how you can protect your device.
Legal Issues
Privacy
It is possible for malicious users to locate and connect to your Bluetooth device without your knowledge. They may then be able to access the private information you keep on your device, such as your phone book and personal files; so you may want to turn Bluetooth off completely when you are not using it.
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