Bluetooth: About Encrypted Communication (Key Icon)

  • Last Modified: March 06, 2007
  • Article: TA21370
  • Old Article: 107816
Some Bluetooth devices can encrypt data exchanged with your computer. This helps prevent eavesdropping.

Products Affected

Bluetooth

Some devices allow you to encrypt the data that is exchanged with your computer. Encrypted communication makes it more difficult for others to eavesdrop on the information exchanged between your computer and the Bluetooth device. When you pair such a device with your computer, you may be prompted to create a passkey. Some devices automatically generate a random passkey.

When a paired device uses encrypted communication, its icon in the device list of Bluetooth preferences looks like a key (Figure 1).



Figure 1 A paired device with encrypted communication.

For a list of other Bluetooth icons, see technical document 107679, "Bluetooth: About Bluetooth Icons".
Not helpful Somewhat helpful Helpful Very helpful Solved my problem