New Cyber Security Mailing List
Newsletter with tips and stategies to stay safe
The City of Seattle's Office of Information Security (OIS) has setup a computer security mailing list. We will post a periodic newsletter with cyber security tips and strategies to keep you safe on your work and home computers. We'll also send out notices of critical new threats and information on how to protect yourselves.

If you would like to sign up for this new service, please click on the following link and then create a New User account.   
Computer Security Mailing List

New Security Tip O' d'Week!

Bluetooth Security

Bluetooth devices are becoming more and more prevalent. There are bluetooth connected keyboards, cameras, printers and many others. However, the most common use is for cell phone users to connect to a headset. In the State of Washington and other states as well, it is now against the law to talk on your cell phone while driving unless you are using a headset, so we can expect to see even more of these types of devices.

Just in case you don't use or know anything about Bluetooth, it is basically a short range wireless electronic transmission protocol. It is used to exchange electronic information between devices. Unfortunately, it is relatively easy to connect up to a Bluetooth device, especially if it is configured incorrectly or has a default manufacturer's password

The results of having your Bluetooth telephone or other device hacked could be bad news. In an infamous story a pop star's bluetooth phone was hacked and all of her rock and roll star contact information was stolen. You may not have that exciting of a contact list, but you may have other personal or private information on your phone or other Bluetooth device that you would prefer not to share.

We have also seen Bluetooth hacking used to send fake messages to people, basically along the lines of any other kind of phishing scam - to attempt to fool them into giving up their personal information, or to spread malware to your phone, etc..

It is pretty easy to protect yourself. When you enable a bluetooth device there will be configuration settings that you should pay attention to and set carefully. Make sure that you turn on authentication for your blue-tooth connection by requiring that anyone attempting to connect know a password. If the device came with a manufacturer's default password you should change it.