Bluetooth Mouse

Posted by: Don Atkinson on 11 April 2008

Bluetooth Mouse

Which Blootooth mouse would you recommend for use with Mrs D's laptop.

She has an IBM R60 with built-in Bluetooth wireless for connecting to Bluetooth devices, including connecting to mice. She already uses the built-in wireless connection to the wireless internet modem that was supplied by waitrose a couple of months ago and likes the fact that this doesn't require bits and pieces sticking out!.

she would now like to be able to use a mouse without having to plug in the USB mouse she currently has and without having "bit-and-bobs" such as USB sticks, poking out of the laptop.

Cheers

Don
Posted on: 11 April 2008 by Don Atkinson
Munch

Thanks. I had wondered about security.

The wireless Modem we have has good security. I also noticed there are only two or three other wireless sites within about 500m.

When I checked how many Bluetooth devices could be located within range of the laptop (at home!) I could only detect my daughter's cell phone. The computer offers to alert whenever it detcts a Bluetooth device nearby. Mrs D doesn't really take her laptop out of the house much so I was hoping that security wouldn't be an issue.

I think I am still going to get a wireless mouse....Mrs D can be pretty persuasive when she takes a fancy to something. The main thing is it must work without having to stick something into one of the USB or wireless inputs and leave it sticking out.

Many thanks

Cheers

Don
Posted on: 11 April 2008 by Exiled Highlander
Munch
quote:
I would not use anything Bluetooth.
Sorry, but that's nonsense.

Keep your head down though!

Jim
Posted on: 11 April 2008 by Exiled Highlander
Munch

I'd love to see how someone could log into a system via a bluetooth mouse.......

Tell me how it works, I'm really interested to know since I have a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse on my Mac.

I thought Bluetooth mice were class 2 devices with a range of 10M max.....hard to piggyback in a domestic situation and then you have to be able to see the screen and then be able to logon which needs a password.....I'd really like to understand why it is such a security risk?

Cheers

Jim
Posted on: 11 April 2008 by Exiled Highlander
Munch

I very much doubt that.....they could probably see them (since most people have bluetooth set to "discoverable" by default) but I doubt that you son and his friends have broken the global Bluebooth security standards...if they have then he and them stand to make a fortune by selling the secrets to the world security bodies....

Try here as a starting point.

Cheers

Jim
Posted on: 11 April 2008 by Exiled Highlander
They must be to break global standards.....if they were really "clever bastards" they would make a fortune selling the secrets as to how they do it...

Here's a challenge, fly them to my house, park outside and if they can hack into my systems via bluetooth and get my bank details etc, they can have all the money in the accounts.

If they fail, I get all of theirs and yours combined. Deal???

Cheers

Jim

PS. I have a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard attached to one of my Mac's, and 4 Bluetooth phones between me, my wife and kids. Have at it! Smile
PPS. If they really hack into other peoples systems then I'm pretty sure they are breaking the law...which makes you an accessory after the fact I believe! Smile
PPPS. Don, sorry your thread has been hijacked!
Posted on: 11 April 2008 by Exiled Highlander
Don

Any Bluetooth mouse that takes her fancy will be fine.....

Cheers

Jim
Posted on: 12 April 2008 by garyi
In order for any device to connect to any other device an 8 digit number has to be entered, and confirmed on the receiving device. Bluetooth mice do something similar. In essence bluetooth is no more or less secure than anything else. And as far as it goes its secure.

To say you would not personally use one is fine but ensure you have the back up before advising others.

Being a regular reader of ElReg I have never read of anyones security being compromised with bluetooth.

I am willing to bet though Munch you use Outlook and Internet Explorer, in today's world by far the easiest way of compromising someones computer.
Posted on: 12 April 2008 by Don Atkinson
Thanks guys,

I picked up a Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 for £40. Mrs D is delighted and I have to admit its very precise - probably because it has a laser tracker rather than a ball. Nice size as well. Not too small but neat enough to slip into the laptop carry case without bulging. saves having to plug in the USB and watch where the old mouse cable was dangling. And an awful lot more efficient than using the trackerball.

Neat.

Cheers

Don
Posted on: 12 April 2008 by u5227470736789439
My ideal mouse would be a wireless trackball. I have had a trackball mouse from Microsoft all the time I had a PC, and simply could not get on with a mouse and mat! I was given the trackball by a friend who works for evesham.com It is incredibly precise, especially in minimum speed response.

I also have it set in mirror on the buttons! Left make right click work! Seems very natural, though no one else can drive my PC! "Good!" I say ...

George