| Pairing a Bluetooth Device | | | | PASSKEY entry and pairing |
| The so-called pairing to two Bluetooth devices can | | | | Once the Bluetooth devices are within a close |
| be an important mechanism in protecting the | | | | enough range and have discovered one another, |
| security of shared data. Bluetooth has a naturally | | | | users will usually be asked at some point to enter |
| safe security system and pairing manages to | | | | a passkey. Most devices do not have a pre-set, |
| combine convenience with safety. It is possible to | | | | fixed passkey and to pair, it is only important that |
| share basic information between two Bluetooth | | | | the same passkey is entered into both Bluetooth |
| devices without pairing them, but pairing creates a | | | | devices. The passkey, which can be up to 16 |
| trusted connection between Bluetooth-enabled | | | | characters, is only entered once and therefore |
| devices, allowing users of each device to easily | | | | does not need to be remembered. Entering this |
| and securely share information, data and services. | | | | common secret passkey allows the devices to |
| How does pairing work? | | | | acknowledge the security of the connection and |
| Pairing is initiated by the two devices learning a | | | | start pairing. Some devices do have set |
| shared secret, in this case known as they | | | | passkeys, however, which must be known and |
| passkey. By simultaneously entering the same | | | | entered correctly to pair. |
| passkey into both devices, the trusted machines | | | | If this has been done correctly and the |
| can cryptographically authenticate each other's | | | | instructions that relate to the specific devices the |
| identity. Once this has been completed, these | | | | user wishes to pair have been followed, the |
| paired devices code or encrypt the data that is | | | | devices will be paired. Different machines have |
| shared between them. This common encryption is | | | | slightly different icons and buttons to press to |
| followed and understood by both | | | | finish the pairing procedure, but it is usually |
| Bluetooth-enabled machines and thus allows each | | | | straightforward and simple to follow. On |
| to communicate with one another very easily, | | | | successfully pairing, a notification of some sort will |
| whilst ensuring that no external devices can | | | | alert the user to inform them that now these |
| eavesdrop. Pairing is done from between devices, | | | | two devices can quickly and safely share |
| as opposed to between two Bluetooth chips. This | | | | information and services. |
| means that pairing is remembered and preserved | | | | Once pairing is complete, it will be possible to |
| even if Bluetooth names are changed. | | | | connect, via Bluetooth, to the device whenever |
| Discovery Channel | | | | desired. Pairing codes the communication of data, |
| The first thing to note in trying to pair together | | | | using a unique link key which is exchanged every |
| your Bluetooth devices, is that for this procedure | | | | time the two devices connect. Pairing only has to |
| to be possible, it is necessary to first ensure that | | | | be done a single time between the same two |
| they are on the correct settings. One of the | | | | devices and remains even when one of the |
| devices must be discoverable and the other must | | | | devices is switched off, if they both reboot or |
| be in it's discover mode. This can usually be done | | | | connection is interrupted. |
| fairly straightforwardly via menu settings. | | | | |