Bluetooth

There are four pairing methods for Bluetooth devices:

Just Work: This is the simplest method of Bluetooth pairing. It’s typically used when at least one of the devices doesn’t have a display or keyboard. In this method, no user interaction is required to pair the devices. For example, smartphone pairing with headset.
Passkey Entry: In this method, a numeric code is displayed on one device and the user must enter this code on the other device. This method is used when one device has a display and the other has a numeric keypad. It provides a higher level of security compared to the Just Work method. As an illustration, this you can pair Bluetooth keyboard with computer.
Numeric Comparison: This method is designed for situations where both Bluetooth devices can display a six-digit number and allowing a user to enter a “yes” or “no” response. During pairing, a user is shown a six-digit number on each display and provides a “yes” response on each device if the numbers match. This method provides protection against MITM attacks. For instance, paring two smartphones.
Out of Band (OOB): In this method, an external means of communication (like NFC or QRCode) is used to exchange some information used in the pairing process. The OOB channel should be resistant to MITM attacks. If it is not, security may be compromised during authentication. As example, you can imagine paring a Bluetooth headset with NFC chip with a smartphone.

Last updated 28 days ago

There are four pairing methods for Bluetooth devices:

Just Work: This is the simplest method of Bluetooth pairing. It’s typically used when at least one of the devices doesn’t have a display or keyboard. In this method, no user interaction is required to pair the devices. For example, smartphone pairing with headset.
Passkey Entry: In this method, a numeric code is displayed on one device and the user must enter this code on the other device. This method is used when one device has a display and the other has a numeric keypad. It provides a higher level of security compared to the Just Work method. As an illustration, this you can pair Bluetooth keyboard with computer.
Numeric Comparison: This method is designed for situations where both Bluetooth devices can display a six-digit number and allowing a user to enter a “yes” or “no” response. During pairing, a user is shown a six-digit number on each display and provides a “yes” response on each device if the numbers match. This method provides protection against MITM attacks. For instance, paring two smartphones.
Out of Band (OOB): In this method, an external means of communication (like NFC or QRCode) is used to exchange some information used in the pairing process. The OOB channel should be resistant to MITM attacks. If it is not, security may be compromised during authentication. As example, you can imagine paring a Bluetooth headset with NFC chip with a smartphone.

Last updated 28 days ago