Bluetooth vulnerability, Magic Mouse, and High Sierra on an iMac question

[Auggie]

Following up on safeinOhio's post regarding Bluetooth security:

On an iMac running OS High Sierra, is it possible to turn-off Bluetooth "discoverability" once the magic mouse is paired? If I turn off Bluetooth using the default System Preference dialogue box I'm warned I'll lose control of the computer via the mouse!

Any thoughts?

I guess I could just get a wired mouse too.

Thanks!

[Mike Rows His Boat]

1. I do not use BT on my macs. Security is one reason.

I only use wired connections, including Ethernet for internet.
Bluetooth and WiFi eats up resources.
Depending on what you’re doing, it can interrupt processing of audio and video recording, editing and rendering.

Not to mention reducing radiowave proximity.

[Auggie]

2. So I guess I need to get a wired mouse

No ideas to keep Bluetooth?

Eventually Apple is going to eliminate most wires IMO. Do you have back-up plan?

[forgotmylogin]

4. Another option is a wireless mouse that connects to a usb dongle.

They frequently sell these for laptops and they aren't expensive at all - sometimes the mice are just a bit undersized though for portable use. There's a tiny USB chunk you plug into the computer, and the mouse uses batteries and will connect to that wirelessly.

[Auggie]

6. Great idea

[Mike Rows His Boat]

7. I doubt they'll end Thunderbolt and USB.

There’s hundreds of types of external hardware that use these ports. If Apple eliminated ports, they’d be shooting themself in the foot badly. Bluetooth and WiFi are just too slow and not enough bandwidth for realtime use. For example, only wired ports can handle 64 audio channels @ 192khz in and out in real-time simultaneously, at this time. And there’s many expensive hardware developers planning on Thunderbolt 3+ and 100mb Ethernet in the future.

I seriously doubt these ports, or future ports, will be gone.

[Auggie]

8. Hope you're right ...

Last edited Wed Aug 22, 2018, 02:29 PM - Edit history (1)

I responded to an Apple survey not long ago where they asked a lot about how I use wires and connectivity -- the audio port, ethernet, etc. That got me concerned.

On edit: Other reason for concern: the new wireless iPhones.

[question everything]

9. Same here. Just got a new iMac, everything is hard wired

But other problems which merit a separate post..

[forgotmylogin]

3. You have to leave it on, but BT link is not technically always "discoverable"

So long as the device is already paired it is friends with the computer and they'll hook up regularly, "discoverability" is a completely separate function - and usually has to be activated and turns itself off after a minute or so. It's like temporarily turning on a lighthouse beacon so the ship can find its way in, then turning it off when once it's docked - the dock is still open, just not as easy to find.

It is similar to broadcasting your SSID network name on WiFi or not. You have to change this manually. It's a bit harder for average people to find your network if you don't broadcast the SSID name for them and they have to know the exact name to type in to connect.

[Auggie]

5. Think I got it ...

and thanks.

I removed the option for the wireless keyboard in System Preferences since I don't have one. That was looking for a device to pair with.