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Show HN: Bluetooth USB Peripheral Relay – Bridge Bluetooth Devices to USB

(github.com)
233 points bahaaador | 6 comments | 13 Nov 24 13:24 UTC | HN request time: 0.844s | source | bottom

Hi HN! I built Bluetooth USB Peripheral Relay, a tool that lets Bluetooth devices (like keyboards and mice) connect to USB-only hosts using a Raspberry Pi Zero W.

Why? My friend needed a way to use his Bluetooth mouse and keyboard on a PC with Bluetooth disabled due to policy restrictions. This tool acts as a bridge, relaying Bluetooth input over USB. It also lets you use Bluetooth peripherals with older devices that only support USB input.

Tech: Written in Go, optimized for Raspberry Pi Zero W.

I love HN’s community and often lurk here—I’m hoping this project is useful or at least sparks some interesting discussions. Feedback and contributions are welcome!

1. pwizzler ◴[13 Nov 24 17:07 UTC] No.42127862[source]▶
Bluetooth was disabled but the USB port... wasn't?
replies(4): >>42127919 #>>42127947 #>>42128019 #>>42141430 #
2. bambax ◴[13 Nov 24 17:13 UTC] No.42127919[source]▶
Yes, that's weird. USB is a worse attack vector than Bluetooth.
replies(1): >>42128670 #
3. bahaaador ◴[13 Nov 24 17:15 UTC] No.42127947[source]▶
I know, it seemed to me like a pretty arbitrary policy as well, but what can you do other than turning limitations into opportunities? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
4. atomicUpdate ◴[13 Nov 24 17:22 UTC] No.42128019[source]▶
The reasoning I’ve heard is that Bluetooth traffic is easily snoopable without physical access to the device. Someone could potentially steal password keystrokes while sitting outside the office building, on the other side of a window with the shades drawn, whereas with USB you still need to get past the physical security and be at their desk.
5. vel0city ◴[13 Nov 24 18:36 UTC] No.42128670[source]▶
USB requires physical access. Bluetooth doesn't.
6. guilhas ◴[14 Nov 24 21:29 UTC] No.42141430[source]▶
In my company USB port is generally disabled for storage and docks, but HID devices, like keyboards, work