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Lasers and Electrical Outlets Can Be Used to Steal Stuff Off Computers

by Kaiser Hwang on July 13, 2009 at 06:23 AM


Andrea Barisani and Daniele Bianco, two researchers from network security company Inverse Path, will soon be demonstrating how to power lines and off-the-shelf lasers to capture a user's keystrokes at the Black Hat 2009 security conference in Las Vegas. Both methods are similar in that each uses different fluctuations to determine what keys are being pressed: The first uses voltage differences and leaked keyboard signals, while the latter measures the vibrations made when a particular key is hit. It took the two no more than a week to produce verified results, according to a paper published by the two researchers.

The components to create the power line and laser hacks can cost as little as $100 to $500 according to Barisani, with the only essential things needed being the power grid, and a distant line of sight, respectively. The two also bring up a good point saying, "If our small research was able to accomplish acceptable results in a brief development time and with cheap hardware, consider what a dedicated team or government agency can accomplish with more expensive equipment and effort." Head on over to Network World for the nitty-gritty on how each hack works. [From: Network World]

Tags: blackhat2009, hack, laser, lasers, security, top

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