A security expert has reported that data can be hacked and transmitted by using sound waves.
“Attackers could make use of the physical elements of common input/output circuits – not only in computers but in printers, aircon units, and all kinds of other devices – by vibrating them at a pre-decided frequency. Effectively, they would be turned into radios,” Reuters reported. Once the information is picked up by an AM radio antenna close by, the data can be translated and understood.
Experts at the annual Black Hat Security Conference in Las Vegas spoke to reporters and said vibrations may or may not be audible.
Ang Cui, from Red Balloon Security, introduced a prototype of a hacking antenna, which is named “Funtenna.”
“The Red Balloon team chose a Pantum laser printer to play with, making it work in ways it never had before. By quickly switching a chip’s energy output back and forth, the printer emitted electromagnetic radiation. The output created is slow, but thick cables such as those found at locations with serious computer activity (i.e. the ones attackers would be interested in) act as a sort of amplifier,” according to redOrbit.
For the process to be completed, potential hackers would need to place an antenna close to the building where the computer is kept. “More trickily, they would also need to get inside a targeted device and convert the desired data to the correct format before transmission. But the method has the advantage (from a criminal’s point of view) of being able to transmit data from computers not even connected to the Internet, such as those at nuclear facilities,” researchers added.
