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Wireless keyboards can be hacked

2016-07-26 16:47 by

 

Several months ago, researchers from security company Bastille found that wireless mice may be hacked. Now they have revealed a new vulnerability, called KeySniffer, that allows attackers to remotely "sniff" keystrokes of some wireless keyboards.

It turned out that the tested keyboards transmitted what was being typed in "clear text", making it possible for attackers to listen in on from up to 76m (250ft) away. Glass, walls and floors would be no obstacle for the hackers.

"When we purchase a wireless keyboard we reasonably expect that the manufacturer has designed and built security into the core of the product," said Bastille Research Team member Marc Newlin, responsible for the KeySniffer discovery. "Unfortunately, we tested keyboards from 12 manufacturers and were disappointed to find that eight manufacturers (two-thirds) were susceptible to the KeySniffer hack."

Hackers can snoop what is being typed on such a keyboard. Even more - they can inject their own malicious keystroke commands too, enabling them to install malware, or perform other malicious acts as if they had actual physical access to the desktop or laptop.

Among the affected keyboards are devices from Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba, General Electric and Radio Shack. The full list can be found here.

Read more -here-

 

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