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Breaking RSA Keys by Listening to Your Computer

Posted by Hemos on from the sssh-i'm-hunting-for-wabbits dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Adi Shamir and crew gave a talk on preliminary results in extracting a private RSA key just by listening to the computer!. Similar to power analysis and LED leakage, this is a non-invasive, side channel attack that may have applications to tamper-resistant systems. It appears to be related to noisy capacitors on the motherboard, an effect which has been observed when CPU power saving is enabled on laptops."

15 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. That's it... screw the enviroment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    No power saving for me! My encrypted porn is far too important.

  2. Lucky for me... by relyter · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've got so many fans running in my computer that you can't even hold a conversation in the same room, much less listen for capacitors

  3. found a way to stop it by DrLZRDMN · · Score: 3, Funny

    the wont be able to hear it if you've got one of these

    1. Re:found a way to stop it by jepaton · · Score: 2, Funny

      And the manufacturer will still describe it as "almost silent".

  4. It's the CPU dummy! by pair-a-noyd · · Score: 0, Funny

    That damn 666 CPU....

    There you have it, the EVIL bit at work....

  5. Aha! by dupper · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now I have an excuse to play loud music at work: security!

  6. Re:This just in ..... by Pidder · · Score: 2, Funny
    In Soviet Russia, the computer listens to YOU...

    Dude, atleast use the proper syntax.

  7. Re:I can attest to this... by BiggyP · · Score: 2, Funny

    i've got the wonderful feature of sound effects from my box when performing just about any GUI operation you care to mention, i originally thought that it was a monitor issue, now you tell me my privacy is at risk because of it!

    time to fit more fans and drown out the noise.

    --
    Software Freedom Day!.
  8. I've tried this... by bhmit1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...but all I heard was "Dave, what are you doing Dave?"
    Hmm, maybe I should put away the screwdriver.

  9. My computer tells me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    When I listen to my computer, it just tells me "Snap, crackle, burn!"

  10. Re:No by lpangelrob2 · · Score: 2, Funny
    So, in all, this paper is not insignificant, but it's also not a reason to completely give up on security or to install a cone of silence around your computer.

    I'm not sure that I could fit this around a computer in the first place.

    --
    -Rob
    Marriage doesn't have to suck!
  11. I listen to my computer... by JanusFury · · Score: 3, Funny

    It tells me to troll Slashdot, and buy Kenny G albums.

    I'm starting to think it doesn't have my best interests at heart...

    --
    using namespace slashdot;
    troll::post();
  12. Re:If you have phsysical access by n0rr1s · · Score: 4, Funny

    use money/women/men/donkeys

    Btw, if you meet a woman with a donkey, don't forget that great opening line:
    "Hey babe, nice ass!"

    Sorry.

  13. Re:Quite didn't get it!!! by bprime · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's kinda freaky!!!

    Don't you mean 'phreaky'?

  14. Next generation of tin foil hats by DrYak · · Score: 2, Funny

    Time to start designing tin foil hats... ...for your computer.

    Man, that is real geek stuff.

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]