Wireless Keyboard "Encryption" Cracked

squidinkcalligraphy writes "While everyone is going on about wireless network security, it seems few have considered that increasingly common wireless keyboards can be vulnerable to eavesdropping. Particularly when the encryption is pitifully weak. All that's needed is a simple radio receiver, sound card, and a brute-force attack on the 8-bit encryption used. Passwords galore! Bluetooth, it seems, is safe for the moment."

Comments

That's all?

[Anonymous Coward]

All that's needed is a simple radio receiver, sound card, and a brute-force attack on the 8-bit encryption used

I would think it would also be handy to have a motherboard, processor, hard drive, some sata cables, power supply, fans, maybe a case, a keyboard, mouse, monitor, an operating system, etc.

On the other hand, E.T. could have done it with a Speak 'N Spell, a saw blade, and an unbrella.

Re:Gimme a break

[pclminion]

I am the head of IT for a large dental practice and we use wireless keyboards and mice in all of our operatories, at our front desk area, and in a couple of other areas -- because the owners wanted it that way, over my objections. They sign the paychecks so after I made sure they understood my objections, I gave them what they asked for.

That was an incredibly stupid thing to post. You are just doing what your bosses told you, but that does not help the fact that you have just admitted to being a direct accessory, and in fact a facilitator, to SERIOUS HIPAA violations. Your workplace should be shut down immediately. I hope you don't end up being held criminally responsible.