Researchers Develop New Way To Steal Passwords Using Google Glass

mpicpp writes with a story about researchers who have developed a way to steal passwords using video-capturing devices.Cyber forensics experts at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell have developed a way to steal passwords entered on a smartphone or tablet using video from Google's face-mounted gadget and other video-capturing devices. The thief can be nearly ten feet away and doesn't even need to be able to read the screen — meaning glare is not an antidote. The security researchers created software that maps the shadows from fingertips typing on a tablet or smartphone. Their algorithm then converts those touch points into the actual keys they were touching, enabling the researchers to crack the passcode. They tested the algorithm on passwords entered on an Apple iPad, Google's Nexus 7 tablet, and an iPhone 5.

Comments

That does it

[cheesybagel]

Time to trademark a 'No Glass Allowed' symbol.

Google Glass only?

[tomhath]

I suppose you can be more subtle about it, but really any video cam would work just as well. Especially if you set it up near a place where people will be typing a useful password instead of loitering and staring at people.

Cover your input

[briancox2]

For the last couple of years I have been completely covering any input I give to a phone unlock or ATM PIN given. With cameras everywhere, this was only a matter of time.

Sensationalistic title and duh!

[pr0t0]

As the video points out, this is not limited to Google Glass, any video capturing device will work. But beyond that, this is really kind of obvious. Yeah, video recording someone entering their password on a touch device will give you a fairly accurate idea of what that password is. Record, playback at 1/4 speed, password. I would bet that security camera footage might even be better to work with due to the angle. The custom software I suppose is a nice achievement, but I would guess it's not all that necessary.

Re:I've always thought

[Wootery]

That's why you'd have it opt-in. Let the security-conscious lead the way.

Let me fix that for you

[bl968]

Researchers Develop New Way To Steal Passwords Using a video camera