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Hack Air-Gapped Computers Using Heat

Posted by timothy on from the oh-baby-you're-so-communicative dept.

An anonymous reader writes Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers have discovered a new method to breach air-gapped computer systems called "BitWhisper," which enables two-way communications between adjacent, unconnected PC computers using heat. BitWhisper bridges the air-gap between the two computers, approximately 15 inches apart that are infected with malware by using their heat emissions and built-in thermal sensors to communicate. It establishes a covert, bi-directional channel by emitting heat from one PC to the other in a controlled manner. Also at Wired.

3 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. goddamnit!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    they didn't "hack" the machine using heat!

    they gained control of both machines ahead of time, and THEN used heat (etc) to exfil data.

    they didn't gain control of an otherwise stock computer using heat over air gap. stop saying "hack".

    1. Re:goddamnit!!! by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Informative

      Just like the "hack using computer speakers" just install this malware first...

      It's an interesting out of band communications process, a very very VERY slow one... but still interesting.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    2. Re:goddamnit!!! by Sique · · Score: 3, Informative

      They used heat as an attack vector by creating a covered channel. It is not an attack vector to gain access, it's an attack vector to siphon data.

      --
      .sig: Sique *sigh*