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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. Re:The larger problem is by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Insightful

    And how did Stuxnet spread?

    In some cases, by exploiting removable media.

    If you think there's no precedent for getting the infection onto the machine, you're horribly mistaken.

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  2. Re:goddamnit!!! by LordLimecat · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So I fail to care about which term is used, it is a security breach and one of the worst kind

    Except it will only work in the most esoteric scenarios with laboratory conditions, sure. 2 PCs, with side-vent cooling and no cold aisle, and a distance of 15 inches?

    Somehow I dont think this will threaten air-gapped secure networks. Those are going to have steady cold air coming in the front, and exhausting out the back; if theyre dumping significant heat through the side of the cases you're doing it wrong.

  3. Re:goddamnit!!! by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If anything, then, I'd say they've hacked the air gap, not the computers.

    --
    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.