Researchers in the UK claim to have translated the sound of laptop keystrokes into their corresponding letters with 95 percent accuracy in some cases.

That 95 percent figure was achieved with nothing but a nearby iPhone. Remote methods are just as dangerous: over Zoom, the accuracy of recorded keystrokes only dropped to 93 percent, while Skype calls were still 91.7 percent accurate.

In other words, this is a side channel attack with considerable accuracy, minimal technical requirements, and a ubiquitous data exfiltration point: Microphones, which are everywhere from our laptops, to our wrists, to the very rooms we work in.

  • vareriu@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    One more reason to switch to a password manager, even though they could still find out the master password…

    • qwertyqwertyqwerty@lemmy.one
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      11 months ago

      Probably still have some safety if you’re using two-factor, or have a master key in addition to a password (e.g. 1Password).

    • Ænima@lemm.ee
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      11 months ago

      Only if you have to type it in to unlock your vault. Now, bear with me.

      Bitwarden (maybe others) lets you set a PIN to unlock your vault. Normally, you would think this is a less secure setup, easier to crack with the method outlined in this article. Except with Bitwarden you have to set up the pin in every browser extension and every app install.

      Meaning, unless they have access to your device, the PIN to unlock one instance of Bitwarden could be different from the PIN for another. They also don’t have to be strictly 4-digit PINs, either. I highly recommend password managers, but for my money, Bitwarden has all my love.

      Disclaimer: I am on no way affiliated with Bitwarden. But I could be if they paid me!

      • noodlejetski@lemm.ee
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        11 months ago

        but then I have to remember the PIN for each one of my devices. there should be some kind of app for storing those.

        • Ænima@lemm.ee
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          11 months ago

          Do what users at most businesses do, write it on a sticky note and put it on the underside of your keyboard!

          Stick around for more tech tips with a real life sysadmin!

    • Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      11 months ago

      Password manager and the LOUDEST MECHANICAL KEYBOARD POSSIBLE you have NO idea what keys I’m pressing with my blues, bitches

      • dubyakay@lemmy.ca
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        11 months ago

        That’s the whole point though. The louder your keypresses the better.

        • Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          11 months ago

          laptop

          laptop

          laptop

          I don’t think you read the article

          A loud ass mech keyboard would fuck this study up