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Smartwatches could potentially be used to steal data from or launch attacks on air-gapped systems - I wonder how far-fetched that really is
- Smartwatches could potentially breach secure air-gapped systems using ultrasonic signals to transmit data, as suggested in a research paper by Ben-Gurion University researchers.
- The method, called 'SmartAttack,' relies on compromised smartwatches picking up ultrasonic signals from infected air-gapped computers, operating at frequencies just above human hearing.
- To execute such an attack, malware must first infect the air-gapped system, harvest and encode data into ultrasonic audio signals, and then be picked up by an infected smartwatch.
- Smartwatches are considered an 'underexplored yet effective attack vector' due to their mobility, requiring precise positioning to receive data and relay it back to the attacker.
- The research raises concerns about the efficacy of current cybersecurity tools against such unconventional threats, suggesting the need for more advanced defenses like ultrasonic jamming and real-time monitoring.
- While the feasibility of implementing these defenses in real-world scenarios is uncertain, the paper emphasizes the potential risks posed by covert data exfiltration techniques via wearable tech.
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