The method, known as EM Eye, can even capture images through walls, raising huge concerns about the potential for misuse.

The research, led by Kevin Fu, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Northeastern University, targets a vulnerability in the data transmission cables within most modern cameras. These cables unintentionally act as radio antennas, leaking electromagnetic information that can be picked up and decoded to reveal real-time video.

As reported by Tech Xplore, the vulnerability exists because manufacturers focus on protecting the intentional digital interfaces of cameras, such as the upload channel to the cloud, but overlook the potential for information leakage through accidental channels. “They never intended for this wire to become a radio transmitter, but it is,” Fu explains. “If you have your lens open, even if you think you have the camera off, we’re collecting.”

Cross post from https://lemmy.world/post/12081766

  • mox@lemmy.sdf.org
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    9 months ago

    manufacturers focus on protecting the intentional digital interfaces of cameras, such as the upload channel to the cloud

    I think even that is giving them too much credit. Like most “internet of things” devices, cameras that upload to the cloud are generally awful at security and privacy.

    • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOP
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      9 months ago

      This isn’t cloud/online vulnerability. It’s physical due to a wire in cameras (smartphone, home security, dashcam, etc) that send out radio signals.

      It’s all in the article.

      • rtxn@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        Parent commenter said that IOT devices are vulnerable in areas that manufacturers do focus on, in addition to areas they don’t. They didn’t deny or misunderstand the subject of the article.

      • mox@lemmy.sdf.org
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        9 months ago

        This article isn’t about a web exploit, it is a hardware exploit on the camera itself.

        Indeed.

        But apparently 23 other people are just as fucking clueless about the discussion.

        No, 23 other people actually read and understood what I wrote.

        It’s okay to not always pick up on nuance and implied relevance, but being rude to the people who do accomplishes nothing good. Next time maybe consider the possibility that they aren’t the clueless ones in the room.

        • mods_are_assholes@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          It’s so frustrating that in the modern age instead of people just admitting they misunderstood, they backpedal and obfuscate in a pile of five dollar words claiming that the people calling them out are the actual misunderstanders.

          Reeks of maga so now you are banned from my lemmy experience forever.