Hot Take Can your mouse eavesdrop on you?

[harlan4096]

The optical sensors in computer mice can be used for eavesdropping. We break down why this is fascinating — but still a long way from real-world practicality.

A recent publication by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, demonstrates a fascinating fact: optical sensors in computer mice have become so sensitive that, in addition to tracking surface movements, they can pick up even minute vibrations — for instance, those generated by a nearby conversation. The theoretical attack, dubbed “Mic-E-Mouse”, could potentially allow adversaries to listen in on discussions in “secure” rooms, provided the attacker can somehow intercept the data transmitted by the mouse. As is often the case with academic papers of this kind, the proposed method comes with quite a few limitations.

Researchers find a way to use a computer mouse for eavesdropping

Mic-E-Mouse: a theoretical attack that could allow eavesdropping on conversations in a room through a computer mouse's optical sensor.

www.kaspersky.com

 

[Divergent]

This POC which only works if certain variables are aligned will not gain much traction.

The Kaspersky analysis provides crucial context on the lab setup. The researchers played audio from speakers and placed the mouse on a thin membrane directly over the sound source. When a thin sheet of paper or cardboard was placed between them, accuracy "plummeted to unacceptable levels of 10–30%" .

The "Tabletop Problem": The Kaspersky report concludes, "Reliable transmission of vibrations through a thick tabletop isn’t even a consideration". This is the single greatest barrier to its practical use.

 

[lokamoka820]

This reminds me of a scene from the movie Eagle Eye when the AI tried to eavesdrop on a conversation in a secure room and used the vibrations of water in a glass to analyze the conversation.