- Jan 24, 2011
- 9,378
Public libraries in Manchester, England, have been advised to keep their eyes peeled for USB bugs after two devices were discovered monitoring every keystroke made by every user of affected PCs.
According to local media reports, the small surveillance devices were found attached to the keyboard sockets at the back of two PCs in Wilmslow and Handforth libraries.
The devices - which look similar to USB drives - capture all keyboard activity, meaning that if everything you type (such as when you log into your email, book a holiday, check your bank account or make an online purchase) can be gathered by a returning criminal for later exploitation.
It's not known how long the devices have been in place at the libraries, or what information may have been stolen, but as the affected computers are used by a wide range of people (and are frequently accessed by members of the public who may not be able to afford internet access at home) the impact could be considerable.
More detalis - link
According to local media reports, the small surveillance devices were found attached to the keyboard sockets at the back of two PCs in Wilmslow and Handforth libraries.
The devices - which look similar to USB drives - capture all keyboard activity, meaning that if everything you type (such as when you log into your email, book a holiday, check your bank account or make an online purchase) can be gathered by a returning criminal for later exploitation.
It's not known how long the devices have been in place at the libraries, or what information may have been stolen, but as the affected computers are used by a wide range of people (and are frequently accessed by members of the public who may not be able to afford internet access at home) the impact could be considerable.
More detalis - link
