New Acoustic Keyboard Side-Channel Attack Uncovered by Cybersecurity Researchers

Cybersecurity researchers from Augusta University have recently uncovered a new threat in the realm of personal data security – the acoustic keyboard side-channel attack. This attack allows hackers to steal sensitive information by capturing keystroke sounds through microphones and analyzing waveforms to extract data like timing and intensity.

The researchers, Alireza Taheritajar and Reza Rahaeimehr, have developed a method to combat this threat by capturing keystroke audio, extracting timing data, training statistical models for prediction, testing on unknown recordings, and enhancing results with an English dictionary. This approach aims to eliminate the drawbacks of past studies that have ignored factors like background noise and typing habits that can affect recognition accuracy.

In a study approved by an Institutional Review Board, the researchers collected typing patterns from 20 adult users to train their statistical models. The success rates of their method were found to increase with word length up to six letters, demonstrating the effectiveness of their approach.

The researchers are working to reduce reliance on environmental conditions in their method, emphasizing the importance of accurately capturing keyboard sounds for precise keystroke identification. This new development highlights the ongoing importance of personal data security in the face of evolving cyber threats.

Stay updated on cybersecurity news and developments by following us on LinkedIn and Twitter.