Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers have discovered a new method to breach air-gapped computer systems called “BitWhisper” which enables two-way communications between adjacent, unconnected PC computers
using heat.
The research, conducted by Mordechai Guri, Ph.D. is part of an ongoing focus on air-gap security at the
BGU Cyber Security Research Center. Computers and networks are air-gapped when they need to be kept highly secure and isolated from unsecured networks, such as the public Internet or an unsecured local area network.
Typically, air-gapped computers are used in financial transactions, mission critical tasks or military applications.
According to the researchers, “
The scenario is prevalent in many organizations where there are two computers on a single desk, one connected to the internal network and the other one connected to the Internet. BitWhisper can be used to steal small chunks of data (e.g. passwords) and for command and control."
View BitWhisper video demo.
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