KeySweeper Can Sniff Out Microsoft’s Wireless Keyboards


KeySweeperSecurity researcher and proclaimed MySpace “mischief-maker”, Samy Kamkar, is known as an off the beaten path hacker. In the past, he has created drones that could hack other drones, and an NSA tracker that could find Tor users. He has now devised something interesting for Microsoft wireless keyboards everywhere. By creating a keylogger called KeySweeper, Kamkar says the simple plug-in can monitor, decrypt, and log keystrokes in real-time. The device, said to be super cheap, can also be DIY thanks to Kamkar releasing the instructions online.

KeySweeper1For around $10 to $80, the device, which is disguised like a generic USB phone charger, plugs into a wall socket. Inside is an Arduino powered machine that can target nearby Microsoft wireless keyboards in order to monitor their keystrokes. KeySweeper is built using an Arduino chip, and a Nordic RF chip for decryption. Even if the device happens to become unplugged from the wall socket, an internal battery makes sure it is still in hacking order.

KeySweeper2KeySweeper uses a web-based tool to record passwords, bank details, trigger words, and URLs. It can also decrypt Microsoft keyboards without even having to specify their MAC address first (Venture Beat). Kamkar isn't certain it works with every single Microsoft wireless keyboard out there. However, after testing KeySweeper on a brand new keyboard he bought from Best Buy, he is assured that it works. According to The Verge, wired keyboards and Bluetooth-based wireless keyboards are the only ones known to be immune to the hack. A detailed walk through video of how KeySweeper works is currently on YouTube, as well as a list of all the hardware and software needed to build one on GitHub.

Topics: Technology News Gadgets & Peripherals Inventions & Innovations

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