Swiss researchers say they can log keystrokes from Microsoft's wireless keyboards from up to 50 metres away using special radio equipment, and are close to being able to control affected computers remotely.
The protocol for securing some of Microsoft's wireless keyboards has been cracked, opening up the possibility of keystroke logging, according to Swiss security company Dreamlab Technologies.
Microsoft's Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 and 2000 keyboards communicate by transmitting radio signals to the sound card in a user's computer. The data stream is encrypted using an exclusion-or (XOR) cipher, which is not strong enough to secure the communication, according to Dreamlab's senior security specialist, Max Moser.
|