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Attackers Can Figure Out Your Password by Listening to Keystrokes

Attackers Can Figure Out Your Password by Listening to Keystrokes

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Hackers are constantly developing new ways to access private data, and it can be tough to keep up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity threats emerging.

One of the most worrying new trends in recent times is AI. Criminals now use artificial intelligence to collect user data and steal private information.

While many of us are worried about what a hacker sees, we must also be mindful of what they hear. New research has shown that criminals can hear what keystrokes you are pressing to find out what you’re typing. This can lead to passwords and sensitive information being exposed.

This article explains how this process works and, most importantly, how to keep your passwords and personal information safe.

How can you hear a password? Through keystrokes

Keystrokes are essentially the buttons you press on a keyboard. They’ve always been highly sought-after by hackers because knowing what keys are used helps crack passwords, login details, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information.

One method of extracting this information is listening to you typing on a keyboard. Hackers intercept microphones and nearby recording devices, record your typing patterns, and analyze the audio.

As scary as this may seem, it isn’t necessarily a new phenomenon. In 2017, for example, researchers were already experimenting with how the sound of keystrokes could, in theory, help spy on people’s activity online.

These early prototypes had many weaknesses. Firstly, they struggled with eliminating background noise and clicking sounds, making it hard to isolate keystrokes. Additionally, they took a long time to piece together large chunks of information, making them an unattractive hacking method.

But recent advances in AI technology have changed everything.

Recording and analyzing keystroke audio is more reliable and quicker to crack than ever. New research from British universities has revealed how machine-learning algorithms have created a system of identifying which keys are typed with incredible accuracy.

The team developed the research around different recording devices and found that certain devices provided more accurate results. For example, when trained using a mobile phone recording of keystrokes, the algorithm proved 95% successful.

When trained on recordings through Zoom, which used keystroke sounds together with what the user was typing in chats, it was 93% successful.

In this day of remote working, this research is quite scary. It can mean that recording devices like your mobile phone, which might sit idly beside you during your workday, can be a major vulnerability to your cybersecurity.

Equally, “off-the-shelf” equipment like webcams and headsets, many of which have built-in microphones, can be exploited to extract the content of your typing, even

when not in use.

5 ways to protect yourself and your data

Thankfully, you are not defenseless against this type of cyber criminality. Despite emerging AI technology, malware protection tools and software can help protect you and your data from prying eyes and ears.

Below are five simple ways of protecting yourself:

1.    Virus scanning

Whether you’ve recently clicked on a bad link or pop-up and want peace of mind as you browse the internet, high-quality antivirus software is essential to keeping your data safe.

Not only does it offer protection in real-time as you type, but you can also scan downloads for viruses, restrict access to unsecured websites, and perform regular checks to ensure nothing is on your system that compromises your microphone’s security.

2.    Permissions

Apps and programs regularly need permission to use your microphones and

webcams. For example, it makes sense for your browser to request microphone use if you click into a Zoom meeting.

However, it might be a red flag if you’re doing something else and a program randomly wants the use of your microphone. You should regularly check to see what apps are requesting the use of your devices and when, as it might be an attempt by someone to listen to your typing.

3.    Password protection

A strong password is an essential part of cybersecurity. Tips to strengthen passwords include using a variety of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Basically, the longer the password, the harder it is for hackers to crack.

Also, avoid using personal information or phrases, and never use the same password for multiple services. Some of the best malware protection software comes with password management features, which encrypt passwords and populate them

into fields so you don’t have to type them.

4.    Two-factor authentication (2FA)


Two-factor authentication is an effective way of ensuring only you have access to your account. When logging into a service, you must verify your identity a second time – usually with a single-use code sent via email or text.

This means that even if your keystrokes are being logged, the hacker cannot do much, as they won’t have access to the verification code to log in with.

5.    When not in use – mute or disconnect

Finally, another easy way to limit the chance of criminals listening to your keystrokes is to deny them the opportunity in the first place. If you’re not using your webcam, microphone, or other devices, disconnect them from your PC, or ensure they’re powered off fully. If you’re on a group Zoom or Skype call, be vigilant in muting your microphone each time you’ve finished speaking to hide any sound from your keystrokes. You can also place your mobile phone far from the workspace, ensuring it won’t pick up any

What’s in a Hat? Exploring the Different Types of Hackers 

What’s in a Hat? Exploring the Different Types of Hackers 

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When we hear the word “hacker”, our minds typically jump to malicious activity. However, there are many different types of hackers out there, some of whom don’t have any malicious intent at all.

With the constantly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, it is important for CEOs to familiarise themselves with the different types of hackers out there (good and bad). Each type has its own unique set of skills and motivations that make them a potential threat to companies, so let’s take a look at the three main categories of hackers: black-hat, white-hat, and grey-hat. 

Black-Hat Hackers

A blackhat hacker is your stereotypical hacker – the one you might see depicted in movies or television shows. They are skilled in gaining unauthorised access to servers, networks, or other computer systems and they use their knowledge for malicious purposes such as stealing data or defacing websites. Black-hats often have little regard for the law and may even be willing to take on high-risk jobs if the payout is attractive enough. 

White-Hat Hackers

White-hat hackers are considered “good guys” when it comes to hacking because they use their skills for ethical reasons. They specialise in testing security systems by trying to find vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. Many white hats are employed by organisations as part of their cybersecurity team, helping to ensure company safety by finding weaknesses in security protocols and implementing fixes accordingly. 

Grey-Hat Hackers

Grey hats bridge the gap between black and white hats; they do not necessarily have malicious intentions but will still break into systems without permission. Their primary motivation is often financial gain, which may include selling stolen data online or charging companies a fee for fixing any security flaws they uncover. It should be noted that while grey hats may not be considered criminals per se, they still operate outside of existing laws regarding hacking and could potentially face legal repercussions if caught. 

Knowing who you’re dealing with when it comes to hackers is essential for any CEO looking to protect their business from cyber threats

In this article, we explored three of the main types of hackers out there to be aware of, and discussed their individual motives and methods so you know what you’re up against when it comes to cybercrime. Remember that no matter what type of hacker you encounter, prevention is key – so make sure your organisation’s cybersecurity measures are up to date!

Who Are Cybercriminals?

Who Are Cybercriminals?

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The typical cybercriminals in the cyber world in the early days were youngsters or hobbyists. Their attacks were generally limited to pranks and vandalism. But now, cybercriminals have become very dangerous. The attackers are individuals or groups. They try to make use of the vulnerabilities for their mission. These criminals are interested in credit cards, product designs, and anything with some value. The type of cybercriminals are the following:

Amateurs

Amateurs are also called script kiddies. They have only some skills and want to be hackers. They lack any serious technical expertise and usually use existing tools to start attacks. Some are just curious, and others try to show their skills and cause damage. They are just using basic tools and usually can attack very weakly secured systems, but the results can be very destructive.

Hackers

The term hacker is first used in the early days of the 1960s. It describes a programmer or somebody who can hack computer code. Usually, they work secretly and create tools for hacking. They often break into computers or networks to gain access for various reasons. The goal of the break-in determines the categorization of these hackers as white, grey, or black hats. The figure below illustrates the type of hackers.

White Hat Hackers

These are ethical hackers who use their programming skills for good and legal processes. They break into networks or computers with the permission of the owners to find weaknesses in these systems and improve security aspects. White hat hackers use their skills to discover network vulnerabilities and report to developers and owners for fixing these issues before the vulnerabilities can cause damage.

Black Hat Hackers

The black hat attackers are people who take advantage of any vulnerability for illegal missions. Blackhat hackers are unethical hackers. These hackers compromise the network permission for their gain. They also attack a network for malicious.

Gray hat hackers

These hackers are between white and black hat attackers. The grey hat attackers may find the vulnerability and report it to the system’s owners to fix the problem. Some grey hat hackers publish the facts about the vulnerability on the Internet so that other attackers can exploit it.

Organized Hackers

These are cybercriminals’ organizations, including hacktivists, terrorists, and state-sponsored hackers. These criminals are generally groups of skilled criminals focused on control, power, and wealth.

Hacktivists

Hacktivists are cybercriminals who make political statements to raise awareness of different issues regarding their rights. Hacktivists also publish awkward information about their victims publicly.

State-sponsored

State-sponsored attackers collect intelligence or situate damage on behalf of their government. These attackers are very high and well-trained. Their attacks focus on particular goals that are helpful to their government. These attackers are usually members of their country’s armed forces.