Sign up to read our regular email newsletters

Computers could transmit highly confidential data even without internet, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth by using their speakers to transmit ultrasonic noise that vibrates nearby smartphones

A computer could use its speakers to make your phone vibrate imperceptibly to transmit data to it PeopleImages/Getty Images

A computer could use its speakers to make your phone vibrate imperceptibly to transmit data to it

Sensitive data could be stolen from a secure computer by infecting it with malware that makes its speakers play ultrasonic frequencies to vibrate nearby smartphones, encoding the data in the movement.

“Air-gapped” computers, which often have their Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and internet connections disabled, are commonly used by government security services and key infrastructure control systems to prevent hackers from gaining access remotely. Mordechai Guri at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, has spent …

Offer ends 07/09/2022. *Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Existing subscribers, please log in with your email address to link your account access.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)