Researchers in Britain have successfully trained an artificial intelligence (AI) model to identify keystrokes based solely on the sounds they produce. Using a nearby smartphone as a microphone, the AI achieved impressive accuracy in recognizing passwords typed on a laptop keyboard.
The researchers trained the AI by associating the sound of each key with its corresponding letter. They then tested the system by typing passwords, allowing the AI to analyze the audio and predict the typed words. Astonishingly, the AI achieved a 95% accuracy rate in recognizing the passwords.
To assess the AI’s effectiveness in real-world scenarios, the researchers simulated eavesdropping during video conferencing calls on platforms like Zoom and Skype. Even in these less controlled environments, the AI maintained a high level of accuracy, achieving just under 92% on Skype and 93% on Zoom.
KeepassPassword managers like Keepass offer enhanced security by using key combinations or automatically filling login fields, effectively mitigating the risk of AI-based acoustic keystroke interception.
The study utilized a 2021 16-inch Macbook Pro with an M1 chip and an iPhone 13 Mini positioned 17 centimeters away as the recording device. Zoom and Skype were also employed to evaluate performance during video calls.
The audio recordings were converted into visual representations, including waveforms and spectrograms, which were then used to train an image-based AI model. As a countermeasure, the researchers recommend using the ten-finger typing method, as this significantly reduces the AI’s ability to recognize individual keystrokes.
Implementing complex passwords with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, along with special characters, can also hinder the AI’s reconstruction efforts. However, the most robust defense against this type of attack is employing a password manager. These tools automatically populate passwords with a single mouse click, eliminating the risk of acoustic eavesdropping. If you’re not already using a password manager, explore our comprehensive review of the best password managers available.
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