Scientists have discovered that gaming mice can pick up vibrations from conversations, which can be deciphered using AI. This data could be used by malware to spy on users.
A mouse is one of the most important accessories for a gamer. The outcome of a match often depends on its quality, so many choose the most sensitive models. But new research has shown that a gaming mouse may have another, unpleasant use.
Researchers at the University of California have discovered that the sensors of high-precision optical mice are capable of detecting micro-vibrations on the surface of a table. When a person speaks, these vibrations travel through the table and reach the sensor. If a computer is infected, attackers can gain access to this data.
The scientists explained that the extracted "raw" motion packets can be processed using digital methods to isolate sound vibrations. After that, a neural network is able to reconstruct the speech waveform. Tests have shown that decryption is possible with an accuracy of up to 60% — enough to understand the gist of the conversation. Mice with a resolution of 20,000 DPI and higher are particularly vulnerable.
Although the likelihood of such an attack for the average user is minimal, the research shows how quickly artificial intelligence is changing the perception of familiar devices. In the future, similar vulnerabilities may appear in other peripheral gadgets.
