In a recent study, researchers have found that an artificial intelligence (AI) tool can “listen” to your keystrokes and capture your login information.
The research, conducted by scientists from the Universities of Durham, Surrey, and Royal Holloway, demonstrated that microphones can recognize distinct keystroke patterns. This means that when people use laptops in public places, their typed texts could potentially be intercepted and decrypted.
With the growing use of video conferencing services and the widespread availability of devices equipped with microphones, the risk of sound-based cyberattacks has significantly increased.
The AI tool in question can identify specific keys being pressed just by listening to the sound of the keystrokes. This finding underscores concerns about the security of entering passwords while on a video conferencing call, such as Zoom.
‘AI can identify specific keys being pressed just by listening to the sound of the keystrokes’
The AI tool studied demonstrated an impressive ability to decipher text, including passwords, based on the sounds of keystrokes with over 90% accuracy.
The researchers trained an AI model to achieve this feat. They pressed each key on a MacBook Pro 25 times while recording the sounds. This audio data was then fed into the AI model, enabling it to identify the unique sound pattern associated with each key.
The AI model showed a remarkable 93% accuracy in interpreting keystrokes from typing sounds recorded on a MacBook using Zoom video conferencing software. The accuracy increased to 95% when recording keystrokes with an iPhone 13 mini.
OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT, has recently acquired another venture called Global Illumination. This New York-based firm uses AI to create innovative tools, infrastructure, and digital experiences. This is OpenAI’s first public acquisition in its nearly seven-year history. The details of the agreement have not been disclosed.
However, in a brief blog post that was posted on its official site, OpenAI stated that it was “very excited for the impact they’ll have here at OpenAI.” To work on our flagship products, such as ChatGPT, the whole team has joined OpenAI.
Global Illumination was founded in 2021 by Thomas Dimson, Taylor Gordon, and Joey Flynn. The team has joined OpenAI to work on flagship products like ChatGPT.
