USB phone charger costs £6 and can watch what people are typing
KeySweeper gadget can be used to steal passwords and banking details, from anyone using a wireless keyboard
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Anyone can make a small keylogger that secretly watches what people are typing, for only £6.
The invention, unveiled by Polish security researcher Samy Kamkar, can be put together using only a USB charger and a readily available Arduino circuit board.
When the USB charger is plugged in, it can “sniff” the data being sent from any Microsoft wireless keyboard that it is near.
It can then send those keylogs online. People can even programme it to send text alerts when certain trigger words are typed — such as when someone types their username into the keyboard, so that people can then watch to see what people will type into the password box.
Kamkar laid out instructions for making the devices on his website.
A battery can even be installed in the device so that it will continue working once it is unplugged.
The KeySweeper can be used on any Microsoft wireless keyboard. By looking at the back of the keyboard, you can find out which model it is and therefore how it sends the wireless messages that allow it to work.
Special software then decrypts those normally encrypted messages, allowing anyone with the gadget to read what’s being typed over the internet.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments