August 22, 2017 By Shane Schick 2 min read

Researchers at the University of Washington have demonstrated how smart devices can be hijacked to steal information using little more than a speaker and a microphone.

CovertBand Software Uses Sound Waves to Track Movement

In an academic paper titled, “CovertBand: Activity Information Leakage Using Music,” the researchers described a system they created, dubbed CovertBand, which takes over smart devices by tricking users into installing an Android app. The software then uses the AudioRecord API to track human movement using sound waves picked up near a laptop, tablet or speaker.

As The Daily Mail reported, CovertBand’s ability to listen in on people is surprisingly strong. Third parties could track movements through walls, for example, and distinguish whether someone is standing or sitting. CovertBand plays signals at 18 to 80 kilohertz that reflect off people and objects via the AutoTrack API.

Those using the system could be monitoring activities from the other side of the world. Most significantly, the technology involved is largely made up of sound-playing components that are already in most smart devices today.

Spyware Potential for Smart Devices

Although there is no evidence that malicious actors are using software like CovertBand today, the researchers’ work has several possible applications, The Hacker News suggested. Taking over smart devices would be far less conspicuous, for example, than some of the tools that have traditionally been deployed for surveillance purposes.

There are other, less nefarious but perhaps equally invasive uses for CovertBand. SC Magazine noted that the system could be used to detect when a consumer is close to a smart device just by using a streaming app’s embedded music library. This capability could be leveraged to determine the effectiveness of ads or play targeted advertisements.

There are some basic methods to prevent CovertBand, GeekWire said. This includes playing music that would essentially jam the system’s signal. There may also be ways to make a room soundproof, but that would require knowledge that someone might try such an attack.

Given the prevalence of smart devices, particularly in residential homes that lack adequate protection, the research pointed to a potentially widespread vulnerability. Security managers should take note of CovertBand’s capabilities and take appropriate measures to secure smart devices.

More from

Airplane cybersecurity: Past, present, future

4 min read - With most aviation processes now digitized, airlines and the aviation industry as a whole must prioritize cybersecurity. If a cyber criminal launches an attack that affects a system involved in aviation — either an airline’s system or a third-party vendor — the entire process, from safety to passenger comfort, may be impacted.To improve security in the aviation industry, the FAA recently proposed new rules to tighten cybersecurity on airplanes. These rules would “protect the equipment, systems and networks of transport…

Protecting your digital assets from non-human identity attacks

4 min read - Untethered data accessibility and workflow automation are now foundational elements of most digital infrastructures. With the right applications and protocols in place, businesses no longer need to feel restricted by their lack of manpower or technical capabilities — machines are now filling those gaps.The use of non-human identities (NHIs) to power business-critical applications — especially those used in cloud computing environments or when facilitating service-to-service connections — has opened the doors for seamless operational efficiency. Unfortunately, these doors aren’t the…

Communication platforms play a major role in data breach risks

4 min read - Every online activity or task brings at least some level of cybersecurity risk, but some have more risk than others. Kiteworks Sensitive Content Communications Report found that this is especially true when it comes to using communication tools.When it comes to cybersecurity, communicating means more than just talking to another person; it includes any activity where you are transferring data from one point online to another. Companies use a wide range of different types of tools to communicate, including email,…

Topic updates

Get email updates and stay ahead of the latest threats to the security landscape, thought leadership and research.
Subscribe today