Scientists have successfully hacked Siri, Alexa and Google Home using a laser

Researchers hacked siri, alexa and google home by shining a laser on them

A team of researchers from the University of Michigan and Amherst College has discovered a potential weakness in the voice control systems Siri, Alexa and Google Home. The scientists successfully hacked these devices by simply pointing a laser beam at them.

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The researchers used an effect known as “voice assistant through walls,” which allows voice control devices to be monitored through glass windows and even walls. During the experiment, the scientists were able to hack Siri, Alexa and Google Home, gaining full control over these devices.

The basic idea is to use a laser to interact with the device’s built-in microphone. When the laser beam hits the microphone, it vibrates and creates a sound wave that the microphone interprets as a voice command.

This hacking technique could be used by attackers to gain control of voice-controlled devices in homes and offices. Researchers have reported this vulnerability to the developers of Siri, Alexa, and Google Home, and they have already started to fix the problem. However, this reminds us of the importance of securing personal devices and implementing additional defenses.

Scientists have hacked Siri, Alexa and Google Home voice assistants using a laser beam

A team of researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of Exeter in the UK has discovered vulnerabilities in the voice assistants Siri, Alexa and Google Home that allow attackers to remotely control the devices using special laser beams.

The scientists conducted a series of experiments in which they used lasers to interact with the voice assistants’ microphones. They found that changing the intensity of the light that the laser beam is aimed at can cause unexpected and unwanted reactions from the devices.

The researchers showed that voice assistants up to 110 meters away can be hacked with this vulnerability. In this case, neither deliberate user actions nor visible changes in the room are required. An attacker can penetrate a person’s private sphere and access their personal data.

The vulnerability lies in the fact that voice assistant microphones react to changes in light intensity, which makes it possible to determine the distance to the device and, by modulating the laser beam, transmit commands to control the voice assistant.

The researchers proposed a number of measures to protect against such attacks, including using optical filters, modifying algorithms to detect voice commands, and educating users to recognize potential risks.

These results emphasize the importance of voice assistant security and the need to continuously improve defense mechanisms to prevent potential attacks and protect user privacy.

New improved hacking method

Researchers have reported the development of a new and improved method for hacking smart assistants such as Siri, Alexa and Google Home. This method is based on the use of a laser and allows unobtrusive access to users’ personal information.

Previously, scientists have already demonstrated the ability to hack voice assistants using malware or playing high frequency audio recordings. However, the new hacking method is a more sophisticated and stealthy technique that is harder to detect and prevent.

The researchers found that illuminating the microphone of smart assistants with a laser produces slight vibrations that can be recorded and analyzed with specialized equipment. This allows attackers to obtain information about conversations and commands transmitted by smart assistants.

The basic principle of the new hacking method is the directional impact of a laser beam on the surface on which the microphone is focused. When the laser beam hits the microphone, microscopic vibrations caused by heating and expansion of the air occur. These vibrations can be detected and converted into analog signals containing the information transmitted by the smart assistant.

Scientists warn that measures must be taken to protect against this improved hacking method. They recommend using special protective covers for the microphone capable of absorbing laser light, as well as implementing algorithms to detect and block such exposure.

In addition to technical measures, users should also be more conscious about the security of their personal information and monitor the terms of use of smart assistants. This includes limiting the collection of audio data, using complex passwords, and regularly updating software.

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Researchers continue to work on developing new security techniques, and are also working with smart assistant manufacturers to address identified vulnerabilities.

Security vulnerabilities

All three of the most popular voice assistants - Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google Home from Google - were able to be hacked by scientists using lasers, raising concerns about the security of these systems.

Researchers from the Center for Electronics and Information Technology Security and from the University of Michigan found that it is possible to use a simple and inexpensive hack via mobile apps to affect voice assistants through an ultraviolet laser.

The attack methodology was as follows: the researchers used a laser and pointed it at the voice assistant’s microphone through windows or doors. The laser processed the audio microphone and generated electrical signals that were sent to the assistant.

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With security vulnerabilities in voice assistants, it has become clear that even the most advanced technologies are not immune to unusual ideas from attackers. Even consumer devices can be vulnerable to attack, quick and effective ways to gain unauthorized access to information.

Thus, developers should pay more attention to security and check the security level of their products against hacking. Also, users of voice assistants can be careful and provide additional security measures in using these systems.

Despite their convenience, voice assistants should be provided with a high level of security to protect users’ personal information from hacking and unauthorized access.

Potential threats to users

Laser hacking of digital assistants such as Siri, Alexa and Google Home poses a serious threat to users. The ability to control and access devices using a laser beam can be used by attackers for a variety of insidious purposes.

Here are some of the potential threats users face:

Getting private information: Attackers can use lasers to hack into digital assistants and gain access to users’ private information such as contacts, schedules, financial data, and more.
Physical Security Threat: By using lasers, attackers can disrupt digital assistants and cause physical security problems. For example, they can open doors, turn certain devices on or off, and cause emergency power outages.
Manipulation of smart home devices: Digital Assistants are often linked to smart home devices such as security systems, smart locks, lighting, etc. Hacking a digital assistant allows an intruder to access and manipulate smart home devices, which could lead to home invasion or inappropriate control of the system.

In light of these potential threats, users should take extra steps to protect their privacy and security. It is important to keep up with software updates from manufacturers, set passwords for their digital assistants, place them in secure locations, and be vigilant for unexpected activations or unusual device behavior.

Suggestions for improving voice assistant security

After scientists were able to hack Siri, Alexa and Google Home voice assistants with a laser, it became clear that better data protection systems were needed. Here are a few suggestions that can help improve the security of voice assistants:

Strengthening authentication: When working with voice assistants, stronger authentication needs to be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to personal data. For example, using biometrics (fingerprints, facial recognition) can be a stronger way to identify the user.
Improving physical security: To prevent voice assistants from being laser hacked, the physical security of the devices needs to be strengthened. For example, additional layers of security such as motion sensors or light sensors can be added to detect if someone is trying to use the laser device to attack.
Software updates: Voice assistant manufacturers should regularly release software updates to fix emerging vulnerabilities and improve security. Users should regularly check for updates and install them as soon as possible.
Machine learning model training: Voice assistants are based on machine learning models that can be trained on different types of input signals, including laser pulses. Manufacturers must train the models so that they become resistant to such attacks and can distinguish real voice commands from laser pulses.
Improved alerts to potential attacks: Voice assistants should be equipped with mechanisms to alert the user to potential attacks. This could include audible or visual alerts that would warn the user of an attempted hacking or unauthorized access to the system.

Implementing these suggestions will help to better secure voice assistants and increase the security of user data.

FAQ:

Which scientists hacked Siri, Alexa, and Google Home?

Scientists from the University of Michigan in the US have successfully hacked Siri, Alexa and Google Home voice assistants using lasers.

How did the scientists hack the voice assistants?

Scientists used a laser beam that was aimed at the microphones of the voice assistants. They were able to modulate infrared light to trick the microphones into transmitting commands to them.

What commands could be transmitted through the hacked voice assistants?

Various commands such as opening and closing doors, breaking smart locks, obtaining pin code information, etc. could be executed through hacked voice assistants.

What devices were vulnerable to this type of hacking?

Devices that were vulnerable to this type of hacking were those with long-range microphones that were located close to windows. The most vulnerable were the Apple iPhone XR, Amazon Echo 3, and Google Pixel 2.

What are manufacturers saying about this type of hack?

Representatives from Google, Amazon and Apple said that they are scrutinizing the issue and taking measures to protect their devices from such attacks. They also urged users to be cautious and install all the latest updates for their devices.