Avi Rubin: All your devices can be hacked | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In this talk, the speaker discusses various real-world cyberattacks and hacks in the academic security community, including the hacking of implanted medical devices and automobiles.

Key Insights

• 👵 People often have misconceptions about computer security, with some thinking that computer security involves protecting physical computers from being stolen and others fearing that they can get sick from computer viruses.
• 💉 Implantable medical devices, such as pacemakers, now have networking capabilities, but this also means that they can be vulnerable to cyber attacks. Researchers have shown that these devices can be controlled and manipulated through reverse engineering and wireless signals.
• 🚗 Modern cars are equipped with multiple computers that are connected through wired and wireless networks. Researchers have demonstrated that these cars can be hacked, allowing attackers to take control of critical systems like brakes and lighting. They were even able to remotely install malware and apply the brakes of a targeted vehicle.
• 🚆 Researchers have discovered that it's possible to reconstruct what someone is typing on their smartphone by analyzing the reflections in their glasses or the vibrations created by typing on a nearby keyboard. This poses a privacy risk as sensitive information can be captured without the user's knowledge.
• 📻 P25 radios, commonly used by law enforcement and other government agencies, can be vulnerable to attacks. Researchers found that some of these radios can be easily jammed using a device that operates on the same frequency. They also discovered that conversations that were supposed to be encrypted were sometimes transmitted in clear text, potentially exposing sensitive information.
• ️ The accelerometer in smartphones can be used to steal keystrokes by measuring the vibrations created when typing on a nearby keyboard. By analyzing these measurements with machine learning techniques, researchers were able to reproduce typing accurately. This poses a risk as hackers could exploit this vulnerability to capture sensitive information without the user's knowledge.
• 💡 The adoption of technology often outpaces the consideration for security. Developers need to prioritize security from the start and anticipate potential threats beyond their initial threat models. It's crucial for users to be aware of the vulnerabilities of their devices and take steps to protect themselves.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What is the speaker's area of expertise?

The speaker, Morton Bast, is a computer science professor specializing in computer and information security.

Q: What is one of the most ridiculous things someone has said about Morton Bast's work?

One of the most ridiculous things someone has said about Morton Bast's work is when a woman asked if she could get sick from a virus infecting her computer.

Q: What is the topic of the speaker's talk?

The speaker's talk is about real-world cyberattacks performed by the academic research community that most people are unaware of.

Q: What is one example of a cyberattack discussed in the video?

One example of a cyberattack discussed in the video is the hacking of implanted medical devices, such as defibrillators, by reverse engineering the wireless protocol and sending wireless signals to control the device.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker shares anecdotes about misunderstandings and misconceptions about computer security.

• The speaker discusses various hacks and cyber attacks performed by academic researchers, including vulnerabilities in implanted medical devices and cars.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of considering security from the beginning and being aware of the vulnerabilities in devices.