The AI is able to steal any password just by listening to how the user types on the keyboard.

Although artificial intelligence has been created to improve people’s lives, it also has a dark side. Since it has been determined that it has the ability to steal any password just by listening to how it is typed on the keyboard.

Three researchers at Cornell University discovered that there is a way to steal data. This is possible by recording audio from the keys of a keyboard. To do this, each key was pressed 25 times to train the system to listen for and identify various cues. The system does not work with the random keyboard but must be trained for what it is intended to do, with references to letters, numbers, or symbols that correspond to each key.

AI training

Training can be performed locally with a microphone or remotely using zoom to record the audio of keystrokes. With this, attackers predict up to 95% of what is written. When zoom is used, it is reduced to 93% accuracy.

In this context, the trainers used a MacBook to test the idea. This helped determine that the AI model recognizes which letter is associated with each sound on the keyboard.

How to minimize AI accuracy?

The researchers have provided certain measures to mitigate the accuracy of the system. It is sufficient for the user to change the way of writing. Touch typing was also found to reduce accuracy to 64% or 40%. Another way to decrease accuracy is to use software to produce a noise that confuses the system.

This kind of attack works perfectly with mechanical keyboards but is not limited to them. Therefore, the ideal solution is the use of software to prevent the AI from cracking passwords.

Finally, the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana (International Iberoamerican University) (UNIB) offers the Master in Strategic Management with a Specialty in Information Technology.

Source: AI is able to steal passwords and data just by listening to how you type on the keyboard