Archive · 17 Jun 2025
Smartwatches Can Be Used to Steal Secure Data: SmartAttack
Imagine a spy movie where someone uses their watch to steal secrets.
That's kind of what "smartAttack" is.
Researchers found a way to use smartwatches to grab sensitive data from computers that are supposed to be super secure, called air-gapped systems.
The bad guys use special sound waves, too high for us to hear, to send secret information.
The watch's microphone picks up these sounds, and a special app on the watch decodes them.
This lets them steal important things like passwords.
Researchers discovered a new cyberattack method called "smartAttack."
SmartAttack exploits smartwatches to steal data from air-gapped systems.
The method uses the smartwatch's microphone to capture ultrasonic signals.
Ultrasonic signals carry information like credentials and encryption keys.
Malware on the air-gapped system is needed to transmit the data via ultrasonic sound.
- Who
- Researchers at Ben Gurion University.
- What
- SmartAttack uses smartwatches to steal data.
- When
- The research was recently highlighted by Ben Gurion University.
- Where
- Air-gapped systems, used by businesses and governments.
- Why
- To steal sensitive data from air-gapped systems.
Vulnerable
Secure
Security
Vulnerable
Air-gapped systems can be breached via smartwatches.
Secure
Air-gapped systems are secure and isolated.
- Attack Name
- smartAttack
- Target
- Air-gapped systems
- Method
- Ultrasonic signals via smartwatch microphone
- Researcher Affiliation
- Ben Gurion University
- Data Stolen
- Credentials, encryption keys, etc.