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We've seen hackers use keyboards to deliver malicious code to
computers, and we've seen smartphones used as remote controls for cars
and TV -- but we've never seen a smartphone disguised as a keyboard
used to control a computer, until now. A couple folks at this year's
Black Hat DC conference have devised a clever bit of code that allows
a rooted smartphone -- connected to a PC through USB -- to pose as a
keyboard or mouse in order to attack and control the computer. The
hack takes advantage of USB's inability to authenticate connected
devices coupled with operating systems' inability to filter USB
packets, which would enable users to thwart such an attack. While
utilizing a digital costume to hack a computer is a nifty idea, it
doesn't pose much additional risk to users because the method still
requires physical access to a USB port to work -- and most of us would
probably notice someone plugging a smartphone into our laptop while
we're using it.
[Image Credit: Angelos Stavrou / CNET]
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