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CCS
2006
ACM

Dictionary attacks using keyboard acoustic emanations

14 years 1 months ago
Dictionary attacks using keyboard acoustic emanations
We present a dictionary attack that is based on keyboard acoustic emanations. We combine signal processing and efficient data structures and algorithms, to successfully reconstruct single words of 7-13 characters from a recording of the clicks made when typing them on a keyboard. Our attack does not require any training, and works on an individual recording of the typed word (may be under 5 seconds of sound). The attack is very efficient, taking under 20 seconds per word on a standard PC. We demonstrate a 90% or better success rate of finding the correct word in the top 50 candidates identified by the attack, for words of 10 or more characters, and a success rate of 73% over all the words we tested. We show that the dominant factors affecting the attack's success are the word length, and more importantly, the number of repeated characters within the word. Our attack can be used as an effective acoustic-based password cracker. Our attack can also be used as part of an acoustic lon...
Yigael Berger, Avishai Wool, Arie Yeredor
Added 20 Aug 2010
Updated 20 Aug 2010
Type Conference
Year 2006
Where CCS
Authors Yigael Berger, Avishai Wool, Arie Yeredor
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