EM Eye: A New Technique for Spying on Cameras

Tuesday - February 13 2024, 01:07 UTC - 9 months ago

The EM Eye technique developed by researchers at Northeastern University can capture real-time video footage from most modern cameras by picking up on the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the wires inside the cameras. This technique can work on a variety of cameras, even from a distance, and raises concerns about the security and privacy of these devices. The researchers suggest that camera makers consider shielding wires and encrypting data to prevent such attacks, and users should be aware of the potential risks.

Security cameras are meant to increase our safety, but a new technique developed by researchers at Northeastern University is bringing up concerns about their vulnerability to spying. The technique, called EM Eye, captures real-time video footage from most modern cameras by picking up the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the wires inside the cameras. This radiation acts as an unintentional radio transmitter, leaking the bits and bytes of the video data. By decoding this signal, the researchers were able to reproduce the video without any sound.

EM Eye can be used on a variety of cameras, including home security cameras, dash cams, and even smartphone cameras. In a test of 12 different camera models, the distance needed to eavesdrop varied from less than a foot to 16 feet, showcasing the potential for this technique to be used even from a distance.

The researchers behind EM Eye say that this technique exposes a flaw in camera design and manufacturing. While most cameras focus on protecting their intentional digital interfaces, such as the upload channel to the cloud, they often neglect the leakage of information through unintended channels, such as the wires. This leaves cameras vulnerable to attacks like EM Eye.

While the initial video captured by EM Eye may be distorted due to pixel loss during transmission, the researchers utilized machine learning to enhance the quality and make it look more like the original. But this raises serious privacy and security concerns, as anyone with some engineering skills and a few hundred dollars of equipment could potentially spy on cameras nearby without being detected.

The researchers suggest that camera makers should consider shielding the wires inside the cameras or encrypting the video data to prevent such attacks. They also advise users to be aware of the potential risks and avoid placing cameras in sensitive locations. However, the EM Eye technique works on the principle of electromagnetic induction, which means that a changing magnetic field can induce an electric current in a conductor. In this case, the wires inside the cameras act as conductors for the video data, creating a magnetic field that can be detected by a radio antenna.

The researchers utilized a software-defined radio and a directional antenna to tune into the camera's frequency and capture the electromagnetic signal. This method is different from other techniques of spying on cameras, such as hacking into the wireless network or intercepting the cloud storage. EM Eye does not require access to the camera's network or storage and does not leave any trace of intrusion, making it a discreet and effective method of spying. It also works on cameras that are not connected to the internet, such as dash cams.

The researchers also highlight that this technique is not limited to cameras and can potentially be used on other devices that use electric signals, such as digital assistants and smart home appliances. They push for manufacturers to prioritize security and privacy in their design, instead of just focusing on functionality.

In conclusion, EM Eye brings attention to the possible security and privacy risks associated with modern cameras. It emphasizes the need for better design and encryption to protect against spying and unauthorized access. As technology evolves, it is crucial that we prioritize security to keep our personal information safe and secure.