DolphinAttack is evolving

It has become more dangerous, and it works even further away.

The attack method, called DolphinAttack, targets voice-based digital assistants such as Siri, Alexa, or Google Now. The point is, very briefly, that they can use ultrasound to force smart devices into various operations - these sounds are not perceptible to the human ear, but the devices can interpret them.

Although the first attempts have painted a frightening picture, researchers at Berkeley in California have ventured much further in recent months: they have managed to embed the instructions in various files, so the attack can be carried out while the unsuspecting user is listening to music, say, on the phone. By implication, because of the former, hackers can remain even more hidden.

Progress has also been made in other areas: experts from the University of Illinois conducted a technical demonstration from a distance of 25 feet (approximately 7,6 meters), which is significantly more than we have seen before (130-180 cm). Although the walls proved to be impenetrable obstacles, an open window was enough to launch the attack from a relatively large distance (outside the building). With the development of ultrasonic technology, the bridging distance is expected to increase further.

Source: nytimes.com