"New 'Invisible Finger' Technology Poses Potential Phone-Hacking Threats, Researchers Say"
Researchers from the University of Florida revealed new technology that enables the hacking of nearby touchscreen-enabled devices using an "invisible finger." The discovery, which was acknowledged by the Institute of Electrical and Computer Engineering at its 2022 Symposium on Security and Privacy, prompted leading manufacturers to reach out to the researchers for advice on how they could prevent the potential security problem. Shuo Wang, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Florida, who led the team, stated that the research aims to help the industry identify vulnerabilities so that companies can improve the security of their products for customers and reduce the possibility of phone hacking. The hacking technique involves using an antenna array, a collection of connected antennas, to remotely tap and swipe a touchscreen using electromagnetic waves. Once controllers get access, they are able to commit a range of malicious activities, including downloading malware or sending themselves money via the victim's payment platform account. This article continues to discuss the research and demonstration of the 'invisible finger' hacking technology.