"Computer Security Experts Offer Advice to Freeze Out Risk of Thermal Attacks"
A team of computer security experts has devised a set of recommendations to defend against 'thermal attacks' that can steal personal information. Thermal attacks use heat-sensitive cameras to detect fingerprint traces left on surfaces such as smartphone screens, computer keyboards, and PIN pads. Hackers can reconstruct users' credentials using the relative intensity of heat traces across recently touched surfaces. Dr. Mohamed Khamis and his colleagues at the University of Glasgow set out to demonstrate the ease with which thermal images could be used to crack passwords. The team created ThermoSecure, a system that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to scan heat-trace images and correctly guess passwords in seconds. Dr. Khamis and his colleagues have now compiled the first comprehensive review of existing computer security strategies and surveyed users regarding their preferences for preventing thermal attacks on public payment devices such as ATMs and ticket dispensers. Their research also includes recommendations for manufacturers. This article continues to discuss the recommendations developed by a team of computer security experts to help defend against thermal attacks that can steal personal information.