Spy Mouse: Researchers Find Gaming Devices Eavesdrop on Conversations

Scientists have discovered that gaming mice can detect vibrations from conversations that AI can reconstruct. Malicious software could exploit this data to spy on users.

The mouse is one of a gamer’s most vital peripherals. Match outcomes often depend on its performance, so many players choose ultra-sensitive models. However, a recent study reveals an unsettling additional capability of gaming mice.

Researchers at the University of California found that sensors in high-precision optical mice can register microscopic vibrations traveling across a desk surface. When someone speaks, those vibrations propagate through the table and reach the sensor. If a computer is compromised, attackers could access this information.

The team explained that the extracted raw motion packets can be processed digitally to isolate acoustic vibrations. A neural network can then reconstruct the speech waveform. Tests showed decoding accuracy of up to about 60% — enough to capture the gist of a conversation. Mice with resolutions of 20,000 DPI and above are particularly vulnerable.

Although the chance of such an attack against an ordinary user is low, the research highlights how rapidly artificial intelligence is changing how we think about everyday devices. Similar vulnerabilities could appear in other peripheral gadgets in the future.

Source: iXBT.games