Hackers Can Use Laser Pointers To Remotely Take Control Of Your Smart Speakers From Afar

Smart speakers -- whether powered by Amazon Alexa or Google assistant -- try to simplify our homes with their 'smart' infrastructure. However, these aren't quite safe as they can be susceptible to hacking.

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And a new research conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo has revealed that they don't need any fancy tech items to do so, just a laser pointer is enough.

First reported by Wired, Takeshi Sugurawa from the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo was able to control a set of smart speakers far away with the help of an inexpensive laser pointer.

He created a simple setup involving an audio amplifier that is connected to a PC and a laser current driver that is connected to the amp through the headphone jack. That's all that was necessary.

According to him, it is possible to make the microphone respond to light as if it were sound. He believes that laser light cycles in intensity. When the audio signal passes through it, the intensity fluctuates. When this fluctuating laser light is flashed on the microphone of the smart speaker, the microphone diaphragm of the speaker recognises this as a human voice and activates accordingly.

lightcommands.com

Since laser pointers have a long-range, the signal could be hit at speakers from far off, acting as a perfect burglary tool (considering smart speakers connect to smart doors and a single command can lock and unlock doors). He also revealed a way to focus the laser at a perfect spot with the help of a standard telescope, increasing its range and strength considerably.

The laser can also send a signal for the speaker's volume to go lower so that the people at home aren't notified when the smart speaker gets triggered.

Amazon and Google have both acknowledged the research and are working in ways to circumvent this and make the smart speakers 'smarter'!