back to article SHOCK: Brainwave readers work as advertised

A little-reported (at first) bit of research presented at this month’s Usenix conference makes the startling claim that consumer-grade EEG-based interface devices – like Emotiv and NeuroSky headsets – could be used to gain private information from users. The combination of sexy gadget and sci-fi attack was too much for the …

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  1. Magani
    Linux

    Good luck

    OK, the Black Hats have found I have a Visa card by reading my slowly fading neurons' emissions. I wish them every success in generating the 12 digit card number plus the 3 digit security code plus my linked ATM PIN.

    As suggested, they're probably better off using social engineering, looking for Post-it notes under peoples' keyboards or just straight out fingernail-pulling torture.

    Penguin, cos they never forget their PIN (Penguin Identification Number).

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Hm

      But they don't need all three of those pieces of information to defraud you.

      I think however a more important point is that they could use that initial information to conduct more sophisticated or more convincing social engineering or other kinds of attacks.

    2. Annihilator
      Headmaster

      Re: Good luck

      " I wish them every success in generating the 12 digit card number"

      <cough> 16 digits...

      I'll get my coat..

  2. LinkOfHyrule
    Joke

    I can't wait until I can go to my GP and get an annual injection of Norton Internet Security for Human Brains! That'll be fun - especially the chronic upgrade reminder cluster headaches ten month's later!

    1. HMB

      It's not worth it!

      You'll start crashing and running very slowly.

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Don't even think about ....

    .... sending that nice Nigerian businessman some money!

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Joke

    How was your day, Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Coffee?

    Tying to get into your mind, second guessing your thoughts, inner response to females, recording it all in a permanent database for later use.

    But less about the wife, this looks quite cool.

  5. Sceptic Tank Silver badge
    Paris Hilton

    It used to be....

    It was said once that "you can't go to jail for what you're thinking". Well, think again! On the other hand.... don't think again. Don't think at all! Argh! They're out to get us.

    The world has become a better place for people with little brain activity.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: It used to be....

      You have to learn to master the art of doublethink.

  6. Siberian Hamster
    Terminator

    Next stage of phishing attacks...

    I can see in the not too distant future Black Hats inserting malware into your favourite games that use a brain-wave reader, to surreptitiously 'blip-vert'* images of banks/credit cards/anything into said games to deduce your personal information.

    * +1 to anyone who gets the reference!

    1. The Original Cactus
      Holmes

      Re: Next stage of phishing attacks...

      You are Geoff Noon and I claim my five pounds.

    2. PatientOne

      Re: Next stage of phishing attacks...

      blip-vert? Max Headroom? And wasn't there something about people's heads exploded due to them?

      1. Robert Helpmann??
        Childcatcher

        Re: Next stage of phishing attacks...

        Why, y-y-y-yes, there was!

        The reference also points out the greater potential for big business and big government to misuse it, if they have not already done so, than that of hackers having a chance to do so.

    3. jon 72
      Windows

      Re: Next stage of phishing attacks...

      Synaptic Leakage from a faulty prosthesis seems even more plausible now.

  7. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Might this result in lie detectors that actually have some validity?

  8. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    as any fule kno', all you have to do is encrypt your brainwaves. Simple.

  9. Cameron Colley
    Joke

    I'm not worried.

    I only even think about Linux, so I'm immune.

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