Israeli researchers compromise isolated network with dumbphones

Without a doubt, storing highly sensitive data on an internet-disconnected, "air-gapped" computer network is one of the best security measures an organization can take -- but nothing is full-proof. Researchers at Ben-Gurion University in Isreal have figured out how to discreetly siphon data from a isolated computer with no wireless radios, no external connectivity and no connection whatsoever to any other computer. All it takes is a little malware and an old, non-smart mobile phone.

Researchers found that if they could deploy a tiny piece of malware to a target computed, the machine's memory could be used to transmit low-power radio emissions. The signal isn't strong enough to carry data natively, but researchers did find that they could use it to send out a sort of morse-code of 0s and 1s that could be interpreted by a nearby cell phone with companion malware.