Hackers are able to command Siri, Alexa in a frequency too high for you to hear
Researchers have discovered that it is possible to "speak" to voice assistants like Siri and Alexa in a frequency too high for the human ear to hear, Fast Company reports. This so-called "DolphinAttack" could potentially allow hackers to send commands to iPhones or Amazon Echos, asking the devices to call certain numbers or load dangerous websites. "[E]very iPhone and Macbook running Siri, any Galaxy phone, any PC running Windows 10, and even Amazon's Alexa assistant" are vulnerable to the high-frequency attack, Fast Company writes.
The problem stems from the fact that voice assistant microphones are able to "hear" sounds above 20KhZ, which adult human ears can't pick up. Electronic companies might enable devices to hear that high in the first place because "analyzing software might need every bit of 'hint' in your voice to create its understanding," said NewDealDesign founder Gadi Amit.
Hackers have to be pretty close to electronics in order to hack them with the high frequency voices — an Apple Watch is vulnerable several feet away while a hacker would have to be inches from an Amazon Echo to issue a successful DolphinAttack. That being said, "hacking an iPhone seems like no problem at all," Fast Company writes. "A hacker would merely need to walk by you in a crowd."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In theory you can protect against a DolphinAttack by turning off the "always on" setting on Siri or Google Assistant or muting Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Of course, this also makes it so the devices won't do what they're meant to: respond to your voice. Read more about DolphinAttack at Fast Company.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published