Interesting developments ...

Not specifically Mac or OS X related but it is interesting....

The concept was around for some time, it was just very rare in the wild.

Cyber-crime alert after 'bugs' found in library computers | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk

Have you come across a similar thing in your country before ?

Cheers ... McBie

My question is how can you work somewhere and not realise there is something plugged into the back of your keyboard? If it was in a USB port in the back of the machine then fair play... but the keyboard? I would notice something like that straight away!!

- Simon

Buzzard2010 said:

My question is how can you work somewhere and not realise there is something plugged into the back of your keyboard? If it was in a USB port in the back of the machine then fair play... but the keyboard? I would notice something like that straight away!!

- Simon

Click to expand...

They don't plug into the back of the keyboard; they plug into the end of the keyboard cable, between the keyboard cable and the computer.

Most PCs are minitowers, which are often kept under the desk or table. Do you crawl under the desk and check the cables every time you sit down at a computer?

Ah my bad I read it wrong. I was thinking USB port in the back of the keyboard. As for crawling underneath, that was my point in my first post. Woops.

- Simon

what about the blatent security risk in putting your bank details into a computer in a public library? this is one thing i would never ever do.

how difficult is it to shoulder surf (read someones password as they type)?
just from doing this you could get usernames and passwords! people need to realise this and start taking precautionary measures (i.e, if they dont own a computer, borrow a friend's for any essential online banking/shopping.) in this day and age id be surprised if anyone didn't know someone with a computer.

This sort of attack has been around for a while, though I don't recall hearing about it since around 2000-ish. I don't recall ever hearing of these being especially wide-spread. There use to be "revenge" and "divorce" web sites that sold these for $50 bucks or so back in the day. I guess history can repeat itself.

Personally, I wouldn't type any of my credentials on a public PC, but then again, there must be people without a PC who visit public places to access internet based services.

Must be embarrassing for the people who provide this service to the public.
Also indicates how important identities are.

Cheers ... McBie