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Apple's T2 chip will prevent hackers from eavesdropping on your microphone

techcrunch.com

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Re: Apple's T2 chip will prevent hackers from eavesdropping on your microphone

#141

Post by vectorEQ »

petee wrote: post #101
scarface74 wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The T2 is used for: - image signal processing - an audio controller - a mass storage controller - a dedicated AES engine for encryption. - secure enclave for touch id

Jeez, sounds like the T2 is prime to be merged into systemd. Someday we'll find that the image processing function has a bug that lets you control the microphone when you open some stupid meme. Great separation of security

thank you. :') these let's put things that parse complicated file/data formats along side security features is just asking for trouble! :D

Re: Apple's T2 chip will prevent hackers from eavesdropping on your microphone

#142

Post by vectorEQ »

jtd514 wrote: post #104

so this means I cant use my mic when my computer is closed and hooked up to an external monitor?

this use case is actually quite funny and probably one day a reason for there being some bypass for this functionality which can be exploited/utilised :X most governments still demand LI capabilities after all....

Re: Apple's T2 chip will prevent hackers from eavesdropping on your microphone

#143

Post by michaelt »

cottsak wrote: post #105

When are we going to get projection against unauthorised USB devices when the workstation is locked (ie, I'm away from my computer and a nefarious actor inserts a USB device) similar to the recent iOS 12 improvements?

When workstations stop needing USB keyboards connected to unlock them?

Re: Apple's T2 chip will prevent hackers from eavesdropping on your microphone

#144

Post by kasparsklavins »

With the additional privacy features added to their phones and notebooks, how much of it actually is just a marketing gimmick? It's not something Google cant compete with directly (Microsoft could, if they cared), but it's not something they've actually.. well, marketed. It could be a major selling point, so why dont they advertise it? Something's fishy.

Re: Apple's T2 chip will prevent hackers from eavesdropping on your microphone

#145

Post by SmellyGeekBoy »

saagarjha wrote: post #38
HugoDaniel wrote: post #15

What about when the gov. is the hacker ?

Why would this change anything? Presumably there would be an easier way to listen to you if this was the case.

Indeed, they'd just listen to you using the smartphone or landline/VOIP phone sat on the desk next to your computer instead.

Re: Apple's T2 chip will prevent hackers from eavesdropping on your microphone

#146

Post by SmellyGeekBoy »

alexis_fr wrote: post #7
cbluth wrote: post #2

Why is it so hard to believe the headline?

Has Apple security record on electronics been ever broken? I don’t think so. If there is an exploit yet, at least it’s not publicly known and no-one has seen it for sale on the black market, so it would be in the millions. I’d say Apple is trustworthy as far as I’m concerned, perhaps not trustworthy enough if the threat model is Hillary-level politics, but trustworthy enough for a billion dollars business.

> Has Apple security record on electronics been ever broken?

Literally every model of iPhone ever released has been "jailbroken" if that's what you mean. Including of course multiple re-jailbreaks per model when Apple patched the original exploits.

There's an argument that the secure enclave is unhackable, although there have still been ways around it up until very recently (is it finally 100% secure or have the new exploits just not been discovered yet?)

I prefer to work on the assumption that no hardware / software can ever be 100% secure.

Re: Apple's T2 chip will prevent hackers from eavesdropping on your microphone

#147

Post by rbanffy »

dom96 wrote: post #86
pulse7 wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Physical switch could be made INSIDE the laptop and would be automatically pressed by the lid itself - when the lid is closed. No sensors needed. No chip needed. When lid is closed - mic is disconnected. When opened - mic is connected... User does not need to do anything else then closing the lid...

There are people out there that hook up their laptop to an external display and then use it with the lid closed. Wouldn't be surprised if some of them want to use the mic with that configuration as well.

It's a shame. It's a damn fine third or fourth screen (I'm writing this on it).

Re: Apple's T2 chip will prevent hackers from eavesdropping on your microphone

#148

Post by thelittleone »

Apple was part of the NSA PRISM program. Has that changed? I mean other than unverifiable marketing speak about valuing customer privacy? On one hand this could be a legitimate privacy feature or it could also be an elegant cover story for a covert channel to the PRISM inbox. Most of the non-tech people I speak with trust their phone manufacturer implicitly (even after PRISM).

We've come so far in our exchange of privacy for convenience, creating a surveillance nirvana... for those with access.

1) Fingerprint scanners 2) Facial scanners 3) Retina / iris scanners 4) Voice recordings, voice assistants. 5) GPS tracking (on IOS Google Maps defaults to knowing location even when the app is not in use).

It appears beautifully programmatic / orchestrated.

Re: Apple's T2 chip will prevent hackers from eavesdropping on your microphone

#149

Post by colejohnson66 »

justtopost wrote: post #107
newnewpdro wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When the microphone is a passive connected to a multifunction IC there's no such power rail.

Most laptop mics are condenser electret mics which usually use a small dc current, although not always.

When replacing the lightning assembly on my iPhone 6, I noticed that the microphone looks passive. Here’s a photo[0]; It’s the little bronze(?) square next to the headphone jack.

[0]: https://www.ifixit.com/Store/iPhone/iPhone-6-Lightning-Conne...

Re: Apple's T2 chip will prevent hackers from eavesdropping on your microphone

#150

Post by Tsubasachan »

thelittleone wrote: post #148

Apple was part of the NSA PRISM program. Has that changed? I mean other than unverifiable marketing speak about valuing customer privacy? On one hand this could be a legitimate privacy feature or it could also be an elegant cover story for a covert channel to the PRISM inbox. Most of the non-tech people I speak with trust their phone manufacturer implicitly (even after PRISM). We've come so far in our exchange of pri…

Thats my problem with Apple. They are at the end of the day an American company. My bank is legally not allowed to sell my transactions history. Apple just promises that they won't but nothing stops them from changing their mind.
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