Cyber pros claim drones could be hackers’ dream

Hackers could utilise flying drones for intercepting business communications and buzzing office buildings, cyber experts have warned.

A drone could be employed to attack Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other types of wireless connection, making intercepting a communication as easy in private buildings as in public cafes.

A partner of IT security consulting company Bishop Fox, Francis Brown, said that drones can operate as a laptop with flying ability. With help from his research team, he has developed a drone that security professionals can use to test connections and defend against hackers using the flying devices.

The drones have the ability to target Wi-FI guest connections and short-range Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices, including Bluetooth keyboards, which may not be protected otherwise due to current security set-ups failing to take into account that anyone could be so close as to successfully target them.

Brown said:

“I think it has been proven time and time again that the benefits [of testing] far outweigh the potential negative. Hackers already have these things in the world, so it is just levelling the playing field for the average security professional. These people are really behind the curve.”

Drones are undoubtedly a concern, but that doesn’t mean that more traditional methods employed by cyber criminals should be discounted. Businesses in the UK are beginning to understand the concern growing around cyber security, but there remain too many who underestimate the dangers. If they don’t start creating more IT security jobs soon, they just may come to regret it.