Computer World has recently warned us about a German research student who found out that by measuring the light reflected from a user’s face information on a computer screen can be reconstructed. As if we have not enough surveillance in the UK already.
The Cambridge whizz-kid explains: “Even if I can’t see your screen surface, as long as your face is illuminated from a distance of 50 meters I can collect the photons from your face into a sensor and I will have a very good chance of turning it into a readable text”… While his research on information leakage from monitor reflections shouldn’t worry the general population of computer users, government agencies and corporations dealing with top secret or confidential materials would probably want to take precautions, he said.
I find this information interesting for two reasons. First, having grown up the other side of the Iron Curtain, this is the first time I felt a stab of regret that the Cold War is over as such technology has its obvious and spectacular uses. Secondly, being a woman I have already thought of an ‘improvement’ to its application – a light absorbent or, better yet, information distorting make up.
It also demonstrates, at least to me, that one should not attempt to control or regulate the consequences of human inventiveness. Individuals will always find a way around such measures using unforeseen and exotic approaches. The only way to counter negative results of such creativity is to let other individuals’ twisted minds match it…
