It is not the first time we see that they can launch attacks through cables. For example, we have seen on occasions how it can be dangerous to charge your mobile phone on a public charger, which you find at an airport or any other place. In this case, it is an attack in which videos, photographs and other data can be stolen through hdmi cables. We are going to explain how it works and what you should do to avoid problems.
When you buy a device, in this case an HDMI cable, you will find many options. Be careful because not all of them are going to be safe. Even a cable could become a problem. That is what has happened, as a security researcher has detected. He found something strange about a particular model.
Dangerous HDMI cables
HDMI cables are very popular nowadays for connecting devices to a display. For example, you could connect a laptop to the television. Now, a security researcher named John Bumstead has detected a iPhone to HDMI adapter which comes with a QR code that the user has to scan to use it.
When you scan that code, it automatically takes you to a web page that doesn’t look good. Full of advertising, it would seem adware everywhere, plus downloading an app that asks for multiple permissions. That’s when the problem starts. Just that, installing an app and giving permissions, is what allows personal data of all kinds to be stolen.
This program requests location accessIn addition, it will be able to collect data of all kinds such as the email address, it uses tracking cookies, videos, photos, data from bookmarks, phone sensors, etc. All this will put the privacy of the user who installs it at risk.
With all this data you collect, you can send targeted advertising. It will request access to your local network, Bluetooth, settings and camera. They are going to have quite important control over that phone.
But do they actually sell cables of this type directly? Yes and no. That is to say, it is true that you can find cables that are already loaded with malware, but it could also be a legitimate model that has been modified maliciously and is put up for sale by a third party.
Buy warranty devices
To avoid problems of this type, what we recommend is that you buy guarantee devices. You can go to pages that are safe and not buy them from strange sites that do not offer a good image. Also, it is key to read comments and ratings from other users, since they may have previously had problems.
From there, if, for example, you find yourself in a situation in which you are asked install an app, as in the case of the HDMI cable that we have seen, check everything very well. Never grant permissions that are not necessary or do not install programs from sources that are not official and trustworthy.
It is also advisable to always have your devices updated and with security programs. This will help you detect malware that they can use to steal passwords or personal data. It is something that you should apply to any device you use on a daily basis. It is always key to protect home devices.
