And You Thought I Was Paranoid!

'Power-Line Exploit' Logs Your Keystrokes Using Outlets, Lasers - Hackers - Gizmodo. This report describes a new hacker exploit that uses powerlines to record the keystrokes of a computer plugged in to the power grid. Apparently, electrical cords that power laptops are unshielded, which allows for hackers to determine what keystrokes are being pressed by measuring voltage fluctuation on the ground wire. The author, tongue in cheek, suggests computing in your underwear, inside a Faraday cage, which reminds me of Gene Hackman's character in "The Conversation", where he tears up his apartment looking for electronic surveillance bugs. Yes, the increasing cleverness of criminals is scary. Yes, you aren't paranoid if someone really is out to get you. However, at what point do you say that you will not stop living your life in order to protect against criminals? How about let's catch them, and lock them up, and throw the key away?