Cordless keyboard woes continue

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article.jhtml?articleID=431326

Jonathan Tisdall
Aftenposten English Web Desk
Friday 08 November 2002 

The Stavanger men who discovered that data input on a cordless
keyboard also appeared on a neighbor's computer - supposedly far out
of range in another building - have had their equipment replaced.  
Nothing has changed, and the manufacturer is worried.

Per Arild Evjeberg and Per Erik Helle made headlines when they
discovered that text Evjeberg was typing in was appearing in Helle's
apartment, 150 meters and at least two walls away.  Product manager
Tore A. Särelind of Hewlett-Packard Norway is concerned and said the
firm is taking the problem "deadly seriously", Stavanger Aftenblad
reports.

"It was discouraging. When Per Arild started typing with his new
keyboard it popped up on my screen again. It isn't his keyboard that
is the problem, it is the keyboard in general. HP must realize that
the sender is emitting far too powerful signals. Users have basically
no control over who receives the signals," Helle said.

"The theory that it was an isolated fault with Evjeberg's keyboard is
weakened considerably when a new keyboard does the same thing. It
indicates that the problem is much larger than we first believed,"  
said Särelind, who will likely have the product tested by Norwegian
electronics testing foundation Nemko.

Särelind said that HP had mobilized forces to examine and react to the
problem.

"Among other things we will check the suitability of the frequency we
use. It is a so-called walkie-talkie frequency with a radius that can
be difficult to limit," Särelind said.

"We also would like to do an "on site" test in the area where Helle
and Evjeberg live to see if there are special circumstances there
which might influence the reach of the keyboards," Särelind said.

Särelind said that further tests would have to take place before they
could decide on a recall. Over 65,000 of the keyboards have been sold
by HP in Europe alone. The keyboard is also sold in the USA, but in
smaller numbers.




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