Monitors Vulnerable To Hijacking And Spying
Researchers have found a way to hack into monitors so they can see what is being displayed, as well as manipulate pixels so they can display different images. One billion monitors are reportedly susceptible, as most use the same processor that is vulnerable to this exploit.
During a demo at the Red Balloon offices in New York City earlier this week, Cui and his colleagues showed me how the hack works. Essentially, if a hacker can get you to visit a malicious website or click on a phishing link, they can then target the monitor's embedded computer, specifically its firmware. This is the computer that controls the menu to change brightness and other simple settings on the monitor.
The hacker can then put an implant there programmed to wait for further instructions. Then, the way the hacker can communicate with the implant is rather shrewd. The implant can be programmed to wait for commands sent over by a blinking pixel, which could be included in any video or a website. Essentially, that pixel is uploading code to the monitor. At that point, the hacker can mess with your monitor.
In practice, Cui said this could be used to both spy on you, but also show you stuff that's actually not there. A scenario where that could dangerous is if hackers mess with the monitor displaying controls for a power plant, perhaps faking an emergency.
Dell To release IPS based P2417H and P2717H monitors - 06/21/2016 09:02 AM
The Dell P2417H and P2717H are sporting some aesthetic refinements and updated panels. They still focus on the practical home-office look over anything too eye-catching, but the bezels are thinner at ...
Samsung S24F350FH and S27F350FH Monitors - 04/18/2016 09:31 AM
Full HD seems to be the most popular format still, Samsung will be adding the S24F350FH and S27F350FH. The panels embedded are 23.6” (S24) and 27” (S27) AD-PLS (Advanced Plane to...
Samsung to offer C24F390FHU and C27F390FHU Curved FreeSync Monitors - 03/03/2016 09:47 AM
Samsung will release 24 and 27" C24F390FHU and C27F390FHU Curved FreeSync Monitors. These seem to be the somewhat more budget models with sticker black plastic bezels. ...
Samsung to curved CF591 and CF390 monitors now announced - 02/29/2016 09:53 AM
We already mentioned these two weeks ago. Samsung Electronics launched its new curved monitor line-up including CF591 (27-inch model) and CF390 (23.5- and 27-inch models)....
Acer Monitors takes first place in the USA - 02/26/2016 10:01 AM
Acer was the No. 1 ranking brand1 for LCD monitors in the US retail market for year 2015, according to global information company NPD....
Member
Posts: 36
Joined: 2013-03-26
I fell like companies that make monitors can spin this toward: "we have increased the prices of monitors because our monitors are now hack free" kinda thing. I hope it doesn't come to it...
Senior Member
Posts: 3532
Joined: 2014-10-20
hahahaha, next thing we see is an antivirus for monitors, only for 49,99! Order now and get a set of free monitor cleaning tissues!

Senior Member
Posts: 319
Joined: 2015-06-25
How would hackers input their hack into the firmware in the first place? Through the HDMI/DVI/Displayport or through a USB hub?
Senior Member
Posts: 8476
Joined: 2010-08-28
Order now for only EUR 149 our DIY Anti-Hack Display Module, or EUR 249 to have it build in for you!
Senior Member
Posts: 3532
Joined: 2014-10-20
Hotfix monitor drivers coming riiight up!