Researchers Warn of Physics-Based Attacks on Sensors

Researchers Kevin Fu and Wenyuan Xu warn that many deployed sensors and embedded devices are vulnerable to "transduction attacks" that manipulate physical signals (sound, EM, ultrasonic, lasers, etc.) to spoof or jam sensor outputs. The article reviews proof-of-concept examples (e.g., Dolphin ultrasonic voice injection and an accelerometer acoustic flaw), explains why traditional software-focused defenses are insufficient, and recommends hardware changes, system-wide testing, and interdisciplinary engineering training to mitigate these physics-based threats.