[marcolinux]

From the article: ''But why stop at network data? The NSA also uses some fairly exotic tools to grab computer video, keyboard strokes, and even audio from inside more difficult-to-reach places by using passive electronic devices that are actually powered by radar. These devices, charged by a specially tuned continuous wave radio signal sent from a portable radar unit (operating at as little as 2W up to as much as 1kW of power in the 1-2GHz range), send back a data stream as a reflected signal, allowing the NSA’s operators to tune in and view what’s happening on a computer screen or even listen to what’s being said in the room as they paint the target with radio frequency energy—as well as giving a relative rough location of devices within a building for the purposes of tracking or targeting.''

I call BS on this one, everybody knows radar cant go through cars/walls. It would be a too big of an equipment to be of any practical use.

[UnoriginalGuy]

You misread it.

They have EM bugs placed close to target sites. But these bugs have to be powered/recharged, so the NSA use focused radar to power the bug itself. Information is then sent back down the radar signal by modulating it.

EM spying is very real[0] and documented. "The Thing"[1] from 1945 actually uses some of the principles they're discussing here, they're just combining it with Tempest. Nothing they're describing is science fiction, it is very possible.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempest_(codename) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(listening_device)

[fapjacks]

Yes! The Thing was actually the first instance of this kind of device, well ahead of its time. There was an article some time ago on HN about the Dutch company which had an opportunity to examine it and reverse engineer it. Something like "Project Easy Chair" I think.

[Negative1]

This sounds a lot like Van Eck Phreaking: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Eck_phreaking

Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon had a whole section on it that was fantastic.

[andyidsinga]

one of my fav parts of the book. I have to go read it again. THE CRYPT IS REAL!

[AndrewKemendo]

>I call BS on this one, everybody knows radar cant go through cars/walls

Who says you need to go through them? People leave doors open a lot and most rooms have some kind of duct or opening at thresholds.