Thermal imaging devices being used to capture pin numbers, passwords

PITTSBURGH — Thermal imagining devices used to track where heat is escaping through a home, are now being used capture pin numbers and passwords.

Every time someone presses down on a keypad, a thermal print is left behind, giving the chance for a person to capture it.

“If you are using your telephones, anything that has a code on your phone, your computer, your password on your computer, we can (get into) your keyboard. If we can get you out the room in under 60 seconds (and) get your keyboard, I can figure out your password to your computer, so now I’m in your computer,” said Bob Kresson of Empire: Investigation Security, LLC.

Channel 11 found that some devices are so strong that the thermal print can be detected more than a minute later and even have a way to detect the order in which numbers were typed. Starting prices for these devices are about $250 to $300.

Cox Media Group