Is an electronic cuff device from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo possible?

63dot said:

Though it was written a few years ago, there was in interesting technology and hacker tool talked about in the book.

A certain electronic cuff than can be attached "around" a broadband cable can steal information from a computer that is in that network. We all know about hackers breaking into networks remotely or by stealing wi-fi information, but stealing information through the outside of a cable? Is that even possible?

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Not possible. Wifi signal is one thing, but the only thing that can be sensed from the outside of a hard line is a VERY minuscule amount of electromagnetic radiation, identical to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by all electrical devices.

If the cable's shielding is cut before the cuff is installed, it's possible. Fiber also can be hacked, but it's more difficult and more prone to detection because it requires a tap.

63dot said:

Though it was written a few years ago, there was in interesting technology and hacker tool talked about in the book.

A certain electronic cuff than can be attached "around" a broadband cable can steal information from a computer that is in that network. We all know about hackers breaking into networks remotely or by stealing wi-fi information, but stealing information through the outside of a cable? Is that even possible?

Click to expand...

I haven't seen the movie. But it is possible to hack into a network directly from coaxial signal where the modem is on the same node. In certain cases you might need to be on the exact tap or cable feed if any sort of filters or certain types of amps are involved. You would need the right equipment and probably access to the provider. Difficulty would be high, but I imagine an expert hacker can accomplish this.

Again, I haven't seen the movie. So if your talking about just putting a device around a cable vs direct access to the copper itself. I would say no it's not possible, at least not yet.