A normal-looking Lightning cable that can used to steal data like passwords and send it to a hacker has been developed, Vice reports.
The "OMG Cable" compared to Apple's Lightning to USB cable.
The "OMG Cable" works exactly like a normal Lightning to USB cable and can log keystrokes from connected Mac keyboards, iPads, and iPhones, and then send this data to a bad actor who could be over a mile away. They work by creating a Wi-Fi hotspot that a hacker can connect to, and using a simple web app they can record keystrokes.
The cables also include geofencing features that allow users to trigger or block the device's payloads based on its location, preventing the leakage of payloads or keystrokes from other devices being collected. Other features include the ability to change keyboard mappings and the ability to forge the identity of USB devices.
The cables contain a small implanted chip and are physically the same size as authentic cables, making it extremely difficult to identify a malicious cable. The implant itself apparently takes up around half of the length of a USB-C connector's plastic shell, allowing the cable to continue to operate as normal.
An x-ray view of the implanted chip inside the USB-C end of an OMG Cable.
The cables, made as part of a series of penetration testing tools by the security researcher known as "MG," have now entered mass production to be sold by the cybersecurity vendor Hak5. The cables are available in a number of versions, including Lightning to USB-C, and can visually mimic cables from a range of accessory manufacturers, making them a noteworthy threat to device security.
I'm going to call BS on this. A powerful compute module with memory, wifi with somehow a one mile range, and location services for geofencing, all in half a USB-C connector?
So there's a lot of scaremongering and assumptions being thrown around here. For the key logging function you have to be using the cable to hook up between a keyboard and a device so the traffic can be sniffed. Wireless keyboard aren't affected. Onscreen keyboards aren't affected. iOS devices lock the USB port by default (the phone "unlock your phone to use the connected device" prompt you get when connecting to a car, etc) so it's not like this is going to allow an attacker any additional access to a locked phone.
Don't connect your device to random cables and you'll be fine.
Wednesday November 24, 2021 11:00 am PST by Juli Clover
We've teamed up with Ampere to offer readers a chance to win one of the company's Jetpack magnetic iPhone power banks, which have been designed with the iPhone 13 lineup in mind.
While the $49 Jetpack works with the iPhone 12 or the iPhone 13 lineups, it has been customized to fit the iPhone 13. The magnets won't interfere with the camera, and it works perfectly on Apple's smallest iPhone...
Saturday January 8, 2022 5:27 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Ever since Apple removed the headphone jack on the iPhone 7 in 2016, rumors have swirled that Apple eventually aims to ditch the Lightning port next for a completely portless design. Indeed, analysts originally predicted that the highest-end iPhone 13 would offer a "completely wireless experience." Of course, that didn't happen, but a portless iPhone 14 in 2022 looks just as unlikely, for the ...
Amazon's Gold Box deal of the day today is focusing on a collection of Anker chargers and cables, with prices starting at $16.99 for a 2-pack of Anker Powerline USB-C to USB-C cables.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
There are eight total...
Today we're tracking a trio of charging deals from companies including Bluetti, Nimble, and Hyper. These discounts can help you save on powerful portable generators, MagSafe-compatible wireless chargers, and USB-C charging accessories.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us...
Tuesday March 8, 2022 10:23 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple announced a new iPad Air today at its "Peek Performance" event, featuring Apple's powerful M1 chip previously found in the iPad Pro, as well as optional 5G connectivity, a new front camera with Center Stage, and even faster USB-C connectivity.
Available in a new array of colors, iPad Air features Apple's Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage for a more natural video conferencing...
A few companies are celebrating today's Saint Patrick's Day holiday by offering shoppers solid discounts across a variety of products. We've collected some of the best discounts and offers below, including sales from ZAGG and Mophie, Belkin, Casely, Pad & Quill, Satechi, JBL, and Hyper.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a...
Satechi is celebrating Pi Day with a new coupon code that takes 25 percent off sitewide for today only. In order to get the discount, you can shop for accessories on Satechi's website and then enter the code PiDAY at checkout.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the...
Nomad this week is offering up to 30 percent off select items during its "Spring Cleaning Sale." This event includes savings on iPhone cases, wireless chargers, Apple Watch bands, AirPods cases, cables, and much more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
You can bro...
While the summer months following WWDC are often a relatively quiet time of the year for Apple, there are still some notable items on the agenda through July. Below, we've rounded up six things to expect from Apple over the next six weeks or so.
Public Betas of iOS 16 and More
As part of WWDC 2022, Apple announced that public betas of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, watchOS 9, tvOS 16,...
Since the release of iOS 14.2 in 2020, the iPhone has included a built-in Music Recognition feature in Control Center powered by Shazam. And with iOS 16, and also the iOS 15.6 beta, the feature has received a small but useful upgrade.
As noted by Twitter user @someone_andrew, songs identified with Music Recognition in Control Center finally sync with the Shazam app.
It also remains...
Wednesday June 22, 2022 12:38 pm PDT by Juli Clover
The iPad will no longer be able to be used as a home hub following the launch of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and the HomePod 16 software this fall, Apple confirmed today.
As discovered in iOS 16 code by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, Apple says that the iPad will no longer be supported as a home hub. This information will be displayed in the Home app after updating to iOS 16.A home ...
Wednesday June 22, 2022 2:16 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today seeded the second betas of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 to developers for testing purposes, and the new betas introduce new features and refine some of the changes that Apple made with the first iOS 16 release.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Lock Screen Photo Wallpaper Customization
When customizing a photo on the Lock Screen, there are two new DuoTone and...
Wednesday June 22, 2022 6:34 pm PDT by Juli Clover
CEO Tim Cook this week did an interview with China Daily, where he once again commented on on the future of augmented reality and hinted at Apple's work on an AR/VR headset. Render via designer Ian Zelbo Cook said that Apple is excited about the opportunities available with augmented reality, which is not too far off from prior comments that he's made, but he went on to say that people should ...
Wednesday June 22, 2022 10:07 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the updates coming two weeks after Apple unveiled the new software at WWDC and released the initial betas.
Registered developers can download the iOS and iPadOS 16 profiles from the Apple Developer Center, and once installed, the betas will be available over the air. Given...
Apple plans to launch its annual Back to School promotion in the United States on Friday, coinciding with the launch of the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a tweet, Gurman said Apple may offer a gift card with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad, rather than free AirPods like last year.
UPDATE: Apple has launched its 2022 Back to School...
Twelve South today announced the "HiRise 3" stand charger for iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, priced at $99.99. The stand supports MagSafe-compatible charging and holds an iPhone 12 or later vertically, and also includes a charging puck for Apple Watch and a Qi charging mat on the base that supports AirPods or any Qi-compatible smartphone.
The HiRise 3 is available in black and white color ...
Apple on May 16 released iOS 15.5 and iPadOS 15.5, bringing improvements for Podcasts and Apple Cash, the ability to see Wi-Fi signal of HomePods, dozens of security fixes, and more.
The "OMG Cable" compared to Apple's Lightning to USB cable.
An x-ray view of the implanted chip inside the USB-C end of an OMG Cable.
Top Rated Comments
"a mile away"
"Wi-Fi"
These hackers need to work for Asus, Ubiquity, Linksys, etc. and improve WiFi range!
Damn the WiFi in my house barely reaches my garage, maybe I need one of these cables.
Don't connect your device to random cables and you'll be fine.