The Siri and Google Now hack is detailed in a report from French Network and Information Security Agency’s researchers. If attackers were to hack Siri and Google Now, they could order it to open websites, snoop on your conversations or even send text messages from your phone.
When a device with Siri or Google Now enabled on it has a pair of microphone-enabled headphones plugged into it, then the headphone cord can serve as an antenna for hackers. Hackers can work from a laptop in the nearby area to use open-source radio software, as well as an antenna and amplifier.
They can send radio waves, which can trigger voice commands and then it can be picked up by the headphone plugged into the phone. The phone ends up being tricked into believing voice commands are being given.
This suggests criminals can take control of handsets and listen to conversations. However, as of now it is not know whether or not the hack has been used in the real world.
Since the hack has not been tried out in the real world, or at least that’s what evidence suggests, the risk is only theoretical. As for Apple and Google, neither company has commented on the findings.
