Dive Summary:
- A University of South Carolina study found that some smart meters models transmit unencrypted information that could present a potential security risk to home owners.
- The researchers set out to capture data being transmitted by the devices using a $1,000 Universal Software Radio Peripheral software-defined radio, an amplifier, and free GNU Radio software.
- They were able to capture some information in plaintext from up to 300 meters away.
From the article:
"... While many gas and water AMR meters continuously listen for a query signal from a meter reading terminal and only transmit a reading when requested, the researchers found at least one type of electricity meter works on the opposite principle. It continuously sends a meter reading every 30 seconds around the clock.
'We had heard a lot about smart meters, about how great and how efficient they were,' said Wenyuan Xu, an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina, speaking to IDG News Service. 'We thought about privacy and wondered how secure are they meters currently in use.' ..."
