4 ms·
Except the magnet-actuated switch for each mic.
by kondro 8y ago
Except the magnet-actuated switch for each mic.
- lstodd 8y agoThose are rated for over hundreds of millions of switching cycles. They would be the last thing that breaks in a laptop. But if you're so against moving parts, a hall sensor and a transistor would achieve the same result.
- dpkonofa 8y agoOr, you know, they could use a chip that they're already putting into the device (like the T2) and not have to use additional components. Same end result without the extra parts.
- lstodd 8y agoAnd an unknown and unknowable attack surface. At least with the switch if the mic doesn't work you just check for magnets around it and that's it.
- xvector 8y agoI'd argue the T2 chip is actually more secure than your method. Magnets can be removed. The T2 chip cannot. Not without rendering the computer unusable and the data irrecoverable. The chip provides a hardware disconnect for the microphone, just like your idea. Except it's baked into the silicon instead of an additional large part in the body of the computer. Regardless, if your attack model is "T2 chip is compromised", all bets are off. Worrying about the microphone would be the absolute least of your concerns. All your local and iCloud data can now be decrypted, your 2FA is compromised, so on and so forth. The T2 chip and Secure Enclave provide the strongest security guarantees in today's computers and mobile devices respectively. I'm not worried about a compromise of the T2 chip, to be honest.
- Johnny555 8y agoI'd argue the T2 chip is actually more secure than your method. Magnets can be removed. The T2 chip cannot. Not without rendering the computer unusable and the data irrecoverable If someone can physically modify your laptop, you've already been hacked, T2 chip or not. if your attack model is "T2 chip is compromised" I think the more realistic attack model is "Apple enables the undocumented 'turn on mic while closed' feature that it was required to add through a national security letter that they can't talk about." And then that secret hack is either discovered (or stolen) by other government.
- AlfeG 8y agoSome repair shop or some repair guy could remove magnet for celebrity...
- shawnz 8y agoWhy would that be more likely to fail than the lid-closed sensor which they are currently using for this application?
- lstodd 8y agoThe lid sensor likely won't fail. What will likely fail is this T2 chip and/or its firmware. And it will fail in mysterious and unfixable ways.