Corsair keyboards began typing on their own - but it's not malware

Date:
Thu, 22 Dec 2022 20:30:15 +0000

Description:
Bizarre bug that involves macro recording hits some Corsair keyboards.

FULL STORY ======================================================================

If your fancy new Corsair keyboard has started typing full sentences you
first typed in days or even weeks ago, seemingly at random, don't worry - it isn't possessed.

It is also not infected with any form of malware , keyloggers, or infostealers. Instead, its just an ugly bug that Corsair wasnt even aware of, and is currently investigating the matter further.

The news, which first broke on Ars Technica , came from Corsairs users, with multiple reports posted to the companys forum about how their K100 keyboard suddenly started typing in full sentences that they had typed in the past.
The keyboard was repeating the users keystrokes verbatim - if the user made a typo and backtracked - the keyboard did the same thing. No foul play

Obviously, this left users fearing that an infostealer might be at play.
After all, the keyboard was capable of typing out passwords or repeating sensitive text messages that were sent to other people in confidentiality.

However, after analyzing the keyboards behavior in safe mode, it was determined that it didnt have malware installed - it was just buggy.

As it turns out, the K100 has a macro recording function that sometimes turns itself on and begins recording keystrokes and mouse activity. The macros get saved and replayed at random, at a later date.

A companys spokesperson told Ars Technica , Corsair keyboards unequivocally
do not log user input in any way and do not have the ability to log
individual keystrokes. Read more

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Your mechanical keyboard isn't just annoying, it's also a security risk

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While the company managed to determine how the bug happens, the why is still
a mystery.

Corsair is currently investigating the matter and the first thing it determined is that factory resetting the device wont help much. Still, those that wish to stop the keyboard while typing out their passwords during a company presentation, need to unplug it and hold down the ESC button for five seconds, while plugging the peripheral back in. Here's our list of the best endpoint protection services around

Via: Ars Technica



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/corsair-keyboards-began-typing-on-their-own-but -its-not-malware


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