Security researchers have identified a new method that could allow attackers to conduct surveillance using signals from most modern Wi-Fi routers, according to a report by TechRadar. The technique represents what researchers described as a potential means for surveillance that does not require accessing encrypted network traffic.
The method works by analyzing the radio frequency signals that routers constantly emit as part of normal operation. Because Wi-Fi signals pass through walls and interact with objects and people in a space, researchers have found that changes in those signals can be used to detect movement and, in some configurations, track individuals within a building.
What makes this discovery significant is its scope. The technique was found to be effective against most modern routers, meaning it does not rely on a specific flaw in a single brand or model. Routers that are otherwise considered secure and up to date could still be used as passive sensing devices by someone exploiting this method from outside a home or office.
The researchers did not identify this as an active exploit already in use by bad actors, but the identification of the technique creates new questions for privacy and security professionals about how wireless infrastructure can be turned against the people it is meant to serve. Because the method is passive, it would be difficult for a target to detect.
TechRadar reported that the findings add to a growing body of research showing that Wi-Fi signals carry information beyond standard network data. Previous research has explored similar sensing capabilities, but the breadth of devices affected in this case sets the new findings apart. The research raises questions that router manufacturers, regulators, and consumers will likely need to address as the method becomes more widely understood.
