Scientists have successfully intercepted messages produced beneath the water's surface from the air. This discovery calls into question the security of aquatic communications.
A team from Princeton and
MIT has developed a technique to capture underwater acoustic signals using radar. These signals, typically considered secure, create vibrations on the water's surface that can be decoded.
Illustration of the radar system used to intercept underwater communications.
Credit: Princeton University/Office of Engineering Communications
The system was successfully tested on Lake Carnegie, proving its effectiveness even with standard equipment. The researchers emphasize that this method could be used to spy on sensitive data, such as that from submarines or oil platforms.
To counter this vulnerability, the team proposes protective strategies. These include modifications to the design of underwater acoustic transmitters to make the signals harder to intercept.
This breakthrough builds on previous work by
MIT in 2018. At the time, communication between water and air required cooperation between the parties, which is no longer necessary today.
The security implications are vast, affecting areas such as climate monitoring or defense. The researchers warn of the need to strengthen the security of underwater transmissions.
Using innovative algorithms, the team was able to decode messages without prior knowledge of the transmission parameters. This technical feat opens new perspectives in surveillance.
Real-world tests, with interference such as wind and waves, confirmed the system's robustness. The researchers are now considering improvements for even more precise detection.
How does the interception of underwater communications from the air work?
The technique relies on detecting microscopic vibrations on the water's surface caused by underwater sound waves. A radar sends signals that bounce off these vibrations, allowing them to be analyzed.
The algorithms developed by the researchers interpret these vibrations to reconstruct the original message. This method does not require physical contact with the water, making it discreet and difficult to detect.
The different densities of water and air create a natural barrier for sound, but surface vibrations provide an unexpected entry point. This discovery shows that even physical barriers can be bypassed with the right technologies.
Potential applications go beyond espionage, including scientific research and maritime rescue. However, the risks to data confidentiality are significant.