The researchers turned over the source code of iSeeYou to Apple, which followed up several times to discuss their work. However, experts say there's no reason why the same technique can't be used on newer Macs and other computers. Only MacBooks and iMacs released by 2008 were used in the research. The Washington Post has shared a video of the scientists' work. The researchers named their application iSeeYou. While the software is useful for engineers to fix systems in another town, RATs are also a favorite among hackers.

The university researchers used a homegrown remote access tool (RAT) to demonstrate how to easily invade a Mac owner's privacy.Ī RAT enables someone to control another person's computer remotely. For hackers knowledgeable in firmware, that opens the possibility of reprogramming specialty processors used to control components, such as the battery, keyboard and camera. Mac security is centered on preventing malicious code from running on the computer's main processor, the CPU. The researchers took advantage of a chink in Apple design.

Spy agent for mac