Hackers Can Turn Your Computer Mouse Into a Spy Mic

In a startling revelation, researchers at the University of California have discovered a new cybersecurity vulnerability, dubbed “Mic-E-Mouse,” which enables a standard computer mouse to act as a covert listening device.
  
The Computer Mouse that can be turned Into a Spy Mic, leverages the optical sensors found in everyday and gaming mice to capture minute vibrations on the surface beneath them—vibrations that can be translated into human speech.
 
 
By combining these sensors—capable of detecting movement up to 20,000 DPI—with AI-driven signal processing, researchers demonstrated that a modified $35 mouse could reconstruct speech with 61% accuracy, sufficient to identify key words, phrases, or even sensitive data like passwords.
 
Unlike traditional cyberattacks, Mic-E-Mouse is a side-channel exploit, using physical signals such as sound-induced vibrations rather than software breaches. 

This makes it exceptionally difficult to detect through standard antivirus or logging systems.
 
The findings raise serious concerns about hardware-based espionage and the misuse of AI in extracting sensitive information. High-DPI mice connected to compromised systems could be weaponized for eaves-dropping in corporate, government, or home-office environments.
 
To mitigate risks, researchers advise users to disconnect peripherals when idle, use mousepads to reduce vibrations, and regularly update firmware. The study serves as a stark reminder—even the simplest devices can become tools of cyber espionage.