In the quest for lightning-fast 6G networks, researchers have unveiled a potential Pandora’s box of security concerns surrounding programmable metasurfaces. These electromagnetic surfaces, touted as game-changers in optimizing communication channels, may also serve as a gateway for hackers to launch active and passive attacks on wireless networks, according to a recent study by researchers from Peking University, the University of Sannio, and Southeast University.
The study, published in Nature Electronics, highlights the inherent risks posed by the open nature of wireless communication. Unlike wired connections, wireless signals are broadcast into the airwaves, making them susceptible to physical-level attacks. This revelation comes at a critical juncture as the world gears up for the advent of 6G technology, promising speeds that dwarf even the most robust 5G networks.
