Are Wireless Keyboard Inherently Insecure?

Are wireless keyboards inherently insecure? No... And yes.

Most of the brand name vendors of wireless peripherals such as Logitech and Microsoft encrypt the wireless signals of their devices. This does add a layer of security. However, it is not foolproof. Just recently, the encryption of Microsoft's wireless keyboard had been hacked.

However, does this mean wired keyboards are any more secure? They aren't broadcasting their keystrokes over the air... or are they? What happens when you press a key? It makes a sound - vibrations in the air. There have been numerous articles about the ability to eavesdrop on a keyboard by the sound the keys make.

Both of these methods of cracking security do require the attacker to be fairly close to the computer he is trying to compromise. This is as close to being physically there as you can be without being right at the computer. It is always assumed that, if a hacker has physical access to a machine, they can get full control.

In my opinion, it is far easier to just use a keylogger, physical or software, than to try to intercept and decrypt wireless signals. I would trust a wireless keyboard in most situations, except for high security needs.