We can't trust manufacturers not to build keyboards with undetectable hardware keyloggers now and in the future because the NSA has plenty of money. I say this idea isn't new to them at all and I hope that people in the future will keep taking the different models apart to hack around.
Keyloggers inside everyone's keyboard could be useful to the NSA and FBI who could pay companies to bake them in. When you're suspected of a serious crime for example or you get into serious trouble, you could get your storage devices taken away. Encrypted or not, your keyboard could then reveal passwords if it's the correct model. This even breaks forward secrecy. These tiny computers inside keyboards meant to control light flashing, sound, card reading, and more could possibly also control which keys to record and what to throw away based on repetition... if the keylogger's space is limited. Keylogger functionality can be massive, they can use compression or run through the text file it generated over the years, keep one copy of repeated phrases, and throw away the rest. An attacker could possibly talk to your keyboard through your computer if it runs systemd or Windows assuming the interface to the keylogger can be that convenient.
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[–] 5634059? 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago (edited ago)
You worry about targeted attacks when I think we all know the government isn't the threat. They can sift what they need from mass data collection or the blunt instrumemt of tossing your ass in jail for contempt of court.
The threat is someone with financial motivation to pull information. Data collection for advertising or the computer equivalent of a mass ATM skimmer.
That all ignores the greater threat. Not that someone would put in something secret to steal the data. No, the threat is that you'll agree to give it to them in exchange for a deal or discount. Look at the device Progressive puts in cars now. Or the data collection almost every service you sign up for makes you agree too.