Recently, I’ve seen posts on Facebook about the possibility of Wi-Fi routers being hacked—by regular hackers or even secret services like the CIA—and used to spy on people inside their homes.
I asked some acquaintances who are IT engineers, and the answer is yes: it is technically possible.
It is possible to identify people inside a house using Wi-Fi signals, even without cameras or visible sensors. Recent research shows that radio waves reflected by the human body can be analyzed to create unique biometric signatures for each individual.
The WhoFi system, developed by La Sapienza University of Rome, uses Channel State Information (CSI) to analyze how Wi-Fi signals interact with the human body. Each person uniquely alters these signals due to their physical composition, such as bone density and internal structure. A deep neural network, similar to those used in AI systems, processes this data to identify individuals with up to 95.5% accuracy.
How Wi-Fi “sees”
Wi-Fi emits radio waves (typically 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).
These waves pass through thin walls and reflect off objects and bodies, slightly changing direction, speed, and intensity.
Bones, muscles, and organs with different densities cause diffraction and scattering, creating a kind of “shadow” or unique signal signature, even through walls.
Any modern router (home routers, 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) generates data sufficient to detect presence or movement.
Advantages over traditional methods
Unlike cameras, which can be obstructed or ineffective in low-light conditions, WhoFi can operate through walls and solid obstacles, identifying people even in dark environments or when partially covered. Moreover, it does not require additional devices, functioning with standard home routers.
Privacy implications
Although it does not capture visual images, WhoFi creates a unique digital fingerprint based on a person’s anatomy, raising concerns about invasive surveillance. Any Wi-Fi network could theoretically identify individuals without their knowledge or consent. Once identified, a person could be tracked across different locations using the same technology.
A hacker or espionage agency only needs a laptop with AI software capable of:
Reading detailed channel information (CSI – Channel State Information).
Analyzing small changes caused by the human body.
Identifying unique patterns.
Protective measures
Passive solution:
VPN and firewall: significantly reduce the risk of digital intrusion, though not completely.
Router with power control: limits Wi-Fi coverage to a specific area, such as a single room or apartment.
Wired networks: replace Wi-Fi and eliminate the risk of signal-based surveillance.
Aggressive solution:
Turn off the router when not in use. Without an active signal, remote interference or movement tracking is impossible.
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