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Simple RF weapon can fry PC circuits

By Reggie Beehner
PC World, 05/03/01

A weapon built out of parts from any electronics store can deliver radio frequency radiation that can burn out electronic circuits within seconds, according to a recent demonstration by scientists here.

Many government officials fear terrorists could use the simple device to disrupt computer networks or paralyze electronic equipment. Because of its small size, the weapon could be stowed in a van or briefcase and used to wreak havoc on government offices, hospitals, airports, or other targets.

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The device, assembled with commonly available components, delivers quick, powerful bursts of RF radiation. Just about any unprotected electronic equipment is at risk, including PCs, home security systems, police scanners, and medical and air-traffic control equipment.

Businesses can protect their computer networks by using metal product enclosures on hardware and radio frequency filter lines on power lines, says Randy Bernard, vice president of Schriner Engineering Inc., which built the device for a demonstration to government officials. Also, Bernard urges businesses to keep an offsite data storage area to back up materials that could not be protected.

"For the guy at home in front of his computer, I'd say don't worry about this," Bernard says. "But if your business has something to lose, then you might want to pay attention. It may not be an immediate threat, but it's something you should keep in mind."

But the demonstration is a wake-up call for government and others in technology industries, Bernard notes.

Equipment crashes, croaks

"Our whole nation is vulnerable," says David Schriner, a weapons specialist and engineer who codesigned the radio frequency device. "We dance along with all this high technology, and we're very dependent on it. But if it breaks, where will we be?"

Though less dramatic than those officials envisioned, the RF weapon demonstrated did inflict noticeable damage on an assortment of electronic equipment. Computer screens flickered and froze, medical equipment died, and a home security system lost all power. Even a camera, purchased earlier in the week to videotape the demonstration, came too close to the radiation pulses and was added to the list of casualties.

When building the RF device, the scientists stuck to using "backyard means" to see how easily it could be done. They bought all the components from retail stores or online, finding some on eBay. Total cost for the parts ran about US$10,000.

"There's nothing classified," Schriner says. "This is all homegrown stuff, everyday tools and parts. And though we're a bright group, we're certainly not unique. Others, including terrorist groups, could do this very easily."

Study continues

Whether such a device could be used effectively by terrorists is unclear, and scientists plan to conduct tests this summer to answer that question.

"There's a lot of innuendo that [terrorist groups] have used this," Schriner says. "Is it true? I don't know. Sometimes when you start researching this you find out it's a lot of crock. But the question still remains."

That question was enough to convince the Defense Department to spend $4 million on the project and attract the attention of the House Armed Services Committee's Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism.

"One of the lessons of warfare is the need to keep ahead of the curve of technology," says Rep. Jim Saxton, R-New Jersey, who chairs the terrorism panel.

Saxton was among a handful of congressional leaders who turned out to witness the 45-minute demonstration at a U.S. Army testing ground.

Since the dawn of the Cold War, the government has been careful to protect the nation's military computers and infrastructure, officials say. But high costs and cumbersome materials have left those precautions largely ignored in the private sector, leaving many businesses vulnerable.

Reggie Beehner writes for the Medill News Service, a PC World affiliate.

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