Leveraging Internet Speed Tests as a Covert Channel for Data Exfiltration

Outlet Title

2025 Cyber Awareness and Research Symposium (CARS)

Authors

Janessa Palmieri, Dakota State University
Andrew Kramer, Dakota State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Information is stolen predominantly from an entity's digital devices and networks through data exfiltration. As defensive technologies advance in detection techniques, threat actors have developed stealthier methods to steal information, including through network-based covert channels. This paper introduces preliminary research on leveraging Ookla's Speedtest traffic as a covert channel for data exfiltration.

Recommended Citation

Palmieri, Janessa and Kramer, Andrew, "Leveraging Internet Speed Tests as a Covert Channel for Data Exfiltration" (2025). Research & Publications. 128.
https://scholar.dsu.edu/ccspapers/128