Van Eck phreaking

noun

The process of eavesdropping on the contents of a CRT or LCD display by detecting its electromagnetic emissions.

“Van Eck phreaking might be used to compromise the secrecy of the votes in an election using electronic voting.”

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Meanings

nounVan Eck phreaking (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe process of eavesdropping on the contents of a CRT or LCD display by detecting its electromagnetic emissions.

    Van Eck phreaking might be used to compromise the secrecy of the votes in an election using electronic voting.

Origin

Named after Dutch computer researcher Wim van Eck, who published a proof of concept in 1985.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Van Eck phreaking. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Van%20Eck%20phreaking

MLA

“Van Eck phreaking.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Van%20Eck%20phreaking. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Van Eck phreaking,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Van%20Eck%20phreaking.

Source: Van Eck phreaking on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.