Look around you right now. Chances are that a lot of the stuff surrounding you was made in some factory located in China. According to the Russian press, these items could have possibly been designed to spy on you. Like, even as you read this on the computer!



But that's what happened in St. Petersburg last week, when Russian authorities intercepted a shipment from China that contained home appliances they claim were implanted with "spy" microchips. Most of the chips were found in tea kettles, and were designed for spreading malware to Wi-Fi enabled devices within 200 meters.

It's unclear if the chips were installed by the Chinese, or cyber-criminals during the shipment's route to Russia. Plus, how did Russian authorities know where to look for the contraband in the first place?

The ultimate question would have to be the motive behind why someone was sending appliances implanted with spy chips to St. Petersburg? Sounds like something for James Bond or Ethan Hunt to solve.

[Register, BBC]