The grounding "attack" has been around for decades.  DoD called it TEMPEST.  This was HUGE overseas where we only get a plot of land and then the "host" country can run a ground rod horizontally under the facility and tie into your ground.  Takes this grounding thing to a whole new level.

The laser "hack" is also not new.  This has been done by spy agencies for years (at least).

I was surprised to see that the laser trick could be done for so little money.  I thought it required a MUCH more powerful and expensive laser.

Most of the cost in the equipment for the grounding hack comes from getting equipment that is less than noisy.  Most radio shack and consumer grade electronics don't worry about a little noise.  You can't have ANY noise feeding back into your measurement equipment for this hack to work.  I'm surprised they got a setup together for $500 that could monitor 15 meters away.  Can't wait for the parts list.