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USB Killer 2.0: a Harmless-Looking USB Stick That Destroys Computers
An anonymous reader writes: Plugging in random USB sticks in your computer has never been more dangerous, as a researcher who goes by the name Dark Purple has demonstrated his new device: USB Killer 2.0. When plugged into a computer, the deadly USB draws power from the device itself. With the help of a voltage converter the device's capacitors are charged to 220V, and it releases a negative electric surge into the USB port. This surge "fries" the USB port and, in the researcher's demonstration, the motherboard — perhaps not always after the first surge, but the malicious USB device repeats the process until no more power can be drawn.
Bonus points if it has some legitmate function before it's ready to strike: 802.11n adapter, etc.
Hypothetically of course ... Just make lots and lots of these. Get a Sharpie. Label each of them with things like TAX DOCUMENTS, ACCOUNT NUMBERS, and definitely lots of them labelled PORN COLLECTION. Drop them in hotels, restaurants, restrooms, subways, bus stops, just leave them all over town. Hilarity ensues!
For more bonus points, act shocked when you hear about the mysterious computer-killing USB drives. Say you don't believe anyone would do such a thing.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrH...
Anti espionage: Just leave one around the office if you suspect the cleaning crew.
Russian roulette: Get 1 killer USB and five legits and a few friends... take turns plugging into your computers.
Search and seizure revenge: "I warned you".
And hub is connected to the ... ankle bone?
And hub is connected to the ... ankle bone?
I tried that. The throughput was terrible. [ 0/10 do not recommend ]
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
Label them in large letters 'BACKUPS', and then in small letters underneath 'always make backups!'.
Someone left a sledgehammer lying in the parking lot. Cool, I thought. So I picked it up, went inside, then smashed my computer. Whoops, I was fooled.