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The USB Kill Stick, Priced at $56, Is Designed To Destroy Laptops, PCs, TVs (zdnet.com)
There's a new USB Kill device in the market today which can destroy any device it touches. ZDNet reports: For just a few bucks, you can pick up a USB stick that destroys almost anything that it's plugged into. Laptops, PCs, televisions, photo booths -- you name it. Once a proof-of-concept, the pocket-sized USB stick now fits in any security tester's repertoire of tools and hacks, says the Hong Kong-based company that developed it. It works like this: when the USB Kill stick is plugged in, it rapidly charges its capacitors from the USB power supply, and then discharges -- all in a matter of seconds. On unprotected equipment, the device's makers say it will "instantly and permanently disable unprotected hardware." You might be forgiven for thinking, "Well, why exactly?" The lesson here is simple enough. If a device has an exposed USB port -- such as a copy machine or even an airline entertainment system -- it can be used and abused, not just by a hacker or malicious actor, but also electrical attacks.
Argh, I was going to sell them my hammer for $55! Stop undercutting my price!
Is it evil if I were to buy several of these, scratch the warning off, and leave them around the building/parking lot after a computer security meeting just to see who plugs it in first?
It would be a terrible shame if law enforcement personnel were to illegally confiscate and subsequently attempt to read the contents of USB devices which immediately destroyed whatever they were plugged into. It really would be a shame. -PCP
You're being an overthinking idiot. If you have a bomb that looks like a brick, and hand it to a guard and say that it's a bomb, you're going to be charged with whatever destruction the bomb does, not get cool props for handing over something that looks like a brick.
But that's not what happens in my fiction. I've not handed anything over. Somebody has decided they have the authority to take it from me, and use it against my wishes, while ignoring my warnings. This piece of tech is not illegal to posses.. and its also not a bomb.
I'll try a new, more fun fiction, and roll in a car analogy cuz slashdot-
Hillary has modified her Mazda to go from 0-60 in 3 seconds, and to have non-functioning breaks. She did this for the purpose of auto crash research relating to older model seat-belts. She has her papers in order and has paid for all of the appropriate bribes, fees, and licenses.
There is nothing wrong with this as long as she keeps off the public roadways and conducts her research in a controlled lab environment. Her license and fees paid says so.
While transporting her crash-dummy-death-machine on an approved and licensed trailer, it is "civilly forfeited"
She tells her assailant that it is not safe to drive, but he speeds away down the road.... right into a burning Tesla, a BLM protest, and Trumps motorcade
These events have been completely out of her control, and she's even tried to warn them off. Is she still liable?
You are being ripped off every second of every day, so that advertisers can help rip you off even more tomorrow.