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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : The gadget killer: USB drive

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donmck

Guru

Joined: 09/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1314
Posted: 01:43pm 15 Oct 2015
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I know manufacturers have shipped USB drives with viruses on them, but this is a new one.

The gadget killer: USB drive can instantly fry everything from your TV to your computer by sending 220 volts through them

USB stick can plug into anything from a TV to a laptop
Sends 220 Volts through the signal lines of the USB interface


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3272862/The-USB-drive-instantly-FRY-TV-computer-sending-220-volts-them.ht ml

Cheers Don...
https://www.dontronics.com
 
Gizmo

Admin Group

Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5129
Posted: 01:49pm 15 Oct 2015
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Nasty!
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ
 
Grogster

Admin Group

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 9643
Posted: 01:52pm 15 Oct 2015
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Why would you build something like this?

...I don't get it...

I guess that is cos I consider myself ethical. Crims and nefarious folk could use this device for all kinds of mary hell......

Lets hope it never gets out of the lab.
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
 
donmck

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Joined: 09/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1314
Posted: 01:52pm 15 Oct 2015
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One comment I saw on this device:

"That said, give me an old camera flash and I'll make you a fake USB
HDD that'll send 6,000V up that puppy!"

There are 763 comments on this article since it was printed yesterday, and 622 shares.

Cheers Don...Edited by donmck 2015-10-16
https://www.dontronics.com
 
robert.rozee
Guru

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2447
Posted: 02:37pm 15 Oct 2015
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in theory one could create a usb flash drive packed with plastic explosives, that detonated whenever (well, perhaps only the first time) it was plugged into a computer running windows 8. some folks may even see this as a good thing.

but seriously, creating destructive devices is relatively easy, and nearly impossible to protect against.

cheers,
rob :-)
 
MicroBlocks

Guru

Joined: 12/05/2012
Location: Thailand
Posts: 2209
Posted: 06:19pm 15 Oct 2015
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Is this the run up to a new product 'The USB tester'.
First scare people then offer a solution.
Microblocks. Build with logic.
 
JTR0701
Regular Member

Joined: 10/07/2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 71
Posted: 03:32am 17 Oct 2015
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Geez, why didn't I think of that. Imagine how rich and hated I could be...
 
rustyrod

Senior Member

Joined: 08/11/2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 121
Posted: 01:18am 18 Oct 2015
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Is it 1st April?
I must have missed something in my pulling a few? computers apart. there is a power supply between the mains
220 volts in eu
240 volts in au
and 110 volts in US and any computer mother board.

So where does this suspicious 220 or 110 volts come from?

Has this thing got a capacitor discharge unit in it?

Will it send a message to some site somewhere where the site sends this voltage through your internet connection?

Good luck with mine , It is all wireless! Maybe lightning in the next storm, will be directed to me after I use this said USB stick, but then that is a little over 220 volts

The suspiciousness comes from the 220 or 110 why these voltages and not something like well, anything.

A bit like australian cityslickers being afraid of the 240 volts in an electric fence, yer right, it is a little more than 240 volts just very low amps. If they were in good old US the fence would have 110 volts on the wire.

Saw a report where some fool had found a number of the attachment driver bits from a screwdriver set at a servo and claimed they had researched the internet to discover they were BULLETS from an automatic assult rifle!
How dare anyone leave these BULLETS where dare I say it "children" could find them.
Except the kids would have known what the bits were.
Always Thinking
 
rustyrod

Senior Member

Joined: 08/11/2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 121
Posted: 12:18am 22 Oct 2015
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I've watched the video again. I'm still suspicious.

I cannot believe any Chinese, Mexican, Indian or any other manufacturer setting up a factory with the tooling and the equipment to make millions of these USB sticks to flog off to Aldi, Walmart, Woolworths or any market stall holder.

These stores would sue the backside off any malicious manufacturer.

If you find a USB stick at the bus stop,

I suggest,

A - take it home and plug it in to see what is on it (this is what most people will do)

B - flush it down the nearest toilet (this will short out any 220 volts dead, also dampen any explosives thereby eliminating the need of C)

C - call the bomb squad (so much fun)
Always Thinking
 
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