The USB Killer – Now available to purchase!
In October 2015, news came out about USB killer, a seemingly
innocuous USB stick that fries nearly any device it's inserted into with a bolt
of electricity.
Back then, it was a proof of concept, interesting mostly to
security researchers and folks who work on USB standards. Now, however, the USB
killer has become a gadget anyone can buy!
According to USB Killer's webpage, it's a "testing
device" which should be a part of every security auditor and hardware
designer's arsenal. The company is also selling the USB Test Shield, a gadget
that purportedly lets you safely test a device's resistance to USB Killer's high
voltage attack.
The USB Killer's website claims it will destroy 95% of
devices it's inserted into. With that kind of destructive capability, one has
to wonder how many of these sticks will actually be bought by security experts,
and how many by pranksters, hackers and malicious individuals looking to
destroy someone else's equipment.
The details of who, exactly, is behind the project are
somewhat murky. Originally, the USB Killer was demonstrated on video by a
Russian hacker known only as Dark Purple. Now, the USB Killer website does not
mention who's actually selling the product.
When asked about the potential for abuse, USB Killer
responded that they're aware of the risk, but they compare hardware
vulnerabilities to software security holes, claiming that raising awareness
about these issues will force companies to use better protection for their
hardware.
Interestingly, USB Killer says that 95% of hardware is
vulnerable to this attack, but that does not include Apple, which is the only company
to protect its hardware voluntarily.
So what can individuals do to protect their equipment from
such an attack? USB Killer has three possible solutions, the most important
being: Don't trust unknown hardware. Alternatively, you can use a
USB-protection device, or physically cap your USB ports when you're away from
the device.
Even though it's a high-voltage device, the USB Killer is
touted to be "totally safe." That may be so, but we still wouldn't
recommend anyone except security/hardware professionals to try it out.
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