USB to fry laptops

[pickmonger2]

I wonder how many people have lost laptops to this hack. Beware of the unknown USB drive

The theory is simple. A bank of capacitors (act like batteries) can be charged up to 110 volts to zap laptop.

Is it bullshit or is this for real?

http://kukuruku.co/hub/diy/usb-killer

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2896732/dont-trust-other-peoples-usb-flash-drives-they-could-fry-your-laptop.html

[Deadlock]

I wonder how many people have lost laptops to this hack.

I'm guessing none. Russian guy says that he's built this device in article he writes. Other writers quote original piece for their own articles. Has anyone else ever made one? Not as far as I know.

Just another scare story. You've got more to worry about from malware.

[MightyMouse]

Could it be done? - Yes.

Is it likely that you would come across one of these? - Well, if someone hands you a drive and it screws your computer... do you have someone to suspect? And maybe get violent with? Clearly. So it isn't quite the same as anonymous virus distributors.

If it is a concern, then get the person with the drive to show it works on their computer first. Never put a drive you just happen to find into your computer, but then why would you? Especially with Autorun being the default on many systems.

Compared with viruses, this costs the malefactor money, and usually makes their identity obvious. So I can't see it being such a big deal. There are just so many easier/cheaper ways to cause someone aggravation. Which of course I will not go into.

[KJ4IPS]

It's a cool proof-of-concept, AFAIK USB has very minimal isolation specifications, so a simple charge pump kicking the data lines in the teeth is all it takes to do some damage. It's up to the design of the motherboard to isolate that damage.

[ChicoSlim803]

Great idea for that person that has pissed you off, but who really wants to test it to see if it does what it says it does???

[MBI]

Quick, we need electronics-control legislation to protect us!

We MUST enact reasonable laws, for the sake of the children!

We need to immediately require registration of all new capacitors being sold and ban private sales of capacitors.
I'm thinking 2 week waiting periods for the sale of capacitors and banning the use of concealed capacitors.
We need voltage capacity limits! What reasonable person would ever need more than 5 volts anyway?
Ban any capacitor use within 50 feet of a school, except for law enforcement and IT administrators.

[ChicoSlim803]

AMERICA!!!!

[gnarus8429]

That is an interesting concept. Hmm might be interesting to build.

[GWiens2001]

Don't forget background checks during that 2 week waiting period.

Mandatory reporting on purchases of more than two capacitors within any 30 day period.

Severe penalties for those who purchase two capacitors in one month and a third shortly thereafter to get around reporting requirements.

Government monitoring of those who are found to be 'researching' electronic components and circuit diagrams without a government license.

No access to capacitors for those under 21 years of age.

With common sense legislation like those listed in this post and those of the esteemed MBI, we can all have a safer society.

Gordon

snickers to himself

[LocksportSouth]

Lmao, you two

This sounds like that old "BOFH" archives.. Not sure if anyone remembers that... Bastard Operator From Hell?

This One

[femurat]

I do remember that story, LocksportSouth. I didn't know BOFH was still around lol

Cheers