USB Killer: A device that can destroy a PC in seconds

DECCAN CHRONICLE ^ | Published Sep 12, 2016, 12:02 pm IST

[dayglored]

USB Arc-and-Spark ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

Thanks to Swordmaker for the ping!!

[Crolis]

There would have to be some type of surge protector/breaker in place to interrupt it.

Since this device requires no data communication, disabling USB ports as part of a Windows group policy may have no effect. As long as the port is energized, even if no data is allowed to transfer, it will charge the capacitors of this kill device and shunt it back into the computer.

You would need possibly BIOS level controls to physically “de-power” unused ports.

Ever since I’ve heard of this device I’ve been on the lookout where vulnerabilities exist. It’s amazing how many POS terminals and receptionist desks, etc have exposed USB ports that are easily accessible.

I’m most concerned about voting machines. I used to work as a chief of precinct for Fairfax County, VA. The old Shouptronic machines were very resistant to physical attack, as all the electronic ports and controls were on the back of the machine and not easily accessible by a voter.

The new machines (at least as of 2010) are essentially touch screen PCs running Windows XP embedded. I don’t remember if they have an exposed USB port, but it wouldn’t surprise me. Someone going into a precinct with a USB kill stick that is known to produce Republican votes and destroying a machine would make it very difficult to retrieve the tally figures.

Chalk it up to malfunction, but a clandestine targeting of devices spread out over a geographic area could tip a very close race.

[Swordmaker]

So you’re supposed to use this USB Kill gizmo to “test” your computer to see if it’s vulnerable to a USB power surge. But the way you find out is if it kills your computer or not.

I don’t think they’ve thought this whole thing through...

I kind of agree. . . in what way is this a true piece of testing equipment when there is really no way to know at exact what voltage and current the tested PC finally gave up and failed? I don't see any test leads on the USB stick to tell the tester what level it reached before the tested PC failed. It just keeps upping the voltage and current until the target PC fails to block the surge being presented. In what way does that tell the tester how much protection is necessary?

[Swordmaker]

Okay, so the reality is that it destroys the USB circuit not the whole computer. Bad, but that doesn’t mean it wipes out the hard drive or other peripherals.

Nope shouldn't touch the platters of the HDs, but it might get through to any SSDs, depending on the design and whether it gets onto the bus.

[Swordmaker]

Yeah. I would think that most USB ports would have such protection.

Apparently what they are reporting is "Uh, no, they don't." Only Apple was smart enough, or paranoid enough, to protect the USB bus.

[jmcenanly]

It sounds like something that Ian Fleming's Q would whip up.

[jmcenanly]

It sounds like something that Ian Fleming's Q would whip up.

[Hot Tabasco]

I figure I can destroy my computer myself.

When I got rid of my first Dell computer, I took the hard drive out and smashed it to smithereens.......then I put the smithereened drive in the garbage and the computer itself by the garbage can on garbage pick up day..........

I'm about to do the same thing with this 10 year old Windows XP computer.............but I can't afford a new one.

[toast]

I would assume this would take out the USB port but not the whole PC. There are easier ways to destroy a PC:

[Swordmaker]

I would assume this would take out the USB port but not the whole PC. There are easier ways to destroy a PC:

A 90mm cannon works better:

90mm cannon takes out 5K iMac