The expert from the Russian cyber security, Dark Purple, who created the confusing USB Killer, has released a new version of its malicious hardware, which can destroy your device once it is connected.
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In a new article on his blog, available in Russian (Google Translate is your friend), Dark Purple describes his camera, simply named Killer USB v2.0. This key does not install malicious software on your computer when you plug. Instead, the USB Killer v2.0 key sends a charge of 220 volts across the USB port, completely destroying the computer.
The first generation of USB Killer, unveiled in March, relaxed 110 volts, which was more than enough to damage your device. The most scary part about it is that the USB Killer looks pretty quiet, even too, and could be easily confused with a traditional USB stick.
Naughty ... but hardly propagatable
Dark Purple released a short video demonstrating his device in action, where it destroyed the motherboard of a laptop Lenovo Thinkpad X60, which he bought specifically for the test in seconds. "[It] is extremely low likely that the hard drive was damaged, and the information on it ", he said. In other words, it will likely be able to recover the data. However, this serves as a good reminder not to connect all USB keys that are found in our computer. Indeed, in addition to grilling your computer, a malicious USB drive can infect your computer if it is connected. The Hacker News as the highlights, this was the method used to spread the Stuxnet virus, notorious for tackling the Iranian centrifuges to enrich uranium.
In a sense, an attack like the USB Killer is ultimately less damaging because it does not collect data or infiltrate a network. In addition, it is necessary to propagate a physical hardware on each computer for the attack to be effective. This means that the damage may be less - however, if you are a victim not sure it comforts you.
See also: Apple Announces New iMac 4K 21.5-inch
In a new article on his blog, available in Russian (Google Translate is your friend), Dark Purple describes his camera, simply named Killer USB v2.0. This key does not install malicious software on your computer when you plug. Instead, the USB Killer v2.0 key sends a charge of 220 volts across the USB port, completely destroying the computer.
The first generation of USB Killer, unveiled in March, relaxed 110 volts, which was more than enough to damage your device. The most scary part about it is that the USB Killer looks pretty quiet, even too, and could be easily confused with a traditional USB stick.
Naughty ... but hardly propagatable
Dark Purple released a short video demonstrating his device in action, where it destroyed the motherboard of a laptop Lenovo Thinkpad X60, which he bought specifically for the test in seconds. "[It] is extremely low likely that the hard drive was damaged, and the information on it ", he said. In other words, it will likely be able to recover the data. However, this serves as a good reminder not to connect all USB keys that are found in our computer. Indeed, in addition to grilling your computer, a malicious USB drive can infect your computer if it is connected. The Hacker News as the highlights, this was the method used to spread the Stuxnet virus, notorious for tackling the Iranian centrifuges to enrich uranium.