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Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

zdnet.com

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Re: Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

#6

Post by yial »

stadeschuldt wrote: post #5

I am looking at https://usbkill.com/ . What is the purpose of the device? The manufacturer calls it an "ESD tester" yet there is an "anonymous" version available: https://usbkill.com/products/usb-killer-v3?variant=447760856...

They bill it for “pen testers and police” so I would guess it’s really for people who imagine themselves / want to be within that audience. Not to be overly cynical.

I suppose some pen testers, or actual CIA type folks might have some need of this type of device... but is that a large enough market?

Re: Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

#7

Post by wodenokoto »

stadeschuldt wrote: post #5

I am looking at https://usbkill.com/ . What is the purpose of the device? The manufacturer calls it an "ESD tester" yet there is an "anonymous" version available: https://usbkill.com/products/usb-killer-v3?variant=447760856...

> Is the device safe? > The USB Kill and the USB Kill Testing Shield are safe to use. Both devices have been manufactured, tested and certified as CE Approved. Test in complete confidence.

This device that is designed to destroy computers is perfectly safe to use ... I don't know what to say to that.

Re: Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

#9

Post by stadeschuldt »

yial wrote: post #6
stadeschuldt wrote: post #5

I am looking at https://usbkill.com/ . What is the purpose of the device? The manufacturer calls it an "ESD tester" yet there is an "anonymous" version available: https://usbkill.com/products/usb-killer-v3?variant=447760856...

They bill it for “pen testers and police” so I would guess it’s really for people who imagine themselves / want to be within that audience. Not to be overly cynical. I suppose some pen testers, or actual CIA type folks might have some need of this type of device... but is that a large enough market?

I don't buy the pen testing part. I might as well sell a hammer and call it a pen testing device. Funny enough they have the following on their website:

"A hammer used maliciously can permanently damage to a third party's device. The USB Killer, used maliciously, can permanently damage a third party's device."

Contrary to this device a hammer can be used a useful tool too.

Re: Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

#10

Post by moftz »

yial wrote: post #6
stadeschuldt wrote: post #5

I am looking at https://usbkill.com/ . What is the purpose of the device? The manufacturer calls it an "ESD tester" yet there is an "anonymous" version available: https://usbkill.com/products/usb-killer-v3?variant=447760856...

They bill it for “pen testers and police” so I would guess it’s really for people who imagine themselves / want to be within that audience. Not to be overly cynical. I suppose some pen testers, or actual CIA type folks might have some need of this type of device... but is that a large enough market?

I can't even imagine a situation where police would want to destroy a running device that could likely have evidence stored in volatile memory. Even if it was their own device that they were retiring, it doesn't even wipe data, it just destroys the logic/motherboard.

Hardware designers might want one to test out their mitigation circuit but once your design, why do you need a USBkill anymore?

This thing just seems like a destructive version of those annoyance toys like a TV-B-Gone.

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