That can trivially be done in software using any USB device at all. In fact, Tails has done it forever, and I bet other things have too.
Total ripoff.
BusKill – A USB kill cord for laptops
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Re: BusKill – A USB kill cord for laptops
#12I guess the best way would be to auto lock the laptop if someone screams, no hardware needed and if they hold you, you can still scream to lock the laptop
Re: BusKill – A USB kill cord for laptops
#13This is shockingly expensive and comically impractical to use.
I can grant expensive (though I don't know for how cheap I could make such a sellable project with free worldwide shipping, while also making profit), but what is comically impractical about this? It's not like the default functionality is to nuke the device from the orbit on disconnect. You could make one for yourself cheaper, though, if you have the know-how. Though a basic face detection-based screen lock could be…
Only the cable by itself cost $59.00.
It's the same USB magnetic cable that you can buy in many shops for $2.
> but what is comically impractical about this?
That you have to carry such contraption around and find a place to tie it to.
If you have to spend more than $30 for a custom device you can detect if a laptop is being moved away from a table in many better ways.
Re: BusKill – A USB kill cord for laptops
#14I feel I would somehow forget its there a lose all my data within the week...
Re: BusKill – A USB kill cord for laptops
#15Feel like this something similar can be accomplished for Macs using AirTags/Apple Watch proximity to do specific actions via Shortcuts App, instead of just locking/erasing remotely using 'Find My'.
Re: BusKill – A USB kill cord for laptops
#16Interesting. The site implicitly references the arrest of the Silk Road founder, using the alternative acronym "Department of Parks and Recreation". He was arrested by having his laptop literally yanked from under his fingertips in a public library.
Having a USB kill switch in this case could (would?) have escalated the arrest method to something more violent.
Yep, I think so too, it wouldn't have protected him. Whoever was in charge of the operation would've noticed and identified this killswitch, and prepared appropriately. The suspect would be incapacitated as a matter of priority to prevent him from activating it.
Re: BusKill – A USB kill cord for laptops
#17That can trivially be done in software using any USB device at all. In fact, Tails has done it forever, and I bet other things have too. Total ripoff.
Re: BusKill – A USB kill cord for laptops
#18Maybe I'm "spoiled" because in Germany there's a need to publish an imprint on all websites that are somehow "commercial" (having ads on it would be enough), but this is highly "dubious".
No contact information (as in "who runs this?") is provided on the site. Privacy policy is not GDPR compliant (no contact information provided), no names, nothing.
This might be fine for a personal blog, but for doing business this is (at least for me) a no-go.
Re: BusKill – A USB kill cord for laptops
#19The idea is interesting, but the current form factor seems to be cumbersome. The cord can be easily disconnected by mistake. It would be nice to have a BT dongle that could react to the distance to the owner and to being unplugged.
Until something interferes with the bluetooth signal.
Re: BusKill – A USB kill cord for laptops
#20I feel I would somehow forget its there a lose all my data within the week...
Yeah, setting it to destroy your data when removed isn't advisable outside of some very controlled settings.