USB Killer, yours for $50, lets you easily fry almost every device

[koolba]

Funniest thing I saw today was a suggestion to include one of these in fake packages intended to catch package thieves.

[pesfandiar]

I'd bet most package theives in my neighbourhood would end up trying it out at the public library.

[harel]

If this is meant for "testing ones equipment", and most devices will be destroyed in the process, then a test means a sacrifice of the device. Short of actual security/test professionals who would want that? Malicious use is "condemned" but all I see in this USB killer IS malicious use...

[dancek]

The existence of the device is important in itself.

If it was possible to make a device like USB Killer, nobody would care. But now that you can order one online for cheap, it must be taken into account.

But yes, it's mostly for malicious use. Does demonstrating what malicious use is possible count as non-malicious?

[JulianMorrison]

I think it might be useful as an object lesson in security, drop a few outside your business, some larcenous genius plugs it in, blammo, magic smoke. They will be charged for the laptop, and given a lecture about introducing viruses to the company network.

[05]

> They will be charged for the laptop

In what universe is that legal?? And how about liability for when they plug it into their personal equipment and damage that?

[pontifier]

Better in that case to make a device that will announce silently via wireless signals that the device has been used, and where.

Or make it very loudly announce its use to accomplish the same purpose.

[DKnoll]

I've thought about putting this on my keys in case they are stolen.

[redfast00]

That's kind of a dick move if someone finds your keys and wants to know who to return them to though.

[ysleepy]

Or you destroy the computer of whomever tries to help you return your lost keys.

[sct202]

Maybe stick it in your wallet, since I don't think muggers or pickpockets would pick your keys over your wallet.

[ikeboy]

(2016)

[mhh__]

$50?

[ddlatham]

Here's the $5 version:

https://www.amazon.com/Stalwart-75-HT3000-Natural-Hardwood-H...

[craftyguy]

Low effort Reddit jokes aside, it's quite obvious that would destroy a device with a usb port, but it's not quite so obvious the thing in the article would, which makes it more dangerous IMHO.

[upofadown]

Rock, yours for $0, lets you easily destroy almost every device.