The USB flash drive has become a ubiquitous storage medium that is both cost-effective and easy to use. Available in numerous shapes and sizes, these plug-and-play gadgets are great for uploading common file formats to a computer, smartphone, or smart TV, including photos, videos, and music. But what if we told you that you can invest in something called a USB kill stick, a device designed to sabotage whatever hardware you’ve connected it to?
It sounds like a plot straight out of a sci-fi action thriller, but USB kill sticks (or USB killers) are very much a thing. Even a quick search on Amazon will return numerous results for this type of product. The technology is relatively simple: When connected, a USB killer sends a series of electrical surges to the host, an attack strategy that renders most hardware inoperable. Some of the most advanced USB killers on the market can even be triggered remotely, and some models feature built-in batteries that allow you to attack devices that are turned off.
Do they really work? The answer to that question is a resounding yes. So if you happen to own one or are thinking of taking the leap with one of these assassin devices, you’d better make sure it’s not hanging out in a junk drawer with the rest of your pedestrian flash drives — the consequences could be fatal.
The USB flash drive has become a ubiquitous storage medium that is both cost-effective and easy to use.
But what if we told you that you can invest in something called a USB kill stick, a device designed to sabotage whatever hardware you’ve connected it to?
It sounds like a plot straight out of a sci-fi action thriller, but USB kill sticks (or USB killers) are very much a thing.
The technology is relatively simple: When connected, a USB killer sends a series of electrical surges to the host, an attack strategy that renders most hardware inoperable.
Some of the most advanced USB killers on the market can even be triggered remotely, and some models feature built-in batteries that allow you to attack devices that are turned off.
The USB flash drive has become a ubiquitous storage medium that is both cost-effective and easy to use. Available in numerous shapes and sizes, these plug-and-play gadgets are great for uploading common file formats to a computer, smartphone, or smart TV, including photos, videos, and music. But what if we told you that you can invest in something called a USB kill stick, a device designed to sabotage whatever hardware you’ve connected it to?
It sounds like a plot straight out of a sci-fi action thriller, but USB kill sticks (or USB killers) are very much a thing. Even a quick search on Amazon will return numerous results for this type of product. The technology is relatively simple: When connected, a USB killer sends a series of electrical surges to the host, an attack strategy that renders most hardware inoperable. Some of the most advanced USB killers on the market can even be triggered remotely, and some models feature built-in batteries that allow you to attack devices that are turned off.
Do they really work? The answer to that question is a resounding yes. So if you happen to own one or are thinking of taking the leap with one of these assassin devices, you’d better make sure it’s not hanging out in a junk drawer with the rest of your pedestrian flash drives — the consequences could be fatal.
