A Russian researcher, Dark Purple, along with a Hong Kong-based technology manufacturer is selling a USB thumb drive called USB Kill 2.0 for $49.95. \u00a0The thumb drive is design to send a power surge to a computer that it’s plugged into, frying major computer components and making data retrieval impractical.<\/p>\n
The company claims that the thumb drive wasn’t design to erase data, but depending on the hardware configuration (SSD vs. HDD) the USB Kill 2.0 may damage the controllers enough to make access to data on the computers difficult. \u00a0It also claims that the device was designed for companies to test their security against USB Power Surge attacks and to prevent data theft via “Juice Jacking.” The device can be set to use with only authorized computers and if it’s plugged into an unauthorized computer, the device will discharge 200 volts DC power over the data lines of the host machine.<\/p>\n
Although the company did not design the device for malicious intent, people will now have another way to attack organizations. \u00a0The device could be used maliciously by disgruntled employees by using the devices to take out critical servers and computers by simply plugging in the device. \u00a0Cyber criminals could also use the device to fry their own computers to keep data away from law enforcement.<\/p>\n