Tech Talk: Beware USB Drives
 | Author:
Victor Sample
Vic Sample: MT43 News Treasurer |
Tech Talk: Beware USB Drives
For some time, I have been warning computer users to be very careful about emails and to NEVER, EVER click on a link in an email unless you are certain that it is a safe link. Similarly, never download something from the internet unless you are very confident that the source of the download is reputable and safe.
When personal computers first came out, a common source of malware was from floppy disks (both the original 5 ¼ and the later 3 ½ floppies). Malicious hackers used to embed malware or even have a boot record that if you left it in the drive the PC would try to boot up from the floppy and quite often wipe everything on the hard drive, including the PC Dos operating system.
Of course, Cds/DVDs from unknown sources could also install malware on your computer. ALWAYS be cautious about any kind of medium that you use with your computer. If you aren’t completely confident about where any of them come from, DO NOT use them.
USB drives (flash drives, thumb drives) are a very common way of transporting data between computers. On television, the heroes are always downloading bad guys computer data onto USB drives. As always, NEVER use a USB drive unless you are certain it is safe.
I have always been worried about unknown drives installing some kind of malware: viruses, worms, spyware, adware, keystroke stealers, etc. All of those are potentially devastating to you or to your company.
However, I recently read an article about USB drives that scared me far more than just installing malware.
There have been instances of USB drives being modified to deliver a 220v shock to your pc when they are inserted into the USB port. That will fry your motherboard, HDD or SSD. That is pretty scary! But even that is not the scariest thing. Recently, reporters at a newspaper received flash drives from an anonymous source. I think reporters are used to receiving anonymous stories, flash drives, memory cards, etc. So, one of the reporters inserted the flash drive into his USB port.
USB ports can be used to charge smartphones, fit bits, etc. The specifications for USB ports are that they provide enough power to run various electronic components so that you do not need to have an additional power cord.
The anonymous flash drive the reporter inserted into his USB port had been modified to be an EXPLOSIVE triggered by the power coming from the USB Port. The reporter suffered extensive injuries to his head, torso and hands.
Always, Always, Always be very careful with any type of medium you use on your computer. If you do not know that it came from a reputable, safe source DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE IT.
Practice safe computing – it is a dangerous world out there!
