USB Killer now for Type C and Lightning Connectors

[WMGroomAK]

So it appears that the company that built the USB Killer has a new version and adaptors to let it work on Lightning and Type C ports as well as a more inconspicuous version. The Ars Technica article talks about how the adaptors are an issue since supposed the USB-C and Lightning authentication specs might have prevented the USB Killer from working, however this has apparently been worked around.

 

In the article

Quote

'A spokesperson for USB Killer told Ars that the Lightning adaptor "bypasses the authentication check," without providing any more details. When it comes to USB-C, the spokesperson said, "There are multiple forms of authentication (certificate, hash, etc), some of which can be emulated."' 

 

Honestly, this is a bad thing and hopefully, as the article mentions, more manufacturers will install opto-isolators on the ports to try and protect from these attacks.

 

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/02/usb-killer-fry-lightning-usb-c-devices/

[VerticalDiscussions]

Urgh, that dreadful USB killer .-.

[Dackzy]

kek, buy this and lay it on the ground somewhere where there is a lot of people and see the world burn.

 

Just to be sure, please don't do this in real life. It's only a joke NEVER do it in real life.

[Dabombinable]

I just use an adapter for my old Belkin mouse. That thing either kills a USB port when plugged in, or causes the device to constantly throw a fit (its a small optical mouse, with a 3.5" floppy disk containing the driver)

[potoooooooo]

2 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

kek, buy this and lay it on the ground somewhere where there is a lot of people and see the world burn.

I hope you're trying to make yourself look bad...

[Dackzy]

1 minute ago, potoooooooo said:

I hope you're trying to make yourself look bad...

maybe I like seeing the world burn, maybe I said it because it needed to be said, who knows.  

[potoooooooo]

1 minute ago, Dackzy said:

maybe I like seeing the world burn, maybe I said it because it needed to be said, who knows.  

Actually i'm pretty sure it's because you're trying to be edgy. Please, just stop.

[Dackzy]

1 minute ago, potoooooooo said:

Actually i'm pretty sure it's because you're trying to be edgy. Please, just stop.

oh calm down, it's a joke don't take it so hard.

Not trying to be anything, I just have dark humor. 

[zMeul]

53 minutes ago, WMGroomAK said:

Honestly, this is a bad thing and hopefully, as the article mentions, more manufacturers will install opto-isolators on the ports to try and protect from these attacks.

they can't install optocouplers on power pins, only on data ports

and if memory serves, USB Killer introduces negative voltage to those power pins, not the data pins

[WMGroomAK]

29 minutes ago, zMeul said:

they can't install optocouplers on power pins, only on data ports

and if memory serves, USB Killer introduces negative voltage to those power pins, not the data pins

My understanding is that the Optocouplers isolates out the power and data from the rest of the system...  Basically, if a USB Killer is plugged into a port that has a optocoupler, it would act like a fuse in a circuit breaker and fry the coupler before any damage is done to the rest of the system...  Not an ideal solution, but still better than complete system failure.

[AlTech]

Why is USB Killer allowed to exist? It's so stupid why anybody who allow this product to exist.

[zMeul]

7 hours ago, WMGroomAK said:

My understanding is that the Optocouplers isolates out the power and data from the rest of the system...  Basically, if a USB Killer is plugged into a port that has a optocoupler, it would act like a fuse in a circuit breaker and fry the coupler before any damage is done to the rest of the system...  Not an ideal solution, but still better than complete system failure.

optocouplers use light, IR, to isolate paths

but optocouplers do not transfer power - basically they can, but not in the amount needed to power (USB) devices

[tlink]

there are a few ways to protect against this but they require quite some components and space on the PCB.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surge_protector#Primary_components

[WMGroomAK]

10 hours ago, zMeul said:

optocouplers use light, IR, to isolate paths

but optocouplers do not transfer power - basically they can, but not in the amount needed to power (USB) devices

I agree that they do not transfer power, at least not in any sufficient supply, but they can be used to help protect systems from power surges.  Unfortunately, some combination of opto-isolator and surge protector/fuse is what would be required to defeat the kind of malicious attacks that occur from a device like USB Killer.  The biggest downside though is that to protect the data transmission channels, you are going to end up increasing latency and limiting data transmission speeds.  From what I've seen on the commercially available side, opto-isolators are primarily working at around USB 2.0 data transmission speeds.  To add into this though, there is no reason that this kind of tech should be limited to the USB ports on your devices.  I can imagine that if this works over USB, then there is no reason that someone cannot get this to work on a PoE Port.  

 

10 hours ago, AluminiumTech said:

Why is USB Killer allowed to exist? It's so stupid why anybody who allow this product to exist.

While I disagree with the use of this device in a malicious environment, it is a good thing to know that this kind of attack is possible so that manufacturers and consumers can defend against them.  As for non-malicious uses, this would be good for an industrial use of product testing or for a personal use if you have a personal device that you want to brick to prevent any future use...  

 

[Guest Kloaked]

19 hours ago, Dackzy said:

kek, buy this and lay it on the ground somewhere where there is a lot of people and see the world burn.

I'm tempted to do this at the office, but I'd feel bad for the people in IT.

 

19 hours ago, Dackzy said:

Just to be sure, please don't do this in real life. It's only a joke NEVER do it in real life.

I'm totally not going to do it.

 

11 hours ago, AluminiumTech said:

Why is USB Killer allowed to exist? It's so stupid why anybody who allow this product to exist.

The same reason you're allowed to have your wrong opinion about the Apple Touchbar.

[leadeater]

A lightning port being killed by over-voltage..... come on lightning.... that's just too funny to let pass by without making a joke lol.

[alicskysareblue]

7 hours ago, WMGroomAK said:

I agree that they do not transfer power, at least not in any sufficient supply, but they can be used to help protect systems from power surges.  Unfortunately, some combination of opto-isolator and surge protector/fuse is what would be required to defeat the kind of malicious attacks that occur from a device like USB Killer.  The biggest downside though is that to protect the data transmission channels, you are going to end up increasing latency and limiting data transmission speeds.  From what I've seen on the commercially available side, opto-isolators are primarily working at around USB 2.0 data transmission speeds.  To add into this though, there is no reason that this kind of tech should be limited to the USB ports on your devices.  I can imagine that if this works over USB, then there is no reason that someone cannot get this to work on a PoE Port.  

 

While I disagree with the use of this device in a malicious environment, it is a good thing to know that this kind of attack is possible so that manufacturers and consumers can defend against them.  As for non-malicious uses, this would be good for an industrial use of product testing or for a personal use if you have a personal device that you want to brick to prevent any future use...  

 

Whats the point of the later? It only kills the motherboard not the harddrive or ssd