This “USB Killer” Can Fry Your Computer’s Innards

As USB flash drives are plugged into multiple computers all the time, it’s usually a good idea to ensure that it remains virus free. However it seems that in the case of the USB Killer, even the strongest anti-virus software won’t be able to stop it as it has the ability to literally fry your computer’s innards, rendering your computer/laptop into a smouldering hunk of plastic and metal.

This is thanks to a researcher who goes by the handle Dark Purple. What he has done is create a USB drive that has the ability to fry the internal hardware components of your computer, and this isn’t by delivering a virus, but rather it delivers a negative 220-volt electrical surge inside the USB port it is plugged into, essentially damaging the internal components and causing the computer to stop working.

What’s scary is the fact that the USB Killer does not look very different on the outside than most USB drives, meaning that anyone with ill-intentions could very easily cause some severe damage without anyone noticing or getting a heads up beforehand. This USB Killer is actually the second version of such a device.

The previous USB Killer drew power from USB ports using a DC-to-DC converter until it reached negative 100 volts, after which the power was then redirected to the computer on a loop until it failed. Chances are the second-gen works similarly but could be more efficient and effective. To see the USB Killer in action, check out the video above.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Computers
Tags: Security