A team of Hong Kong engineers has devised the ultimate lethal weapon in tech: a USB flash drive capable of instantly ‘killing’ any device it’s plugged into. The aptly named USB Kill 2.0 is just $56 and anyone can buy one from the official product site.
The company behind the USB Kill 2.0 first revealed its simple killer a little under a month ago, but it just recently started to make waves online. The portable device is designed to be a testing tool for use in public machines, as they are often vulnerable and unprotected against this kind of physical threats.
What seems to be so catchy about the USB Kill 2.0 is that it is a near black-hat piece of tech available to anyone at a low cost. The creators have also developed a protective device called the USB Kill Test Shield, which allows owners to safely test the deadly flash drive in a machine without frying it.
How does the USB Kill 2.0 work?
The mechanics behind the USB Kill 2.0’s destructive power could not be simpler. Just plug the stick as you would with any flash drive, and the terminal will die nearly instantly.
The science behind it is very simple as well. The USB Kill 2.0 uses the internal power source of a machine’s USB ports (usually 5V, 1A to 3A) to absorb and store electricity quickly. Once it is charged, the USB Kill 2.0 unleashes over 200 volts of power to kill the computer or device it is plugged into.
This whole charge and discharge process happens silently and instantly. In a demonstration video, the USB Kill 2.0 takes less than a second to kill a PC once a tester plugs it in. The stick continues to charge and discharge until it no longer receives any power from the source.
Those curious about the USB Kill 2.0 can test it safely by buying the flash drive in a bundle with the USB Kill Test Shield for an extra $16. The shield is a very simple device that only serves as a resistance outlet to confirm the proper functioning of the flash drive. Plug in the Kill 2.0 and if you watch sparks fly, then it works.
Despite many safety concerns, the company who makes the USB Kill 2.0 assures the public that the stick is perfectly safe. Moreover, they encourage manufacturers of public machines like photo booths, airline infotainment systems, and copy machines to get a USB Kill 2.0 and test them with it.
The Hong Kong-based company trusts the general public and does not make itself responsible for the potentially malicious use of the USB Kill 2.0. Shipping from the original location to customers’ doorsteps takes approximately three business days.
Source: USB Kill