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Could someone please explain the risks of plugging into a random USB device? I see a handful of people alluding to risks (viz. "USB Condom") but I don't unders
by bravura 14y ago
Could someone please explain the risks of plugging into a random USB device?
I see a handful of people alluding to risks (viz. "USB Condom") but I don't understand precisely what the issue is.
On Windows, presumably there's autorun.inf which can launch any executable on the USB drive. Is that correct? What about if you plug in from Unix or MacOS?
Bonus question: What are the risk factors, both for you and the host, if you charge your smart-phone in a stranger's laptop through USB?
- maxerickson 14y agoThere's always the risk that it is wired in such a way that it attempts to fry the port it connects to. The risk of hostile software should be relatively easy to deal with (even on ancient versions of Windows).
- praptak 14y agoAlso there is the obvious risk of carrying around and taking out a relatively expensive device like a laptop or a tablet. A good location for a dead drop would probably be a good location for a mugger, since neither should be too public.