4 ms·

Not a good idea. This risks getting owned from the BadUSB exploit.

upofadown 12y ago
Since the BadUSB exploit is a MITM for data going through the USB interface, it's existence doesn't increase the risk. All the executable files could just be infected to start with. It's pretty much the worst idea to execute random files you find in the street anyway so the risk probably isn't that high in the first place.
yk 12y ago
Is BadUSB possible with any USB stick? ( Or is this only a risk if a modified USB stick was installed in the first place?)
- speakeron 12y ago
  The firmware on a USB peripheral normally isn't write-protected, so it's possible to infect an existing stick.
  - yk 12y ago
    Thank you, I always thought that one needs special hardware.
tach4n 12y ago
In the article it's said that's explicitly part of the idea - it's supposed to be dangerous.
- onion2k 12y ago
  It's supposed to appear dangerous. The first time anything actually dangerous happened the user would immediately stop using them. Or worse, they'll end up in prison. Copying a random zip file of the Anarchist's Cookbook on to your PC will get you a few hours of questioning by the police and a caution not to be so stupid as to be a pretend spy again; why you downloaded an archive of several thousand child porn pictures is quite a bit harder to explain away as a bit of fun.
  - wyager 12y ago
    > Copying a random zip file of the Anarchist's Cookbook on to your PC will get you a few hours of questioning Not in the US. I could download a hundred copies from every sketchy warez site on the internet without violating any laws.
    - Lawtonfogle 12y ago
      Have not broken any laws does not provide any assured protection. And even the laws that are supposed to protect your rights have a long history of being broken, often with little punishment to the breaker.
    - onion2k 12y ago
      The same is true here in the UK. It's not a crime to have the file, but it'd be reason enough for the police to request you 'voluntarily' answer some questions about where you got it from and why. If you refuse to answer questions however, then it's a crime.
      - Starwatcher2001 12y ago
        Since when has it been a crime in the UK to refuse to answer questions from the police?
  - deleted 12y ago
    [deleted]
cplease 12y ago
Unlikely and preventable, but I'd be more worried about water and other gack in the connector.

Since the BadUSB exploit is a MITM for data going through the USB interface, it's existence doesn't increase the risk. All the executable files could just be infected to start with. It's pretty much the worst idea to execute random files you find in the street anyway so the risk probably isn't that high in the first place.

yk 12y ago

Is BadUSB possible with any USB stick? ( Or is this only a risk if a modified USB stick was installed in the first place?)

speakeron 12y ago
The firmware on a USB peripheral normally isn't write-protected, so it's possible to infect an existing stick.
- yk 12y ago
  Thank you, I always thought that one needs special hardware.

tach4n 12y ago

In the article it's said that's explicitly part of the idea - it's supposed to be dangerous.

onion2k 12y ago
It's supposed to appear dangerous. The first time anything actually dangerous happened the user would immediately stop using them. Or worse, they'll end up in prison. Copying a random zip file of the Anarchist's Cookbook on to your PC will get you a few hours of questioning by the police and a caution not to be so stupid as to be a pretend spy again; why you downloaded an archive of several thousand child porn pictures is quite a bit harder to explain away as a bit of fun.
- wyager 12y ago
  > Copying a random zip file of the Anarchist's Cookbook on to your PC will get you a few hours of questioning Not in the US. I could download a hundred copies from every sketchy warez site on the internet without violating any laws.
  - Lawtonfogle 12y ago
    Have not broken any laws does not provide any assured protection. And even the laws that are supposed to protect your rights have a long history of being broken, often with little punishment to the breaker.
  - onion2k 12y ago
    The same is true here in the UK. It's not a crime to have the file, but it'd be reason enough for the police to request you 'voluntarily' answer some questions about where you got it from and why. If you refuse to answer questions however, then it's a crime.
    - Starwatcher2001 12y ago
      Since when has it been a crime in the UK to refuse to answer questions from the police?
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]

cplease 12y ago

Unlikely and preventable, but I'd be more worried about water and other gack in the connector.