USB Killer: A small pen drive will burn your laptop worth lakhs, destroys the entire device in just a few seconds

News India Live, Digital Desk: If you find an abandoned pen drive lying on the road or a stranger gives you a pen drive for free, then do not make the mistake of installing it in your laptop or phone. This could be ‘USB Killer’. This device looks exactly like an ordinary data cable or pen drive, but inside it there is a circuit that can burn the motherboard of your device in a few seconds.

What is USB Killer and how does it work?

USB Killer is not a virus or software attack, but it is a hardware attack Is.

Power Draw: As soon as you plug it into a USB port, it starts drawing power from your laptop or phone’s battery.

High Voltage Discharge: This electricity is stored in the capacitors installed inside it. Once charged, this device will suddenly 200 to 240 volts The DC current is released back into the motherboard through your port.

Burning of motherboard: A computer’s USB port is made to handle only 5 volts. When a 240 volt shock is applied to it, the main circuit of the motherboard instantly burns out and the device becomes ‘dead’.

How dangerous is this?

Game of Seconds: This process happens so fast that you don’t even get a chance to calm down. The device turns off within 1 to 2 seconds of application.

Data recovery impossible: In many cases, it causes so much damage that your hard drive or SSD even burns, causing your important data to be lost forever.

Threats on every device: It can destroy not only laptops but also smartphones, smart TVs, car infotainment systems and gaming consoles.

How to protect yourself and your device?

Avoid unknown devices: Never use any unknown pen drive or cable.

Public Charging Ports: Use a ‘USB Data Blocker’ (also known as a ‘USB Condom’) when using public USB charging ports in airports or cafes. It only allows power to pass through and prevents data/current backflow.

Visual Check: If any pen drive looks suspicious or feels hot, remove it immediately.